Page 92 of The Sidekick

When I see Andi’s name, I answer it. “I was just talking about you.”

“To who?” She sounds bewildered.

“Blaze and Felix are here for my unwilling group therapy session,” I confess as I make my way back, phone tucked to my ear.

“Oooh, I want in! Speakerphone me!”

I put it on speaker and set it on the coffee table as I sit.

“So, were you guys talking about how awesome I am?” Her voice shouts from the phone, and I wince, racing Shade to turn the volume down.

“Blaze was just telling us that you have the voice of an angel,” I settle back to watch the panic begin on his face.

“Tera was just telling us about outing Max and Trevor’s bisexual relationship to all the bar employees,” Blaze fires back without hesitation, and my face falls as guilt slams me. Shade thumps him in the chest with his fist hard enough that Blaze wheezes, looking betrayed.

“How did she do that?” Andi asks, uncharacteristically dropping the opening to talk about herself. “It’s not like they’re hiding it.”

“Excuse me?” Felix asks in confusion.

“They’re bi. Who cares? Honestly, half those hos have gone after them already, so it should be common knowledge.”

“I didn’t know,” I say defensively.

“Sweetie, you’re not a ho,” Andi says slowly, and I roll my eyes. “You wouldn’t fling your boobs at someone and hope they grab them. Anyways, what did they say?”

I’m stuck for an answer because my brain has automatically shifted into ‘Is that where I went wrong?’ mode. Luckily, Shade answers for me.

“Tera, no boob flinging. Andi, she didn’t stick around to find out.”

“I said the D word,” I cover my face with my hands in embarrassment.

“Oh, Sweetie,” Andi sighs, and I can picture her grimace.

I dredge up a sigh myself. I need to call and apologize to Max.

“But I still don’t get it,” Andi continues, and I slap a hand on my forehead. “Don’t you facepalm me, Tera Ashlyn Evans. I meant, why would they care if people knew they were in an open relationship? They just don’t seem like the kind of guys to get all bent out of shape about it.”

“Maybe they’re private people who want to stay private?” I suggest through my palm. I’m not sure if that translated well.

“Then you just outed them again to us,” Andi points out, and I drop my hand to stare at Shade in horror.

“Be helpful or get the fuck off the phone, Andi,” Shade snaps and hovers his finger over the end call button.

“Hey! Watch your mouth, number two!” Her voice begins to rise in volume, and I glance at Blaze. He’s right. It is the beginning of a banshee scream. He gives me a smug grin as I nod with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” I whisper sincerely.

“I single-handedly started group therapy for her. What have you done?” He snarks back. This competition to be my number one best friend has gotten a little out of control.

I cover my face with my hands again and choose to block out the rest of their argument.

“All you can do is apologize and move on,” Felix shrugs, leaving me devastated.

I thought I had given that serious thought before. Now that the final act is here, I’m not ready. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.

“Speaking of moving on,” Andi yells out to regain my attention. “I signed you up with an app, and I’m texting you the login info.”

My phone chimes, and I pick it up to look up the app. It’s a dating site.

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