Page 5 of King of Clubs

“Just because we’ve been friends for nearly two decades doesn’t mean you know me.” I snapped sarcastically, before looking at my nails guiltily.

She still didn’t say anything, instead slurping her can aggressively with the loudest look of judgement I’d ever seen.

“Fucking hell. Fine. A lot. As I left last time I actually said to her, ‘oh my goodness, Suzie, we never talk about you. Maybe next time.’ She didn’t find it funny.”

Arna chortled, holding her stomach and I couldn’t help but laugh too. Humour had always been an easy and quick defence mechanism, clearly still something I lunged for.

“You are the best, honestly,” she said affectionately.

“Apparently not. Suzie is divorcing me.” I threw my hand over my face and fell back onto my bed with a sigh.

“Think of all the money you’ll save,” Arns quipped and she had a point. My bank account was dwindling fast and while I would be able to access the funds I’d stashed from my parents estate in a few short months, right now I was penny pinching. I wouldn’t have ever been able to get to this point – the point where even my therapist was confident in my journey of healing – without having this place to stay and while I was eternally grateful to Arns and Andy, it was coming to an end.

“Valid point. I also found a few rentals opening next month,” I continued scrolling, not wanting to see her face in case she tried to convince me to stay.

“Wait a minute!” She said and I groaned knowingly. “You literally know how it feels when someone tries todivorceyou and that is exactly what you are doing to meeeeee,“ she complained and I whacked her with the pillow next to me.

“I’m tired of hearing you and your fiancé banging. It’s time. I’m ready and when he eventually starts to piss you off, you will need somewhere to stay.” I flattened my hand under my chin and batted my lashes at her.

“Don’t you ever do that face again,” she laughed, throwing the pillow back at me. “Fine, but you know you can stay forever, yeah?”

“I know and you guys literally saved me. Something I can never repay you for, but you need your space and I need to stop hearing you both. It’s not good for my eardrums or my lonely vagina.”

Arna laughed, playfully shoving me. “I guess we need to enjoy our time together then. Want to watch a movie tonight? Andy and the boys are stealing the living room for poker.”

“Which boys?”

“The usual I think. Dylan, Jack, Jay and maybe Cooper. Not sure about Seb though he might be busy.”

“Aw yay, I miss Jack! Wait, which one is Seb?” I asked. Living with Arna and Andy for the past six months meant I’d seen his friends before on numerous occasions, although my level of sociability was nowhere near where it should have been. Greetings usually consisted of a wave before I hightailed it back to my room. It was probably why I was able to be in the same room as those who played for the Hearts – the team I’d barracked for since I was a child – without hyperventilating. But other than Jack and Jay, I wasn’t entirely sure who was who, although I would need to be comatose to deny they were a good looking bunch of men.

“Tall, dark hair, looks a little scary and doesn’t say a lot,” she prompted and I wracked my memories, drawing a blank.

“Doesn’t ring any bells.”

“He owns Nexus. That club in Sydney they go to sometimes.”

“Oh, yep. I’m with you. I haven’t met him, I don’t think.”

“Anyway, they’ll be loud and annoying so we need to either go somewhere or camp out in here.” I glanced down at my warm pants, my favourite blue jacket I was comfortably snuggled in. I’d thrown them on the second I got back in today and did not see myself taking them off until tomorrow morning.

“Takeaway and a movie?” I asked, deciding venturing into city nightlife was not on the cards today.

“Perfect. Now show me more photos of our dear saviour Suzie and every person in her family.”

“Can you come help me carry everything?” Arna called from the kitchen and I begrudgingly threw back the quilt and trudged out to the kitchen. Of course it was just as I got comfortable that I would have to move again and venture into the lion’s den. Not only were Andy and what sounded like a small army out there but I looked like a swamp rat and thanks to Arns forcing us to watchThe Notebook, my eyes were nearly swollen closed from the amount of tears I’d shed. This was why I avoided movies which made me cry. What kind of animal knowingly chose to watch something sad. I did enough crying in real life without needing to face those horrific things in my means of escape. Which was also why we were watchingBridesmaidsnext – my choice.

“Marls,” Jack bellowed and I glanced towards the table where his large grin instantly made me reciprocate.

“Hey Jack,” I greeted, meeting him halfway and returning his hug. When we first met, it was a surprise I didn’t require CPR given he was one of the stars of the Hearts and I was certain I bled red and black in solidarity with that team. But, the novelty soon wore off and now he was just Andy’s kind teammate and a good friend to us both. “I’ve missed you,” I added honestly.

“You good?” He asked, his words soft as if he was worried I might burst into tears – which wouldn’t be the first time in his company. Like Suzie said, I’d definitely come a long way, but tonight I really was okay and I laughed.

“This weirdo,” I pointed my thumb towards Arna, “made me watch the saddest film in the history of cinema.”

“Titanic?” Jay called from the table clearly eavesdropping.

“The Notebook,” I answered and he shook his head at my clearly ecstatic best-friend.

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