Page 103 of Whiskey Wednesdays

“Yeah. And look at my pink shoes. I love them! They match yours.”

Her little pink suede lace-up high tops didn’t look like my beat-up black ones. But they were the same brand, so I guess that counted.

She patted my shoulder. “I miss you. Where have you been? Daddy said he made you sad. Are you mad at me?”

“No, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you at all. I need to think about a few things, and I need to do it while I’m not at your dad’s house. I love you. Don’t ever think me not being there has anything to do with you.”

She studied me, as if looking for the truth. “Okay. Can you help me skate?”

“Absolutely. Remember, it takes a lot of practice. So don’t get frustrated, just go slow, and have fun.”

I stood up, and my dad put his arm around me. “I brought a few of your things from the house, something from Connor, and some lemon bars. You look like you’ve lost weight. I don’t like it.” He set a large bag down by my backpack.

Sighing, I hugged him back. “Thanks. The lemon bars will help. Let me work with Ellie, then we’ll break them out.”

We skated, talked, and ate lemon bars for an hour or so. When they left, I skated alone for a while, working my way in and out of the intermediate bowl. A few younger boys came, but they just watched and left me alone.

I was able to turn off my mind and enjoy the movement and rhythm. It worked until I sat down and looked through the bag Dad had left by my backpack. There was a pair of suede pink lace-up high-top shoes in my size that were almost identical to Elodie’s shoes. Now I knew what she meant when she said our shoes matched.

A note was tucked in with the shoes.You promised I could get you something in return for the flamingo shirt.

I slowly pulled the shoes out and tried them on. They were perfect and I loved them, damn it.

On Sunday morning, Laurel, Martina, and I sat down for brunch on her back patio. They were great roommates and had become good friends, but I didn’t want to take advantage.

“I want to pay rent. At least let me pay for the utilities.”

I’d recently stocked up on groceries since Laurel still refused to let me pay her for anything.

She waved her hand. “I’ve told you a million times, I’m good. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”

“My apartment should be done soon. It’ll just be temporary.”

Martina raised her coffee cup. “Or until Connor talks you into moving back in with him.”

Laurel gave Martina an exasperated look. “Really? You can think it, but don’t say it right to her face.”

“What? Anyone who’s seen them together knows that’s probably what will happen.”

Laurel glanced at me. “Yeah, but right now isn’t the best time to say it.”

Martina rolled her eyes. “She’s not dumb. We don’t need to baby her.”

I raised my hand. “I’m sitting right here. And thank you for not babying me.”

Laurel studied me and set her glass down. “Talk to us. We’ve both been through some stuff, and I’m a good listener.”

“What am I?” Martina asked, sounding offended.

“You’re blunt and a little crazy. Which is as important as being a good listener.” Laurel turned to me. “Talk.”

So I told them about how Connor and I met, Elodie, and how I started falling for him.

“We’re so different though. He’s rich, and I’m definitely not. He’s ten years older than me, and he can be… overwhelming.”

Laurel nodded. “I get it. I have a man like that myself.”

Martina shook her head at both of us. “But the sex is fucking fantastic, isn’t it?” She turned to Laurel. “No specifics!”

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