Page 2 of Stroked
After hours of packing and reminiscing, we decided to take a break. Jason and Luce headed to “their” apartment to freshen up. I guess that’s what they called it now.
I looked around the living room, at the much emptier space. Luce let me keep all the furniture, but she took most of her knick-knacks, like old stacks of CDs she collected, books, her signed albums, and photos with big shot music people she met at the station. I had gotten most of the furniture from secondhand shops anyway. It was cozy and boho-chic. But now, without all the little touches of Lucy, it was still full, but felt empty. Quiet.
She had been staying with Jason a lot before the engagement, but every few days, she’d swoop in with him, grab fresh clothes, sleep, andother things. We’d all hang out at breakfast, and then again, after work, at the club. They were heading there later and told me to meet them. I guess I could be an adult and go to show my support. Especially after she promised nothing would change just because she was moving in with Jason.
I went to shower, since we had spent the day packing and moving boxes around. I’d admit neither of us were great housekeepers and lots of dust was kicked up in here.
I turned the water on blazing hot before hopping in. As I washed my hair, I thought of all the great things I could do now that I had the place to myself. Even though she left, I could afford to stay here because I finally got my dream job at the art gallery downtown. I could sleep with my door open. Walk around naked. Watch TV naked. Cook naked. Well, maybe not cook naked. That could be dangerous. But I could just be naked everywhere. And I could stock booze without sharing. Not that she ever just took my things. She was too thoughtful for that. I could have an orgy. Which likely will never occur, especially since I haven’t brought a date to this apartment since college. I haven’t even taken a date to the club. Don’t shit where you eat.
I enjoyed my solitude. I just also happened to enjoy women. Women could be so clingy, though. I never understood why it always had to be this huge deal and all the feels must be felt. Couldn’t two consenting adults just enjoy each other?
Once I finished up, I hopped out of the shower, opened the bathroom door to let the steam out, and noticed my bedroom door open. But it was okay, I could be naked all over now. Once the steam started to fade from the mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself as I brushed my teeth. I guess I could see how a lady would want to spend more than one night with me.
I wasn’t hung up on my looks, but I fared well amongst both sexes, even though I didn’t want the attention of one. I didn’t have Lucy’s sparkling blue eyes, but instead, dark doe eyes against olive skin. Still, she would kill for my lashes and eyebrows. She had to pencil her brows in and wear mascara everyday thanks to her blonde hair, while my brows were dark and had a good natural shape. My lashes had been turning heads since I was child.
After I finished brushing my teeth, I wiped the bubbles from my full pink lips. Lucy could get away with not wearing makeup, but she always did. I didn’t care for it. I loved my natural features, and so did lots of beautiful ladies. That thought made me grin at myself. I finished my routine, then went to find something to wear before heading to the club.
I dug out a cream-colored eyelet Roxy dress and some sandals. The Georgia heat was no joke, so the pants and jeans weren’t working out for now. The dress hung nicely, not too tight, but hugged me in the right places. I was lean and tall but had a little shape to my hips. Nothing like Luce with her banging curves. But I still liked my shape.
I bounced from my room and could see across the apartment into her room. There were still some boxes and things, but we mostly cleared it out today. Normally, I would be running in to see what she chose to wear. Instead, it was quiet and still. I sighed as the fact I now lived alone washed over me.Why was this so hard? She was literally just down the street and I’d see her in fifteen minutes! This was ridiculous.
Suck it up, Amy.
I was much tougher than this. I shook off the bad vibes, then grabbed my wristlet and headed out for the night.
As per usual, I got multiple catcalls from skeevy college boys as I walked the short distance to the club. The only downside of living so close to the college was the abundance of shitty, arrogant college boys. But the rent was low, the club was just down the street, and we had tons of food options and a local grocery store open 24/7. Before I worked at the gallery, I had a decent job serving at a nice restaurant that was within walking distance, but I could also catch the bus and be there in three minutes. The Lounge was just far enough away that I didn’t have to worry about anyone following me home.
I made it to the club and found Luce at the bar, talking to Jaz.
Jaz nodded her head to acknowledge me, immediately popped a Blue Moon, and slid it across the bar. Luce slid off the stool and squeezed me.
“You made it! Did you eat anything?” Luce asked over the music. Saturday was open band night at the club and the music was typically much louder than the house band. They went low-key with the house band after some drama with the last one and Lucy a couple months ago. But several nights a week, the club had bands come play in hopes of being discovered, and there was also a DJ that filled the gaps. Luce was in control of all of that now and it suited her well.
“I’m good. Cool band. Where’s Jason?” I yelled back to her.
“Umm, hewashelping Matt with the kegs.”
“How’s the new guy working out, by the way?” I asked, looking for the ruggedly handsome new bartender. Jason must have been trying to keep the aesthetic consistent because, at first glance, it could have been him.
“Oh, Matt? He’s great. Super nice, hard worker. Too bad you don’t like dudes, he’s a cutie. And thank God for him tonight. They normally don’t have to swap kegs during business hours, but it’s packed tonight.” She took a swig from her Blue Moon, so I scanned the room. Itwaspacked. And while the band was loud, it was good.
“I bet it’s them. Good find!” I tipped the top of my bottle to hers.
She yelled over as she watched the band. “Yeah, I really loved the demo they sent, and they seemed to have a decent following, so it’s good for us, too!”
I finished my beer and raised it up to show Jaz. It was hilarious to watch every man move his head as she walked past. Not that I blamed them. I met her at an art show several years ago and she was stunning. That night, her taupe skin glowed and she had her black hair slicked back with a braided bun on top. The black dress she wore that night hung off her slender body with just spaghetti straps holding it atop her trim but muscular shoulders. And those lips. Those full, nude lips. She has a few more tats now, down her arms, but she only had one big one across her shoulders peeking from the low cut back of the dress that night. Remembering her when we met sent heat to my cheeks, and suddenly, she was in front of me.
“Need another, babe?” she asked, pointing to the Blue Moon.
My head jerked as I snapped out of my memory.
“Yeah, please.” It’s nice to dream, but Jaz was straight. What a waste. Oh well, I probably wouldn’t want her as much if she was a lesbian. And I loved Jaz. We hit it off the night we met, and she told me to check her out at the club she bartended at, so Lucy and I started coming and have been patrons ever since. Jaz was getting close to being done with graduate school, which she took locally, hence working here. But she originally graduated from Spelman. Beautyandbrains. Again,waste.
I felt a new presence behind me, so I turned, and Jason was there, wrapping his arm around Luce. I watched her face as she practically melted into him. It wasn’t long ago that she was similar to me. She did date men longer than a night, and brought some home, but she never kept them long and never got attached. Then Jason broke through, somehow. He literally saved her from a sick asshole, then won her over with his perfect build, his perfect beard, his perfect blond hair, and his perfect dark brown eyes. “He’s just perfect,” she always said now.Gross.
The worst part was, I’d had the chance to get him out of the picture, but knew she was miserable without him, so I’d facilitated their reunion. Which, I supposed, was the right thing to do. But I did wonder what would have been had I not intervened for good.
I started to feel a knot form in my stomach. As much as I tried to be happy, jealousy kept taking over me. I hated that I was acting this wayandfeeling this way. She was happy. I’d never seen that sparkle in her eye. I was her best friend. I should want her to be happy. So, why was I so miserable?
