Page 18 of Hostile Rival
“Margo!” One of them calls and the woman I’m talking to turns around. “We’re leaving. The guys have gone to a penthouse party across town and want us to meet them there.”
Margo turns back and stares at me for a split second, sizing me up. “You’d be able to sell whatever you have at the party we’re going to. Wanna come?”
“Sure.” I shrug. “Whose party is it?”
“I’ve no idea.” Margo laughs. “Come on.” She extends her hand. “The darkness will be waiting for you in the morning. You made it this far, so you may as well stay out tonight. Who knows? You might end up snorting more than you sell.”
I take the stranger's hand, let her lead me from the washrooms, through the club, and into the cool night air, hoping I can make a sale without too much hassle.
The skin on my bare legs prickles. I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience when Margo throws an arm around my shoulder and hands me a bottle of champagne. “What’s your name?”
“Daniela,” I tell her, harnessing the warmth she offers with her body.
“We should swap numbers. I get a good vibe from you. Those two have never lost anyone. They don’t get it. Give me your phone.”
We exchange numbers even though I can’t imagine myself ever calling her for a wild night out. Then again, maybe I need a friend. Perhaps Mama is up there, opening doors for me. When one person exits your life, another enters…isn't that what they say?
One of the girls we’re with whistles for a cab, and we all pile in. It feels weird being in the back of a taxi sipping champagne and listening to them bitch about the guys they’re dating.
I don’t understand their lifestyle, and I’m not sure if I can trust them either. However, for this evening, I’d pretend to be just like them. And tomorrow I could be me again.
We ride the elevator all the way to the top of the condo and walk in without anyone approaching us. The lighting is low, and a musky waft of marijuana hits me instantly.
Through large windows on the other side of the sitting room, the lights of Santa Marta twinkle like stars. Whoever owns this place has a few bucks.
Clarissa and Blair, the two girls we came with, disappear and Margo hooks her arm with mine. “Sure you want to sell your gear?”
“Yeah, I’ll stick with alcohol tonight. I need the money.”
“Okay, let’s get a drink. Ruben should be here somewhere. I’m sure he knows someone who could take it off your hands.”
She pulls me deeper inside, passing a massive couch taken up by a couple of men wearing Hawaiian shirts and smoking weed.
“Ruben? Is he your boyfriend?” I ask, not making eye contact with anyone.
“Not exactly,” she whispers and looks over her shoulder. “We have a mutual situation thing. He’s still married. They’re getting a divorce, obviously. But it’s messy. So, we keep it on the down low.”
We move to the edge of the room and weave around the furniture. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Half-naked bodies are everywhere, people getting off with each other on the dining table. Right in the open for everyone to see. I’m not a prude, but Jesus fuck, they’re not shy in the slightest.
My heart tries to beat out of my chest, panic setting in. It was one thing to venture into a nightclub, but this…this is next level.
“There he is.” Margo leans into the side of my face. “While we’re in public, I pretend he doesn’t exist, and he does the same to me. Maybe that's what gets me off. The whole forbidden lover vibe.”
“The people here don’t seem to care about marital vows and prenups.” I laugh.
“But they notice repetition. A guy hooking up with the same woman over and over. Once is a bit of fun…three times is a commitment…” She sighs. “Anyway, as soon as the divorce is settled, there’s no more hiding.”
Her gaze eats up a decent-looking guy who’s about ten years older than her. He wears his sleeves rolled to his elbows and a pair of smart suit pants. When he glances over, she squeezes my arm and pulls her gaze away from him, playing whatever game they like to play.
“Okay. He’s seen us together. Go over to him and ask if he knows anyone who’d buy your coke.”
“Seriously? I don’t even know the guy.”
She rolls her eyes. “You don’t know anyone in here, Daniela.”
“Good point.”
Giving me a nudge, she whispers in my ear, “Once you get rid of it, it’s party time.”
