Page 8 of The Bad Girl
“I trust you, Tom. You could never be a mistake.”
“Nadine, have you gone mad? Put your damn shirt back on.”
“I’m not asking for any kind of commitment. Just a night I won’t forget.”
I still remember the way his stern expression made me feel, and how terrified I was when the door opened, and light came pouring in.
It was Allison, woken by Tom’s confused rambles. She called out my name, a look of shock on her face. I grabbed up my shirt, threw it back on, and stormed off, tears rolling down my cheeks. I ran from their apartment to my own, too humiliated to face my friend.
We never spoke of that night six years ago, and truth be told, it’s one of the reasons I let us drift so far apart. How do you get over that kind of humiliation?
My parents moved shortly after I went away to college, lending to our distance. There was no way things could ever go back to being the same.
Why are you still living in the past? That minute of shame shouldn’t have taken away more than a decade of friendship.
I know I’m right, and I crave what we once had. I can’t even remember the last time I sat down and had lunch with one of my gal pals. I’ve been so focused on my education and career that I’ve failed to cultivate personal relationships. And now, I spend much of my time alone.
Determined to mend our relationship, I dial Allison’s number and hit ‘connect.’
As the phone rings, I study the invitation. Judging by the location, it’s going to be a beautiful event, and I’m genuinely happy for her. What has me a little puzzled is why I received the invite so late. It says here it’s six weeks away. Maybe she hadn’t intended to invite me at all and did so on a whim.
Allison picks up on the third ring, not bothering to hide the exhaustion in her voice.
Allison:Hello?
Nadine:Congratulations, friend! I’m so excited for you!
Allison:Naddy, is that you? It’s been so long!
Nadine:It has! We’ll have to catch up over drinks. I just wanted to tell you congratulations!
Allison:Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me.
Nadine:So have you decided where you’re going on your honeymoon?
A rolling chuckle carries over the line.
Allison:We’ll have to discuss that when we catch up.
Nadine:I’m free most evenings! Unlike you, I have no marriage prospects. It’s just me and my cat Granger.
Allison:It must be hard to find someone that would compete with that boss of yours.
Nadine:Maxwell Stryder? Actually—he’s not my type at all.
Allison:Not your type? Isn’t he one of the youngest billionaires on the planet? And wickedly handsome?
Nadine:I’m just gonna tell you right now—if he ain’t got a motorcycle and two arms full of tattoos—I’m not interested.
Allison:Sounds like you’d be drooling over Tom then—
I hear her mumble ‘fuck’ under her breath, but I use the situation as an opportunity to diffuse the awkwardness of the subject.
Nadine:Yeah, he’s been the inspiration for all my ill-advised conquests, I guess.
Allison:Ill-advised conquests? I’m definitely going to want to hear about those.
Nadine:I just got back from my latest bad decision, and I might have enough source material for a college course.
