by Kayt Miller
“Um, oh…” she stutters.
“Roni, meet my sisters.” I point to Emily first, “Emily and Sandy.”
Emily hops off the stool that sits at my kitchen island. Sandy was working on the punch recipe, but she stops and comes around the island and heads straight to Roni. Emily wraps her arms around her, “Itis good to finally meet you.”
“You too,” says Roni nervously.
“So, you’re the one who has Mick in a good mood, for once,” Sandy says glaring at me.
“Hey, I’m always in a good mood.”
Both sisters start speaking at the same time letting me know that my statement is false. Yeah, I’m an asshole. I’ve always been moody but after the deal with my ex. Well, it’s taking me extra time to get happy.
I look up as Emily whispers something in Roni’s ear. They both look down at the skin above her dress. Oops, blue face paint. Roni races into the bathroom. No doubt to remove the blue evidence. When Emily turns to look at me, I smirk and shrug my shoulders. I’m not going to apologize. This is my house, and Roni’s my girl. Uh, wait. Not what I meant.
Sandy interrupts my thoughts, “So, little brother, Roni seems nice. Not your usual type, so that’s refreshing.”
“Yeah, not your type at all. I love it. I can tell she’s cool already. So, what is she supposed to be tonight?”
“Minerva McGonigall.”
“From Harry Potter,” squeaks Emily. Those books have always been her favorite.
“Yeah, her last name is McGonigall. Veronica McGonigall.”
Both sisters laugh at that. “That costume is fucking genius,” says Sandy with awe.
“I thought so too.” I agree. Plus, she’s sexy as hell.
“So what the hell are two supposed to be?” They’re both wearing old, torn up dresses. They look like something someone threw away. They've dirt and red splattered all over them. They’re both barefoot.
“That’s why we stopped by early, big brah. We wanted to finish our costumes.”
Just as Roni steps out of the bathroom, I ask, “And they are?”
“We're going as Zombies, and we need to use your bathroom to do our makeup. Can we use it now?” asks Sandy smiling at Roni.
“Sure,” she mutters. “Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize, Roni. They’re imposing on me.”
“Yo, Mick. If you’re mad, we can leave. It’s just…”
“Nah, just fucking with you. Hurry up so you can help Roni and me set up.”
They both salute me as they skip, yeah skip, into my bathroom.
“Sorry, it took me so long. There was blue makeup all over me,” she says turning pink again.
“Damn, I wish I could have seen it.”
“You probably should touch yours up too. It’s a little smeared,” Roni adds.
“Maybe later. Let’s finish what we started.” I look at her and wink.
By nine o’clock, the party is in full swing. Nearly everyone I invited showed up and the costumes are great. My brother Keith showed up with a giant cardboard magnet, painted red and silver, around his neck with stuffed cats glued to it. When I asked him what it was, I nearly fell over. “A pussy magnet? Jesus, that’s crass,” I laughed.
“It was Beth’s idea. She even dressed up as a cat.”
I turn to Beth who has a smirk on her lips, “You’re a dirty girl, Beth Flynn. You know that?”
“She knows,” Keith says proudly.
When Hank and Sophie showed up I wasn’t sure what they were but Roni figured it out pretty quickly, “They’re Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby, from the Great Gatsby.”
“How in the hell did you figure that out?” I ask, astounded.
She looks sheepish as she says, “I don't know. The flapper costume?”
“It makes sense. Sophie found a rare first edition of that book and auctioned it off.”
“Really? Wow, that’s cool. Is it okay if I ask her about it?”
“Yeah, let me introduce you.”
I held Roni’s hand as we moved around the party. I introduced her to everyone as ‘my friend Roni’. I don’t know what else to call her. We’re not dating. I’ll never date again. I don't really want anyone to get any ideas about us. We’re just friends––friends with benefits.
The only glitch was when I introduced her to my brother David and his bitch wife, Jennifer. She’s a fucking snob, and I can’t stand her. But, she’s married to my brother, so I’ve got to at least pretend to tolerate her.
I’m not the only one, though. I’m pretty sure Hank would rather she not attend family functions, but that’s never going to happen. She’s dressed up in her typical sexy something or other costumes. I think it’s a sexy nurse this year. Last year she was a sexy pirate. It’s the same thing every year. I honestly don’t know what my brother sees in her.
“Roni, I wanted to introduce you to my brother Dave and his wife, Jen.”
Roni gives them both the most beaming smile I’ve ever seen. She’s having fun, I think. I hope. “Hi,” she says raising her hand to shake theirs. “It’s nice to meet you. Your costumes are great.”
Dave reaches out and shakes her hand. When Roni turns to Jen, she raises a limp hand and barely touches my girl. Fucking weak, limp handshakes.
“You look beautiful,” Roni adds giving Jennifer a compliment that she doesn't need.
“Yeah, thanks. You look, um, interesting.”
Fucking Jen. I growl at her, “If you can’t be nice, you can fucking leave my party.” I turn to my brother, “I mean it, Dave.”
“I know,” he says glumly. “Jen, knock off.”
She glares at him. “What did I do now? Jesus, David. I can’t do anything right.” She says as she storms off toward the kitchen.
“I’m sorry about her, Roni. She’s just had a bad week,” my brother tries to explain.
“Bullshit, Dave. She’s like that every time I see her.”
“You should talk, asshat, you’re no picnic either.”
I turn and grab Veronica’s hand as I march toward a new group of guests.
Chapter 26: Roni
This party is really great. It’s kind of huge too. There have to be at least seventy-five people here. It’s a good thing his apartment is big and private. It’s loud too. The music is blaring, people are yelling and laughing. It’s a great atmosphere.
I’m not surprised. Mick seems to be the kind of guy that people gravitate toward. I know I did.
“Hey, Mick. I think I’ll go get a drink. Want anything?”
“Yeah, grab me a beer, would ya?”
“Sure thing.” I weave my way through the crowd to the bar area. It’s three deep at the counter with people pouring wine and grabbing beers. I decide to use the restroom before I try to fight the crowds. As I walk to the back of the building, I notice family photos hanging on the outside of his bedroom. Just as I’m about to turn the corner into a small alcove, I hear a woman’s voice.
“You’d better get your ass over here.”
Silence. She must be listening to someone on the phone.
“He has someone here. Some fat chick with a guy’s name.”
Oh, I think she’s talking about me. Great.
“No, she’s not near as pretty as you are so you don’t need to worry about that. Besides, you and I both know how much he likes his women on top. She’d crush him. He’ll have to stick to doing her from behind so he doesn’t have to see her fat jiggle around,” the terrible woman cackles.
“Yeah, just hurry, okay?”
She stops talking, so I decide to hide. I don’t want her to know I overheard her. When she walks out, I’m not surprised to see who it is, Jennifer Flynn¬¬¬––a typical tall, thin, beautiful, mean girl.
I skip the bathroom and make my way over to the bar. I need whiskey, straight up. I open the pantry cupboard to grab some when Jennifer places a hand on the door. “Making yourself a little too comfortable, aren’t you? Oh, I get it. You’re hungry. Well, the food is ov
er there,” she says pointing to the dining table. “Mick won’t appreciate you eating him out of house and home, Robbie.”
“Roni. My name is Roni. And I’m getting a drink.”
“Sweetie, the drinks are over there too. You don’t have to lie to me. I get it. You can’t go more than an hour without a meal, huh?”
What a fucking bitch. I turn and make my way back to Mick, empty handed. I stand next to him as he reaches over and takes my hand in his. He kisses the inside of my wrist.
“Where’s my beer, babe?”
I feel tears burning the back of my retinas, but I won’t let them out. “Too many people. I’ll go back in a little bit.”
“I’ll get them. Come with me,” he says pulling me along by the hand. We’re making real progress until Mick stops abruptly. So suddenly that I almost run into his back. I step around him looking up at his face. His focus is in front of him and down. I follow his line of sight and see a tiny blonde a sexy Scottish lass costume.
There’s not much to the costume, really. She’s wearing a tiny plaid skirt in browns and oranges, just like Mick’s, and an even tinier white halter-top. Her long legs are wrapped in white thigh high tights, and the whole thing is topped off with a plaid beret.
She’s stunning, actually. Her hair is long and blond styled in two pigtails that rest right about her huge breasts. They don’t look real, but they look impressive.
“Lauren, what the fuck are you doing here?” Mick asks. He sounds angry.
“I was invited.”
“Not by me.”
“Does it matter? Who’s that?” she says pointing to me.
Mick drops my hand so fast I nearly slap myself with it. “Nobody. I’m just doing her a favor.”
And… there it is.
“Obviously,” the little blonde sneers.
Without even looking back, Mick walks toward the woman. Not knowing what to do, I twist my hands in my skirt. People are staring first at me, then at Mick and the woman. I see looks of pity on their faces when they get to me. I know the saying is fight or flight. I have no right to challenge. We’re just friends. The burning behind my eyes starts all over again.
Flight it is. I turn and make my way to the door as quickly and discreetly as possible. Just as I’m turning the knob to leave, Jennifer steps in my path, “Yeah, it’s best if you leave. Lauren wants him back so you won’t stand a chance now.”
I wrench the door open nearly knocking her down. Who the hell is Lauren? I hit the stairs taking them as fast as I can in my heeled boots. Luckily, I’m holding my small satchel otherwise; I wouldn’t have any money or a phone to call Uber.
I hit the ground and start to run, well, walk fast. “Roni!” I hear someone yell. “Roni! Wait up!” she shouts again. I turn to see Emily jogging toward me. “Roni, wait! Where are you going?”
“I’m heading home. Big day tomorrow.” I know I sound pathetic. At least I’m not crying, yet. “Don’t go. It’s only ten thirty. The party is just getting started.”
“It’s a great party. I, um, just… I’m tired.”
“Bullshit,” she mutters. “You’re fleeing. I don’t blame you. Lauren is a fucking bitch.”
Yeah, and so is Jen. “I don't know her so…”
“It’s his ex.”
“I figured.”
“Listen, Roni. I like you, and I know my brother likes you, a lot. He’s been so much happier since he started hanging out with you. Don’t let whatever that was upstairs bother you. He and Lauren were serious, but she screwed him over.”
“She cheated on him? On Mick?” What kind of woman would cheat on Mick Flynn?
“No, she didn’t cheat. Or, I don't think she did. She hurt him in other ways.”
“How?”
“Not my story to tell, Mon Soeur. You’ll have to talk to him. Don’t go. Give him a chance to explain, will ya? Please?”
Emily is full on begging now. I laugh at her with her pleading hands raised in front of her in prayer. I take a deep breath. “I’ll go back,” I agree reluctantly. “I just need a few minutes. The fresh air feels good. I’ll be up soon.”
“Great. See you in a few,” she reaches out and hugs me then takes the metal steps two at a time.
I know I should leave. It’s getting awkward up there, and I don’t like it. I sit on the bottom stair until my butt hurts from the metal teeth on the stair tread pressing into my flesh. I stand and fix my dress and slowly walk back up to his place.
I open the door and see the party is back in full swing. No one is watching a big dramatic scene play out. They’re all drinking, laughing, dancing, and singing.
Once again, I weave my way through the crowd, this time looking for the tall Scot in the kilt. He’s no longer standing the center as before. I look toward the couch and television area, but he’s not there. I work my way up to the bar area but don’t see him. Maybe he’s taking a break from everything and escaped into his room. I break through the throng toward his bedroom.
I step into his personal space and notice, for the first time, his room is pretty sparse with one nightstand and a tall dresser on one wall and a long bar attached to the wall for his clothes. The guy doesn’t need much, apparently.
My eye follows the length of his ‘closet, ’ and when it reaches the end, I gasp. It’s Mick and Lauren. He’s got her backed against the wall, each of his hands caging her in. She’s smiling. That is until she sees me.
“I thought you left,” she sneers.
That’s when Mick turns to me and blinks his eyes. Mick says nothing. He doesn’t move. What he does do is turn back to Lauren and run his finger over her cheek. I guess that’s all I need to know. I turn on my heel and make my way back out through the crowd and out the door. This time, I let the tears fall.
Chapter 27: Mick
“What the hell were you thinking?” Emily yells. She’s in my face, literally. The majority of people have left the party, and I’m lying motionless on the couch. With her hands on her hips, she yells again, “I asked you a questions, dickface. What were you thinking? She ran out of here so fast I couldn’t stop her. She was crying, Mick. What’d you do?”
“Nothing,” I mutter.
“Oh, you did something. What was it?”
No, I did nothing. She saw me attempting to talk some sense into Lauren, but when I turned and saw her shocked expression, I made a choice. I let her assume the worst because I’m an asshole. I’m not good enough for her. Lauren Sly broke me.
Shit, the look on her face. It pains me to think about it. The way I had her against the wall looked bad. If I’d walked into that scene, I’d assume it was foreplay. So, to cement our fate, I played the ultimate dick card, I turned back to Lauren and touched her ugly, smug little face. I feel like washing my hands in acid now.
“I did what I had to do. She deserves better than me, Emily.”
“Bullshit, Mick. You’re a good guy. Besides, don’t you deserve someone like Roni? She’s awesome.”
“I don’t deserve to be happy,” I say taking another swig of bourbon. I’m on my third rocks glass full. I started drinking as soon as I kicked Lauren’s ass out of my party.
“Who the hell invited her anyway?” asks Sandy.
“I’m not sure. It’s not like she didn’t know about the party.” I say.
“No, someone had to have let her know what was going on tonight. Someone from the inside,” adds Hank.
“Jesus, cop much,” mutters David.
“I am a cop, asswipe. I can’t help it.”
As I listen to my brothers and sisters bicker, I lay my head back on the sofa and wish for peace and quiet. I just need time to clear my head. Just as I’m about to close my eyes, I hear it. Jen.
“What? No, of course not,” she squeaks.
“Bullshit. You and Lauren are friends. Give me your phone,” Hank yells.
“No! It’s none of your business,” she attempts to sway him.
But, now the rest of my clan is getting involved. I loo
k at Dave, and he’s staring off into space. Is he drunk too?
They’re all yelling at Jen to hand over the phone. That is until Dave yells, “Shut the fuck up. Everyone. Shut your mouth.”
He turns to Jennifer and says in a disarmingly calm voice, “Give me your phone, Jennifer.”
“But, David, honey…”
He reaches his hand out toward her, palm up. “Give me the phone that I pay for every month, Jen.”
“Fine! She spits.”
David picks up the phone and begins clicking away. He stops suddenly and closes his eyes tightly. “Why? Why would you do this? You know she hurt him.”
She sputters attempting to come up with some excuse, “She loves him. She wants him back.”
I let out a hateful laugh, “Yeah, right. She wants me back? Well, she can’t have me back. She broke me; ruined me. I hate her fake fucking guts,” I am now standing in front of Jen yelling in her face.
I know only Emily knows what happened, but maybe it’s time I enlighten everyone, “Do you want to know what she did? Huh? I look at my brothers and sisters. “She aborted my fucking baby. I didn’t even know she was pregnant until after the fact. She didn’t give me a chance.”
My sibs all gasp. But strangely enough, Jennifer isn’t surprised by the revelation. I turn to her again, “You knew?”
“Well, she is one of my best friends,” she tries to explain.
“You knew she terminated her pregnancy and you still invited her to my fucking Halloween party?”
“She regrets it. She almost changed her mind at the clinic but…”
“Wait? What? At the clinic? You were with her at the clinic?” This time it’s David asking the questions.