by M R Field
His shoulders stiffen as he quickly rights himself. Looking down at his shoes, he clears his throat before looking back at me.
“She gives me the shits,” he answers nonchalantly. But I can tell from the strain in his voice that he’s full of shit.
“Man, you guys still at each other’s throats?” Ty asks.
“We hardly know each other and I rarely see her, so not really.”
“Yet she looked like she wanted to both eat you and kill you in one fell swoop today,” I add. His head jerks back as he stares at me in disbelief.
“She still pissed at you? Thought you guys were weird after New Year’s Eve.” Ty sits up from the couch, ignoring the TV. “Wasn’t she the one who insulted you? Or is she jealous you went off with the bar chick?”
“Tell me it wasn’t Nadine.” I cringe, hoping to high hell it wasn’t. He holds up his hands to gesture against it.
“Nope, she was all over Ty by the end of the night. No way was I going there. She was a freak.” He puts his empty beer on the coffee table and turns on the edge of the couch to face me.
“Oi! I had fun,” Ty chirps. “Just wasn’t expecting it. Wasn’t getting any hits, then boom! Out of the blue, this chick comes from nowhere, and I’m pressed against the wall near the dressing rooms and she’s on her knees with her mouth wrapped around my—”
“Dude.” Alex holds his hand up. “Do not finish that sentence.”
I look over to Aidan, and I gesture with my beer for him to continue.
“As soon as she heard I was dancer, she presumed I was gay, but I didn’t realise that. I had a split-second brain fart as we were getting along so well. She seemed pretty cool. I must’ve read her body language all wrong because when I tried to lean in closer, she got these devil eyes and put her hands on my chest, asking what I was doing.” He shrugs and looks over to the TV. “It ended up being a few heated words exchanged as she thought I was lying about my career to try and get into her pants, whilst at the same time I accused her of pretending to be nice but really being an uptight judgmental bitch. Ever since, we just haven’t gotten along at all.”
“But he’d totally like to visit her lady garden,” Ty pipes in, smiling as he sips his beer.
“Maybe that night before the shit storm, but not now. She’d be worse than sour grapes down there. Her lady garden probably is covered in thorns.”
“You do know that hate is close to love, too, right?” Alex teases. “She’s probably feeling embarrassed or something.”
“We both can’t seem to be nice for a moment to clear the air. Every time I see her, she just makes me fucking angry. It’s probably best if we just ignore each other.”
“Ignoring her is not gonna work.” Alex grins. “Bea and I did that for years, but she was under my skin, man.”
“You two guys couldn’t get your act together. There was no hate, just awkward dodging. It was insulting to watch.” Ty nudges him. He looks over to me and points. “You were no better with Hazel. All that teasing …”
“I have admitted on more than one occasion that I am a selfish arsehole,” I concede.
Smiling, I hold my beer up slightly. “Ten bucks says they shag before the end of the year.”
Aidan stiffens beside me, while the others eagerly shift in their seats.
“I bet twenty that he does her in three months.” Alex chimes in.
“Guys, seriously,” Aidan warns.
“Hmm.” Ty rubs his chin. “I reckon New Year’s Eve. It’ll be like a reunion of when they met or some shit.”
“There’s no fuckin’ way guys.” Aidan glares at us. “So, don’t even think—”
He’s halted by the sound of the doorbell.
“I’ll get it.” Ty stands up and bends over to put his beer on the table. “Seeing as it’s my shout.” He fishes his wallet out of his back pocket and strolls over to the door. “I’m sure Aiden would love to ring Jules’s bell.”
“Piss off.” Aidan scowls, his face tensing as a faint smile appears across his lips.
“Oh, I think he does want to ring her bell. Do it, so I can win the bet!” Alex adds.
Ty returns with the pizzas on one arm, but the other hand throws something on my lap. “Check this out. Your front step is covered in them.”
My teeth grit as I stare at the loose pink rose petals. Surely it isn’t what I think it is. I shake my head and swipe at them, but a few catch my eye. I pick up the petal and see scrawly handwriting written across it. ‘Petal. I miss you.’
My body tenses as I hurriedly flip over the others, only to find similar messages. ‘I love you.’… ‘Leave him’ … ‘Come back to me’.
“Fuck!” I growl as my hands gather them up. “That fucker!”
“What?” Alex asks, his eyes narrowing on my hands.
“Her fucking ex has been here, out the front. He’s written fucking messages to her on these loose petals. I need to bin them before she sees them. She’ll freak.”
“Fuck, man.” Ty drops the pizza boxes on the coffee table. “Let’s get that shit sorted.”
We head to the door and once I rip it open, my jaw clenches when I see that Ty is right. The front step as well as the path ahead is covered by a fuck-tonne of petals.
“These weren’t here before …” Aidan says. “Alex, do you have a broom and some plastic bags?”
“On it.” Alex responds, turning back inside and running down the corridor.
“He must’ve seen Hazel leave,” Ty adds.
“Meaning the fucker has been watching her,” I growl, my eyes shooting up to look out into the street. All I see are parked cars from our neighbours, with no one else in sight. I march down the path and look down the street in both directions but don’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Arsehole.”
I turn back as Alex sweeps along the path, the boys helping to gather the petals. It doesn’t take us long to gather them up, but every petal that goes in the plastic bag, is another reminder that this dick is getting serious.
We dump the petals, moving back to the lounge room. The mood in the air is tense.
“Dude, he’s too chicken shit to come close to her,” Alex says as he sips his beer. “He would’ve tried again by now. He’s just being a pathetic romantic.”
“Yeah, well his romance sucks.”
“Sure does.” The mood begins to slowly dissipate as we continue chatting about all sorts of shit. Gradually, the conversation steers across to Alex and his next work venture.
“So …” He bites into another piece of pizza. The cheese strings out, and he cuts it with his teeth while flicking the piece around to catch the rest. “Trice and I are looking to build a place, but our next idea is to build an extension on it, or convert part of it into my own practise.”
“That’s an awesome idea,” Ty chirps while I nod, having just stuffed the last bit of my slice into my mouth.
“Yeah, we’re both happy with it. It’s just gonna take some time though.”
“How come?” Aidan asks.
“Cash, dude. We have enough for a deposit, but we need more to get a bigger place.” Trice is working two nights a week, which is great, but she’s looking for something else. She’s had a few bites to teach dance at work, but sadly, nothing huge. There might be a class though in that studio. She needs just one or two other things to do and then we’re golden.”
“Man, I’d pay to watch her teach. Those girls are pretty hot.”
Alex’s reaction is so fast that Ty doesn’t stand a chance. Oomph.
“Ouch!” he mutters, looking over at Alex, who swipes the back of his head. “That hurt.”
“Don’t talk about my girl or Hazel like that.”
“Geez, a man can’t even …”
“No.”
“Not even a little …”
“Not a bloody chance.”
I finish chewing as an idea starts to formulate in my head. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. I know how to get the ladies in.
&nbs
p; “I have an idea,” I say as I straighten in my chair. “How about I get the girls to meet me at the dance studio tomorrow. I think Trice can definitely earn that extra class or two. You’ll have your own place and home physio set up soon.”
Alex’s brows narrow in curiosity while a broad smile lines his face.
“Thanks, mate, sounds interesting. Can’t wait to hear what it is.”
“Well, I think it’s something you guys will think will rock. How about …”
“Taking risks and making choices is what makes life so exciting.”
Amy Poehler
HAZEL
Trice and I were told by a very excited Robbie last night to meet in the dance studio this morning. We’d both looked at Alex but he didn’t give us anything to go on.
Now, we’re standing in the silent dance room, looking around, wondering what this is all about. Robbie refused to tell me, even after I jumped him last night. I need to kick up my seduction strategies.
“Okay, Trice.” Robbie begins, his hand clutched in mine as he walks farther into the room. “I had an idea last night that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of earlier. It’s something you could do here, like a small business.”
Trice’s brows crease as worry lines appear across her forehead. “Robbie, no, seriously, I’m fine. What you’ve given me so far is enough. I love working here. You have enough on your plate.”
In true Robbie fashion, he lets go of my hand to grab Trice’s shoulders, and he stares down at her. “Trice, you’re my sister. Just let me explain, okay?”
She nods pressing her lips together as her shoulders slump underneath his fingers.
“I know you’ve only had a few bites for dance lessons here, but I thought …” he steps away and paces the room towards the middle, while looking along the row of mirrors and back again. “It’s obviously a new style we need to focus on. I know you were considering an older lady class, but I think a new market would be better. If you get my point.”
“What point is that?” she asks, twirling her hair between her fingers.
“What point is that?” she asks, twirling her hair between her fingers.
“What about dance classes for older women? Not ballet, but like what you and Hazel do on stage? It could be a ‘sexy class’ for women.”
Trice’s face freezes as she stares at him.
“As in stripping classes?” I ask, not sure which direction this is going.
“Fuck no,” Robbie adds hastily, screwing his face up as if he’s sucked a lemon. “You gals look amazing and confident up there. How about a few fun classes for ladies to attend to loosen up and feel sexy?” I nod as the flicker of butterflies swirl in my chest. I look over to Trice who is now smiling back at Robbie, the initial shock wearing off.
“So, provocative dancing?” Trice asks.
“Whatever you want. I’ll even throw in a glass of champagne for them to relax.”
“As well as the other regular dance class that I’m trying to get?”
“Yep. If you wanted every night in here, this room is yours.”
Trice looks over to me and lifts her brow.
“What about Hazel?”
“Hazel is welcome to do whatever she likes.” Robbie looks over to me. “Did you want to teach singing or piano in here, love?”
My chest warms at his endearment.
“Definitely.” I look around the room. “I can teach a few singers throughout the week. We can work that out later. I’m more interested in hearing about these dance classes. I’ll be up for it.”
His eyes light up as he looks me up and down. Trice taps his shoulder to get his attention.
“I think Thursday for the sexy classes. That way it’s near the end of the week. We can sort out the rest later.”
“Agreed.” He points past her to the door on the other side that leads out onto the street. “They can enter through there, and that way they aren’t intimidated by patrons in the club.” He winks at her. She straightens and holds out her hand for him. He walks over and clasps it.
“Done. You have a deal!” She clutches his hand tighter and drags him in for a tight hug, and I’m reminded of one of the many reasons why I fell in love with him in the first place. They break apart but not before Robbie turns towards me and adds, “So, can us guys come and watch these lessons?”
He winks over at me but Trice lightly punches him in the arm getting his attention.
“Perve. Not a chance. The women need to feel confident, not have your slobbery self perving on Hazel.”
“I’ll have you know that I can control myself,” he scoffs.
Trice brings her fist up to her mouth and coughs, “Bullshit.” She then gives him a dour look while uttering, “Opening night, did you control yourself? Or did you or did you not storm over to our dressing room to stake your claim?”
I blush at the memory and fold my hands in front of me.
“Okay,” I agree. “You’ve made your point. Best if you don’t watch, Tesoro.”
Robbie pouts, but I know he’s not offended. “It’s okay. I can always show you afterwards at home what we learnt.”
His lip rolls in quickly on a hiss as his teeth spear down into it. “I have a great memory.” His eyes darken, and I know I’ve got his attention.
“Okay, lovebirds, knock it off. I’ll need to work out with Haze when she’d like to run her singing classes and work out a structure for my classes and how to advertise.” Trice looks up at Robbie and smiles. “Thanks again, bro. You are freakin’ awesome sauce.”
He ruffles her hair and ducks from the hand she swings at him, quickly strolling over to me. “Oh! Before I forget,” she stammers. “Mamma wants us to visit soon. I was thinking we should go Monday for a few days. Can you swing those days off, Robbie? Maybe Monday to Thursday? Deacon can open up on Thursday before you have to get here?”
Robbie looks down at me and tilts his head. “You up to visit home?”
I stiffen at the suggestion. I have only spoken to my parents each at different times once or twice since Jerry was found in my apartment. I don’t want to see them. On top of the stupid messages and photos Jerry kept sending me, my mother liked to send messages detailing what a failure I would become if I didn’t get back with Jerry. It was getting on my nerves.
Robbie studies my face and noticing my anguish, hastily adds, “Farfalla, you’re not seeing your family unless you want to. But seriously, come and hang out with us. They don’t even need to know you’re in the area.”
The tension in my shoulders loosens and I sigh in relief. “I don’t think I ever want to see them.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I just want to spend a few days with you guys and your family. Just like old times.”
“Without the sexual tension,” Trice adds.
“There was no sexual tension. Just awkward flirting,” I add.
Robbie’s eyebrow quirks up at me.“Awkward flirting?”
“Yes. You calling me silly names, and me not pushing you away.”
His face softens as he holds out his hand to me, and I happily walk over to him. He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles.
“Okay, I’m going to head off to Trinity’s. Hazel, you coming?”
I smile at Robbie and nod. “Yeah.”
He pulls me closer for a kiss. The second his lips touch mine I forget that Trice is in the room. He kisses me silly again until we hear her clear her throat, and I smile against his lips.
“Later.” I kiss him once. “We need to pick up our other costume.”
He squeezes my hip and gestures to the door.
“I’ll see you later, Farfalla. We can finish what we started—”
“Hello? Sister in the room.”
I roll my eyes and start following Trice out the door waving at him as I leave.
“These dance classes are going to be awesome.” I nudge Trice.
She grins, twirling her car keys in her hand. “I think I’m going to have feather boas in some of
the classes.”
“Absolutely.” Butterflies continue to flutter in my stomach.
“And more wooden chairs. We need something for them to dance on.”
“Champagne is a definite must. But not that cheap stuff that tastes like stale Vegemite.”
“Ugh. We used to drink that when we were teenagers.” I cringe at the memory.
We drive to Trinity’s house, all the while brainstorming new ideas for her dance class. The spark that Trice has since working at the club has been a joy to experience. This dance class is going to be the icing on the cake. I cannot wait.
Trinity is showing us our latest costume—a beautiful new emerald satin corset with a sweetheart neckline that cuts deeply within the cleavage. A black shaped V, embroidered from the breasts down, lands into a point that arrives just before the hipbones. Within the V, vines are embroidered that trail up and down the bodice, giving it an exotic wild look. A small taffeta fringe lines the seam of the sweetheart cut, whilst a short ruffled taffeta skirt sits underneath the bottom of the corset. Two black bows are sewn into the bottom of the vines. It is simply another masterpiece from Trinity.
“Wow,” Trice breathes. “All these costumes you’ve made us have been freakin’ amazing.”
Trin smiles and takes a big bow. “Why, thank you! Thank you!” she boisterously shouts. She winks at Trice before turning her eyes to me. “Like the vines? I thought about your Poison Ivy costume at my housewarming. This time, you can look even hotter with a sexy fairy vibe to it.”
I blush at the memory. Robbie’s searing kiss had left me breathless and afraid. Now, I can’t keep my hands off him.
“I have a black outfit in the works that is epic. It’ll be ready when you get back from your road trip.”
“You sure you don’t want to come?” Trice asks, staring at Trin.
Trin’s smile fades slightly. “No, it’s okay. Dad came to visit me last month so I’m good. Plus, I’m getting more work done on my upper sleeve.”
She points to the top of her forearm where a small vine of cherry blossoms are already weaving across her pale skin. “I’m adding the mandala and then onto the lotus flower.”
Ever since her mother, Harmony, died of cancer when we were nineteen, our Trin hasn’t been the same. She fills all her moments with something to do, her bed with guys and her skin with colour. Lately, the guys have been reduced to just one, Theo. Even that is still a topic we can’t discuss. We knew that her sleeve was for her mother and her back was her recovery from grief. She was our adrenaline junkie and more often than not, spent each weekend taking a risk with something. She’d tell us she was busy, but we knew that she was filling the hole her mother left behind.