Faking It

by Winters, Jade

  It was eight p.m. With its mirrored walls and vibrant red booths, Revolutions was slowly coming to life with a steady stream of hopeful revellers. Danni sat perched on a stool at the bar, eyeing Josh in his white vest and black skinny jeans. Fair dues, he did look pretty hot. He was a man on a mission. A man with a twinkle in his eye and an itch just waiting to be scratched – but not in a Y-front infestation kind of way.

  She sat there for a while watching the master of seduction in action. So this was his idea of celebrating the completion of her book proposal? Taking her to a bar for Lesson 101 in How to Pull a Steroid-pumped Barman. She knocked back a sambuca shot as the two men devoured one another with their eyes like two hungry wolves. Get a room.

  Just twenty-four hours earlier, Danni had emailed her book proposal to all the publishing houses who marketed books in the so-called “self-help” genre. There was no point in putting all her unfertilised eggs in one basket. If Roy’s publishing firm turned her down, there was still hope that the others might be interested. A tiny hope, but a hope nonetheless. Whatever happened, there was some solace in the knowledge that it was out of her hands now and in the lap of the literary gods. All she could do was wait. And have another drink.

  The barman was torn away from the serious business of flirting, leaving Josh free to swivel around in his seat to talk to Danni.

  “Oh, so you’ve remembered I’m still here then?” she asked in a subdued voice.

  Josh answered in a slurred drawl. “Of course, how could I forget? Little Miss Sulky-Pants. I thought you’d have been happy – what with getting the book off.”

  Happy? Right what was the definition of happy again – oh yeah, “feeling or showing pleasure or contentment”. Hmmm, that didn’t quite fit Danni at the moment. Of course she was relieved to have sent off those chapters. She was relieved to have completed what was a tricky, challenging piece of work. But to say she was happy would be an overstatement. Put it this way, if she’d have been auditioning for one of the seven dwarves, it certainly wouldn’t be for Happy. In truth, she was feeling pretty darn gloomy and no amount of shots, cocktails, or dry roasted nuts could save her this time. The fact was she had it bad. Real bad.

  Was it even possible to feel like you’d lost something precious when it had never belonged to you? That was how she saw things with Brooke. The reply to her text message had never arrived. Maybe it was a good thing – it was all too complicated anyway.

  Danni took a long sip of her Mojito. “Just ignore me Josh, I’m just a bitter, washed up has-been that never-was.”

  Josh looked past her, his eyes suddenly widening.

  Danni, oblivious to his astonished look, ignored the signal and leaned in tightly against his shoulder. “I said don’t worry, go back to lover boy. There’s no point in us both missing out on the true love,” she slurred.

  Josh looked frantic as he twitched and winked in a desperate attempt to warn her of an imminent arrival. “Yes, D. Very good. Oh, look who it is,” Josh said enthusiastically, gesturing to the appearance of someone over Danni’s shoulder.

  “Hi, Josh. Hi there, Danni,” A female voice answered.

  Danni froze. That voice, that beautiful dulcet tone. It couldn’t be. It couldn’t be – Brooke?

  Danni felt her throat constricting as if she had suddenly been set upon by an over-amorous python.

  “Bro … Brooke!”

  Danni rose to her less than steady feet and turned to Brooke who had leant in for a welcoming hug. Despite being slightly numb from the sambucca shot, she could still feel the delicious heat from Brooke’s body as she held her close. Time seemed to stand still. Danni closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around her friend’s shoulders, her face nestling in her vanilla-scented hair, soft and warm. Bliss. She discreetly inhaled the odour, drinking in the moment. She smells like heaven. Upon releasing her, Danni’s eyes immediately fell to Brooke’s female companion who was eyeing them both with an ardent interest.

  She gave her a faint smile and sat back down.

  “So, who’s your friend?” Josh asked Brooke, referring to her mysterious female companion.

  Brooke looked towards Megan. “Oh, yes. This is my partner. Megan.” She began the formalities. “This is Josh and his fiancée, Danni. Josh is Roy’s son.”

  “I can see the resemblance. Nice to meet you,” Megan remarked.

  She reached past Danni and shook Josh’s hand before giving Danni a slight nod in acknowledgement.

  Holy crap. Her partner. This day just can’t get any worse.

  “This is strange, meeting you two in a place like this,” Brooke said, her gaze finally settling on Danni’s favourite “Girl on Girl” T-shirt. A puzzled look crossed her features.

  Danni took a few seconds to realise what Brooke had seen then quickly crossed her arms, desperately trying to cover the purple emblazoned letters on her chest. Blood rushed to her face as she searched for an explanation. “Oh um, Josh’s just–”

  “Hey lover, come back I’m lonely,” the barman called flirtatiously to Josh.

  Oh Shit. It just did.

  Danni felt nauseous, her knees weak. She looked on in horror as both Brooke and Megan both turned to stare at him. This was one of those “abort mission” moments. Surely they were about to get rumbled.

  As if by reflex, Josh placed his hand firmly on Danni’s knee.

  “Oh that’s Eric, my best friend. It’s his birthday today so we came to have drinks with him. Looks like he’s getting a head start,” he said with a strained laugh.

  Danni gave her quick-thinking hero a grateful smile. She looked down at her glass and swirled the contents around before taking a quick mouthful. Her heart was still pounding from the unexpected intrusion. For some reason she hadn’t thought Megan was going to be so pretty. The tight black panel ribbed top she wore with her black trousers, exposed what seemed to be a great body as well. Despite how hot Megan was, she didn’t really think they suited each other. Surely a brunette like Brooke would be far more suited to, well, a blonde. Just saying.

  “Oh happy birthday,” Brooke said, as Eric glided to the counter to take their order.

  He looked at her, slightly bewildered by the greeting. “Huh.”

  “Don’t be so coy, Eric,” Josh said smiling at him before turning to Brooke. “He hates people knowing it’s his birthday, he doesn’t like any fuss. You know how some people are about their age.”

  “I know the feeling,” Brooke said. “Can I have two dry white wines please and whatever you’re all having?”

  “Oh, thanks very much. Hey, why don’t you girls join us?” Josh said indicating to the vacant seats next to Danni.

  “Thanks but we’re–”

  Brooke interrupted Megan before she could even finish the sentence. “Thanks we’d love to,” she answered, taking a seat and giving Megan a look which implied she should do the same.

  Danni tried to remain calm, despite the shockwave that surged through her body every time Brooke’s blue eyes fell upon her.

  “Sooo,” Danni said, shifting in her seat as she looked at each of the women. She was seriously beginning to feel hot under the collar despite only wearing a T-shirt. “What brings you guys here tonight?”

  “Does there need to be a reason?” Megan shot back at her, before taking a big sip of her drink.

  Danni smoothed her hands over her hair and narrowed her eyes. “No, not at all. Just wondered. Anyway …”

  So her first instinct about this woman had been correct when she had overheard Brooke talking to her on the phone. And as her nan always says, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. Or, in Megan’s case – a bitch. There, she said it. Danni didn’t like to throw that word around willy-nilly, but in this case, she felt entirely justified. She’d known a lot of women like Megan in her time, and boy, was she a tricky one. Her heart went out to Brooke. How the hell had she got mixed up with someone like that?

  Brooke looked at her apologetically. “Uhh, actually, we ha
ven’t been out in a while so we thought we’d have a bit of a blow out.”

  “A blow job?” Eric laughed, ear-wigging from behind the bar. Clearly he’d had one too many, or else rather limited social graces.

  Oh God, did he really say that? Danni cringed. Thankfully, nobody else seemed to hear, or at least pretended not to. She gave him a look as he walked away to serve a thirsty customer.

  “Have you been here before?” Brooke asked, clearly attempting to alleviate the tension.

  Josh nodded. “Yeah, all the time.”

  Danni discreetly nudged him. “What Josh means is, we come here regularly to hang out with Eric, his best friend who is gay. Not that that matters, who cares in fact? Not us, we love them, uh, yes.” Danni was mortified by her foot-in mouth response. She was a lousy liar and as a result ended up saying the most ridiculously inappropriate things.

  Megan brushed her finger across her lip to wipe away a droplet of wine and looked at her with a cool expression on her face. “I’m surprised you both don’t get hit on, especially a gorgeous boy like you Josh.”

  Josh tore his gaze away from Eric, tucking his tongue back inside his mouth. “Nah, can’t say I do. It’s not really a pick up joint.”

  Danni tried not to laugh as she caught sight of two men fondling each other in the corner as they sniffed a small bottle of naughtiness.

  Danni glanced at Brooke out of the corner of her eye and if she hadn’t been under the influence, she could have sworn Brooke was staring at her. She was not the only one.

  “Have you lost something?” Megan whispered to Brooke with a scowl, making her pretty features turn rather ugly.

  Danni looked away, pretending she hadn’t heard. She could sense the tension rising between the two.

  Brooke picked at the coaster beneath her drink and answered, “Sorry?”

  “Oh, I just thought you were looking at Danni as she had something you wanted.”

  “What? Don’t be silly I–”

  The whispering over, Megan jumped to her feet.

  “Well this has been fun but all good things come to an end.” Megan grinned sarcastically.

  “But I haven’t finished my drink,” Brooke protested.

  “Yeah, well you can get another one from the next bar. Sorry guys – we have to go.”

  Danni willed Brooke to stand her ground and not give in. To her disappointment, Brooke stood up and pushed her glass aside. She smiled at Josh and Danni, her cheeks colouring slightly. “It was great seeing you guys again. I’m sure we’ll meet up soon,” she said looking directly at Danni.

  “I hope so,” she replied.

  Josh stood and embraced her. How Danni wished she could do the same again. Instead she just smiled at the two women as they turned and left the bar.

  “Whoa. That was, intense,” Josh said, looking towards the retreating women.

  “Tell me about it.”

  Eric appeared in front of them. “Right handsome. Can I stop being your birthday boy? I’ve finished work and am ready to be seduced now,” he said slapping his hands down on the bar and smiling seductively at Josh.

  Josh looked to Danni and then back to Eric. “No, I’m out with Danni.”

  “Go,” she said briefly hugging him. “I’m fine. I’m going to head off now anyway. And be careful.”

  “Aren’t I always? Thanks babe – if you’re sure?”

  Danni smiled and nodded as Josh grabbed a handful of condoms from the bowl on the bar, stuffed them in his jeans pocket and walked towards the door with Eric. Moments later they were gone, and she was alone in the bar feeling like the loneliest woman on the planet.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Brooke led the way to the corner table in the Dog and Bone Pub. The air whiffed of stale beer, the patterned carpets threadbare and worn. The place was quiet with only two elderly men hunched over the bar, staring vacantly into their drinks. The pub wasn’t exactly what Brooke had in mind for their “date night”, but she couldn’t take the chance of going to another gay bar, in case Danni and Josh decided to move the party on to another venue. She didn’t want to witness another uncomfortable encounter between Danni and Megan. She ground her teeth until her jaw ached, waiting until they were seated before casting her narrowed eyes on Megan, her voice low, but full of fury. “Did you have to be so obvious?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Megan lowered her eyes to the faded beer mat she held between her hands.

  Brooke gave a quick glance around the dowdy space, before sliding forward to the edge of the chair and leaning slightly over the table. “Come on Megan, don’t play stupid. You were so rude to Danni I actually felt embarrassed.”

  Megan raised her eyebrows. “Really, but not that embarrassed that you couldn’t keep your eyes off her.”

  Brooke frowned at her accusation. “What are you talking about? Don’t try and make this about my behaviour.”

  “Oh really? And why not? Have you got something to tell me Brooke? Because if you have I’d rather just hear it up front rather than be made a fool out of.”

  “Are you joking? I haven’t done anything wrong. Danni is straight and engaged to Josh.”

  “Yeah right. Pull the other one. It’s obvious she’s got a thing for you.”

  Brooke slumped back in her chair. “A thing for ... ? Have you gone insane? She’s straight Megan – do you want me to spell it out.”

  “I bet Josh is too.”

  “Well yes he is.”

  “I don’t know if you actually believe what you’re saying or if you’re taking me for a fool. Did you see her T-shirt?”

  Brooke shook her head in frustration. “You really are paranoid aren’t you? So what if she wears a T-shirt saying “Girl-on-Girl”? It doesn’t mean a thing. She was in a gay bar after all –maybe it was a present from Josh’s friend?”

  “Come on, Brooke, you don’t believe that.”

  “Yes I do. What’s going to be next? I fancy Ethan?”

  “Do you?”

  “Do you know what? This evening was a mistake. This whole idea of thinking things could work between us.” She shook her head and stood up. “I’m going home Megan.”

  As fast as a cat pounces on its prey, Megan gripped Brooke by the wrist, her slender fingers turning white from the pressure.

  Panic rose in Brooke’s voice. “Megan let go of me. You’re hurting me.”

  Megan looked up at her with dark hooded eyes. “Sit down.”

  “No, I won’t fucking sit down. Let go of me.” Brooke yanked her arm free and rubbed her wrist. What had got into Megan? She had never seen her behave like that before.

  Megan bowed her head. When she glanced up again moments later, her eyes were wide with apologetic humility. “I’m sorry. Please sit down.”

  “What for? What else do you want to accuse me of?”

  Megan circled the rim of her glass with the tip of her finger. The worry lines on her forehead more prominent as she looked up at Brooke with regret in her eyes. “I’m just tired Brooke. All these long haul flights, spending time apart from you.” She threw her hands in the air. “It’s all grinding me down.”

  Brooke thought how much she looked like a vulnerable child at that moment, and immediately her heart softened. It hadn’t occurred to her that Megan was under pressure recently and she had been adding to it. Brooke slipped into the seat beside her and put her arm around her waist. Her voice softened. “Honestly, you’ve got nothing to worry about, I promise,” she said leaning her forehead against her back.

  Her thoughts returned to Danni. What she had was a silly little crush. Lots of people in relationships felt attracted to other people at some stage in their lives – it didn’t mean they were going to jump into bed with them the first opportunity they got. It just showed they were human.

  When the time came, she would read Danni’s draft. She hoped for the sake of everyone involved that she could honestly tell Roy that the idea was a no-go and she could close the chapter on what was
a brief moment of madness.

  ***

  Megan stared into the darkness of the night. Brooke was breathing softly beside her, her leg across her thigh. Things were okay for now. But that didn’t make it any easier for her peace of mind. She had been right about Brooke. She had seen the attraction between her and that Danni woman the second they came into contact with one another. The energy in the air was undeniable. She didn’t know who any of them thought they were kidding – and if pretty boy Josh was straight she’d eat her hat. What was their game? Why were they pretending to be a couple? She didn’t want to rock the boat and have Brooke think any different – as long as she believed in their facade their relationship was safe.

  She was going to have to work out a proper timetable between the women. Brooke was being left alone for too long and by doing so, Megan seemed to be losing her grip on her. As for Alison, she didn’t pose too much of a problem. That was one thing she should be grateful to Kelly for. Motherhood made sure Alison was tied to the home. There was little chance of her meeting anyone else. Megan had the best of both worlds and if she didn’t get a handle on them she was at risk of losing it all.

  “Brooke?” she said softly. “Brooke?” Megan lifted Brooke’s leg off her, slipped out of bed and felt her way to the door. Before heading to Brooke’s office she grabbed a dressing gown from the bathroom door.

  Sitting comfortably in Brooke’s chair she flipped open her laptop and logged into Skype. She smiled when Alison accepted her call a minute later, her face against a pillow came in to view.

  “Hey, baby,” Alison said sleepily. “What time is it?”

  “I couldn’t sleep, I can’t stop thinking about you,” Megan said as she opened the dressing gown and exposed her nakedness. “Are you tired?”

  Alison’s eyes widened. “Not anymore!”

  Chapter Twenty-Six