If Love was Fair

by Savannah Stewart

  “Sounds like you have a lot to do today.” Colin kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll leave you be. If you need a ride later, just give me a call.”

  “I will. Again, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize, Arbor. Just move forward.”

  He gave my hand a little squeeze and a closed-lip smile tipped the corners of my mouth up.

  “Hold the elevator,” he called out.

  Everett stuck his hand in the door to hold it and Colin swiftly took off to board the elevator. I waved at them both as the doors closed.

  Not knowing what I was walking into, I took a deep breath and tried to clear my head. This day had already turned into a whirlwind ride on the crazy train, and I needed off of it.

  I gently pushed the door to Emily’s office open and heard her crying. As long as we’d been friends, I could only recall a handful of times she’d broken down on me. Whatever was going on had to be major.

  “Oh, Emily.” I quickly crossed the room and pulled her into my arms. She was still sitting in her chair as I hugged her tightly to me. “What’s going on, sweetheart?”

  “So much…so, so much, Arbor.”

  Her sobs were breaking my heart. I kneeled to her level and linked our hands together. “You can talk to me about anything, you know.”

  She nodded. “But I didn’t want to ruin all the happiness in your life with my black cloud.”

  “You know I’ll take your black cloud over anything else. Now spill the beans, what’s been going on?”

  Emily looked up through wet, mascara-clad lashes, her vulnerability showing its ugly head. I hated that she was feeling the way she was, but I couldn’t help her if she didn’t fill me in.

  “Everett’s pissed because Malcolm Gillens requested our services. Dan wants to take him on as a client but I’m trying to argue the conflict between him and Everett. Dan isn’t listening though. He’s only seeing dollar signs in the matter, but I’m afraid if we sign Malcolm, we’ll lose Everett. He all but said that while he was in here. But I couldn’t let him know that I’m batting for him and not Malcolm. Dan would fire me if I had.”

  “Dan needs to realize that we’re the ones who keep this company afloat, mainly you. Without good client and associate relationships, Level PR would sink.”

  “I’ve tried to tell him that, but there’s more.”

  “Okay.”

  “I got a promotion.”

  “What?” I squealed. “I’m so happy for you, Emily!” Her body was tense as I pulled her tightly into a hug.

  “It’s not good news, Arbor.”

  “Just why the hell not?”

  “Because I think he promoted me to travelling associate so I wouldn’t be able to handle Everett’s company anymore. Then they can ditch them for Malcolm without me having any room to argue.”

  I sat back on my heels.

  “I do not understand why Dan would do any of this. I mean, you definitely deserve the promotion, don’t get me wrong. But why does he want to get rid of Everett’s company so badly? He was hell bent on us signing them not that long ago!”

  “Because Everett is relocating to Colorado.”

  “What?”

  “He has a lot going on. Colorado is where he needs to be.”

  “I have to sit down for this.” I got up from the floor and took a seat back in the chair I’d pulled beside her desk.

  “I told you a lot’s been going on. I got promoted, Malcolm wants to join Level, and Everett is relocating his company because of personal reasons.”

  “I still can’t believe he’s relocating.”

  “I know…I’m not sure what to do.”

  “Emily, this job has been your life. It’s been everything you’ve wanted for so long, but if Dan is testing your limits, then you have a decision to make. One I cannot make for you.”

  “I know.”

  “So, what are you going to do then?”

  “I’m going to finish all this shit piled here on my desk and go to Colorado tomorrow night with Everett. That’s the first job I have in the new position. Dan’s sending me out to Evergreen’s new office.”

  “This makes absolutely no sense to me…”

  “Me, either.”

  “Maybe it’s just a bump in the road and once you get out there and report back to Dan, he’ll see that Evergreen is a company he needs to keep.”

  “I hope so.”

  I grabbed a handful of files and shuffled them into a manageable stack. “So, where do we start?”

  “What time is it?” Emily mumbled through a mouth full of Chinese food.

  “Way too late for us to be smashing Chinese.”

  “No, but seriously.”

  “A little after midnight.”

  “You’re shitting me?”

  “I wouldn’t shit you, you’re my favorite turd.”

  “Oh, no…you’ve gotten slap happy.”

  Hysterical laughter took over. Tears pooled in my eyes and my sides ached from laughing so hard. Our brains were sleep deprived and running on mass amounts of caffeine. The two never mixed well.

  “One more email to send and we can blow this popsicle stand!” Emily furiously typed away on the keyboard. “You’re going to have to proofread this shit. I’m almost positive the majority of these words are misspelled.”

  “Are there squiggly lines beneath them?”

  Emily cackled. “You know our email isn’t that fancy.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  She dropped her chin, giving me a knowing look. “If you’re about to show me something I could’ve used a long ass time ago, I will cut you.”

  “Put your scissors down, you psycho path.”

  Emily evil laughed as she dropped the scissors back into their bin. If I was a stranger I’d think she was bat shit crazy, but that was her sense of humor, and I loved it dearly.

  “You see…” A few clicks and I managed to turn on the review portion of her email. “Yours was off. This will allow your email to highlight any words that are incorrect. Like all of those.” I drug my finger across the screen.

  “Ha!” Emily leaned back in her chair. “I told you I needed a second set of eyes on this email. Good Lord! A toddler could’ve typed better.”

  “In today’s society, I’d have to agree.”

  Another fit of laughter erupted between us.

  Emily clicked away at the keyboard as I leaned back in the chair, trying to get as comfortable as possible in an office chair that I’d been sitting in for far too many hours.

  “Done!” She hit one last key on her keyboard before flopping back in her chair.

  “I can’t believe we finished all of that.” I rubbed my eyes.

  “I definitely wouldn’t have without your help.”

  “So what time do you leave for Colorado?”

  Emily groaned. “I’m going to be a horrible travel partner. Haven’t even packed yet, or gone to bed as you know. He’s going to hate me.”

  “I highly doubt that.”

  My phone sprung to life with Colin’s name popping up on the screen. “It’s Colin.” I smiled widely and Emily waved me off to take it.

  I stood from the chair and walked over to the large windows that overlooked the city. The night life was booming below, lights of all sizes and colors illuminating Indianapolis like a Christmas tree. The city view was just as beautiful at night as it was during the day.

  “Hey you.”

  “I was wondering if you’d fallen asleep helping Emily.”

  “No, but we finally finished.”

  “All of it?”

  “Yeah. I don’t know how we managed it, but it’s done.”

  “You’re a good friend.”

  “I owe her more than a little help for everything she’s done for me.”

  “I understand completely. Do you need me to pick you up?”

  “No, Emily’s giving me a ride.”

  “Okay, are you heading home or coming by the hotel?”

  Colin was still stayi
ng in a hotel until he figured out what his next move was. We hadn’t talked about moving in together, even though I’d definitely give it a shot. With him mentioning travelling again and playing shows to Everett, it made me wonder if he’d be willing to put roots down somewhere. It was a topic we needed to touch base on…soon.

  “I’m really tired and I haven’t been home in days. If I came by I’d probably fall asleep as soon as I got in bed with you.”

  “No, it’s fine. I can see you tomorrow.”

  “Thank you for being you, Colin.”

  “I love you, Arbor. Text me when you get home so I know you made it safely.”

  “I will. Love you, too.”

  The same goofy grin spread across my face every time Colin said those three little words to me. I hoped it would be that way for the rest of my life. I knew Emily was about to drop a snarky comment, but I turned toward her desk and found she’d turned her back to me.

  “What are you—” I paused when I realized she was on the phone, oblivious to the fact I’d sat back down and could hear her conversation. A conversation that seemed rather private.

  “You’re going to get me in trouble, Everett.” She giggled. “Not that kind of trouble.”

  My eyes grew large at the sound of her voice. The tone I’d heard her use numerous times on men at bars was in full force…with Everett.

  “I’ll be ready by six, I promise. No, I haven’t even gotten home yet. Don’t expect me to be anything other than grumpy on the flight. Ha! You’ve lost it.” Another long pause. “Yeah, I’ll see you then. Thanks for having a driver pick me up, I really appreciate it. You, too.”

  Emily turned her chair toward her desk and jumped when she realized I was sitting there again.

  “Shit!” She placed a hand over her heart as her phone tumbled to the floor. “You scared the crap out of me. I thought you were still on the phone with Colin.”

  “What was that?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “What?”

  “Emily Lane Colt, you better cough up the truth right the hell now.”

  She covered her face with her hands and groaned, “Ugh! You used the full name. That’s never a good sign.”

  I cleared my throat.

  “Okay, okay.” She removed her hands, nervously peering at me. “Everett’s flirty; I totally see why you were attracted to him.”

  “Everett’s flirty? That’s all you’re going to give me? It sounded like you were being flirty right back.”

  “You know me,” she shrugged. “I can’t help myself when a man acts like he does. But he’s different, too. Super nice, sweet, funny, attractive as hell, and I feel like an asshole about even thinking of him like that, since the two of you had something.”

  “Emily,” I leaned onto the desk and covered her hand with mine. “Whatever Everett and I had is in the past. It was over before it even got started, honestly. I’m with Colin, the man I was meant to be with, so if you think it’s possible the two of you can have something worthwhile, then go for it. I’m not going to stand in your way because of a few incidents that unfolded months ago.”

  “Ugh…but isn’t there a girl code that specifically says you can’t fraternize with someone your best friend has seen naked, or touched his man parts, or kissed in more than a friendly drunken manner?”

  “Only if you want there to be.” I gave her a knowing look. “That sounds like an excuse for you to run away from something that might just scare you.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “I’m giving you my blessing, what you do from here is totally, one hundred percent up to you.”

  “Still feel like an asshole.”

  “Oh, shut up!” I gathered my things. “How about we get the hell out of here, Monday will come far too soon as it is.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Twenty Four

  Today was a monumental day for not only my relationship with Colin, but for his career. It was our six month anniversary, and the night of his very first show after taking an extended break. His first show after signing with Evergreen Music Management, and a gig Everett was proud of landing for Colin.

  Hi-Fi was a club known for housing upcoming talent, which was exactly the type of venue Colin needed to break onto the scene again.

  The door of the dressing room creaked, and I turned to see who was coming in. Everett and Colin were in the corner chatting it up about song choice and style, so the only person left would’ve been the owner of the place. I gasped as my favorite long-legged, skinny, blonde-haired girl stepped into the room, sporting a mega-watt smile with her arms wide open.

  “Emily!” I squealed and quickly tossed myself into her arms, bouncing the two of us from side-to-side with joy. “I didn’t think you could make it.”

  “Everett helped make this happen.”

  I turned to Everett and shook my finger. “Sneaky ass!”

  He chuckled. “I couldn’t give away the surprise, now could I?”

  Colin clasped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for getting her here. Arbor has been like a lost puppy the past few months.”

  “I beg to differ!” I scoffed.

  “If the shoe fits, wear it, sweetheart.” Colin gave me a wink and I blew him a kiss.

  My attention diverted back to Emily. She looked so different, but yet the same. Her scrawny self had more muscle tone to her, and her usual straight hair had loose waves. Her makeup was a bit more reserved than usual, and a tiny diamond stud decorated her nose.

  “You’ve changed!” I fake cried. “I feel like I don’t even know you anymore.” I frowned.

  “Stop it!” She shoved my shoulder. “I’ve been working out, learned to actually fix my hair, and got my nose pierced. A lot happens when you change jobs.”

  “What?” I gasped.

  “I quit Level this morning.”

  “You’re shitting me!”

  “It’s a long story that we can get into later, but I’m working full-time at Evergreen now. Dan can’t force me to do what I don’t want to do anymore.”

  “But you loved that job, Emily.”

  “I loved the work, not the office. I loved being able to work with you, but since you’re not there anymore I lost that. I haven’t been this happy with a job in so long. Everett has made the transition a breeze. He’s amazing.”

  My heart ached at the thought of Emily working for Evergreen. It meant she’d be spending the majority of her time in Colorado, not that she hadn’t been anyway. I was slowly losing my best friend and I wasn’t sure that I was ready for that. Skype and telephone calls weren’t the same as being able to cross the hallway in your home and jump into bed to spill your guts about how awesome or shitty your day had been.

  “Turn that frown upside down!”

  “I’m going to lose you, aren’t I?”

  “Hell-to-the-no you aren’t. I’m a travelling recruiter now. Since Everett has to be more in the office, I get to travel around the states looking for talent. We’re expanding, Arbor. I’d love to snag you up to travel with me.” She grinned, hoping I’d give her the answer she wanted to hear.

  “That’s a huge offer, it really is. But Colin’s embarking on this journey with his career and I’ve just dived into school again…I don’t know that it would be the right decision to make.”

  “I get it.” She hugged me tightly. “It’s not ideal right now, but if you ever change your mind, I’ll always have a spot for you. I mean that. And don’t think since I’ll be all over the country that we won’t see each other much. I’ll be dropping by unannounced all the damn time. So be ready.”

  “You better not be lying.” My words were thick as I tried to hold back the tears.

  “Don’t you dare cry!”

  I stepped back and fanned my face, “I’m not. This makeup won’t re-do itself.”

  A light tap sounded on the door before a man stuck his head in. “Colin, you’re up in five.” The door shut as quickly as it opened.

  “It’s hap
pening!” Emily bounced on her toes. She walked over and gave Colin a squeeze. “You’re going to kick major ass tonight. I can’t wait!”

  “Thanks, Em.”

  She patted Colin’s shoulder before slipping into Everett’s arms.

  “Glad you could make it.” He kissed her cheek as his hand smoothed down her back, stopping at the curve just above her backside.

  A cheesy grin spread across my face. The love they had for one another was evident, but I wasn’t going to be the one to yell at them to wake the hell up and date already. Each had a lot on their plate. She spent far too much time in her own head, instead of allowing things to unfold as they were meant to. But hopefully with time she’d learn that.

  “You ready to do this?” I ran my fingers through the collar on Colin’s blue and black plaid shirt.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Like riding a bike.” I kissed his lips.

  “Like riding a bike.”

  “I’ll be in the crowd.” I linked our hands and gave his a squeeze.

  “My eyes will find you.” He grinned. “The gorgeous brunette with her eyes on me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That’ll be half the building.”

  “In my eyes, no one’s as gorgeous as you are, Arbor.”

  “Keep talking like that and you’ll be late for your first performance.”

  “Come on now.” Everett slapped Colin’s shoulder. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”

  We all headed toward the stage, Everett and Colin turning a different direction after telling us goodbye. I wished Colin luck and Emily told him to break a leg before we slipped into the overly crowded venue. Throws of people stood pretty much shoulder-to-shoulder. If it wasn’t at capacity, it was damn sure close. A bouncer who I’d been introduced to when we arrived came to our assistance.

  “There’s a designated area for family and friends of the talent toward the front right side, I can take you there.”

  “We’d appreciate that.” I linked hands with Emily as we snaked through the crowd behind the man.

  He motioned for us to pass the roped off area at the right corner of the stage.

  “I’ll be just over here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you,” Emily replied and he nodded, leaving us to ourselves.