Macon stopped moving just as they arrived at the game. Joanna was starting to recognize something in her that she wasn’t sure others did.
“Put it in.” Macon motioned to the card reader, deflecting Joanna’s comment.
“Hey, I’m glad you decided to come out tonight.” She changed the subject. “We’re a few points closer to that iPad Pro.”
“Yeah,” Macon agreed.
Joanna swiped the card for Macon’s game. Then, she did the same for herself. She wasn’t great at this one and would just throw alongside Macon because it was fun. While she tossed and hoped it hit a clown, Macon’s arm speed was off the charts. Her expression was focused, possibly angry, and her aim was spot on. She knocked down the entire top row of clowns before Joanna had even thrown her first ball. Joanna was sure she hit at least a few, but when the time was up, she’d scored only fifty points, while Macon’s score was over four hundred. She was winded and looking off toward the bar. Joanna wondered if she was the cause in her change in mood.
“Maybe we should choose a game that doesn’t involve rolling or throwing for you,” Macon remarked.
“Maybe we should get you a beer. You seem like you need one,” Joanna said. “Here, use this. I’ll go get us some drinks.”
She ordered from the bartender and waited while he popped the top off the one she’d ordered for Macon. Then, he poured the draft she’d order for herself while she watched Macon play a game. By the time she returned with their drinks, Macon’s mood had changed back to playful.
“I got the jackpot, and then I got a bonus spin,” she announced as she took her beer.
“Yeah? How many?”
“It was a three-thousand jackpot, and with the bonus, I doubled it.” She smiled before taking a sip of her beer.
“So, in two spins, you doubled our entire ticket total?” Joanna asked.
“I am lucky tonight, I guess.”
“Hey, two people who said they were each spending the night alone,” Keira’s voice rang out from behind them.
“Keira?” Joanna turned around to see Keira holding hands with Emma.
“We were on our way to our movie and saw the two of you in here from the street,” Keira said. “Emma was told you needed a night in, Joanna Martin.”
“I was planning on staying in, but–”
“Little Miss Macon convinced you to go out?”
“What? No,” Macon replied and took another drink of her beer while turning her head back toward the game. “I’m going to grab some nachos or something. Do you want the potato skins?” she asked Joanna and then looked directly at Keira. “Because I am going to the bar to order my own food and I am a nice person.”
Keira gave her a glance that Joanna wasn’t certain she understood. Then, she turned to Macon, who was once again in that same mood from earlier and the day before as well.
“No, I’m good. But can you–”
“No jalapenos. I know,” Macon interrupted and headed toward the bar.
“Okay, what is going on with you two?” Emma turned to her girlfriend and asked.
“Nothing,” Keira replied and turned to Joanna. “Our movie starts in thirty. We should head out.”
“You two want to come since you’re already out?” Emma asked Joanna.
“She’s getting food, so I don’t know.”
“I’ll go talk to her,” Keira suggested.
“Actually, let me,” Joanna insisted. She placed a hand on Keira’s forearm, knowing something was wrong between her and Macon but not knowing what. She walked past them toward the bar where she stood next to Macon, who leaned over it. “Penny for your thoughts,” she said and received no response. “Or maybe a nickel? Are your thoughts pricier than the average thoughts?”
“I have high-priced thoughts, yes,” Macon finally replied and turned her head to Joanna. “Did you change your mind about the potato skins?”
“No. Emma and Keira invited us to join them at the movie.”
“Oh.”
“But you don’t want to go?”
“Not really.” Macon turned her eyes to the bartender, who noticed them, smiled, and nodded that he’d be right over. “You can go, though. I don’t mind. I’ll just get something to-go and head home.”
“I don’t want to go without you,” Joanna said before she could stop herself and stood back from the bar. “I’ll tell them no. We can play some more.”
“I think I’ll just get the nachos to-go. I’m kind of done. I was tired before I got here. You can come to my place, though. I’ll share.”
Joanna glanced over at Emma and Keira, who appeared to be in conversation, and turned back to Macon.
“Let me get them on their way. I’ll come back, and we can decide, okay?”
“Fine,” she agreed as the bartender approached to take the order. “Can I get an order of nachos with no jalapenos, and an order of potato skins with extra bacon to-go?”
Joanna smiled at the order she heard as she walked away back toward Keira and Emma.
“We’re going to pass,” she explained. “She’s tired. And, honestly, she was going to stay at home tonight. I convinced her to come out with me. I think I’m going to walk her home and head home myself. I have an early shoot tomorrow.”
“I can sense the lies falling from your lips, but I’ll allow it,” Keira offered with a smile. “Tell her I’m sorry, okay?” she said in a lower voice.
“For what? She hasn’t exactly filled me in on what happened between you two.”
“And she won’t. I know her. She won’t want to tell you, but it’ll be okay. She just needs to cool down and let me apologize, but she’s not there yet. Maybe you can help grease the wheels, so to speak?”
“I guess,” Joanna offered back and noticed Macon finishing off her beer and setting the bottle on the bar.
“Thanks,” Keira said and tugged on Emma’s hand before looking back at Joanna. “You two are good, right? Your friendship is good?”
“As far as I know. Why? Do you know something I don’t?”
“No, I just wanted to check.” Keira looked past her and toward the bar where Macon was still standing. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with this one here and at work.” She referenced Emma. “Hillary’s been busy herself. Kellan and Macon started to have a good friendship before she left for Tahoe. But, outside of that group, she doesn’t really have a lot of close friends. I want to make sure she’s taken care of, you know?”
“Oh. I spend most of my free time with her. I think things are good between us. She’s probably my closest friend. I think she’s comfortable enough with me to tell me if things are bothering her. I’m not sure why she can’t tell me whatever you said to piss her off.”
Keira’s eyes hadn’t left the spot at the bar Joanna didn’t need to turn around to see Macon occupying.
“She will, someday,” Keira said after a moment. “We’ll leave you guys alone. Sorry to have bothered you and ruin the night.”
“You didn’t ruin the night, Keira. It’s not a big deal.”
“See you later?” Emma asked as Keira pulled her toward the door.
“Enjoy the movie.”
“We will. I’m planning on making out with her during.” Emma winked as Keira rolled her eyes at her playfully.
Joanna waited for them to go, took a big gulp of her beer, and headed back toward Macon, who was now sitting at one of the free stools.
“So, they’re on their way out. What did you decide you want to do?”
“My place, food, and maybe a movie,” she replied directly. “Unless you want to just go back to your place.”
“Alone or with you?”
“Whatever you want.”
“I’m asking you what you want, Macon. Obviously, Keira did something to tick you off. If you want to just go home and–”
“I told you what I want, Jo.” She turned her head to reveal her still somewhat angry, though not as intensely, expression. “You, me, food, and a movie.”
&nb
sp; “Okay.” Joanna nodded. “I’m picking the movie, though.”
“Fine. But nothing sappy,” Macon argued.
“Action or horror?”
“Action. Let’s pick up that wine I like from the store downstairs.”
“Sounds good. But can we get the wine I like, too, since the wine you like is terrible?” Joanna teased and gave Macon’s shoulder a light bump with her own.
“Fine. But I get one of your potato skins.”
“You can have two.” Joanna slid her beer on the bar toward Macon, who took a drink.
CHAPTER 6
“So, how’d the meeting with your conductor go?” Joanna asked while Greene sifted through the myriad of movie options available to stream.
“It was good,” Greene replied. “Action, right?”
“So, you’re not fired?” Joanna snagged a nacho and bit into it while Greene continued to sort.
“No.” Greene laughed. “He offered me a job opportunity, actually.”
“You already have a job.” Joanna leaned back against the sofa after biting into her first potato skin.
“New action or old action?”
“Don’t change the subject.” Joanna pushed at her shoulder, and Greene leaned back to match her posture.
“I’m not. I’m trying to pick a movie.”
“Then, pick one. I honestly don’t care what we watch.” Joanna motioned to the TV screen. “Seriously.”
Greene hovered over a category on the screen and turned her head to Joanna. Joanna had all but finished the potato skin she’d grabbed and was sitting so close, the sides of their bodies were touching.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. Answer my question.” She smiled at her and finished the last bite.
“There’s a new romance I’ve wanted to check out but haven’t.”
“I’m sorry.” Joanna laughed and turned her head to Greene. “Did Macon Greene just say she wanted to check out a romantic movie?”
“It’s not the kind of romance you’re probably used to.” Greene turned back to the TV and scrolled over to the movie.
“How so?”
“It’s a lesbian romance.” She clicked on the film to reveal the title and details to allow Joanna to read. “I usually don’t watch them, because ninety-five percent of them have sad endings, but I read some spoilers. This one is supposed to have a happy one.”
“Why sad endings all the time?”
“Couldn’t tell you.” Greene shrugged and clicked on the purchase button to buy the movie for ten bucks. “It’s a trend that’s been around forever. I used to watch them when I first started to think I might like girls and then when I knew I did. They just depressed me, though. It felt like people were saying if you fell in love with a woman, you’d just end up losing her.” She waited before pressing the start button to begin the film. “Either she died of some illness, or she was straight and returned to the husband. It took me years to find one with a happy ending where they ended up together.”
Joanna stared at her as she spoke. She seemed to be interested in what Greene was saying. She turned back to the TV, because the intensity of Joanna’s eyes was too much for her to handle these days.
“That’s kind of depressing,” she finally said. “So, you want to watch it?”
“If you’re up for it, yeah. If not, I’m sure there’s some other movie with car crashes and bombs blowing up buildings we can watch.”
“It’s fine. Put it on.” Joanna laughed at her, leaned forward, and grabbed two potato skins. She passed both to Greene, who took them. “As promised.” She stood then. “I’ll grab my good wine and your terrible wine.”
Greene laughed to herself as Joanna made her way into her kitchen to open both bottles. Greene started the movie. She watched Joanna open her cutlery drawer, grab the corkscrew, and then open bottle number one followed by the second. The woman put the corkscrew back and opened a cabinet next to the sink to pull out two wine glasses. She poured a glass from one bottle and then the other before carrying the glasses into the living room, placing them on the table, and moving back to grab the bottles, bringing them with her, and setting them on the table as well. She was one of the few people Greene let into her apartment. She was the only one who knew it so well.
It hadn’t felt strange to Greene. But she was starting to wonder if the reason it hadn’t felt strange to her was because she secretly wanted to be in a relationship with the woman currently shoving a messy nacho in her mouth, trying to make room for the cheese that was congealed on top of it by moving her head to line up with it. Greene couldn’t help but find it adorable. That was scary. She’d never been in this situation before. She’d had relationships, and she’d dated women, but she’d never felt something like this for any of them. Joanna wasn’t an option. And Greene resigned herself in that moment to just being miserable until she could find a way to move past these feelings. She’d surely meet someone that made her feel the same. Joanna would start dating a guy. Seeing them together would set Greene’s mind and heart right.
“Thanks,” Greene said.
Joanna passed her the glass. She took a sip and placed it back, sinking into the sofa to watch the movie that had just started.
“So, what’s this movie about exactly?” Joanna did the same.
“Girl meets girl. Girl loses girl. Girl gets girl back. It’s just like every other movie, but it won a few festival awards. I thought it had to be decent enough,” Greene told her.
“Well, I hope so,” Joanna replied.
“If not, we can turn it off.”
A few minutes later, the first female lead had met the second female lead. The movie had a high-quality feel to it, with a decent score. Greene always noticed the music in movies, even more sometimes than the plot. If it was terrible, she’d cringe and turn it off. If it was great, she had respect for the people who had put it all together. Ten minutes later, Joanna’s head was on her shoulder. The two women on screen had shared a fun, awkward moment where it was clear they were progressing toward something more. Greene couldn’t hear the music or the dialogue anymore because Joanna’s head was on her shoulder. They’d stopped eating and had only snuck a few sips of their wine. Joanna had snuggled into her side, apparently, for the long haul, because at the thirty-minute mark, when the characters shared their first kiss, she was still there.
Greene’s heart was racing. She’d been able to keep herself together as the characters moved into their first fight. Joanna stirred for a moment before getting up to use the bathroom. Greene missed the press of her body next to her immediately. When Joanna returned, though, she was torn. She wanted Joanna to move back into position. She also didn’t want that, because it felt too good. Joanna finished her glass of wine and poured herself another. She topped off Greene’s and settled back into her.
“What did I miss?” she asked.
“They made up,” Greene replied. “Actually, they’re still making up,” she added and pointed at the screen.
“Oh.”
The two very attractive women were nearly naked. One was on top of the other. Greene felt herself grow uncomfortable, which surprised her because she had no problem watching two women have fake sex in a movie. That was especially true because most of the lesbian sex in movies was pretty terrible or shot through a filter that made it nearly impossible to see anything worthwhile. Having Joanna next to her, touching her skin, was enough to light her on fire. Once the women were both completely nude, and the camera was not shying away from particular areas of their bodies, Greene tensed. She felt Joanna also tense beside her. The scene continued. Greene’s face grew red. She hadn’t known the sex scene in this movie would be so graphic. The two actresses were clearly giving the scene their all. Greene’s cheeks reddened further as one slid down between the other woman’s legs and began a very specific activity she had not prepared herself to see with Joanna tucked into her body.
After a few more seconds, Joanna moved to sit up straight next to her. Greene di
dn’t chance a look over at her face to check her reaction but noted that Joanna’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap for the duration of that part of the scene. As the actress continued making sounds indicative of her impending fake orgasm, Joanna’s hands tensed further. When the orgasm came, her hands released. Greene watched the remainder of the scene while Joanna sipped on her second glass of wine and seemed to be looking around the room at anywhere other than the TV.
Greene didn’t know what that meant. Was Joanna turned on by the scene and needed to look away? Was she grossed out by the scene but didn’t want to make Greene uncomfortable, so she looked elsewhere to save herself from having to watch two women have sex and then exchange their first ‘I love you’ at the end of the scene?
“Sorry, I didn’t know it was this graphic,” Greene said.
“No, it’s fine. It’s a good movie so far.”
Joanna downed the rest of her wine. She picked up the bottle to refill her glass. Greene hadn’t seen her drink this much this quickly possibly ever.
“I can turn it off. We can just–”
“No, it’s okay, Macon. Really; it’s a good movie. They’re…” Joanna seemed to stumble as she stared at the screen and at the two women who were now spooning and enjoying their shared afterglow. “Cute together.” She drank half the glass she’d just poured.
“I was going to say hot together, but… sure.” Greene tried to laugh it off and took a gulp of her own wine.
“That too.” Joanna leaned back again but held onto her wine glass this time.
Another forty minutes went by. The characters had a few nice make-out sessions and a shorter sex scene, where they were still half-clothed and up against a wall. By then, Greene sensed Joanna was more than comfortable with what they were showing. That could’ve been due to the amount of alcohol she’d consumed more than the movie itself. She’d finished her beer at 7Ups earlier. Then, she finished the entire bottle of wine she’d bought and even had half a glass of Greene’s, despite telling her it was terrible more than once. When the movie ended, Joanna’s legs were in Greene’s lap. Her head was against the arm of the sofa and the small square pillow there. Her eyes were glassy. She was seemingly both tired and drunk.
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