“Aiden asked him to drive us home today because Ash had an out-of-towner and couldn’t get back on time, apparently. That wasn’t him just showing up tonight.” She says this but not very convincingly.
I don’t think she’s lying to me necessarily, more like wondering if Aiden did this on purpose as she speaks.
“But did he? I think he got to Ash the way he got to Aiden. Aiden’s playing along because Jude wants to stalk me and Aiden for some reason thinks it’s hilarious. Ash wants true love for me and has no idea that Jude isn’t playing with a full deck. I’m gonna have to set him straight.” I fold my arms over my chest. “And after all I said to you this morning, you instigated this dinner thing anyway!”
“What about Jude says he’s not playing with a full deck?” Carly’s got her eyes on him as she asks, like she’s searching for something.
“The fact that he can’t take a hint after a one-night stand is over, for starters. I was very clear about it being a one-night stand.”
“You said he was giving you stalker vibes before all that. So why’d you sleep with him?”
“Lapse in judgment. Vodka. Speaking of… I could use a drink, so are you gonna pour us one of those anytime soon?” I gesture at the blender.
She pulls drink glasses from the freezer.
Her eyes are still wrong as she pours and passes me a drink, stating, “I know nothing about you.”
“What does that even mean?”
What the fuck did he say to her?
And equally as important, if he said that to her, does that mean he’s digging into me?
My blood runs icy even before I’m drinking back a healthy sip of the drink. The addition of the frozen drink sends me into mini brain-freeze.
“Ow,” I say, setting the drink down on the breakfast bar.
“I’ve got my eyes open now, that’s for damn sure,” Carly mumbles.
“Huh?”
“Is our friendship meaningfully real, Ally? Or is it just a surface-thing for you?”
“What? Of course it is. You’re my best friend.”
I’m feeling choked up. I can’t cry. I do my best to hold it back.
“Then talk to me,” she says hoarsely, eyes looking moist. “I tell you stuff. I tell you everything. You don’t say much at all. Not about anything of… depth.”
“Gee thanks for telling me you think I’m shallow,” I mumble and take another sip of my drink despite that my brain is still thawing.
“You know what I mean,” Carly defends.
“I don’t wanna be tied down right now, I’m getting over a painful breakup.”
“We’ve been friends for months. What’s the story about this breakup? You mentioned a breakup the day we met, saying he fucked with your chakras, but you haven’t said another thing about that guy since. Until now.”
“A very painful breakup,” I amend. “And I slept with Jude out of a bad judgement call… the first time having sex with anyone besides my ex – despite the warning signs that it was a bad idea and it’s like it’s set me back to when the breakup first happened for some reason, and now he’s in my apartment trying to get in my business and evidently, turning my best friend against me.”
“That’s not what he’s doing. He just raised some questions. Are you afraid to let people get close to you?”
“Just because I don’t like to dwell on the past doesn’t mean you don’t know me.”
She shrugs and sips her drink.
“Carly, I’m serious. You know everything about me that’s important. You’re my best friend. I love you like crazy. I will go to the ends of the earth for you no matter what, and that’s something you can take to the bank.”
“Do you have secrets that you’re afraid to tell me?” she asks, looking me dead in the eye. “You don’t tell me any secrets. You’ve got to have some; everyone does.”
I can’t fake it. I swallow hard.
“What?” she asks.
“Carly.” I have no other words.
Her eyes fill with hurt. “You can trust me.”
“I know I can,” I tell her with one hundred per cent confidence. “I do. I’m just not,” I shrug, “someone who dwells on the past.”
“Where were you born?” she asks. “And what was his name?”
Clearly, he’s put those very specific questions in her head. I want to scream right now, looking right at him. He sits there casually, but he’s not casual. He knows exactly what he’s just done to me.
“Curly Sue!” Aiden opens the door and calls in. “Get that meat out here! I’m about to get hangry.”
“Coming,” she answers and opens the fridge then lifts a platter of seasoned meat and vegetable kabobs out and carries it to the balcony. I grab our drinks and follow.
“What the fuck are you doing telling people about us sleeping together?” I snarl half under my breath while setting the drinks down.