Chapter 2
Alex rides her Harley behind me as we head to the hotel. She had yet to book a room so we figured as I hadn't either we might as well just book the VIP suite and share it.
"With all the alcohol bound to be consumed it is probably the safest thing to do." I told Alex as we entered the hotels lobby.
It takes about ten minutes to get there and another five to pay for the room and receive our keys. One each, you know, just in case...
We head up to our suite, Alex takes the "Guest Room", leaving me to choose the master suite or one of the other guest rooms. I know there shouldn't really be a choice, I should obviously make use of the master room but - the idea of having all of that space in a room and the double sinks with no one to share it with just reminds me of the loneliness that I feel knowing that nobody will ever be enough to fill that void in my chest...
"Guest room across from Alex it is." I mumble to myself as I follow the other woman down the hall.
The suite is nice. The white-cream coloured walls are decorated with random local pieces of art, the floors are a beautiful polished oak, apart from in the bathroom which is tiled. The sitting area has two firm, yet not uncomfortable, black leather sofas, at a 90 degree angle from one another, a small silver and glass side table with a lamp placed on top separating them and a coffee table placed in the middle in front of the flat screen mounted on the wall.
opposite the sitting area is a long, rectangular family sized table, with four floor to ceiling windows as a backdrop so that you can view most of the surrounding shops and houses on the left side of Midvale with a stunning ocean line view in the distance. You can just about make out part of the beach before the sea blends into a blue-y grey into the now setting sky. For a hotel that is a lot smaller than Alex and I are probably used to, it really does come with a stunning view of the small but ever-so-slowly growing town that we will forever call home.
"Hey Maleficent, our hotel room has a wine cooler, wanna order up a few bottles whilst we get ready for this dreaded party?" Alex asks, already reaching for the phone to dial room service.
I chuckle, "Sure, might as well arrive already buzzed, might make this evening more tolerable."
"I doubt that but it has to be worth a shot!" she says as she punches in the numbers. "Do you think they sell bourbon?"
"You would have to ask. I doubt it would be all that good in regards to the 80 year old scotch in my suit case though..." I say, not really thinking about what I had said due to trying to figure out how to connect my phone to the multi-room sound system device I noticed attached to the wall. "
For a hotel in a small town, it is awfully modernised. I wonder if Lillian has been expanding..." I say over my shoulder to Alex who- has... disappeared. "Alex?" I call out. "Where'd you go?"
I wander back down the hall, maybe she popped back to her room? As I get closer I notice that she had indeed gone back to a room, my room. I lean against the door frame as I watch the taller brunette feel around in the main part of my suitcase looking for a golden bottle with a smirk.
"You won't find it in that part," I tell her.
"You said it was in your suit case, you only brought one up, and it is devoid of any beautiful, golden bottles." Alex says as she looks at me in confusion.
I laugh and walk past her, pulling my case over to me, "That's what you are supposed to think, watch-"
I point to the back corners of my suit case where there are rubber rectangles moulded to each corner for "added protection". To any other person it would look just that, but not to me. No In my spare time I decided to add a fun little compartment just for me. I pull out my keys and unfold the little knife attached to the small multi-tool and slice down one side of the back left rectangle, pulling it back to reveal a thumb scanner.
Placing my thumb over it the top cover peels back - it actually kind of receded into the sides of the lid but semantics - revealing a spare watch, a spare purse filled with some cash and back up credit card, a burner phone, a hard drive and silver framed photograph of Myself, Alex, Kara, Eliza and a gumpy Lillian on the bleachers of our old high school football field.
I look up at Alex to find her staring agape at the case and then too me. Her face a picture of wonder and surprise and a little bit of disappointment.
"What the fuck Lena?!"
"Admit it, its cool."
"Yeah, it is but like, was that nanotechnology-" She says leaning in for a better look. "-In your suit case?!"
"Yup." I say popping the 'p'.
"Of course it is. I forgot just how extra you are." Alex says as she rubs her face with her hands in mild exasperation.
"Well, I am a Luthor," I say with a smug grin. "Plus, I was bored and I thought, what if I get into some sort of accident and end up stranded on an island? What good would it be if all my valuables got ruined or destroyed? And so I made a nano-case!"
I totally was not drunk on an aeroplane when I had the idea. Not at all. Nope.
I laughed as Alex raises her eyebrows in amused disbelief.
"Okay fine, I was drunk and bored on the flight back from a match in Star City and our new forward, Sara, had been telling us on the coach ride back about when she got stranded with nothing after a boating accident when she was younger..."
"Lee..."
"Yeah, but come on, Alex Its cool and practical!"
"Yeah but there's still no scotch..."
I sigh, "And I forgot how much of a one track mind you had when you want something..." I say fondly.
I lean forwards again and run my fingers along the side of the photo frame, feeling for a tiny pointed latch.
"Ouch!.. Found it" I say as I pull my middle finger to my mouth.
"DNA Lock. Got to protect the expensive bottles I tend to carry..." I say to Alex's questioning gaze.
"Jesus Lee, you need to get out more..." Alex says with a laugh. As she stops and the photo separates down the middle, opening like a set of double doors, and revealing a bottle full of amber coloured liquid with a tiny hiss.
"Probably shouldn't mention that the bottle compartment is air tight and temperature controlled too then..."
"Oh my god. Just hurry up and pour me a glass, you nerd!"
Alex and I opt for pretty similar outfits. She chose black skinny jeans, a nice wine red V-neck top, white converse and her signature black leather jacket and I opted for my dark blue skinny jeans, my black dot print button down and my black blazer styled jacket with my red bottomed Louboutin heeled boots to match my signature red lipstick.
I turn my head at the wolf whistle that came from the Kitchen as I walked past with a smirk.
"Looking like that, I don't think you'll need to worry about thinking of Kara, you'll be pulling from left right and center. Damn Lee, you're looking hot!"
I laugh, and do a playful twirl, "With you dressed like you are, I think you'll be in the same boat. We certainly look a pair!"
"Not going to lie, if a hookup with a random is what comes out of tonight then I'm fine with that. It's unfortunately been a while and I can't think of a better way to help me forget why I'm here. You?" Alex asks.
It has been way too long, and Alex is right it is a good way to forget but I'm not sure I'll really be in the mood. Then again if I'm paying attention to someone else then maybe I won't see how excited Kara is and I could use it as an excuse to leave.
That would upset Kara if I left though, but then again its not like she cared all that much when she broke- no. Friends don't carry grudges.
Its not her fault she wasn't into you, you idiot.
Gah, what I wouldn't give to stop the stabbing pain of regret and heartbreak every time someone so much as mentions her though.
Like have you ever loved somebody so much and know that you won't ever be loved back by them in the same way? That the very thought of them causes such an uncomfortable, heavy lump in your thraot and an ache in your chest that it feels like your sternum is actually cracking, that burning, aching weight is unbearable. It is made worse knowing you won't ever be enough for them, that they will be with other people but never you and the dreams you can't help but have of moments together and a life that will never be yours... it is a pain noone should ever, ever have to feel.
"Yeah, I guess that would be a decent distraction..." I reply with a noncommittal shrug.
At that Alex walks over and places her hand on my shoulder and ducking slightly to meet my eyes.
"Hey, I won't leave you there alone, don't worry. We will be absolutely fine."
"I know, but hey, we have about an hour until we have to get to the club Sam hired sooooo, let's get a few glasses of that beautifully steeped amber liquid goodness into our systems so that we can be ready to put all them other bitches to shame on the dance floor!"
"Yes Lee! That's the spirit!"
After psyching ourselves up again with a few more - absolutely not half the bottle - glasses of scotch we finally managed to drag ourselves down to the taxi that was surprisingly on time and are now on our way to the party.
"Hey Mal, you know what I'm looking forward to?" Alex asks with a grin.
"Oh god, what?"
"Seeing you sucking on your first ever penis." She says with a cackle.
I smirk in return, "You are incorrigible."
"On a more serious note though, I have never seen a vagina straw. Like, why do men get to have straws but not us?" The taller brunette asks thoughtfully.
"I mean, you could probably get some titty straws from somewhere, you'll have to wait for your own wedding and have some specially made," I told her with a nudge of my elbow as I chuckle. "Then you'll get to see Kara and your mother both suck on their first set of tits too," I add, laughing even more when Alex faux gags and launches a punch at my arm.
"Oh gross, why would you say something like that to me?!"
"Because it would be funny... for me at least!" I reply as I dodge another punch.
I see Alex glance out the window and follow her gaze, "Hey were here after this left turn, you ready?"
I sigh and roll my shoulders to release the sudden build up of tension. "As ready as I'll ever be, you?"
Alex gives me a sad smile, "I'll be okay, it's not my heartbreaker that's getting married... yet at least."
I nod, "Tonight is about Kara. It doesn't matter what we feel. As long as she has a good time, that's all that matters."
"I mean, it matters a little but yeah. Let's get on with it shall we?" Alex says as we pull up outside the club.
We climb out of the taxi after handing the driver the fare and a tip and turn towards the front doors.
We must look a sight as we both stare at the entrance, taking in multiple deep breaths on the side walk.
After a few moment Alex, being the taller of the two of us, offers me her arm with a smug grin. "Come on then, let's make our entrance."
Inside the club was... colourful. There were balloons and streamers of all colours spread all around the place. Luckily they reflected well with the lights otherwise, well, it would have been a picture that's for sure. Think shiny pastel rainbow vomiting Everywhere. No wall left behind.
It's very Kara.
There were multiple people that Alex and I recognised already at the bar ordering amongst some of the other patrons - they obviously decided to keep the bar open instead of having a fully closed event - and in the private booths at the back of the club were more familiar faces, including the bride-to-be.
We made a stop at the bar first seeing as it's on our way to the booths where Kara is sitting before making our way over to say hello.
It didn't take long, we both ordered Jack and cokes with double shots of Jack and then made our way through the slow building crowds of people. The bouncer checked our names before letting us through to the VIP area and Alex offered me her arm again as we walked over to greet her sister.
As we got closer I noticed two sets of eyes dropping to our linked arms with matching frowns that quickly disappeared.
"Tell me I didn't make that up?" Alex whispers over the dulled music.
"No, I saw it. Let them wonder." I reply with a coy smile, and Alex shakes her head in amusement as we come to a stop.
"Hey, there's my little sister! I can't believe you are getting married tomorrow! Are you excited?"
"Alex, you're here! With Lena!" she says with a bright smile as she gets up to pull Alex excitedly into a tight hug before turning to pull me into a quick, more gentle one before taking a step back.
"Of course I'm here and yeah, Lena and I are staying together so," Alex says with a bright faux nervous smile. I have to try not to laugh at her behaviour.
"Oh... I see." Kara says with a forced smile.
"Yup! Hey so are you going to introduce us to your friends?" Alex asks and nods her head to the other girls that were sat with her.
"Oh! Yes, sorry. Uh, well you know Sam already, but next to her is Ashley, then there's Hannah and then we have James's sister Kelly on the end there."
As Kara pointed them out they all raised their hands in a polite wave. They all looked like nice women. Obviously Sam looked as stunning as always with her long brown hair pulled over her left shoulder, leaving her long neck on display which Alex had no doubt struggled not to drool over. Her lips were painted a dark red, and she was wearing from what I can see, is a black dress with a low cut V neck to show off a subtle, but enticing amount of cleavage. She also wore a silver necklace with a small "R" dangling from its chain. Its pretty.
"Its nice to meet you all," I greet them all politely before facing Sam with a small smile "and you Miss Arias, I've missed you!" I say as I lean down to give her an awkward hug which she returns with a kiss to my cheek.
As I stand again Alex leans to my ear to whisper "Kara wants to talk to me about something and introduce me to a few others, want me to grab you another drink whilst I'm away?"
"You're really playing this "let them wonder thing, aren't you? A drink would be great thanks, maybe something a little stronger though..."
"Absolutely. Have you seen Sam's face everytime we stand a little too close together? Righto, on the rocks it is." She says as she presses a cheeky kiss to my other cheek and walks away to catch up to Kara and Ashley, with a satisfied grin.
I turn back to Sam in time to see her frown disappear in favour of taking a large sip of whatever she's drinking.
"Right then, if it's alright with you ladies, I think I'll join you for a bit?" I ask with an awkward smile.
Sam shuffles over, her smile back in place. "You look good Luthor."
"As always, so do you." I reply with a playful wink.
"Ugh its been far too long," she says sadly as she pulls me into another hug, this one tighter than before. "How have you been?"
I fight the grimace that tries to fight its way onto my face in favour of a tight smile. Sam was a good, close friend throughout high school, it was as difficult for me to see Alex get her heart broken by Sam as I imagine it was for Alex to see me get mine broken by Kara. We were both put in difficult positions which is another reason why we both decided to leave.
For obvious reasons Alex couldn't just cut ties with Kara and whilst Sam and I kept in touch for a little while, it sadly got less and less as the time went on.
I heard from Kara that Sam has recently become a mother, well within the past year or two anyway. It hurt to know that Sam didn't feel she could tell me herself but I know that that's my fault.
I had wanted to send her something for the baby or at least call her with congratulations but I could never pluck up the courage. I felt too bad for letting our friendship wither away because of my own selfish reasons.
I take a sip of my drink before answering to wash away the bitter taste my thoughts had left on my tongue.
"Yeah, I've been okay. Busy as I've been helping out at Luthor Corp whenever I get a day off from playing football so, yeah busy. How about you? I heard there's a teeny tiny Arias stealing hearts now, tell me everything!" I say, knowing full well she wouldn't be able to resist telling me all about her child.
I was right too, Sam didn't push me for more details and went into a detailed explanation on how she had a baby girl, named Ruby, which explains the initial on her necklace, she tells me all about how she has started crawling now and is driving her crazy with worry, how she follows her everywhere because she's worried Ruby will pull something onto herself or fall or eat something she shouldn't and yes, she sounds like she is going to be a little terror, but she also sounds like an incredible and beautiful little girl, whom I should certainly like to meet one day.
I envy Sam a little. Whilst the idea petrifies me like nothing else, I would love a child of my own. I just, the person I've always wanted to raise a family with is marrying someone else.
I shake my thoughts by finishing the last of my drink, and smile sincerely at Sam. "Ruby sounds perfect darling, truly. Maybe I could meet her someday?"
It's more than just a suggestion to be meet her daughter and Sam knows it, its also an offer to reconnect. To rekindle our friendship.
Sam looks at me for a second too long and I start to think of a way to back track, to rescind the offer but I'm stopped by a gentle hand on my cheek.
"I would love for Ruby to meet her aunty Lena... I'd really love my bestfriend back too, of you'll have me?" She says, her eyes glossy and her voice quiet and filled with vulnerability.
I find myself tearing up too, "Aunty Lena? You mean it?"
"I've always wanted you in our lives Lee, I just, after things kicked off for all of us and we... lost contact, I didn't know how to get in touch, or if you even wanted me too. Listen, there's so much I want to talk to you about and tell you but we can't do it here, now. Can I see you before you go? You can meet Rubes..."
Its an olive branch, a better one than I tried to offer earlier and so I nod, "how about we meet tomorrow? The wedding starts in the late afternoon so 9am at the café? It gives us an hour or two before you need to be with Kara."
She leans in and hugs me tightly, "It sounds perfect. I really have missed you, Lee, more than you could ever know." As she sits back she looks to my left, "Its good to see you again Alex," she says before looking back at me with a pained smile before turning to join in with whatever the others are talking about.
I turn to Alex and see her watching Sam sadly. I gently take what I'm assuming is my drink from the hand closest to me, which brings her from her staring.
"Hey, so I saw a dance floor, fancy dancing with me? I remember we used to make quite the pair," she says awkwardly.
I laugh and stand, "Of course darling, lead the way!"
She holds her arm out with a big grin, and bends slightly at the waist, "After you milady!"
I laugh and curtsey taking the offered arm, I've missed Alex and her antics. We danced for what felt like hours but according to the clock at the bar was really only about half an hour. We ordered some more drinks before rejoining the table with the other girls Kara was back now, as we arrived she had her head thrown back and was laughing heartily at something James's sister had said.
Kelly I think her name was, was also the first to notice us and make room so we could sit with them. I smile politely at her, and squeeze in leaving Alex to fill the end of the booth.
Alex and I sit awkwardly for a good few minutes just listening and laughing with Alex occasionally throwing a playful jab at her sister.
I take the time to observe the people at our table. Sam, looking beautiful as ever, her energy contagious but also seemingly a little reserved, her eyes don't shine like they used to... Kara next to her is tipsy, if not a little drunk or close to, she's laughing and enjoying herself that is until one of the others mentions her soon to be husband, and then she's playing the role of a happy excited bride but I can see that it's fake, I know that Alex does too if the frown that keeps appearing on her face as she watches her sister is anything to go by. The girl next to Kara, Hannah, she doesn't have a clue she just seems happy to be invited and included and Kelly, James's sister, she has been watching myself and Alex since we arrived. She seems nice enough, polite, beautiful, smart but she seems to know things, what I don't know but you can tell by her eyes and her confident attitude.
It throws me, it isn't that she's being obnoxious with it or rude in anyway but it's the fact that she knows something and the solid eye contact, stare off thing that we are having is... odd. She smiles again before saying "Right ladies, time for more drinks! Who's up for some shots before we hand out the bridal party, party bags?!"
The others all cheer in excitement and she stands "I'll get this round, say Lena, you wouldn't mind helping a girl out would you? We can get to know one another a little better at the same time!" She asks with encouragement and a nod towards the bar.
I glance at Alex who just shrugs before standing to let us out, I glance back to Kelly before nodding awkwardly and gettin out after Alex. Alex who requests another double J on the rocks and singsongs 'Have fuu-un' before sliding back into the booth, leaving me alone with this strange woman who asks an equally strange woman to help with drinks. Why not Sam or that Hannah girl, someone she actually knows...
We reach the bar and Kelly orders our round before rounding on me with an apologetic smile. "Lena Luthor in the flesh! I must say you are an extraordinary baller, its an honour to meet you, truly. However, and I will no doubt go back to being in awe of yourself and Alex later but right now whilst I'm still relatively sober I will cut right to the chase."
I stare at her in confusion, "Please do,"
"I will. Okay, so I know who you are, I know all that happened years and years ago, I know why both you and Alex left, think of me as an oracle, I know everything. Mostly..."
"I thought you were cutting to the chase?" I say bluntly.
"Yes, to the chase. Its the alcohol sorry. Right, we need to stop the wedding. We need to stop the wedding and Alex needs to make up and get with Sam. Everybody but Mon-El is miserable and I'm sick of pretending and its all because people are completely shit at fucking communicating with eachother." Kelly says whilst rolling her eyes is annoyance.
"Okay you're looking at me like I'm crazy, it sounds crazy doesn't it but listen, it makes sense, Kara blatantly doesn't want to marry Mon-El, she can barely stand to even hear his name and Sam she hasn't been right since Alex and you left, Ruby came from a drunken one night stand - gorgeous little girl, apple of Sam's eye but Sam is lonely and she's always been in love with Alex and Alex has always loved her, and they just need to be a thing already."
I blink at the woman in front of me in mild disbelief, is she mad?
Kelly sighs before leaning forwards and resting her hand on top mine. "Look, you know as well as I do that Kara doesn't belong with him, she doesn't love him and she's just an object to him, he has never deserved her and none of us can understand why on earth she keeps him around. If she married that moron she'll be throwing her life away. We've all tried to talk her out of it, Eliza, Alex, me, Sam, James and he's the only one that actually likes Mon-El. You are literally the only one out of all of us that she will listen to.
"And it's plain for every one to see the longing, puppy dog eyes Sam and Alex keep giving each other, Sam should have just grown a pair way back when and never turned Alex away in the first place. She's always kept up with her you know, watched every game she could that had you and Alex in it.
"I just want both of my friends to be happy and they aren't, far from, and you're the only other smart person here that can help me. So, you need to get Kara alone and you two need to talk, like really talk. I think you are the only person she will listen to but you have to do it quick, you know just how little time there is until Kara and Mon-El are due to get hitched, you have to fix this Lena."
Our shots and Alex's whisky arrive but neither of us move except me who downs Alex's whisky in one and signals for another, taking the time to try and make sense of what this - I've decided - is a crazy lady, want me to do here.
Sam and Alex getting together... that makes sense. Perfect sense, they really should have gotten together years and years ago but break up a wedding?!
Kara refused to even talk to me after I admitted my love for her, its only now she's invited me to said wedding that we've spoken more than a few words to each other in who knows how long, why on earth would I be the one she listens to now?
"Kelly, I'm- I don't even know what to say to that other than me stopping this wedding is madness! Kara tolerates me for this event only as it is, if she doesn't hate me for what I did all those years ago, she certainly will for even thinking about pulling a stunt like that and why, why would you think she'd listen to me? We haven't even had a proper conversation together since I've arrived so I doubt she'll allow me to get her alone...
"I do think something needs to be done to get Sam and Alex at least back on speaking terms though, we should definitely do something about that, that has an actual chance of success but the wedding, you're crazy for even thinking I'd have a shot at stopping it." I tell her. I glance over at our booth but nobody seems to really have noticed we still haven't returned, Kelly has noticed this too as she seems in no rush to take the shots back.
In fact, she places 2 in front of me, and 2 in front of herself, leaving 1 more and the replacement whisky on our tray. She signals the bar tender for another 5.
"In regards to Sam and Alex, im so glad that you feel the same way. That is brilliant, means it won't be a waste of effort on my part, we can nudge them together when we get the party bags out, I don't know about you but tonight seems the perfect opportunity doesn't it!" She says, her dark eyes practically glowing with excitement. I can't help but nod and agree.
"Also, Kara doesn't hate you at all, I don't believe she ever did. I personally think she was just scared, I think that she regrets pushing you away and in effect you and Alex leaving Midvale and I believe that she is with Mon-El as some form of punishment for that. But hey, just my thoughts, not as though I'm a fully trained, fully qualified, very sought after therapist trained to read people at all.
"I definitely can't see that stopping this wedding is exactly what you want to do, at all. I can absolutely not tell that it has nothing to do with you being scared and not 100% sure of how to go about doing so, that you definitely aren't still completely and irrevocably in love with the bride... nope, not-at-all."
I snort, because her being a therapist explains exactly why she has the "know it all" look I had noticed earlier. "That makes so much sense."
"Right? That's what I told you at the start!" Kelly exclaims with a triumphant smirk.
Honestly, this woman.
"I just don't think that that's something I can do-"
"You can, I wouldn't have said anything if I didn't truly think that you could save Kara from throwing away her life. Are you really going to let her marry that guy knowing how miserable and unhappy she will be? Do you know the current suici-"
"Hey no, fine. Don't say that word. I'll talk to her. Try to, anyway, so come on then Miss I know everything, tell me what I could possibly say to that stubborn woman to get her to jack in her marriage and cunt of a fiancé. You want me to do this you can use that full therapist training to help me because Lord knows I'll need it," I say.
Kelly literally fist pumps the air and raises a shot to me to "cheers" to. No wonder she and Kara get along, all optimism and sunshine and rainbows. Gross. We cheers and then grimace at the taste, seriously, whoever thought that sambuca was a good idea to create was a fucking moron.
"I mean I can't really help with what you say, that has to be all you, Kara knows you, she knows your behaviour and when you're lying or telling the truth. What you say to her has to be your own and nothing but sincere and raw... I have found the perfect blend of emotional and blunt works, you're good being blunt."
"I did the whole raw and sincere thing once before, didn't exactly work out for me then did it, doubt it will now. Also, have you ever tried calling Kara out on things? She takes so, so much but then goes from puppy to rottweiler like the flip of a switch."
"Mm, I agree, the potsticker argument a few years ago was... enlightening. This is different though! From what I've been told you are the only person Kara would listen to, there was apparently nothing you could do to upset that girl growing up, stealing her food included. The obvious falling out being the only real dispute. So you have to just find a way, you're a smart cookie, you'll be fine!"
"We've just met and I hope you know I've already decided you're annoying." I say downing the second shot and biting the lime next to it.
"I'm annoying but you know I'm right and besides, I have a feeling that we are going to be great friends, so, let's get these drinks to their owners and get things started shall we?" Kelly says picking up the now full again tray in one hand and linking our arms with her free arm to drag me, smugly, back to our booth.
"We have driiiinks!" She cheers as we get there, she offers me a wink before placing it the tray on the table and scooting past Alex and back to where she was originally sat.
As I sit next to Alex she raises her eyebrow at me in question, because naturally she's the only one that noticed how long we were gone. I shake my head and roll my eyes at her and she laughs.
"Make plans for later, did you?" she asks with a smirk and I laugh, "Something like that" which has her laughing loudly.
If she only knew, I think to myself.
I shake my head and reach for a shot, I notice Kara watching us with that reoccurring frown. I tilt my head at her in question but she just blinks, shakes her head a forces a smile, raising her own shot to join everyone else.
"To Kara! May she and Mon-El have a happy, healthy, long future together!" Hannah toasts.
"To happy futures!" Kelly toasts just after, winking at me again. We all cheer, or make a noise resembling, I think Alex and I actually groan and end up laughing hysterically at one another in amusement.
As everyone is talking and getting to know eachother better and telling jokes and funny stories about Kara throughout the years. I sit and think about how to get Alex and Sam to talk.
Getting Sam to talk to Alex may be the easier option, she's the less stubborn of the two and Alex wouldn't be able to turn her aw-
"I'm just going to pop to the ladies!" Sam announces.
Perfect.
Kelly must see the same opportunity as me because I get a hard elbow to my side which has me sending her an instant glare before I politely excuse myself and follow Sam to the toilet.
So much for getting drunk and forgetting the night, now I have plans to attend to and a deadline. Why is it always me? Why can't someone else get lumbered with the problems for a change.
"Alcohol getting to you too?" Sam asks with a laugh as she notices me before entering her stall.
"Yes, unfortunately." I say with a sigh.
"Once you go the first time it just doesn't stop after that does it," she chuckles.
"Mm no. That and you've always been a little bit of a lightweight, my darling" I tease.
"True, compared to you and Alex anyway. Bloody alcos!"
There's an awkward pause in conversation as we both finish up and make our way to the sinks. Our eyes catch in the mirror and we laugh at eachother.
"You didnt really need the toilet, did you?" Sam asks, with a soft smile.
"I was starting to... but that's not why I followed you, no," I tell her apologetically.
"Mm, come on then, out with it Lee"
"She misses you." I tell her, straight to the point. "I know you miss her too, I've seen the way you have both been watching each other all night. I've also seen the frown on your face everytime you see me and Alex being familiar or getting too close."
"You have both been very close tonight... are you...?" she asks, frowning again.
Laughing, I shake my head.
"Would there be an issue if we were?" I challenge.
"I- no! I-Um-" I cut her off.
"She's my bestfriend Sam, relax. It wasn't exactly easy for either of us to be here not just tonight, but this whole trip. We are just trying to keep each other having a good time..."
I smirk as I watch the older woman deflate in relief. "Talk to her? We both know she's too stubborn and hurt to make the first move."
She blanches, "No... that's- I couldn't do that, what if she won't talk to me!?"
"Oh please, you are and have always been the love of that woman's life. You are well aware of that and know perfectly well that turning you away is the last thing Alex would ever do. I told you, she misses you."
"I don't even know what I would say to her Lee, I broke her heart," Sam says, her voice full of shame.
"Ask her to dance. Then tell her the truth, she'll understand." I suggest with a shrug. "You could just plonk yourself in her lap and she'd be a gooey mess probably almost instantly."
"That second idea was purely for your own amusement wasn't it?"
"100%. She'd be a totally confused and overwhelmed gay mess. To witness it, would make my year!" I tell her with a wink before turning to leave. "Please talk to her Sam." With that, I leave the bathroom, aware that she doesn't follow me straight away.
I grab myself a fresh drink, as an after thought I get Alex another too. I purposely sit in Sam's spot when I get back to the table, innocently placing the drink in front of Alex. She smiles greatfully, and eyes my seating choice to which I subtly nod my head towards Kelly. She nods her understanding and grins before sipping the last of her current beverage.
I don't feel bad at all about using Kelly as an excuse, after all, it was her idea to push the two together this evening.
I made sure I didn't leave space for Sam when I took her place, leaving a comfortable gap between Kara and I and because you know, the point of sitting here was to prevent Sam from chickening out of talking to Alex.
As Sam approaches the table I notice the freeze in the brunettes step and the death glare she shoots at me before she runs her hands down her dress and takes a deep breath before approaching the empty space next to Alex.
Alex doesn't notice her straight away, too busy animatedly telling an embarrassing story about how she once made Kara believe she was invisible. So when Sam hesitantly sat down next to her, careful enough to not touch the other woman, Alex visibly took a double take, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink, when she finally noticed Sam next to her and then gives me a petrified look. Though after a moment she slowly glances down to the drink I'd placed in front of her minutes before and glaring at me, her eyes simmering with accusation. I pretend not to notice and tune into Kelly announcing that it's time for the party bags.