Chapter 6
Friday, February 5th. Lexi's house.
"So are you finally going to tell me, with who you wanted to hook up and why for some reason you ended up at Rue's?"
"It's been weeks Cassie! Can't you just let it go? Please?" Lexi was lying on her bed, same as her sister. It was the end of the week and weather outside was still unwelcoming, so everyone with right state of mind was locking themselves inside.
"Weeks and you still haven't told me what happened?"
"I was drunk, okay," Lexi rolled her eyes what felt like hounded time today. "I don't remember much."
"I heard that part." Cassie was persistent, just like any other day, she got nothing better to do. Ever since she forsaken dating anyone, she lived off drama around her. Sadly, Lexi wasn't very sharing.
"I don't know. I chickened out, just like always and I was sleepy, so I stopped by Rue's. Honestly, I think you're doing this just to torment me." Just like any other day, all Lexi had to do was lie and lie until Cassie finally dropped the topic. Truth was, she knew exactly why she came over all those nights ago and what's more, non of us knew she remembered the whole night. The downfall thru my window, the throwing up in my bathroom and also her confession. Memories were bit hazy and scattered in time, but she knew. She knew what she told me and she also remembered how I reacted. She hated the fact I've never brought it up. Telling me again, this time sober, was unimaginable task for her, especially when she knew the unwanted result.
"Since we're mentioning Rue. Do you think we should visit her to work this weekend?"
"I don't know, she might be busy."
"But, I want to see the shop again," Cassie whined. "Come on, it's going to be nice surprise."
After the game night, Lexi and me were spending lot of our time together. We went skating again, Lexi visited me for some movie nights and so on. Both of us felt like we were living in the good old day.
On Friday night, Lexi could barely close her eyes. The fact she didn't inform me of their visit, was bugging her. She couldn't help but wonder if Jules was also visiting me on weekends, or if I'm even allowed to chat during work. All she wanted to do was text me, just to see my reaction. In the end, she decided against it and fell asleep with phone still in hand. So in the morning, all I got was a weird text with no sense what so ever.
Lexi and Cassie headed out near the closing hours. Lexi insisted on it actually, saying Cassie could drive me home. The shop itself wasn't much different from what they remembered. It had a small shop in front, usually serving customers who just needed a nice bouquet for birthdays or to apologize their loved once for being a dick. There was also a side entrance to bigger warehouse. Piles and piles of flowerers were stocked on top of each other from house plants to freshly cut flowers to even few small trees. Howard's girls loved this place, not only because they had some of the best memories of their dad here, but because both of them loved imagining how they would decorate their future houses and weddings. Walking around the shop filled them with memories and both girls were smiling ear to ear before they even found me. Cassie had somewhat lighter attire, dressed in blue turtleneck and puffer jacket which was barely reaching to her waist. On the other hand, Lexi was coved in long, green coat and most of her face was hiding under a scarf.
In time of their arrival, I was in back, replanting few house plants who were already growing out of their pots. During the month I worked here, I was usually assigned with Ali and helped him with deliveries. We would drive around the city and visit different venues, or delivering large house plants to fancy houses. It was nice. However, when he had weekends off, I was stuck in a back, usually cutting fresh flowers, watering or replanting.
Today, I got not a one but two special visits. The first one arrived around thirty minutes before Lexi and Cassie. It was Fez, checking up on me. Apparently he had some business in town and stopped by, which was exactly what I needed. Closely after, another two familiar faces emerged, grinning like they entered cocaine factory instead.
"Well shit, if it isn't a Howard's sisters," Fez announced them, making me turn on my heels.
"Hi," Lexi waved shily, staying few feet away.
"Surprise bitches," Cassie on the other hand didn't hold her voice down. "I thought we could distract you from work, but I see Fez already beat us to it," she pointed on a man sitting on top of the workbench.
"He's just a moral support to get me thru this," I tilted my head on the empty pots and put down my dirt covered gloves. "Anyway what bring you here, apart from seeing me of course."
"Just good old trip down memory lane," Cassie explained looking around. "Plus, due to constant snow storms, there is nothing better to do."
"I see that," I stepped closer to Lexi, swiping off the layer of snow on her shoulders. "You look like a snowman." After the snow was dusted off, I pulled her into hug feeling her stiff muscles relax. Cassie quickly skipped over, getting one for herself, although hers was much lighter and quicker.
"You girls should go see the palm aisle, it's tripping." Fez suggested. "Man it's like you're taking a walk in tropical island."
"It might help you warm up," I squeezed Lexi's blue hand.
"I am sold," Cassie nodded in a second, walking ahead with Fez.
"Can you come with us or do you have to finish this," Lexi stayed back, not letting go of my hand.
"I can take a break. After all, I am almost finished for today."
We walked passed huge plastic curtain, which lead to different section filled with exotic flowers and plants. Whole aisles were filled with several shades of green leaves, time to time occupied by vivid yellows or reds. The air was much warmer then in any other part of the warehouse, but also more humid.
"Okay, this is my favorite section," Cassie stated. "Fez, would you be so kind?" She passed him a phone, asking for a photo. Man only shrugged, waiting for her pose.
"They are getting along just fine," Lexi commented, leading me to different aisle.
"It's Fez, how can you not get along with him."
"I guess you are right," she murmured. "So, how are you?" She continued to walk few feet away from me, fiddling with her scarf.
"Fine?" I said with a question mark. "What's up, you seem uneasy."
"Nothing," she said way to quickly. "Sorry, just bit tired."
"So that's why the weird text, hah?"
"What weird text?" Lexi quickly pulled out her phone. It was a mash of emojis and some random words, with little to no sense. "Sorry, I fell asleep with phone in my hand."
"Did you want to chat or something?" She only shook her head, eyes looking forward. "Well, anyway," I tried to catch up to her. "What are you planning on Valentine's day?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. You see anyone else around here?"
"I just," she sighed. "Nothing. I will probably say home with Cassie and watch some cheesy moves. And you?" The last words came out in dreadful whisper. I could only imagine the last thing she wanted to hear was my Valentine plans with Jules. Thankfully there weren't any.
"I am going to the Zoo with Fez. Apparently they have some baby penguins." She stood back for a second, watching me round the corner of the aisle. "What?"
"You are spending your time with Fez? Why?" she tried to sound casual.
"Why not. He wanted to see them and I got nothing better to do."
"But like aren't you and Jules together?"
"She's out of town, so.." I trailed off, looking down on plants. "It's cool. I actually haven't been to Zoo for years now."
She only looked at me, her eyes wide, trying to comprehend what I told her. "Now that you mention it me nether."
"What to come with?" I lifted me eyes of the ground along with my brows. "I mean, you can always watch those cheesy movies after."
"Well.. I guess I could, but I don't want to leave Cassie by herself."
"She can always come with us," I suggested. "The more the merrier as they say."
"I will definitely ask her then." Her eyes brighten up and we slowly proceeded back to my workbench. Once the closing hour came upon us, Cassie and Lexi offered me a drive home since Fez still needed some things from town. Apparently after the unfortunate raid, he was setting up some security system. The death of one unfamiliar doctor who turned out to be local drug dealer was in the news for weeks now and although Fez's never said anything, I already guessed. Ever since then, he was little more nervous then usual and what was even more alarming, he was little more sober then usual.
I didn't judge him for it. I mean, I was the whole reason he was in that mess in a first place, so if anything, I needed to stand by him. Or maybe I was being selfish and needed him to stand by me right now.
Ever since this Wednesday, I could feel my chest aching with every breath I take. Because, ever since that Wednesday, Jules and I were no more. I came over to hang out at one night, feeling with little bit of luck our relationship could repair in time, completely oblivious to the fact, it was never good to begin with. Happy as I could be I brought up Valentine's day. Bravely I presented some of my brilliant ideas, only to find out some plans were already made and were missing one little detail. Yeah, it was me.
When Jules stopped me half-way only to tell me Anna bought them some tickets for concert playing on Valentine's day, I mean how fucking convenient, I swear I saw flash of fireworks in her eyes as she continued to jump up and down on her bed. It was obvious she wouldn't miss the opportunity to go, so I didn't even dare to ask. However, when she offered me, that we could reschedule and still have some pity Valentine's date, I swear I heard my heart break in half. It was enough for me to finally snap and storm out, with clear statement of us being done. She tried to call me, text me and even came to my house couple of times, but so far I was resisting her charms although it hurt like bitch. I didn't tell anyone aside Fez, but I was sure the silence wouldn't last long. Looking back, I think I did us both a favor.