Fulfillment Golland, M. (best classic literature TXT) 📖

while running his free hand through hishair in exasperation. “Shit! I wasn’t thinking.”

“Bryce, don’tworry, he’ll be around here somewhere. Go find him and talk itover,” I offered, as he seemed quite concerned.

“Yeah, that’sprobably a good idea,” Lucy added. Alexander tried desperately toput Bryce’s finger in his mouth, Bryce playing a little tug of warwith him. “We are going to head up to bed. Al needs a feed and asleep. I just need a sleep. Do you mind if we stay?” She waslooking at me when she asked.

“Of coursenot.” Why is she asking me? I’m pregnant with Bryce’s child, notruler of his world. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because, thisis your home now, not ours. We don’t want to intrude,” Nicreplied.

“You’re neverintruding,” Bryce answered, finally freeing his finger fromAlexander’s tight grip. He kissed my cheek. “I’m going to findGareth.”

I watched himwalk away in search of his cousin. Shit, I hope Scott hasn’treturned. Shit! I hope Sam is okay. Shit! I really need to tell her about his illness. Ihugged Lucy and Nic goodnight, while dreadfully contemplating how Iwould inform Sam of Gareth’s condition. I wondered if she were thetype to take that kind of information in her stride, or whether shewould run for the hills. Unfortunately, I’m thinkinghill-running was more Sam’s style.

Just as I wasabout to turn around and mingle some more, I felt a pair of armswrap around my shoulders, and an unmistakeable, unmelodic voicesing Creed’s “Arms Wide Open” into my ear. I laughed, turned, andgently pushed Tash back. “You’re an idiot, you know.”

“Geez, toughcrowd! If you’re not a Creed fan, I could try a little Ed Sheeran.”She started singing “Small Bump”. Lil, Jade, and Steph joinedin.

I looked atthem all, amazed. “Shut up.”

Laughing, theyall embraced me into a big group hug, congratulating me.

“Thanks,bitches. And I say that with love,” I said sarcastically, as theyall pulled away from me.

“That betterbe your hormones speaking,” Jade playfully warned.

“Speaking ofhormones...” Tash said, lowering her voice. “Remind me to never sayyes to a ride in the Crow. I’m scarred for life now.”

“I’m not. Thatwas fucking hot, Lexi!” Jade winked at me.

“What did Imiss?” Steph asked.

“Lexi andBryce were—”

“None of yourbusiness,” I interrupted, the smirk on my face betraying me. We alllowered our gazes—kind of like a Western stand off—and sipped ourdrinks. Hmmm this non-alcoholic rose shit ain’t all thatbad.

Lil broke thestand-off. “How’d Rick take the news? Not well, I’m guessing? I sawhim storm out before your announcement.”

I closed myeyes momentarily as I swallowed my drink. “No, not well at all. Hethinks the baby is his.”

“Could it be?”she asked instantly.

I replied justas quickly. “No.”

“Are yousure?”

“Yes, Lil. I’msure.”

“Well, relaxthen, Luv. He can think it all he likes. Don’t let it stress youout. You don’t need stress right now.”

“I know. It’sfine. I’m fine. I’m not worried about Rick. It will sort itselfout. I’m a hurdler, remember.”

Tash scoffed.“How many hurdles can one jump in such a short space of timethough? Fuck.” She looked concerned.

I hugged her.“Really Tashy, I’m fine. Hurdles were made to be jumped over. But,if you can’t jump them gracefully, kick the fuckers down with yourfoot and step over them. Either way, the hurdles are goin’ down.” Imotioned for a waiter to come my way when I noticed his tray wasadorned with macaroons. Pistachio macaroons. I’ll take aboutfour of those, thank you very much. I loaded my napkin up withthe delicious treats.

Jade raised aneyebrow at me.

“What? I’meating for two, and I happen to know that baby Clark likespistachio macaroons.”

Jade put herhands in the air. “I’m not saying anything.”

“Baby Clark?”Tash questioned.

“Yes. Why? Gotany better names?”

“Well, sinceyou like collective names what about Bark?”

“No, Tash. No!Definitely not.”

“I know, whatabout Boaab?” she asked excitedly.

The rest ofthe girls and I scoffed at the horrid name. “Seriously, Tash? Whatthe fuck?”

“BOAAB. BabyOf Alexis And Bryce. BOAAB. Shit, I’m smart.”

I screwed myface up. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Clearly, toomuch,” Lil interjected. I agreed.

I quicklyscanned the room, looking for Bryce, Gareth, or both of themtogether. There was no sign of either. I did spot Carls in themiddle of the lounge room though, clearly flirting as she spoke toDerek.

I grinned andthen got a great idea. “Hey. Wanna help me stir up Carls? Bryce hasme drinking non-alcoholic wine, and it’s depressing me. I need topunish someone. I owe Carls about a thousand paybacks, so she is myvictim.”

The girls allsmiled. “What did you have in mind?” Steph asked, while stealingone of my macaroons. I gave her the mother of all deathly lookswhich prompted her to gingerly place it back my hot littlehand.

Shootingdaggers at Steph one more time, I turned to Tash. “I need somesongs about fires.” I gave her a mischievous grin, knowing fullwell my human-jukebox of a friend would come through for me.

After Tashrattled off a few ‘fiery’ songs, we were set to put our plan intoaction. Trying to keep a straight face and looking completelycasual and inconspicuous, I slowly walked past Carly while softlysinging “All Fired Up” by Pat Benatar. I stopped at the waiter whowas only a meter from where Carls and Derek were standing, grabbeda glass of pink rose shit—or whatever it was called—then made myway back to the girls, singing the chorus slightly louder as Istrolled past Carls. Tash then did the same thing, only her song ofchoice was “Light My Fire” by The Doors. As she made her way backto me, she raised her voice and danced while gently patting at hersnatch, as if it was alight. I cracked up laughing and noticedCarly turn slightly in our direction with an unsure look on herface. I quickly looked down desperately fighting back the hystericsand trying not to make eye contact with her, knowing that if I did,I would crumble.

Phase two inthe Let’s-get-Carls-all-fired-up game, consisted of all five of uswalking over to the waiter and staying put, this now giving us theexcuse to remain in Carly’s earshot so that we could continue tosing rather than walk away. As we stood in a circle with ourdrinks, I started us off by humming “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys.Tash joined in moments after and hummed