Loves Me Not

SIXTY ONE

BEFORE
CATALAINA KITTRIDGE

Given Tony's ultimatum, he didn't really leave me with much of a choice. I guess it wasn't time to retire from the side business after all.

It wouldn't be the worst thing. I'd still be flipping drugs and bringing in decent money. I'd just have to play it safer, watch my back. No more dealing with shifty clientele who might have the potential to endanger my life. No, I only wanted the safe ones. The soccer moms who needed a quick high. The dedicated law-firm worker who couldn't fall asleep at night. The bank employee who needed something to help with the depression. I could stick with that.

Later that night, I got a call from Scarlett. It's fair to say that I had been avoiding her up until this point. We had a lot of fun together in the beginning and got along well. But after a few months, I got sick of her. Therefore, our friendship began dwindling and I saw her less and less. But when she called that evening, I needed her.

We ended up going out to the bar, just like how we used to. We drank too much wine and laughed the entire cab ride there. At the bar, we bought drinks and got hit on by guys who proceeded to buy us more drinks, then danced until we went home.

The next morning, I woke up on my usual spot on her couch. Groggily, I sat up and made my way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Scarlett was already in there, leaning against the counter nursing a mug of coffee to her chest.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," she said to me.
"Hey."
"How'd you sleep?"
"Fine, I guess." I looked around "What time is it?"
She glanced at the stove. "Eleven-thirty."
My eyes widened. "Shit. I slept in."
"So?"
I turned around and raced back to the living room, trying to find my phone. It was wedged between the couch cushions.
"Can you relax?" she said, following behind me.
"I didn't tell Ben that I was staying over. He's probably wondering where I am." I unlocked my phone to see two texts and a missed call from him.
"You always used to stay over here," she said cavalierly. "He won't mind, stop being overdramatic."
"Overdramatic? You think me being concerned about what my fiancé thinks is being overdramatic?"
"Yeah, because it's always something with you," she said, placing the mug down on the coffee table. "Let's be realistic, Cat. You're going to call him back and explain that you crashed at my place last night and everything will be fine. Ben is a laid-back guy. He won't care."
"Easy for you to say. You know, not being engaged and all."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you have no idea what goes on in our relationship. The inner workings, the fights, the struggles for compromise."
"That's because you don't tell me anything."
"Well maybe that's for a reason."
She stared at me. "Are you okay? Honestly? You've been acting so different lately and this isn't the first time I've noticed it."
I scoffed and turned around, fixing the blankets on the couch. "I'm fine."
"No, really," she took a step closer. "Look how you just lost it on me when I literally did nothing wrong. You're snappy and irritable. Is everything okay with Ben?"
"It's none of your concern, but yes, everything is fine with me and Ben." I folded the blankets and placed them back on the couch. I turned to face her but kept my eyes downwards.
"You can talk to me you know." she said.
I nodded. "Thanks." I checked my phone again. "I better get going. He's going to wonder where I am."