The Secrets We Keep

Take a Chance

Present day

Phwwwwwhhht Phwoooooh. I hear a whistle behind me. I turn on my heel so fast; ready to take down toxic masculinity with a right hook. "I don't know who..." Before I can finish, I'm met with Magna's thunderous laughs.

"Easy. What were you gonna do? Punch all the cat callers out of the apocalypse?" she says through giggles.

"If that's what it takes. Besides, you should know better than to sneak up on me." I gave her a toothy smile that could just as easily scare someone who didn't know me.

"So..." she said with a hint of mischief, drawling out the o.

I already knew what she was about to ask. "About six months ago. He knocks on my door when he gets back late from runs...about every two weeks. And that's all you need to know." I said quickly, continuing to Carol's office. She followed behind me. "You aren't getting off that easily. You kept a whole ass relationship secret from me for six months." She shouted, jogging to catch up with me. She sounded a little hurt. "Look," I stopped, turning to face her. "I didn't mean to keep a secret relationship from you. At first it was just kinda fun to sneak around then we just kinda kept coming back to each other before either of us realized how deep it had gotten. Turns out you barging in was just what our relationship needed. He asked me jo-" before I could finish, Magna crashed into me with a hug. Before letting me go she whispered, "I'm so happy for you."

"Ok. Ok. I need to get going." I pulled away, giving her a heartfelt smile. Walking away I yelled, "Hey, try not to tell the whole town. He's telling the kids right now. Don't steal his moment. See ya later!"

- - - - -
Six Months Ago

I made my way to the pub around the corner. It was just like before the world ended. Dark, kinda dirty, but it had cheap drinks and delicious pub food. I walked in the door and scanned the tables for my friends. I saw them before they saw me. They were in a booth sitting close to one another. Yumiko's hand resting on Magna's leg under the table. So that's why they invited me out. Yumiko saw me first and straightened, moving away from Magna. They both waved me over to the table. I made my way taking a mental note of everyone in the pub. I noticed Princess at the bar, waiting for Mercer to finish up. Besides Princess, I didn't recognize anyone else. I slid into the booth opposite Magna and Yumiko. Magna looked nervous. I was definitely right.

"Hi! Have you ordered yet? Sorry I'm late, I was chatting with Rosita after my shift and lost track." I said, trying to ease Magna.

"No, we were waiting for you." She said, her shoulders relaxed a bit. "We have something to tell you." She looked from me to Yumiko then down at the empty table, her nerves returning. "We are back together." No shit. "She asked me move in with her and I said yes." She swallowed hard and lifted her eyes to mine. "That's fucking awesome!" I practically yelled. They looked at each other and started laughing. "You're not mad?" She said between bouts of laughter. "Mad? I'm happy to get rid of ya. I'll finally get to live out my bachelor pad fantasy!"

We ordered food and drinks and celebrated. After Magna and I put back two shots of tequila Yumiko stepped in and announced it was time to go home. She knew better than to let us have more. We said our goodbyes and headed for the door. I stopped when I noticed a familiar figure at the bar. "I'll find my own way home!" I yelled after them. I sat down beside him. He turned his head, his blue eyes peeking through his dark brown hair. He flashed me a small, but tired smile.

"Well look who I found. I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks. Where ya been this time?" I gave him a quick shoulder nudge. I was speaking louder than intended.

"Why ya shoutin'? I'm right here." He waved his hand. "Usual?" He asked. Barely audible. More like a grunt.

"Tequila on the rocks. Top shelf." I said as I pretended to be uppity.