Twists and Turns in Monte Carlo: A Formula 1 Affair

{9.4}

The four women sat around the dining table in their shared flat, the remains of dinner spread out in front of them. Joanne was absentmindedly poking at her food, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

"You okay, Jo?" Mel asked, noticing her friend's distraction.

Finally, the girls had managed to coordinate an evening together again. They usually tried to have one day a week dedicated to a girls' night, but the past few months had been so hectic that they hadn't had the opportunity to have a calm chat.

Joanne sighed, pushing her plate away. "I've been thinking about the horse race a few days ago. I ran into Toto."

Mel's eyes widened. "What? I didn't realize! Why didn't you say something?" Lina and Daisy shared glances.

Joanne shrugged, avoiding Mel's gaze. "You were so invested with Lewis. I didn't want to ruin your day."

Mel frowned but didn't push further. Joanne was her friend; why didn't she feel like she could talk to her? Daisy, sensing the tension, changed the subject. "I went on a date with that cute finance guy, you know, the one I mentioned last week."

Lina perked up. "Ooh, do tell!"

Daisy grinned. "It went really well! We had dinner at this fancy restaurant and talked about everything from movies to our favorite books. He's really sweet. I think he might be a keeper, and he is Danish, so it's win-win."

"That's great, Daisy! Go get laid, girl," Lina said, genuinely happy for her. "Speaking of events, my exhibition opening is in a week. I'm so nervous! Everything needs to be perfect, and all of you have to attend, with plus ones!"

Joanne tried to smile at her friends' stories but couldn't shake the unease gnawing at her. Mel noticed and gave her a gentle nudge. "Hey, Jo, what exactly happened with Toto?"

Joanne sighed again, her fingers tracing patterns on the tablecloth. "Please, I don't always want to talk about me. Just because I cannot handle life. Please, Lin, tell us about your exhibition."

Mel's brow furrowed, and Lina shook her head. "No, Kenny, you clearly are not well. You finally have to talk to us. You just said everything is over, and since then you drink yourself to death, and when you do not do that, you work yourself to death. Say what's going on; we can't handle this shit anymore." The direct words hit Joanne hard, but she knew her friends were right.

She subconsciously stroked the scars on her arm and leaned back. "Well, I was in Dubai, and everything was great. We were like, 'We'll continue this until someone finds out or it gets out.' I thought it was just a saying; for me, it was more than an affair. Don't mind, the sex was great, like he ate me out like no man ever did. I don't love him, but I can say I genuinely care for him. And I come back here and just his text and blocked, like what the fuck."

The girls nodded along. Mel was already furrowing her brows a bit.

Joanne looked down, the weight of her secret pressing heavily on her. Finally, she took a deep breath and met her friends' concerned gazes. "There's something I haven't told you. Toto and I made a sex tape in Hungary. It's... intense. When I tried to contact him again after a few weeks because I just wanted to know why, he sent me a mail with the tape, cropped so just I am visible."

The room fell silent, the air thick with shock and disbelief.

Joanne continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I tried to contact him again, he threatened to publicize it if I didn't leave him alone."

"Bastard," Daisy muttered. She was the only one who was not so aware of Joanne's involvement with Toto but had seen how happy her friend was and kept her doubts mainly to herself.

Lina, sitting next to her, pulled Joanne into a close hug. She couldn't remember the last time she saw her friend so vulnerable. "Oh Ken, honey." But with her direct manner, she couldn't help herself. "I'd like to see the tape, though." Which made even Joanne smile.

Mel, who seemed the most jumbled up, jumped in. "Lewis told me something... He said you ended things with Toto over text. But you're telling us Toto ended things. What's going on, Jo? Something doesn't add up."

Daisy let her head fall on the table, catching everyone's attention. "I smell a miscommunication trope, honey, and I hate that one in books. Now in real life? God, what did we do to deserve this?"

Lina, still holding Joanne in her arms, laughed loudly. "We are sluts, Daisy. In this case, the Bible is not on our side."

Joanne chuckled, wiping away a tear. "I guess I need to get my story straight with Toto."

"We'll help you," Mel said firmly. "You don't have to deal with this alone. You two need to talk on neutral ground."

Joanne felt a wave of relief wash over her. With her friends by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next. "The last time we tried to talk on neutral ground, we actually fucked on that ground, so ..."

"Okay, but seriously," Daisy said, leaning in, "you two need to get your shit together. Who wants to see a pic of the finance guy?"

Lina laughed. "Yeah, spill the tea! We need details."

Daisy blushed, grinning. "He's pretty hot. Tall, blond hair, and those intense eyes. And he's so smart! I mean, the conversation just flowed. And when he kissed me goodnight... let's just say I felt it in my toes. And the accent, uh. Kenny, I finally get you with foreign guys and their accents. They talk, and you get your panties twisted."

Mel smirked. "Sounds like a keeper. Just make sure he treats you right."

"And if he doesn't," Joanne added, finally feeling a bit lighter, "we'll take care of him."

Lina raised her glass. "To us. To friendship, to love, and to dealing with whatever life throws at us together."

"Cheers!" they all echoed, clinking their glasses together.

As they continued to talk and laugh, Joanne felt grateful for her friends. They were her rock, and with them, she knew she could face anything.

"By the way," Lina casually threw in, "I think I want a baby." The girls stared at her in disbelief. She did not just say that?