Evermore - Cheradine

Chapter 5

For the performance on the next day, things ran way more smoothly. Cheryl woke up and spent the day feeling much better, so we didn't have to deal with the dramas of the previous nights where we didn't know if she would be able to perform or not. Then, we had a well-deserved five days off before the next show. Everyone took the opportunity to go home, enjoy their families, and rest. The next city on the calendar was Manchester, and we agreed to arrive at the hotel the day before the first show.

I was still on my way to the hotel when I received a message from Nicola telling me to put on a bikini when I arrived and come up to the hotel pool. These girls never miss an opportunity to have fun.

I checked in at the hotel and went straight to my suite. My phone vibrated, and I saw another message from Nicola asking where I was. I quickly replied that I had already arrived and was settling into my room to change clothes and go meet them.

I opened my suitcase and grabbed my black bikini that made a nice contrast with my blonde hair. I took a quick shower, put on my bikini and a white mini skirt. I checked myself in the mirror, satisfied with my look, I took my sunglasses and placed it on my head, put on my black flip-flops, and went to meet the gang.

When I got there, the place was a big party. Everyone was there, from the girls to the dancers, and Kimberley's husband and children.

"Finally, you're here!" Nicola threw her arms around me.

"I thought this was a small gathering?" I asked, looking around.

"And it is! Cocktails are right there, do you want one?" Nicola asked me.

"Maybe later," I replied.

"Bobby, come here and put on your floaties." Kimberley shouted to her eldest son and turned to greet me. "I thought you wouldn't come anymore." She gave me a hug. "You look so fit! I should use you as my fitness goal in the gym."

She was wearing a blue swimsuit and a beach cover-up around her waist. "Nonsense, I wish I had curves like that!" I replied truthfully.

"What is it, mommy?" Bobby then noticed I had arrived. "There you are, Auntie Nadine! Everyone was asking for you." He said, making everyone around laugh.

I saw Cheryl near the pool playing ball with Cole and little Nate. They were completely happy and entertained with her. She was really a natural with kids, that's why they all loved her.
Kimberley had praised my shape earlier, but watching Cheryl at that moment, no one compared to her. She was wearing an aqua green bikini, denim shorts, a white cap, barefoot and makeup free. I stared at her thinking to myself how can someone look so beautiful without even trying. Realising I shouldn't be looking at my friend like that, I decided to approach.

"You're looking way better than the last time I saw you." I said, placing myself beside her and holding her waist.

"I hope so. Wouldn't want to look like I have an infection forever." Cheryl also wrapped her arm around my waist and kissed my cheek. "I'm glad you're finally here."

"What time did you arrive? You're all talking like you've been here ages ago."

Cheryl laughed at my confusion.

"Yeah, you're right. I only got here two hours ago."

"Auntie Nadine, are you gonna play with us?" Cole asked, holding the ball.

"No," I shook my head decisively, making Cheryl laugh. I'm not one for sports, of any kind. "I'm just gonna sit right there and watch you guys play."

"Lazy ass," Cheryl whispered in my neck, and I felt my spine shiver.

I lay down on one of the lounge chairs, enjoying the sun. Everybody was in a very good mood and just having fun.

After a while, Cheryl came over and sat at the edge of the lounge chair I was on.

"The boys wore you out already?"

"Their energy is endless! I could never keep up."

"Yeah, Chezz, guess you're getting old." I pulled her to lie down with me, making her laugh.

"I know. Will you take care of us in me senior years?" She asked playfully, snuggling perfectly in my arms.

"No. I'll drop you in an asylum and let them deal with you." I took off her cap that was bothering me and placed it beside me.

"You're so mean. Remind us why we are friends?"

"I think it started with us being in a band together and ended up with you not resisting my sexy Derry accent."

"Oh, that's why... but you forgot one thing."

"What?"

"Your f***ing amazing legs." She whispered in my ear, brushing her leg against mine, and I felt my heart race.

I don't know what expression I made, but it must have been a very shocked one, enough to make Cheryl laugh. "Sorry, babe, I didn't mean to embarrass you." She kissed my cheek.

I had forgotten how much of a flirt Cheryl was. Sometimes I felt she flirted even with a door. I wondered if she realized this and if she did it on purpose, to make people feel tempted.

"You didn't. It takes much more than that to embarrass me." I lied.

"Oh, really? Good to know."

I wondered what she meant by that. Cheryl nestled her face in my neck, and I put on my sunglasses, enjoying the heat of the sun on my body and our closeness.

It was amusing that with anyone else, I would feel uncomfortable cuddling up like that, fearing how others might interpret it. But not with Cheryl. She was known for being physically affectionate, so no one gave a second look when they saw her hugging someone, holding hands, or showing affection in general. That was simply how she communicated with those she was close to.

Our dancer, Joseph, walked by with a cooler offering popsicles. I declined, and Cheryl took one.

We sat down, and I started to notice the details of her face. Yes, I had looked at her face millions of times over the past 22 years, but there were some things that still amazed me, like the freckles on her face, highlighted under the sun and the lack of makeup, the folds of her dimples, her long and curled eyelashes, her full lips... she was simply breathtaking.

"A penny for your thoughts," Cheryl said taking a bite of her popsicle.

"Hum?" I murmured, coming back to reality.

"You're staring at us frowning. Is there something on me face?" Cheryl wiped her face, trying to get her hair out of the way.

"I was just thinking to myself that you eat popsicle like a child." I held her face and wiped her chin with my thumb to clean her.

"It's not my fault, it's melting all over! See?" She said, licking the stick from underneath.

"You're such a baby."

"A minute ago, I was an old lady."

"I know, I gave you too much credit." I teased her.

We kept talking, just the two of us in our little world. I avoid looking at her popsicle stained juicy lips and tried to look elsewhere. After a while, Nicola joined our conversation, and the three of us talked and laughed for over an hour until Kimberley arrived holding little Nate's hand.

"We're leaving now to go to Justin's godmother's house." She hugged Nicola and me goodbye.

"Let me just find me phone." Cheryl stood up.

"You're going too?" I questioned, confused.

"I asked Cheryl to go with me. Justin's godmother is a bit boring, and I need someone to keep me entertained there." Kimberley explained.

"And guess who's always comes to the rescue?" Cheryl joked, and gave Nicola and me a goodbye kiss on our heads, then she turned to little Nate. "Will you help your auntie find her phone?"

"Yes!" He replied, smiling.

He was so damn cute.

"Then, let's go." She held his little hand and went with him in search of the missing phone.