Ms. Fallon

Cats Out of The Bag

He winks and smiles and drives us back. "Enjoy the rest of your evening Ms. Fallon and Ms. Joiner." He says after letting us out.

"Thank you." We say in unison and we walk towards the lounge area where Isiah said everyone is hanging out.

When we make it in, we go our separate ways so that she can talk to some other people and I can go to our friends. "What up y'all?" I greet everyone.

"What up boss?" I roll my eyes. "Sorry I'm done." He laughs.

"No hard feelings for the game right?" I said still gloating.

"Nah you only won because you had teammates, we go again back home at mom and dads house for thanksgiving. Bet?" He offers. He is such a sore loser. Well we both are.

I shake his hand. "Bet." I agree.

Malin scoffs and roll her eyes from Isiah's lap. "You two are way too competitive. Why don't you just play for fun?"

Isiah and I look at each other and then laugh. "Yeah no." I say still laughing. Causing Malin to roll her eyes again.

"Hey guys. " Crystals voice interrupts our conversation.

"Hey what up?" Isiah says.

"Nothing just been exploring the local areas with a hottie from the bar." She exclaims. Thank god she's found someone to entertain herself with.

"Is he cute?" Malin ask excited to be talking about something other than sports.

Isiah and I continue our conversation and then the scent of vanilla rushes my senses. I look up to see my beautiful girlfriend sitting with the girls still talking about Crystals new boy toy.

I can't help but watch her laugh and smile. She's so beautiful. "You told her didn't you?" Isiah asks.

His question confuses me. "Tell her what?"

He gives a bored look and then lowers his voice. "That you love her. I mean look at her, she's literally glowing. That's nothing but love Lex."

I look back at her and she is glowing. I look back at my brother. "I did. She hasn't said it back yet though."

"That doesn't mean she doesn't. She's just not ready yet. She will." He reassures.

"I need a drink. Anyone else want anything?" Crystal asks and everyone says their orders. She turns to me and smiles. "Come help carry?"

I flick my eyes towards Ariyah who is looking at the situation. She nods. I look back at Crystal and smile. "Sure." We head to the bar and she places the orders.

"So how long have you and my cousin been sleeping together?"

I snap my head to her and she has a sad look on her face. "Crystal-

She holds up her hand to stop me. "I don't want a lie Alex. I see the way you two look at each other. I'm not blind. I also saw you at the restaurant earlier when you kissed. I was hurt and disappointed yes. But I'm happy for you both. I've always wanted my cousin to find someone. And you are perfect. I just don't understand why you couldn't just tell me the truth."

I look down embarrassed. "I'm sorry Crystal. I didn't want to hurt you by telling you I chose your cousin over you. I know you two are close and I didn't want to ruin that."

She nods with her straight lips. "And you're happy with her?"

I nod. "Very. I love her Crystal." I clarify.

She takes a deep breath and then smiles. "Then I love that for you guys." The bartender hands her the drinks and she hands me mine and Ariyahs. "But seriously how cliche? You're fucking the boss. You're already CFO." She says jokingly. And we walk back to the group laughing receiving suspicious looks from our friends.

"What's so funny y'all?" Isiah ask breaking the awkward tension.

"She knows." I say.

Malins and Isiah eyes widen and they snap to Ariyah. Who might I say doesn't look surprised but pissed. "You know?" She asks.

Crystal nods with a smile. "Yeah it was kinda obvious when you guys disappeared for 2 hours after only supposed to get Alex's phone." She retorts.

"And how long have you had your suspicions exactly?" Ariyah asks again and that question has everyone looking at Crystal who looks guilty.

She doesn't say anything. "Crystal?" I get her attention. No way. "Did you know last night?" I ask looking in her eyes.

They start to gloss over and that's all I needed to see. And apparently for Ariyah too because she got up and walked away and I was going to follow her but Malin stopped me. "I got it."

I sink in my chair and I look at Crystal whos just looking at the empty seat where Ariyah was just at smiling and laughing. "I told you." Isiah says getting up to find his girlfriend and hopefully still mine.

"I'm so sorry Alex." Crystal apologizes.

I cringe at her voice and apology. "You keep apologizing. And I keep forgiving you because you seem genuine Crystal. I didnt want to believe you had ill intent but that." I say angry.

"I know. It was selfish and fucked up."

"Very. You are costing me my relationship with Ariyah because you are still fixated on me when all I want is your friendship. This." I point to both of us to get her attention. "Isn't going to happen Crystal. We're friends and I am in love with Ariyah."

Tears flow down her face and she nods. "I know. I'm sorry again."

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." She nods and walks away to hopefully find Ariyah. I sit there to calm myself down. "Fuck."

"Hey." Isiah taps my shoulder and I look around. "She's not here. Malin is still talking to her. They started saying how men and women aren't shit so I exited that conversation." He chuckles. "Here." He hands me a glass of whiskey.

I look at the cup and my brother confused. "And why are you giving me this? You know I don't drink anymore." I state as a matter of fact.

He nods. "Right and I'm proud of you but I want to drink and you seem like you need to. This is a lot going on and I know you're panicking Alex. I'm not saying alcohol will solve anything but it will atleast calm you down so you are not sitting here sulking your vacation away and you are definitely not ruining mine." He says taking his cup of whiskey and downing it.

I look at the cup and contemplate. I'm on vacation. I'm not driving anywhere. And my brother is watching me. Fuck it. "I might be a light weight now." I say before downing it in one go. "Fuck that burns!"

Isiah laughs. "Keep me coming!" He yells at the bartender.