Friends and Lovers
Carla sauntered upstairs. Her hips swayed as she headed toward the bedroom. She paused outside the closed door where Alice and Betty’s voices could still be heard arguing.
She knocked briefly.
-Hey ladies, just wanted to check in and make sure you're both okay, Carla called out in a saccharine sweet voice.
Alice yanked the door open, nearly pulling Carla off-balance. She glowered at the barista, her arms crossed defensively across her chest.
-Oh, we're just peachy keen, thanks to your little intervention downstairs, Alice spat.
-It doesn't have to be like this, Carla said, taking a step toward them. I want to tell you I'm so grateful you and Zed let me in like this. It feels like we have something special here.
Alice growled. She stepped forward aggressively, backing the barista up until she hit the wall in the hallway.
-Special? There's nothing fucking special about you, Carla. You're just another set of holes for Zeddy to dump his load into.
Alice leaned in close, getting right up in Carla's face.
-So why don't you do us all a favor and crawl back to whatever discount strip club spawned you, hmm? Get. Out. Now.
-That's not true, Carla said defensively. He cares about all of us, I can tell.
Betty quickly intervened, placing herself between Alice and Carla.
-Please, ignore Alice, Betty said placatingly to Carla. She's just upset right now.
She turned to her sister, lowering her voice.
-Enough. Fighting among ourselves won't solve anything. Take a breath, sis.
-It's ok, Carla said quietly. I don't know what's going on. I'm not a stripper. I'm a guest of Zed's here just like you. We don't have to be enemies. I'm going to shower again, ok?
Alice watched with quiet satisfaction as Carla retreated to the bathroom. Once the blonde was out of earshot, she rounded on Betty.
-Guest? Guest?! Betty, wake up! That little twat is gunning for more than just a sleepover.
-I hear your suspicions, Alice, I really do, Betty sighed, rubbing her temples.
-You hear them? Alice hissed. Betty, those sluts downstairs are plotting to sink their claws. Snap out of your romantic fantasy for once and see reality!
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Zed and Ednin appeared in the hallway.
-I guess the party's upstairs now, Zed laughed. Breakfast was fantastic Betty, thank you from all of us.
Betty flushed with pleasure.
-Aw, shucks, it was my pleasure! I just wanted to cook a nice breakfast for everyone to bring us closer together.
-We'll have a lot of time for bonding, Zed said happily. I haven't had a whole week off in a long time. We've got it all to ourselves.
Ednin took off Zed’s T-shirt and dropped it on the floor.
-Saving time, she murmured to herself.
She walked naked into the bathroom to join Carla. The sound of running water echoed into the hall.
Alice watched incredulously as Ednin left the door wide open for Zed's wandering eye. She turned to him, face flushed with anger.
-Seriously, Zed? You're just gonna let your little gangbang groupie hop in the shower with Carla like it's perfectly fucking normal?
She advanced on him, jabbing a finger against his chest.
-I thought you had better taste than this. Guess I was wrong.
-Listen Alice, Zed said gently but firmly, taking her hand. Ednin is an old dear friend and lover of mine. You're a dear friend and lover now, too. You get that, right?
He looked from Alice to Betty.
Betty blinked rapidly. She nodded slowly, a tentative smile forming on her lips.
-I think I understand what you're saying, Zed. That you value both of us, and our friendship means sharing, not possession.
She glanced at Alice nervously.
-Right, Alice? Surely you can appreciate the concept of open, honest relationships?
-What do you think, Alice? Zed asked with a warm smile.
Alice yanked her hand away from Zed's, her face twisting with disgust.
-Sharing? Honest relationships? Is that what you call letting random skanks parade themselves through our home without so much as a by-your-leave?
-They're not random skanks, love, Zed whispered. They're lovers, old and new. Come on, let's go get to know them.
He reached for her hand again to guide her to the bathroom. Alice stumbled, her heels digging into the floor in resistance.
-No. Absolutely not. I won't be dragged into some twisted harem fantasy!
She backed away, hugging her middle tightly as if to hold her shattered composure together.
-I get it, Zed said, taking a step back.
He looked at Betty.
-I'm gonna go take the shower. Betty?
Betty glanced between Zed and the bathroom door uncertainly. She squeezed Alice's hand.
-Go ahead, Zed. We'll... we'll be here when you're done. Okay?
-Love you girls, Zed said. He kissed Betty on the ear before disappearing into the bathroom.
The door clicked shut.