Page 74 of Don't Fall

“I’ll have the coconut shrimp, please,” Drea says, smiling at our server and the whole table turns to stare at her. “What? I’m not having the rum.”

Tess laughs and it’s the best sound I’ve heard all day, though I’m doing my part not to show just how much I’m enjoying it. It’s not very roommate like to feel the way I feel when I’m around her. And I’m undoubtedly feeling all the shit I thought I was done feeling. And then some.

I may not know what made her drop and run last week, but I know I’m not letting her do it a second time. Even if I have to take the long way to her heart, this time I’m getting in so deep she can’t kick me out again.

But, that means it’s time for full disclosure. No more separation between past and present when I’m sitting face to face with everything I want for my future.

Scott clears his throat. “Just so I’m caught up on everything. Tessa and you are...what exactly?” Drea jabs him with her elbow and winces. “What? It’s a fair question. We all know you’re going to be all up in their business, I’m going to need to know what it is, so I can properly wrangle you back when necessary.”

Tess laughs, though Drea appears less amused. He’s not wrong. That woman knows no limits to her meddling and she’s got the attention span of a fruit fly, between the two, things can get a little crazy with her bursting in and out all the time.

“We’re friends,” Tess answers, picking up the dessert menu as she says it and I have to wonder if it’s merely for an excuse to keep her attention on something that can’t call her out on any bullshit. “Well, and roommates. At least until his lease is up.”

“Friends.” Scott’s gaze wanders back and forth between us. “Naked friends or friends that Drea can bust in on without counting to ten in the hallway?”

“Oh, she can keep doing the counting thing,” I tell him, and her. “Gives me a little buffer to mentally prepare myself.”

Another round of laughter ensues at Drea’s expense. This time she gives in to her boyfriend’s nudging and sees light in her own crazy – though always well-intentioned – behavior.

Appetizers turn to dinner and dinner makes way for five different desserts, all of which Tess samples before claiming the key lime pie as her own.

“You never did tell me how your breakfast went with Riley this morning,” Drea points out, trying to distract Tess and sneak a bite of the pie.

“About as expected,” she responds, gracing Drea with an expression I would generously translate to meaning ‘zip it’.

In true Drea fashion, she ignores this and carries on, “Did you call her out for this bullshit with your mom?”

“Drea!”

“Your mom?” My interest is piqued. “Did something happen with your mother?”

“Oh, you didn’t tell him?” Drea asks, wide eyed and innocent. “I figured since you guys were moving in together again you must have.”

“No, you didn’t. You’re just backing me into a corner thinking if things get awkward enough, I have to tell him,” Tess hisses at her. This birthday dinner is taking a serious turn in the wrong direction, and fast.

“You don’t have to tell me anything,” I intervene. “No expectations, remember? Your business is your business.” I want to leave it at that, but I can’t. “Just...are you...is everything okay? Now?”

She fidgets with her fork, probably hoping the rest of us would temporarily disappear. “I think so. I talked to my cousin Meredith and she said she’d handle it.”

I get why she’s so focused on her damn utensils now. Every answer she has only begs for more questions she doesn’t want us to ask.

“So, you are giving her the condo?” Drea presses. It’s not exactly what came to my mind. In fact, I didn’t know that was even being considered.

“You’re what?”

Frustrated, Tess slams both hands into the table, nearly spilling a couple of drinks. “No! I’m not giving anyone the condo. It’s been a really long fucking day, okay? A lot has happened that you guys don’t know about. Conversations you weren’t a part of and a crapload of drama I’ve tried to steer each of you clear of because it’s mine to figure out and I’m not dragging anyone down with my mess. Now, I’ve worked really hard at that and I’d really appreciate a little more support in that area. So, if you could all just mind your own business and trust that I am handling things, that would be fantastic, thanks.”

Drea bites her lip and I catch Scott frown at her, reminding her to keep that lip tucked in.

It’s not easy, but I do the same. For now.

Things stay awkward and silent for a while until I pay the check and Scott makes everyone laugh again, this time at his own expense. I like him. The more I get to know him the more I see how he puts both of these women at the forefront of everything he does. One because he loves her, and the other because his woman does. He doesn’t show it in the most conventional of ways, but he’s a good dude. Better than most of the men I’ve known.

“Are you guys in a hurry to get home?” I ask as we’re getting up to leave.

“What did you have in mind?” Tess asks, and I’m pleased to see she’s curious. It’ll make this that much easier.

“Remember the new gig I was telling you about? It’s just a few houses down the beach from here. I thought maybe we could take a walk down there and I could show you.”

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