Page 10 of Flyboy's Nightingale
“Oh, nothing, just a long day,” I lie, smiling to cover up the sadness thrumming through me.
“You know, when you lie, a line appears between your eyebrows, right?” Edge asks, pointing out my flaw.
“What are you talking about? It does not,” I deny, wondering if she is telling the truth, because no one has ever expressed that before.
I look at all the women in the room, who are steadily nodding in agreement like a bunch of bobble heads lined up on the dashboard of a car, the momentum of the wheels hitting the road causing their heads to swivel. Only in this case, it’s the sonic boom from my white lie causing them to vigorously nod. What am I supposed to say to that? Not another lie, because like this one, they’ll see right through it.
“That is not why we’re here. We’re here because you need friends, and that’s what we are. Avery says she is sorry that she couldn’t come, but she is dealing with some personal stuff,” Lil’ Red informs me.
I make a mental note to call her in the morning so I can make sure she’s okay. I make my way to the small kitchen, taking a glass from Edge, and take a long pull of my concoction, needing the liquid courage to get through what is to unfold this evening. A knock on the door lets me know that my order is here, distracting me from my goal of numbing my mind. I pluck my dinner from the guy at the door and add it to the growing pile on the counter. I smile seeing that the ladies are comfortable enough to have made themselves at home.
Vixen pulled out plates and silverware. Edge is mixing another round of drinks. Lil’ Red is uncovering the food and adding serving spoons to the dishes.
“What can I help with?” I ask them not sure where I’m needed.
“Fix yourself a plate and hang out. You’ve had a shitty day and need to relax with great friends,” Edge insists, smiling wide at me.
I do just that. Grabbing my plate, I put my favorite items on it, and head over to sit beside a quiet Candy, who is sipping on a drink. Edge brings a plate with a tiny amount of everything, giving it to Candy who smiles at her in return for the thoughtful gesture.
“Thank you,” she murmurs quietly. Edge blows her a kiss before walking away.
“What’ve you been up to?” I ask her.
“Just taking it day by day. Better than before.” She smiles at that thought.
“That’s all we can ask for. For things to be better than they were the day before.”
“That’s true. How’re you doing being around the brothers?” she inquires with no judgment in her voice at all.
“There are a few that aren’t as scary as others, but I still can’t get past having more than about three of them in the same room as me at the same time,” I babble, spewing my thoughts aloud in a way that I never do.
“They are big and overbearing. I get that completely. There are days that I can’t stand to even be around Pretty Boy and Coin. Without knowing your whole story, I can only imagine what it’s like to be in a large group of towering and menacing men.” Candy nods before taking a bite of her food.
“Exactly. I’m getting a lot better, and can handle more and more of them, but walking into Flyboy’s room this afternoon was so drastic that I can’t believe I did it without becoming a sobbing puddle. Then to have him be so hard and mean, just makes it that much worse.” I slap my hand over my mouth to stop theuncontrollable flow of words spouting out of my mouth without forethought.
I look around and see what I’ve been trying to avoid all along. Looks of pity and sympathy—I hate it when others are lost in a state of feeling sorry for me. That’s exactly why I haven’t said anything to any of them before, choosing to keep it to myself. Getting angry isn’t what should happen, but it’s all I can seem to feel. I knew I wasn’t what Flyboy wanted, and that I was acting like a lovesick fool, but to see the looks of pity and sadness from the women who know these men best, just adds another knife to embed itself into my heart.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ve known from the start that I meant nothing to him and I still acted like a lovesick fool. He had every right to be angry at me for trying to tell him how to behave. We’re going to leave this conversation alone and have a great girl’s night out. Let’s eat our Mexican food and drink our drinks until your men have to come get you.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Vixen raises her glass in salute.
“Sounds like a night of True Crimes and carbs!” Edge shouts.
We all whoop in agreement. Lil’ Red sits next to me and hands me the remote. I turn the TV to stream Discovery plus, where we can find all things True Crime. We settle on a show about Cults, and spend the rest of the night drinking, eating carbs, and dissecting the craziness that’s going on the TV set. Before I know it, we’re all drunk and giggling uncontrollably at anything and everything. Candy is laughing so hard at us, and for the first time, I see her true beauty shine through. The woman she was before the Cartel decided to use and abuse her is shining bright like a beacon.
“I think it’s time we head home,” Lil’ Red says around her laughter.
“Nooooo! You guys can’t leave me! We’re having so much fun!” I pout, knowing that I’m acting like a child, but right now, I don’t care.
“We can stay just a little longer,” Lil’ Red mumbles around her straw.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Candy giggles.
“What do you mean? Our guys said to let them know beforehand when we’re ready to go,” Vixen asks, frowning.
“Vixen, it’s one A.M. I can guarantee that they’re already on their way to grab us.” Candy smiles wide just as the rumble of bikes shakes the foundation of my home.
“Well, shit. I’m sorry, Riles. It looks like we’ve got to go.” Edge sighs before sucking down the last swallow of her drink.
