Page 3 of The Top of Admiration
“Yes, I am.” I never lied to him.
He had funny names for our chat group. Well, he thought they were funny. Juliet found “The Triple Threat Hotline” funny, but Cordy was furious about “Cordelia’s Cult.” The official name of our chat group was “The Bard Bitches.” Mom was not invited because she hated the name and most of our chat was not appropriate for her. Besides, she was a Bard Bitch by marriage, not DNA. We had our own mom-and-three-sisters group chat named “Thou Shalt Spill Tea.” She was okay with that name.
Ugh, it hurt to speed-eat risotto. What a waste of a Philomena’s experience.
Chapter 3: Cam Reid — Dinner disasters
All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand! Oh, oh, oh!
Hamlet, William Shakespeare
Miranda opened the car door and stormed off before I could give her a kiss. The night had gone to shit, but I wasn’t angry anymore. I wanted to commit to her, to move out and share a space with her, but I had to nail down my career first. Working at the mobile shop was fun and it paid the bills, but music was my life. She was an artist; she should understand that.
Once I’d made it, I’d buy her the most amazing house ever. Then we could begin our life together. Jess was becoming a huge issue between us, and I really didn’t understand that. Jess was, and had always been, just a friend. She was not my type physically or emotionally. She might as well have been a dude for all I cared. Miranda wasn’t a naturally jealous person. She was a free spirit, and that was what had first attracted me to her. It didn’t hurt that she was also hot as fuck and had a devious side to her that I absolutely loved. Her war on Harrison last year was absolute perfection and every prank she pulled on that asshole made me love her even more.
I’d call her tomorrow when she calmed down. Tonight, she’d probably just need to drink with Lucy and Cordy and stab me in the back a few times. My phone buzzed as I turned out of her street. I shouldn’t really check it while driving, but maybe Randa wanted me to come back.
Jess: Hey, planning trip now. You okay with one room, twin beds? All I can get at this late stage.
Me: Yeah, whatever. Just don’t be farting and snoring.
Jess: Deal. How was dinner? Were you pushed for a ring?
Me: Nah, not really. But it wasn’t great.
I had to start watching what I spoke to Jess about. Miranda had become sensitive to our in-jokes and personal conversations, so I needed to pull it back a bit, especially given she was annoyed about our trip together. I should probably have asked her to come too, but Jess said it would be hard to wrangle an invite for both of us. Also, Miranda had some special gallery event or something.
I arrived home and sat on my sofa, drinking a beer. My studio apartment was small, but it was in my budget, and I preferred to live alone. I really shouldn’t have led with news of my trip tonight. I pulled out my phone.
Me: I’m sorry, babe. I really am. I wanted to spoil you tonight. Come over.
Randa: Okay. No. Busy.
I’d really pissed her off. She never held a grudge, unless it was toward someone who hurt her family, so she’d cool down. I’d try Marius, then.
Me: Hey, come over. Am bored.
Marius: On a date with Evelyn. Aren’t you out with Randa tonight?
Me: I fucked up. At home now.
Marius: Careful mate. I suspect you’re running out of chances.
Risk-averse Marius didn’t understand long-term relationships given he’d never been in one. You don’t throw away four years over a single argument.
I sipped my beer, feeling alone and bored. I should still be at the restaurant, and later, curled around my girl in her bed, or my bed.
Chapter 4: Miranda — The other Cam
Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.
Othello, William Shakespeare
I stomped into the house, feeling ready to burst into tears. I wasn’t a crier. Despite being frequently described as “emotional,” I rarely cried. I needed my sisters and a glass of wine. Juliet was working tonight, as always, and Cordy was at Damon’s so maybe Lucy would be up for cheering my miserable self up.
“Hey, Randa. Why are you home so early?” Cordy was on the couch, tucked in next to Damon. With them sat Cam W and Lucy. I guess there was a change of venue tonight, giving me an unwanted audience.
“Restaurant wasn’t that great. And I’m tired. I don’t feel well.” I held it together. I slipped off my shoes and sat on the only spare seat, next to Other Cam, as I’d come to call him in my head. Being social for five minutes would help sell my story and hold me together until I could fall apart in front of Cordy or Lucy.
