Page 64 of Touch in the Dark

“You sly dog,” Jordan turns the phone when Nick comes in and shakes it.

Nick glares at Archer who just shrugs. “You sent it.”

With a groan, Nick slumps onto the sofa across from me and grabs a beer.

“So, what is the deal with Doris?” Archer asks.

Nick explains everything and about the rehabilitation facility the nurses recommended. Nick floats the idea of her coming here and although Archer seems okay with it, it’s obvious to everyone it isn’t the right way to go. I sit and listen to them talking, slowly sipping my beer. Jordan and Archer eventually convince Nick to let Doris go where she will be looked after properly, and Jordan changes the subject to his Christmas eve party at Jenna’s moms.

I’ve met Sandy a couple of times and really enjoy her company. She shares the same kind of outlook on life as me and we bonded over our love of nature and art and all things creative. But I genuinely don’t know if I’ll even still be in New York in another couple of weeks’ time. In fact, I was planning on visiting my dad over the holidays. I tell him all this.

“Invite your dad,” Jordan says, waving a hand as if that is not a big deal. “The more the merrier.”

“You should just ignore him, we do,” Archer says. “But I’m sure Sandy wouldn’t mind.”

“Thank you, but dad and his partner have plans in L.A.”

Jordan pouts and I laugh. I’ve missed being around him. He always knows how to lighten the mood. I’ve barely interacted with Nick since we all sat down, despite the chatter going on, but I keep glancing over at him. A couple of times I catch him looking at me too and I can’t help but flash back to earlier, to us being pressed together, and his… mishap. I start to flush a little at the memory and glance over to see his eyes boring into me, as if he knows where my thoughts have gone. He shifts in his seat. Archer shouts and makes me jump, as he lifts out of his chair, his fists clenched.

“Fuck, you scared me,” Jordan says and glances at the screen. “What does he see in this sport?”

“It’s a great sport,” Archer defends as he sits back down. “Plus, I have a bet on this game. And if it stays the way it is, I’m set to pick up a fairly decent pay out. We need the points too. We’re way at the bottom of the standings.”

Without meaning to, I get involved in the match, and pretty soon I’m cheering on Archer’s team too while Nick goes to make some calls about his grandma and Jordan drinks, making ridiculous comments about the players. Archer just ignores him. I end up having a lot of fun. I miss being around these guys. All it’s missing is Jenna and Adam.

Nick comes back and tells us he’s got Doris all set up with a room at the place the hospital recommended, and he’ll be going out there tomorrow to check it out.

“I should get going,” I say rising. “I have to be back over in Jersey for six thirty.”

“Do you think I could get in on the action?” Jordan is sprawled sideways in the corner of the sectional. “I think I’d make a fantastic underwear model.”

“I think they’re all set,” I say. “Hate to disappoint you.”

“Yeah, they got the BreakNeck star they wanted,” Nick adds with a grin. “Have you called your driver, or do you need a ride?” Nick asks me.

I hold up my phone. “I’ve already texted Thomas.”

“I’ll see you out,” Nick says, heading to the door and slipping his feet into his sneakers.

I wave to the others, Jordan yelling, reminding me to think about the Christmas eve celebrations. Archer just lifts his hand, way too invested in the game.

“Sorry about that,” Nick says. “You really didn’t need to stick around.”

“It was fun,” I say. “It was good to hang out again. I’ve missed Jordan’s exuberance.”

“He’s an idiot,” Nick says flatly.

“Don’t be mean.”

“He won’t stop going on at you about the party. He’ll get Jenna in on it too when she comes back, so you should be prepared for that.”

The elevator arrives and we get on. “Truth is, I’m not sure where I’ll be. I had planned to be in the city working on that movie till late January, I was going to take a trip back to L.A. to see my parents.”

“Those assholes. You really shouldn’t let them get away with that, Elsa. You don’t want that hanging over you, you didn’t deserve to be fired over something so stupid.”

I just shrug, I don’t know what else to say. I really don’t want to bring up Joel. God, Joel. I’m supposed to be going to his leaving party in a few days. And I know what he wants from me. Up until this morning, I’d been all ready to commit to it too.

As we exit into the lobby, Nick nods at the doorman then heads over to look through the glass, Thomas isn’t here yet. At least the fans from before aren’t still hanging around outside.

---