The Pretend Friend

I wasn't on schedule for today, but since I was a manager now, I had to come in for paperwork and to fill in for Katie, who was officially the general manager.

I dropped Noah off at Sadie's place. Out of all my bandmates, she was the most responsible one, so of course, I trusted her the most with Noah.

The theater was calmer today, and along with Lewis, Mack, another manager, was also on staff.

"Congrats on the promotion," Mack said when I walked into the managers' office. Katie worked quietly at a computer and didn't look up when I entered. "I heard about the chaos yesterday and how you came to the rescue."

"Thanks," I said dryly, and he laughed.

"See you out there. Good luck with the interview," he said before leaving.

Interview?

I turned to Katie to ask what he meant, but then she was already off the chair and pressing me against the door. Her lips found mine, and instinctively, my hands rested on her hips.

"I didn't get to thank you," she said through kisses. "For yesterday."

Her fingers slipped past my waistband and down my pants. I gasped at the feel of her fingers curling into me.

"What if someone walks in?" I whispered.

"That would suck, wouldn't it?" she said amusingly as her fingers slid in and out of me.

I gripped her shoulder tightly and leaned my head back against the door. She kissed my neck gently. My inner walls clenched around her fingers as pleasure bloomed between my legs.

"Mack said I have an interview," I panted. "Interview with who?"

"Charlotte," she answered against my skin.

And with that, my pleasure faded away, and my body went still. "What?"

Katie continued to finger me, but I pulled away. Her eyes fluttered open, and she frowned. "What's wrong?"

"What's the interview for?"

"For you to become a manager," she answered slowly. "I mean, you're technically already one, but Charlotte still wants you to go through the proper process."

I leaned back against the door. "So she requested the interview."

"Yeah," Katie replied and raised a brow. "Is there something wrong?"

I shook my head. "No. I just didn't expect one. I'm not prepared."

"Well, she won't be here until later," Katie said. She leaned forward to decorate my neck with kisses again, but I was still too distracted to feel anything from it. "Don't worry, she'll love you."

Remembering the anger in her eyes, I highly doubted it.

Katie reached for my pants again, but I shook my head and pulled away. "Sorry, I can't right now."

She sighed and sat back down. "Later tonight, then?"

"I have to pick Noah up after work. Sadie has a date tonight, so she can't watch him," I said.

"Damn." She smiled softly. "At this point, we're gonna have to start scheduling sex."

I laughed. "That might be the case with how busy we're both going to be."

"Oh fuck." She dropped her face into her hands. "You're so right."

Stepping towards Katie, I pulled her hands away from her face and kissed her gently. She moaned against my lips. Smirking, I pulled away, and she shot me a glare.

"You have a day shift tomorrow. Come to my show tomorrow night. You can grab dinner with me and Noah afterwards and spend the night at my place," I suggested casually.

Katie had never attended any of my shows, and for a while, I had stopped inviting her until today. I thought that maybe she would go this time, but then her face softened into the apologetic expression that I was too familiar with.

"Sorry, it's been a long week, and I just don't feel like going out tomorrow," she said. I nodded even though disappointment filled me. She took my hands in hers and squeezed them. "Next time, okay?"

I smiled tightly. "Yeah, of course."

-------

I left the office to help Lewis and Mack with manager duties. They showed me the ropes of what I was expected to do and how to do them. It was work that I had seen them do plenty of times throughout my year here, so I learned them easily.

Eventually, Katie called for me through the walkie. "Charlotte is ready for you in her office."

I was in the middle of switching out an empty syrup with Lewis, and I stood up and turned to him.

"How do I look?"

He looked me up and down. I didn't have that much clean clothes left this morning and had just thrown on black trousers and a white button-down that had been buried deep in my closet.

Then Lewis gave me a thumbs-up. "You look professional and clean. Don't worry. You got this."

I exhaled nervously and attempted a smile. If only he knew that it wasn't just the interview that was shooting up my nerves.

Once I finished switching out the syrup, I made my way down to Charlotte's office. I took my time walking down the hallway, but it didn't take long until I arrived at her closed door.

I willed my heart to calm before I knocked. A moment later, it opened.

Today, Charlotte was wearing a fitted black shirt with a knee-length skirt that accentuated her curves. With that, my heart was no longer calm, and I swallowed tightly as I stepped into her office.

"Have a seat," she offered as she sat down behind her desk.

I sat down across from her, and as she clicked around on her computer, I looked around the room. Unsurprisingly, it was a spacious office, and it seemed like it didn't take long for Charlotte to settle in. There was a leather futon behind me, next to the door, and I imagined that was where Noah laid yesterday. Her walls were decorated with framed paintings and her college diploma from Harvard.

"Katie didn't mention your name yesterday when she recommended you for the position," Charlotte said. She looked away from the computer and settled her gaze on me.

I straightened in my seat. "I didn't even know about it until she called me in yesterday."

"She said you are very reliable and hard-working. Is that how you would describe yourself?" she asked.

I nodded. "I believe so."

"Good." Charlotte's gaze was unwavering and her face remained cool and expressionless. It was very unsettling. "Your schedule, however, is a concern."

"What about it?"

"We need someone who can commit to working late nights, but your schedule says you don't usually work night shifts." She leaned back in her chair. "Is there a reason for that?"

My heart dropped. I had forgotten about the hours that were demanded from managers. With Noah and the band, I couldn't commit to night hours, and last night proved that more than anything. Noah was about to start school again in a month, which made it even more impossible for me to work night shifts.

Unless I got a babysitter, but the thought of that put me off. It took me a while to allow Noah to stay the night at Dylan's house, and it took me even longer before I was able to entrust him with Sadie.

"I won't be able to work night shifts because I have to be at home with my son," I said firmly.

"Okay," Charlotte said. Then she finally shifted her gaze off of me to type something into the computer.

I waited, but she didn't say anything else. "Okay?"

"Yeah," she replied. Finished typing, she looked at me again. "That's all I needed to know."

"Wait, I'm confused."

She raised a brow. "What about?"

I stared at her, but her expression remained unchanging. I couldn't tell if she was intentionally trying to infuriate me, or if she actually was unaware. I wouldn't put it past her to be petty enough, though.

"Do I get the position?" I hated that she was making me ask.

Then, the corner of her lips lifted into a smirk. "What do you think?"

My body grew still, hearing the condescending tone. It was so similar to her brother's and my mind flashed back to that one night in the kitchen ten years ago.

I had made the mistake of helping her in the hallway because it had dragged me into her family. After leaving, it had taken me years to heal from the suffering they had caused me, and now, here I was, being dragged back.

But not anymore.

Instead of giving her the satisfaction of an answer, I stood up and headed towards the door. She didn't say another word as I walked out and slammed the door shut.

Fuck her.

Fuck her family.

And fuck whatever feelings I still had for her.

I walked back into the managers' office, where Katie was still doing work on the computer.

Her eyes widened. "That was a quick--"

"I'm giving you my two week's notice," I interrupted. "I'm leaving afterwards."

Katie shot out of her chair and rushed towards me. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. What happened?"

She reached for my hand, but I stepped back, shaking my head. "I can't work here anymore. I can't work with her."

"What did she do?" she asked incredulously.

"Nothing." My fingers curled into fists. "I just hate her. I hate her face. I hate the way she talks."

Katie furrowed her brows. "You're being unreasonable."

"I don't care!" I snapped. My body trembled with anger.

She narrowed her eyes. "Jess, calm down."

I shook my head and backed towards the door. "I'm serious, Katie. I'm done here."

Then I walked out, and she didn't stop me.

--------

The anger was still burning in me when I got home, so I went on a run. I ran aimlessly until all I could think about was how my body ached and my lungs burned.

Two hours passed before my legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the grass at a park. Eyes half-closed, I looked up at the sky. It was growing dark with an oncoming storm, and I heard distant rumbles. The park was beginning to empty out, but I was too exhausted to move.

The rain came pouring down half an hour later. I let it soak me and the grass, softening the mud. I imagined the ground caving in and swallowing me whole and how easier life would be.

But then Noah crossed my mind. Sweet Noah who was too mature and considerate for his age, who had to grow up with no father and with me as his mom.

The tears came then and mixed in with the rain. I stayed there for a while, crying pathetically before I finally mustered up the strength to get off the ground.

Despite whatever I felt, I had to stay strong for Noah. I was everything he had, and he was everything I had.

I ran back to the apartment, showered, and then went to go pick up my son from Sadie's.

When Sadie opened the door, she immediately frowned. "What's wrong?"

I attempted a smile. "Nothing."

"Okay, I'm canceling my date."

"No!" I exclaimed and grabbed her shoulders tightly. "I'm really fine. Please don't cancel your date."

Sadie still looked like she didn't believe me, but before she could say anything else, Noah ran up from behind her.

"Hey, dude!" I released her and slung my arm around Noah. "How was your day?"

"Pretty cool," he answered. "Sadie was showing me how to play the drums."

"The kid's a natural," Sadie said, winking at him. He beamed at the compliment.

"Alright, lets go. Sadie needs to start getting ready for her date." I gave her a pointed look, and she rolled her eyes.

"Good luck, Sadie!" he said as we walked to the car. "Try not to scare her away."

"Hey!"

He grinned cheekily and ran into the car.

"That kid is a menace, Silva!" she shouted after us.

Laughing, I flicked her off before joining Noah in the car.

-----

Later that night, I was cooking spaghetti for dinner when there was rapid knocking on the door. It boomed loudly through the apartment.

Passing by Noah in the living room, I told him to go upstairs. He went without a word, and I grabbed the bat in the closet on my way to the door.

"Who is it?" I shouted.

The knocking continued without an answer. I quickly unlocked the door, swung it open, and raised the bat to my shoulder.

Then we all started screaming.

"Holy fucking shit, Jess!" Laura exclaimed once our screams subsided.

"Yeah, Jess! Are you trying to kill us?" Alex said while eyeing the bat.

I lowered it, shooting them a glare. "I thought you two were murderers or something!"

"Nope!" Laura held up two bottles of red wine and walked into the apartment. "Just your besties bearing gifts."

"Also, dinner smells amazing," Alex said, following her.

Great.

I closed the door and followed them into the kitchen. "It would have been nice if you guys told me you were coming."

"And risk getting rejected?" Laura set the bottles down on the counter. "No thanks."

"Mom, is it safe to come back down?" Noah shouted from the stairway.

"Yes!" I shouted back. "Sorry sweetie, it was just two idiots coming to steal our dinner!"

Alex was in the middle of peering down at the pot of pasta sauce when her eyes snapped up to meet mine, and she smiled sheepishly.

"You know, I don't appreciate being called an idiot," Laura said. I gave her a dirty look, which she ignored.

Noah popped into the kitchen and burst out into a grin.

"Noah!" Laura exclaimed, lifting him up off the ground. "Oh shit, dude! You're getting heavy!"

"Language!"

"Mom, you curse all the time," Noah said.

"Yeah, mom," Laura mocked. "You watch your language."

I moved forward to throttle her, but then Alex stepped in between us and towards Noah. "Dude, what's that on your chin?"

Noah made the mistake of looking down, and she flicked his chin.

"Hey!" he shot her a glare, and she laughed.

I sighed. "Alright, will all of the children please wait in the living room?" They all looked at me. "That means all of you!"

"Well, I'm pretty sure children aren't allowed to drink wine," Laura said and hopped onto the counter. "And I'm drinking."

I gave her an exasperated look as she grabbed the wine and the opener hanging nearby.

"Alright lets go build some legos," Alex said as she steered Noah towards the living room. "Or whatever you were doing."

As Noah began to explain what he was doing before they came, she gave me a wink on the way out. Then I turned to Laura, who pulled the cork free from the bottle.

"Did Sadie tell you guys to come?" I asked.

She grabbed two glasses from the cabinet behind her. "No."

I looked at her sharply. "Laura."

"Okay fine," she conceded. "She said you looked like you were crying."

Laura poured two glasses and handed me one. Sighing, I took it and leaned against the counter beside her. "You guys didn't have to come. I'm fine. Seriously."

"You don't look like it," she said, taking a sip. "Your eyes are swollen."

I rubbed a hand down my face. "Shit, is it that noticeable?"

Then I thought about whether or not Noah noticed as well, and my chest tightened.

"We're your friends, Jess. We want to know if something's bothering you."

I took a sip of the wine and closed my eyes. The sweet fruitiness of the wine filled my mouth, and I savored the taste of it.

"I put in my two week's notice at the theater," I finally said.

"What? I thought you were going to become manager."

I shrugged. "There's someone there that I don't want to work with."

"Who?"

Out of all the girls, only Laura knew about Charlotte and her family and what happened between us. I had opened up to her one drunken night years ago when we were together, and she even knew what led to my pregnancy. She had listened and comforted me when I broke down.

I will always love Laura for the time that we had been together, and we would have been a perfect match if we didn't argue so much.

"Charlotte Simmons," I answered quietly. "Her dad just bought the company, and she's the COO now. Her office just so happens to be at our theater."

In response, Laura downed her entire glass of wine, and I did the same. The sweetness burned my throat going down and filled my body with warmth.

"Holy shit," Laura said after a moment of silence. Then she grabbed my shoulder and turned me around to face her. Laura's brows were furrowed with anger. "Hey, what did she say to you?"

"Nothing. She was just angry and--"

"You have as much of a right to be angry too."

I shook my head. "She doesn't know what happened."

"She should," Laura said angrily. "She should know that her dad and brother are fucking pieces of--"

"Laura," I said firmly. "Please. It's okay."

Her face was still fixed in anger, but then she forced herself to exhale slowly.

Afterwards, Laura pressed her forehead against mine and closed her eyes. "Sorry. I'm just so angry thinking about what happened."

"Thank you," I whispered. "For caring."

"I'll always care about you," she whispered back and caressed my cheek. My eyes fluttered shut at the feel of her touch. Her lips grazed my nose, and she planted a kiss on my cheek. Then very softly, she kissed my lips. "Let me take care of you tonight."

"I don't know."

"You're so tense." She kissed me again.

I leaned into her. "It has been a long week."

"Exactly."

Truthfully, I missed sex with Laura. We did sleep together a few times after our breakup, but it had been so long since then.

"Okay," I said, and she grinned against my lips. "But only after Noah falls asleep, and we have to be very, very quiet."

"Nothing new to me," she murmured.

We kissed some more before I forced myself to pull away and finish cooking the spaghetti. Laura poured me another glass of wine, and we finished it before dinner was served.

It had been a while since the girls came over for dinner, and seeing how happy Noah was at the table, I felt a pang. I had been so busy that I had not considered how lonely it was with just the two of us in the apartment. I was going to be even more busy with trying to find a new job, and I made a mental note to invite the girls over more often.

After dinner, we played UNO, which I absolutely hated because I sucked at the game. Noah ended up winning the most rounds, with Laura coming in second.

It was around midnight that I tucked Noah into bed and kissed him goodnight.

"Mom." I stopped at the door and turned to him. His eyes were closed, but he was smiling.

"Yeah?"

"I had fun tonight," he said with a sleepy yawn.

I smiled. "I'm glad you did, sweetie. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too."

My chest full, I was still smiling when I walked into my bedroom.

Laura was standing at my dresser, and she turned around with Katie's dildo in her hand.

Smirking, she raised a brow at me. "Well, this is new."

My face flushed hot. I moved to grab it, but she pulled it away, laughing. "That's Katie's. She left it here."

"Oh, Katie the manager," Laura teased. "Tell me, who fucked who?"

Groaning, I threw myself on the bed and covered my face. "Shut up."

Laura tossed the dildo onto the bed, and then dropped herself onto the bed, hovering over me. "I'm sure she won't mind if we borrow it."

Her lips decorated my neck with kisses, and I arched it, exposing more of my skin to her.

"I missed you," she whispered in between kisses.

"We see each other almost every day," I teased.

"You know what I mean."

Laughing, I slid my hand down her body and slipped it down her pants. Her folds were slick. "You're already so wet."

"I told you I missed you." Then her lips moved up and crashed into mine. I parted my lips, and she slipped through. Our tongues wrestled for control.

I slipped two fingers into her, and she gasped into my mouth. Smirking, I took the advantage and rolled myself on top of her. I pulled my fingers out and looking down at her, I brought it to my mouth and sucked it in.

Laura stared up at me, her eyes darkening. "Fuck, you're hot."

I shrugged.

She sat up and pulled my shirt off. I did the same with hers just as she unhooked my bra, and I threw it off. Laura pressed her face against my breasts and sucked a hardened nipple into her mouth. Holding down a moan, I unlatched her bra and peeled it off her body. Laura twirled her tongue around my nipple, and I gripped her shoulders tightly.

Then she shifted and tossed me off of her and onto the bed. Laura grabbed the hem of my pants and pulled it down my legs until they were completely off. My mound pulsed with heat and anticipation.