Fragments (24 page)

“So,” he said, “can uncoordinated plebs like myself come and watch you twinkle on stage?”

My eyebrow raised as I tilt my chin, “Um, I guess. There’s a lot of performances, though. I’m in a few, but you won’t see my solo as that is another day in front of three judges in a single room. We wear numbers and are shuffled in and out. A bit shit, but that’s the name of the game.” 

We continued our chatter well into the night. It wasn’t until Haze rushed up to me with a panic-stricken face that I got out of my Kyle bubble.

“Trice!” she yelled. “Robbie’s been in a fight! Come quick!”

Kyle and I raced after her as she weaved through the crowd to the side of the shed. An unmistakeable shake from Robbie’s voice, travelled over to us, “If I ever hear you say that shit again, I will rearrange your face!”

Getting closer I saw Alex and Ty trying to pull Robbie off someone, and when I pushed my way through the crowd, he had got Brent, one of the guys from my science class by the collar and was shoving him against the wall.

“What’s going on? Let him go, Robbie!” I yelled. He turned and spotted me, and as his gaze swung over to Hazel, he quickly let Brent go. He stepped away, but not before turning back and glaring at Brent.

“What was that about?” I asked.

His chest heaved as he cracked the knuckles in his hands. He brushed Alex off his shoulder and stepped closer to me. “Nothing; just don’t worry about it.”

I stood there and quietly asked, “Did he say something about me? Like Gary did?”

Alex flinched but I ignored it. Robbie ignored me and moved away from Brent and said quietly to Hazel, “Can I talk to you for a moment, please?”

Her eyes widened in surprise and she nodded. He gently grabbed her arm and moved her out of hearing distance. I watched his lips as I tried to decipher what he was saying, but I had nothing.

Kyle grabbed my hand and squeezed it and I gave him a weak smile. Robbie touched the side of Hazel’s face as she nodded, and then he walked away, heading over to Alex.

Haze walked back over to us and said, “C’mon, let’s get away from here,” and we walked over to the bonfire.

I nudged her with my elbow and she huffed and said, “Well, Robbie was chatting to those guys, and Ty was giving Robbie shit that you were over there with Kyle.” I blushed as Kyle smiled down at me. “Then, Brent started talking about … me.”

“What did he say?” Kyle asked gently.

“Well, he started talking about my hair … Then he made a crude joke about wanting to see if my curtains matched my drapes.”

“That is disgusting! What an idiot,” I hissed. She nodded and tucked her hands in her jacket pockets.

“It gets worse. He mentioned actively seeking me out and Robbie told him to leave me alone as I’d never go there—”

“Yay! Robbie!” I exclaimed, totally proud of my kickass brother.

“Yeah, but that made him stir up Robbie as he said, that to nail me, he won’t—” Using her fingers, she quoted, “—
need to ask. She’ll be willing as they always are. Not like I need her permission.
” 

She finished gesturing and my blood ran cold. I stared at her as my face tightened. Kyle squeezed my hand tighter.

“What an arsehole,” Kyle remarked.

“A fucking arsehole,” I growled. Looking over to the other side of the bonfire, I spotted Robbie who was glaring daggers at Brent, who was on the far left of the bonfire with his mates having a laugh. Laughing. After being attacked by my brother for being a dirty prick. Suddenly, I turned and marched over to Brent, who had since turned and had his back to me. I was so sick of guys hurting people. This prick needed a piece of my mind. Marching up to him, I tapped his shoulder as he turned around. He grinned, covering his chin with his hand, trailing his eyes down my body as he checked me out from head to toe.

“Hey there, sexy. Kyle not man enough for you?” He took his hand away, gesturing behind me, while jiggling his eyebrows up and down. He was not funny, but his dickhead mates all cracked up laughing at his pathetic joke. Bloody pack mentality.

“Actually, I’m not here about Kyle. Who, I might add, is more of a man than you. I’m here to deliver a message.”

He cocked his eyebrow and asked, “What then?”

I raised my hand and curled my finger at him to move closer. I put my hand on his shoulder and leant close to his ear.

I laughed softly as I said, “I heard you like it rough, so …” And before he could respond, I stepped back and kicked, not kneed, kicked him in the balls. He went down to his knees with a scream and I bent forward to yell in his face. “That’s a message to the naïve girls to stay the fuck away from you. That should keep your predatory dick out of action for tonight!”

My eyes twitched as a piercing whistle from Robbie’s lips followed. He stood there cheering me on. I winked and turned, heading towards my friends, but not before Robbie yelled, “See, Brent? First, I kick your ass, and then my sister actually kicks your balls. Not a good night for you, is it?” Laughing, he continued to clap and shout, “Whoop! Whoop! Go Trice! Atta girl!”

As I walked back to my group, I saw Alex with his blonde, both gaping at me, and I used that moment, to stick my hand up and give him the finger. His lip curled but I didn’t care. I just shook it off. 

I marched over to Kyle, wrapped my hand around the back of his head and brought his lips down to mine. I kissed him hard as whistles sounded around us and he was quick to respond, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and back. It was a good kiss. I knew we were making a scene, but I didn’t care.

We continued kissing for a while until Haze said, “Um guys, I kinda have to head home … so…”

Quickly we disconnected while a hot blush heated my cheeks. “Oh, sorry Haze. Yeah, I’ll come home with you.” Turning to Kyle, I said, “Call me,” and I gave him a quick peck on the lips. He smiled and brushed my hair behind my ears.

“I’m taking you out next Friday.” 

I grinned and nodded. “Sounds good.”

Haze grabbed my arms and told me that Trin left with Clint a while ago, so the two of us hopped into her Jeep and headed home. I guess Trin was over whatever it was with Theo. Couldn’t blame her really. I just hoped she knew what she was doing.

              We reached the driveway and Haze idled the vehicle.

She turned, biting her lip, and said, “Trice, I know Alex meant the world to you. Are you ready for Kyle? He really likes you. I don’t want you hurt again so quickly after Alex.”

I’d expected her voice of reason to question my change in affection. I looked into her eyes and truthfully responded, “I don’t think I’m fully ready, but he makes me laugh and I feel good around him. I can’t dwell on Alex. It was, like, one night. You saw him tonight; that’s all he saw in me. I need to move on.”

She smiled and said, “You’re right. Why linger on it? Good on you, hon. Stuff him.”

I knew I was in denial, but I was also strong enough to build a wall to block him out.

Hazel shifted in her seat while biting her lip. “I still can’t believe Robbie beat up a guy over what he said about me. He must be the only one who is allowed to give me shit.” She laughed.

I tapped her leg and said, “Robbie cares about you, Haze. He may be a dick, but he knows a good woman and that is you. He probably thinks of you as his little sister.”

For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of disappointment in her eyes, but it was quickly covered up as she said, “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

I gave her a quick hug and we both made plans to text Trin repeatedly over the next hour to piss her off for ditching us.

*              *              *              *              *

              The next day, the house phone shrilled as I lay in bed. I groaned. No one seemed to move for it, so I stomped out of bed and grabbed the receiver on the small table in the hall. Putting it to my ear, I husked, “Hello?”

“Oh, um, Trice … is Robbie there?” Alex asked nervously.

I clenched the phone and before I could stop myself I asked, “Why are you calling this phone? You haven’t done that since we’ve had mobiles.”

I walked quickly back to my room and shut the door to block out the conversation from the rest of the house. “No, seriously, why are you calling this phone?” 

He sighed deeply then he quietly muttered, “Because I knew you wouldn’t pick up your mobile if you saw it was me. I just wanted to say I’m—”

“Don’t you dare!” I hissed. “You had the opportunity to behave like a gentleman last night and you took the coward’s way out. So save it. I was wrong to feel hope for a hopeless soul. Don't worry; I'm not going to say anything to my family.”

Before he could stutter a response, I muttered, “And keep your distance from me.”

I hung up. I opened the door and replaced the phone in the cradle. My hands shook in rage. Collecting myself, I focused on constructing that wall. Picking up my own phone by my bed, my eyes widened when I saw one new text. From Kyle. I smiled

I can’t stop thinking about your lips. Looking forward to seeing you and kissing you again soon.

I smile and typed back:

Definitely. Looking forward to our date Friday night.

I tapped my phone to my chin and closed my eyes. A new era began today.

“Hey Jealousy”

Gin Blossoms

Alex

Autumn, Current Day

             
Ring Ting, or RT, is the place to be if you are out to drink or get laid.  It’s where Robbie, Ty, Sam, and I often went to during university. Now, it’s still our weekly hangout, as let’s be honest, it still is sweet pickings whenever we go. The college girls are game, and we don’t have to work too hard. A lot of guys our age or older go there as it’s close to Fitzroy and it draws in an alternative crowd.  But, it’s mainly for the ladies.

So, Friday nights and most Saturdays are spent shooting pool and picking up. Both are an easy release. Smile, wink, sharpen, shoot, nod, laugh, drink, repeat. Tonight, only Ty and I are out, sitting on the bench seat near the dance floor to scope out the potential. I am only half interested, as a phone call with Robbie earlier screwed with my head.  Ty seemed keen, though, and as he sits there, several girls are looking our way. He has the built, messy-hair look, whereas I have short, blond spiky hair that was hacked off after I finished university and started being a physiotherapist.

Ty has dimples and the golden smile, so he uses them often. I know my smile is a winner, so there is no contest. We both keep in shape; I still run a few times a week while also weight training.

Sitting at the bench, we chitchat while observing the crowd. Not before long, though, Ty interrupts our thoughts with of course, asking about why I was moody.

“So, what’s up your arse? Could it be why you guys are getting a new housemate?” Taking a sip of his beer, he winks as he flashes his cocky smile at me.

Frowning, I grip my pint glass and glance away, hoping he cannot read my expression. Too late.

“Yeah, Robbie said that Trice’s moving in next week. Looks like you guys are going to have to pick up your game.” He grins, sipping his beer. The smug bastard.

“What do you mean by that?” I glance back, challenging him with my gaze. He put his hands up to calm me,

“Whoa there, matie. Settle petal. What I mean is, you guys will have to do things like leave the toilet seat down, not wash your dirty socks in the shower … you know, not be such—how should I put this,” he says, raising his eyes to the ceiling with his finger to his jaw, contemplating how to answer, “just not to be such
bachelors
.” 

I huff and sip my beer. “Whatever, dickhead. I’m sure it will be fine.” I don’t believe myself for a second.

Tyler laughs and clicks his finger at me. “Oh! You guys won’t be able to do no undies Mondays, or worse … No porn on the TV!” He shakes his head in disappointment. “Fuck, man, that is going to suck a lot of donkey dick.” Laughing, he picks up his beer and salutes me. “Sucks to be you, mate!”

“We’re not at college, you idiot. We know how to be fucking civilised. Do you think she’ll let us be any other way?”

“Well,” he says, “I think she will be a refreshing change. Besides, last time that I saw her, she was smoking hot. Least you’ll have something nice to look at, other than your ugly mug.”

I clench my pint. I don’t need the reminder of her beauty. I see it every time I close my eyes at night.

“Personally, mate, I think you’ll have to be more sedate on your pick-ups. I suggest taking your willing ladies to their house. That way you can leave and they won’t be there to make her uncomfortable,” he suggests.

“Ty, we are all adults. I am sure she wouldn’t give a shit.”

He ignores my comment and continues, “Dude, is she still seeing that guy? Maybe he’ll be over and it’ll all even itself out—”

“Yeah.” I cut him off. “They’ve been together for years, but I haven’t spoken to her in just as long so no idea what is going on.”

It’s true; ever since our moment, we’d barely seen each other. A month after I had been with her, I went home to check on Mum and decided to go and explain myself better. I wanted to see her. I missed her. When I’d arrived at her place, I’d seen her and Kyle necking by the back door with his hand on her ass and her giggling. Pure jealousy had vibrated through my spine, causing me to clench my fists. I’d turned quietly and quickly left them behind, deciding then and there that I would avoid her at all costs. Since then, I haven’t been back to their house unless I’d known for sure that she was in Melbourne studying.