Drew & Courtney Duet

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

DREW

The waiter comes to the table and picks up empty plates, and I take the opportunity to go to the bathroom. I open the door, and before I can close it, Courtney pushes her way in. She stands there with her hands on her hips like she’s about to rip off my head.

“What the hell?” I scold.

“What the f**k?” she fires right back.

“I have to piss. Do you mind?”

She crosses her arms. “Go for it, Drewberry Muffin.”

I shake my head at her and walk to the urinal. “Why are you being like this?”

“I should ask you the same question. You know exactly how Viola and Travis feel about Mia. You know how I feel about her, too. The only neutral people out there are your mother, your stepdad who loves her t**s, and your father. Everyone else, even the children, despise her. She’s a witch, Drew.”

I zip up my pants. “Mia’s my girlfriend. You, Viola, and Travis will have to accept it just as I accepted their relationship.”

She sighs. “So, you’re officially back together again?”

I nod my head, knowing it’s not the answer she wants to hear.

“I know you can’t see past the bullshit. You can’t see how she affects everyone, even you. She’s poison,” Courtney says.

A knock rings on the door, and it slightly annoys me.

“One minute,” I shout and can hear a man’s voice mumble something.

“Are we done here?” I glare at her as I turn the faucet on and wash my hands.

She takes two steps forward until she’s inches from my face then pokes her finger hard into my chest. “You deserve better than her.” She lowers her eyes and then murmurs, “God, I wish you could see that.”

I open my mouth but then close it just as another knock pounds against the door.

Courtney shakes her head at me then opens the door and walks out. As soon as I open the door, Travis is standing in the hall, confused.

“That was unexpected,” Travis says.

“I’ll tell you later,” I walk back to the table. The rest of the time Courtney doesn’t look at me and pretends Mia doesn’t exist. No one really notices the cold shoulder, but it’s painfully obvious to me because I know her. I may know her better than Viola at this point, especially after living with her for almost two years, but I don’t remember a time when she’s completely ignored me.

Mia leans over and whispers in my ear. “Are you ready to go?”

Courtney picks up James and holds him in her arms. She whispers something to Viola who cracks up laughing.

“Yeah,” I whisper back. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Whoa, where are you two headed?” Mom asks when we both stand.

I glance over at Mia and wrap my arm around her. “We’ve got some things to do.”

Viola looks pissed that we’re leaving but doesn’t say a word. Travis gives us a head nod, and we turn and walk out hand in hand. I don’t dare look at Courtney. Once we’re to the truck, Mia climbs in and scoots close to me then places her hand on my thigh. It’s the closest we’ve been in weeks—hell, in months.

“I was ready to go as soon as we arrived. Boring! And your sister with that itinerary…pfft, please.” She laughs as I start the truck and head home.

I glance over at her, ready to say something, but she leans her head against my shoulder, and I forget about it.

“I want to snuggle.”

“Yeah?” I can’t help but smile.

“That’s not code for anything,” she adds.

We make small talk on the way home, and as we pull into the driveway, I turn and look at her. This ‘no s*x’ rule she came up with is ridiculous considering how long we’ve been together, but I’ll go along with it for as long as I have to. I lean over and give her a kiss, and she places the palm of her hand on my cheek.

“Let’s watch a movie,” I suggest.

“Here?” She scrunches her nose, and I tap it with my finger.

“Come on. I’ll let you choose.”

After we walk inside, I rummage through Courtney’s DVDs and name them off until Mia agrees to one. She chooses Mean Girls, which I’m not really pleased with, but I don’t argue about it. I turn off the lights, turn on the surround sound, and grab a blanket. Once we’re comfortable, Mia leans into my arms, and I hold her as we watch this stupid-a*s movie. It takes everything I have not to fall asleep because I’m so comfortable.

Before the movie ends, I hear the Jeep pull into the driveway, and my eyes bolt open. The best thing I can do is keep Courtney and Mia away from each other.

“Babe,” I say. “Let’s go to my room.”

“But the movie isn’t over yet,” she whines.

I let out a calm breath as soon as the door bolts open. Courtney turns on all the lights and pretends we’re invisible. Going straight to the kitchen, she makes all sorts of noise opening plastic wrappers, opening and closing the fridge, and cabinets.

Mia looks up at me and groans. I kiss her on the forehead before getting up and going into the kitchen.

“We’re trying to watch a movie.” I stand in the doorway as Courtney mixes a preworkout drink together. Yeah, she’s pissed. Pissed enough to go for a run.

“Mean Girls? Ironic since you’re sitting next to the real-life Regina George,” she whispers, pointing to the living room where Mia is waiting.

I take a few steps toward her, keeping my voice low. “Are you going to tell me what’s crawled in your a*s and died?”

We’re inches apart. I can feel her breath brush against my face as anger radiates from her. She hasn’t been this mad in a long time.

“You’re my problem, Drew.” She looks like she’s about to punch me in the face or push me away from her. I’m not sure which one it is yet.

“What are you two doing?” Mia asks, noticing how close Courtney and I are. Courtney wraps her arms around me and gives me a big, tight, angry hug, and I instinctively hug her back.

“Just telling my best friend how much I’ve missed him.” Courtney flashes a wide grin.

Mia narrows her eyes, groans, and then storms out.

I release my hold on Courtney and glare at her.

“What?”

“Real nice, Court.” I turn away and follow Mia to my bedroom.

“What the hell, Drew? I need to know the truth. I need to know if you secretly have a thing for her.”

I actually laugh. “Not at all. The only person I have a thing for is you.”

“I see the way you look at her.”

“Really? Please enlighten me, Mia.” I hate arguing with her. I especially hate arguing with her over Courtney because Mia always wants me to choose sides, although she’s the only one that has my heart and has for years. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid today, but I suppose it was inevitable. It’s just the kind of relationship we have.

“You look at her like she’s a piece of cake or something.” Mia is furious.

“And you know I don’t like cake, so there you go. I’m not going to explain this to you again, Mia. We’re just friends. We’ll always be just friends. There’s nothing romantic between us at all. I don’t know how I can be more clear about this.”

“You promise? I’m the only woman for you?”

I move toward her and pull her into my arms. “Yes, I promise. You’re the only woman I want.” I pull her close, and before my lips touch hers, I tell her how much she means to me.

Mia doesn’t want Drew unless someone else does. If she feels slightly threatened, she’ll do whatever she can to make sure he doesn’t move on. It’s happened so many times over the last few years it’s almost sickening. At one point, Drew considered going on a date with someone who worked dispatch, but as soon as Mia found out, she freaked out and immediately wanted him back. And what did he do? He took her back, so they could work it out—again. And again. And again.

I walk into my room, and I can hear them arguing through the thin walls as if I’m standing right beside them. I roll my eyes and change into some workout clothes. I need to go for a run before my brain explodes. Before leaving, I hear her say my name like it’s poison. Once she sees me in nothing but a sports b*a and the smallest shorts I have, she’ll really lose her s**t. Perfect.

I’m sure she wouldn’t care if Drew lived with some slob. She wouldn’t care if I were ugly or had a third head. But since I’m not any of those things, she’s intimidated and always has been. I think it’s hilarious because our relationship is so platonic and harmless. Since we’ve become roommates and besties, I’ve tried to be nice to her, include her in on things, and each time it’s a disaster. The girl doesn’t have a nice bone in her body.

I grab my headphones and cell phone before heading out the door. After running three miles, I decide to turn around and run back. Before I walk back in, all sweaty and out of breath, I hope whatever argument they were having is over. It’s a nonstop rollercoaster that I’m not waiting in line for.

Hardly able to catch my breath as I walk toward my room, I realize how much better I feel. All my frustration with Drew and wedding stress has almost vanished. Once I turn the corner, I see Mia exiting the bathroom, and she looks me up and down then gives me a death glare. She’s totally not amused with me or my choice of clothes.

“b***h,” she whispers under her breath as she passes me and then she hits me hard with her shoulder. I’m actually shocked she brought it to that level.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she says sarcastically, covering a hand over her mouth when I slightly stumble before I gain my footing.

My jaw is clenched as tight as my fists. Being the polite little Southern girl I am, I’ll never throw the first punch regardless if provoked, but that doesn’t stop my mouth from running. Taking a few steps forward, I’m getting ready to tell her exactly what I think of her skank a*s and before I can spew out a single cuss word, Drew walks down the hallway toward Mia. He places his hands around her waist, but she ignores his touch as usual.

“Everything okay, babe?”

“Yeah, fine.” She glares back at me as I rub the shoulder she hit pretty hard.

Without a doubt, she wanted me to act out, and it’s eating her alive right now that I didn’t. He glares at me, and I put on a big smile because this time I’m actually innocent. Somehow, I hold back what I really want to say and wait. I won’t let her see me lose my s**t in front of him because it’s childish, and I won’t let her win.

She groans before walking past him with an attitude. He glances back at her then looks me up and down before narrowing his eyes at me.

“Are you being rude again?”

“No. Not this time.” I turn away from him, not waiting for a response and walk to my room. Honestly, I pity her for being so jealous of the relationship that Drew and I have because she has him in ways I only dream about. It’s sad that he’s traveling down a dirty road with her that leads straight to Heartacheville. If only I could help him see he’s brainwashed by her fake t**s, hair extensions, and spray tan, but I’m pretty sure it’s hopeless because he’s too committed. When I hear her voice raised again, I realize I need to find my escape for the night, so I text Viola.

Courtney: I need a distraction. Can you break away for an hour?

Viola: I’m exhausted. Get your cheesecake to go and come over.

Courtney: You’ve already got your pajamas on, don’t you?

Viola: You know me too well. I’m sure Kayla is free and it will only be carby temptation for me. Text her!

Courtney: Fine! I will. :) Get some rest!

I take a shower, put on my red lipstick and smoky eyes, and dress in overly-scandalous clothes before I text Kayla to hang out tonight. We’ve become good friends since being in Viola’s wedding party together. We’re two single ladies who have no outside life, so it makes it easy to drop random things on her, plus she loves it as much as I do.

Courtney: Get dressed woman, we’re having a girls night!

Kayla: How much time do I have?

Courtney: Thirty minutes?

Kayla: Perfect. Come get me!

I can’t stay here and listen to them argue all night, so hanging with Kayla is a perfect escape. Mia needs to go and I have a feeling she’s staying. Them together again is already making me crazy, and I need to have fun and ignore it. Viola usually makes sure I don’t get into too much trouble, so no telling what kind of shenanigans I’ll get in without her.