The Arrangement

Chapter 6

I go inside and get dressed. I pull on my jeans, and knee high boots, I go with a blue halter top and my leather jacket.

Michael comes through the door, stops and looks at me. Do I look that bad? Everything is covered that needs to be. I glance down at myself.

“Do I look okay?” I ask. His approval will be appreciated. He is the one that will be out with me in public.

“Yeah, you do.” He replies. I can’t read his expression.

“Okay, for a second there I thought it was bad.” I laugh.

“Sorry. I just didn’t expect this.” He says taking his jacket off. This man confuses me. I change the subject.

“Want something before we go?” I ask, shifting to my other foot.

“No thank you. I’ll be ready in two minutes.” Michael says then adds, “Is it okay if Chris comes too?”

“Sure.” I reply. I check my phone while he’s gone. There is a text from Kelly.

*You better be coming or I’ll hunt you down.*

I don’t doubt that. She is fierce. I text her back.

*Be there soon. Promise. FYI, Chris is joining us.*

Not sure how she’ll feel about this but it’s better than surprising her.

*Whatever. As long as you’re coming.*

Thank goodness for that.

Michael returns. He is in jeans and a white shirt. He looks good.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Let’s do this.” He replies looking as nervous as I feel.

“I will be good practice for us.” I tell him.

“I’m nervous. Don’t want to mess this up.”

“I’m nervous too but we’ll get through this.”

We arrive at the club; the line is growing but the bouncer waves us over immediately. I know him as Tiny. Always strange when they call a big man tiny.

“Long time no see.” He smiles at me. He is big, very big. His muscles have muscles.

“Kelly is back in town. You know what that means.” I reply rolling my eyes.

“Good luck. She’s already inside.” He smiles at me and nods at Michael.

“You know him.” He remarks.

“I know him through Kelly. This is more her thing than mine.”

“Don’t doubt that.” He grins.

We head into the club and find Kelly sitting at the bar. She jumps up when she sees me and hugs me.

“So Michael it’s been a while.” She tells him when she releases me.

“That it has. You look good.” He compliments.

“I’ve always looked good.” She scolds putting her hand on her hip.

I turn to my head to the left to look up at Michael and smile. Surely he remembers her. I don’t think she’s changed much since the first day I met her.

“How long are you going to torture us with this place?” I ask changing the subject as best as I can.

“You just got here and you want to leave already.” Kelly pouts.

I shrug at her, trying very hard not to laugh.

“What are you drinking?” She asks me and Michael.

“Coffee.” I reply lifting my eyebrow.

Michael gapes at me a little. I thought it was funny.

Kelly narrows her eyes at me and waves the bartender over. “Michael?” She asks.

“Whiskey. On the rocks.” He replies. Kelly seems to approve. I feel a little panicked, I’m okay with drinking but I don’t want to be drunk. She eyes me and places the order, I can’t make out what she’s ordering the music is becoming louder and people are moving to the dance floor.

“Are you feeling as weird as I am?” Michael asks leaning in.

There is that feeling again. All I manage is a nod.

The bartender arrives with our drinks and Kelly hands me something blue. I have no idea what it is but it doesn’t taste too bad. We go up the stairs to the lounge, the music is quieter here, and I know she’s going to ask a lot of questions. I’m torn between two options, neither one I particularly want. My dear friend is very direct. I love that about her but in this case I’m very nervous. Michael and I sit down on the couch and Kelly takes the seat opposite us.

“So? The two of you?” She leans in closer pointing her finger at us, “How did this happen?”

Dammit Kelly!

“It just did.” I reply. This is going to be much worse than I ever thought it would be.

“That’s not an answer.” Kelly responds. I love her but right now I want to kill her.

I want to tell her to shut up, Michael puts his arm around me and I’m momentarily distracted by his touch.

“Kelly. You know how it happened. You’re a grown woman.” He states, his fingers stroking my shoulder, sending tiny sparks throughout my entire body.

For the first time in my life I see Kelly blush. I want to giggle. Finally! Maybe she’ll let this go then.

“Kelly Matthews! Is that you?” Chris says walking up the stairs. I shiver and Michael looks over to me frowning. I never liked Chris. There is just something about him that creeps me out.

“No duh?” She replies and I shake my head slightly. When Kelly wants to she can be really mean.

“How have you been?” He asks, ignoring Michael and me.

“Busy. You?” She replies coldly. I’ve never gotten her to tell me what happened between the two of them.

“Also.” He replies, maybe he senses that she doesn’t want to really talk to him. Chris turns his attention to Michael and me. “Hi bro.” He says and looks over to me, his eye dart to where Michael has his arm around my shoulder then he looks at me. “Jennifer, so good to see you again.” He extends his hand, I shake it reluctantly. “Hi Chris.” I try to form some kind of smile and I hope I succeeded. I’ve seen him around the office a couple of times.

“Jen, let’s go and dance.” Kelly says jumping up in a second she grabs my hand and pulls me behind her onto the dance floor, I want to protest but I’m game for anything that takes me away from Chris.

“What was that all about?” She asks me as we reach the dance floor.

“Chris is Michael’s friend.” I shrug.

“Not that, I’m talking about the fact that neither you nor Michael wants to tell me how the two of you happened.” Kelly says.

I want to tell her so badly. I’m going to tell her. She is my best friend. She’s the one that’s always been there for me. I can’t lie to her. It makes me feel like crap.

“Come.” I say, grabbing her hand and head for the door, I don’t stop until we are outside and no one else is around us.

“Crap Jen. What is going on?” She asks when I let her hand go.

“Short version and you can’t tell anyone. Please.” I plead.

“Of course I won’t say anything. You’re making me worry.”

“Okay. Michael and I are not in love.” I say leaning against the wall. “We’re only doing this because his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend is trying to pull the company out from under them, I have the money but I can only get it if I get married so Michael agreed to do it.”

Her mouth hangs open.

“Kelly?”

“Sorry just trying to process this.” She says quietly.

“You can’t tell anyone.” I cannot make this anymore clear.

“Relax. I’m not going to tell anyone anything, but I’m a little disappointed.”

“Why? You know Harry and Sarah are like family to me.”

“I know that but I meant with Michael. I always saw the two of you together in my head plus you look so good together.”

“It’s just for show.” I inform her.

“I’m not so sure about that.” She smirks. Leave it to Kelly to forget about the most important part of my story and only focus on one thing.

“We should get back before they notice we’re gone.”

 “He can’t seem to take his eyes off of you.”

“You’re speaking nonsense Kelly, I just told you it’s all for show.”

“Fine.” She says throwing her hands up in the air, “Just remember I’m the one that told you so.”

I roll my eyes at her and we walk back into the bar. Now I feel like drinking. A weight has been lifted at least she knows now. I don’t want to lie to her. She is important to me.

“What are you having?” She asks over her shoulder.

“Surprise me.” I smile.

“You just made my day.” She grins and waves the bartender over, his eyes skim over my body. I want to tell him to look up here but I don’t really care. I’m used to it. As long as he doesn’t touch me I don’t care where he looks.

Kelly says, “Two s*x on the beach. Stat”.

He winks at me and I want to roll my eyes at him. I have long since overcome my embarrassment over drink names, Kelly used to tease me relentlessly over it.

We take our drinks and head back to Michael and Chris.

“You ladies have fun on the floor?” Chris asks. Kelly narrows her eyes at him, making his smile evaporate. I need to learn that trick.

“Sure.” I say sitting down next to Michael, least I can do is talk to him. Michael eyes my drink and I say, “s*x on the beach. You want some?”

He chuckles and there I go. I really need to get this blushing under control. Kelly is smiling like an i***t, completely ignoring Chris.

“I think I should head home.” Chris says.

This doesn’t make me sad.

“Why? It’s early.” Michael asks.

“I have a lot to do but we’ll catch up soon.” He says and leaves. Kelly throws her hair back in silent triumph.

“Maybe we should go to.” I try.

“Oh no, you don’t, you’re staying here. I don’t see you enough.” Kelly says.

“What have you been doing?” Michael asks her.

“I do a lot of work for non-profit organisations. I love it and I get to travel all over the world.” Kelly says, she really does love what she does. Like me she has a trust. She doesn’t have to earn a salary to support herself, not that she cares about money like that. She loves helping people; she sends me lots of photos of people and places. I almost went with her once. Sometimes I wish I did.

“Wow.” Michael says. I’m so proud of Kelly.

“That reminds me.” She says and smiles at me. Oh no! What does she have in store for me now?

“Don’t look so worried.” She grins, “I need your help at the soup kitchen tomorrow. One of the girls called in sick and we were already short staffed.” She puts her palms together in front of her face, begging.

“Of course I’ll help.” I reply.

“It doesn’t conflict with your schedule?”

“No. We’re closed tomorrow. The owner is struggling.” I reply. Even with my donations he can’t handle it. The staff doesn’t last very long. Some people think it is cool to volunteer but they lose interest rather quickly when they find out it is really hard work. It’s not just about feeding those who can’t feed themselves it’s also listening to them or giving advice, offering any kind of help that you can.

“You do this too?” Michael asks surprised or shocked or confused, I can’t make out which.

“Sometimes.” I shrug.

“Shouldn’t you know this Michael or is it just all about the s*x with you?” Kelly teases. Poor Michael he left himself open to attack. He doesn’t know that she knows. I’ll tell him at home, not here where anyone can hear.

He shifts uncomfortably; I take pity on him and tell Kelly, “Stop messing with him.”

“Oh come on, I was just teasing a little. As long as he doesn’t hurt my best friend he’ll keep all his limbs.” Kelly smirks.

“Does she know?” Michael whispers to me.

“Yes, I had to.” I shrug then I lean in, “She won’t say anything.” The closeness makes my heart beat faster.

Kelly is enjoying this way too much. “As long as you don’t tell Chris, he loves to gossip.” Kelly says seriously.

“I wasn’t planning on telling him.” Michael shrugs. Maybe he’s pissed that I told Kelly.

“Don’t pout because I can promise you that I would have figured it out.”

“I’m not pouting.” He scolds. This is not going well.

“I really want to dance now.” Kelly wines.

“No one is stopping you.” I tell her.

“Come with me.”

“No way.” I say shaking my head.

“Please.” She begs, this gets a reaction from Michael. He is laughing at her performance.

“Go and have some fun.” He tells me.

“I don’t like to dance.” I mutter.

“That’s only because you think you can’t but you can and you look so hot doing it.” Kelly argues.

Normally I would because she likes it but I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of Michael.

“I can always meet you back home?” Michael suggests.

“We can dance another time.” I reply.

“No, come with me now.” Kelly says getting up and pulling me to my feet; I can feel Michael’s eyes on me as we walk away.

We reach the bottom of the stairs and Kelly pulls me to the side. Michael can’t see us here. Eventually I get lost in the music and I’m having fun. Sometimes I just need a good push to get out of my own head and act my age.

As I glance up I see Michael talking to another girl. I’m truly disappointed, now that Kelly knows he doesn’t have to pretend anymore.

“I’ll go and kick their asses.” Kelly yells as she follows my gaze.

I shake my head and continue dancing with her. A few guys come over and start dancing with us, I’m okay with that. If Michael can chat up a storm with another girl then I can dance with another guy. Not like we are together-together.

A couple of songs later I’m exhausted. I signal Kelly to let her know I’m out and she nods. I head back upstairs, Michael is on his phone and he barley notices me when I sit down opposite him.

He looks up, surprised to see me, “Sorry I didn’t see you come back.”

“No problem. I’m just tired.” I reply.

“Want to go?” He asks.

“Kelly’s not done yet but if you want to go then I’ll get a lift from her or just call a cab.”

“I’ll stay here with you.” He smiles.

“Are you sure you want to? It doesn’t look like you’re having fun.”

“I am, especially watching you on the dance floor.”

“Are you making fun of me?” I ask in mock horror and some real horror that he was watching me.

“Not in the slightest. You were very entertaining.” He smirks.

I narrow my eyes at him, “Bet you can’t even dance.”

“You are underestimating me.”

“Then prove it. Go out there and show me what you can do.”

He lifts his eyebrow, and then jumps up taking my hand.

“No, you go by yourself, I’ll watch.” I say panicked. Every time he touches me I feel all sorts of things I’ve never felt before. It scares me.

“You can watch me from down there.” He says. He doesn’t pull me but leads me.

When we reach the dance floor, he spins me around and then pulls me against him; he starts to move against me, his rhythm is so easy to follow. I can’t help it but join him.

 I’m burning up. This is so hot.

“You’ve made your point.” I manage, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Are you sure? I’ve got a few more moves in me.”

No doubt in my mind.

“You’re good.”

“So are you.” He replies. I blush.

The song ends and I walk in the bar’s direction. “Want another drink?”

“Sure.”

The club is getting more crowded; I’m struggling to find my way through the mass. Michael reaches for my hand and I follow him through the crowd. When we reach the bar I let out a long breathe.

“Not a fan of crowds?” He asks.

“Is it that obvious?” I ask, his only response is a smile.

The bartender walks over to us, “What are you in the mood for?” Michael asks.

If only I could tell him what I’m in the mood for. I smile at the floor. The dance with Michael has really done a number on my libido.

“Water.” I reply. I don’t want to get wasted and throw myself at him.

The bartender reaches us, “What can I get you?”

“Two waters please.” Michael says.

“Sure.” The bartender says but his eyes linger on me for a moment.

Michael clears his throat and the bartender scurries off, I start to giggle softly. Michael looks down at me arching his brow. I can see why it would be uncomfortable with him standing next to me as the bartender checks me out. I shrug at him. He regards me for a moment and the bartender returns with our water, not looking at me.

I immediately take a sip, all this activity has really made me thirsty.

“Want to join me for a dance?” I ask feeling rather brave.

“Okay.” He replies.

Why am I doing this? This clearly affects me more than it does him.

I’m careful not to touch him as we dance, the lights have gone darker and it’s not that easy for me to see him. I really start to enjoy myself. I’ve lost track of Michael, finally I spot him a few feet away surrounded by a group of girls, and he looks utterly panicked. Shame. I make my way over to him, I take his hand, he sees it’s me and I pull him away from the girls. A red hair yells, “Hey, I saw him first.”

Really? I hope she isn’t serious. I ignore her and turn, she grabs my shoulder and I turn. “Don’t walk away from me.” She is clearly a little drunk and I don’t want to start a fight. “You can’t have him, he is mine.”

She throws her hands up in surrender and walks the other way.

“Thank you.” He says leaning in. I spot Tiny over his shoulder. I smile up at Michael, “I don’t think I did anything. Tiny over there was looking this way.” I motion over to where Tiny is standing, I blow him a kiss and he catches it and puts in his pocket, he is sweet that way. He has thrown out many a man from this place that put their hands on me or Kelly.

 “I think he likes you.” Michael tells me, with a hint of jealously. Really? Jealously? I shake it off. I’m just imagining it.

“What’s not to like?” I motion with my hand over my body and the other on my hip. Feeling very brave must be the atmosphere here or the alcohol is hitting me harder than I would have thought.

Something in his eyes speak to the muscles deep in my belly, this feels strange. Wow. I can’t look away.

“What are you talking about?” Kelly asks from behind me making me jump.

“Damn Jen, why do you look so guilty?” Kelly frowns.

My dear friend just loves speaking out loud without thinking at all.

I mentally try to convey my point across, obviously it won’t work but a girl can hope.

‘Well?” Kelly asks. Michael and I are avoiding eye contact with her and each other.

A fight breaks out about three or four meters away. Kelly’s attention gets pulled away from us. Thank goodness! Now we can leave.

Kelly and I make arrangements for tomorrow and we leave. On the way home I say, “Sorry I told her. She would have really figured out something wasn’t right and then she would have been angry at me for not telling her.”

“It’s okay really. Of course you should be able to tell your friend. I know this has to be hard for you.” 

You have no idea. I would have been calmer with a complete stranger. Does he even know what he does to me? How could he?

“If you want to tell Chris that will be fine with me.”

“No. Kelly was right he can’t keep a secret.”

“Thank you for coming with me.”

“It was my pleasure, I had a good time.”

“Me too.” I reply. I had a very good time.