The Other Roommate

2 - The Ridiculous Proposal

“Are you going to tell me what happened? If you weren’t with Felicity, where were you? You look so pasty I could use you as a chalk.”

Denise tried again after getting ready for work, trying a different approach this time. She kept her tone soft, posing her curiosity as a question that would allow Alex to choose between answering or not despite the desire to scold her for her behavior towards Callie.

She found Alex sitting on the dining table, hunched over her beloved sketch book, which doubled as her journal. She’d been experimenting on a new art medium, a black gel pen. Her first attempt was less than satisfactory, having found difficulty in manipulating the shade of the color and the rigid tip of the pen. The polar bear she could paint was far more superior to the one she just sketched.

Alex closed her journal and resigned the pen atop it. She lifted her head, a satisfied smirk already in place at the thought of her brilliant plan but the rest of her body was lax, her chin propped up on an elbow perched on the table.

“So, tell me about Callie.” She didn’t bother to ask why Denise was dressed for work, she was used to her working on weekends.

“She just moved out of a family friend’s.” Denise humored her, holding on to the last shred of her patience. “She said she had only been there for a month, looking for a job and another place to stay.”

“Has she always been in Chicago?”

“I don’t know.”

“Boyfriend?” Alex continued, the glimmer in her eyes brightened as she asked another question. “Girlfriend?”

"Alex!" Denise exclaimed, chucking her purse onto the table, startling Alex. “What the hell happened? I’m worried about you. Damn it!”

"She cheated, okay?" Alex stood up abruptly, matching her stance as if to make up for the way her voice broke. Fury coursed like molten lava in her veins, air felt like poison, like every breath was choking her, squeezing her chest. She tried but the dam finally broke as the first teardrop traced her cheek. "She hated that I worked too much. That I didn’t have enough time for her.”

"I'm so sorry." Denise grimaced, recoiling at the revelation. She was quick to recover and managed to draw Alex in for a hug, clutching her tight when she felt a sob rack her limp body.

“It hurts.” Alex mumbled against her shoulder, eyes squeezed shut as she endured the onslaught, the storm in her chest.

"I know. It's going to be okay."

-

“Hey, Mom. I just called to let you know that I moved out of Aunt Susan’s and I got myself a job.”

Callie paced her room, a phone pressed against her ear. She looked around and smiled at what she saw, her made bed, the nightstands, the desk and the chair. The violin case still nestled in the middle of her second suitcase reminded her to keep going and the barren walls gave her a sense of comfort, seeing it as a chance for a new life, a blank slate. And she was happy with her decision.

The person on the other end of the line almost ruined it all.

She’d been dreading that phone call since she hatched her plot. It had taken her months to set everything in motion and it was without Lillian’s help, the person she thought would be there through it all.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Hurt was palpable in her words and Callie could only cringe but knew she could not offer anything to appease her.

“The less people who know, the better I guess.”

“What about your parents? But you told your friend, didn’t you?”

“Mom…” Callie admonished, hoping against hope that Lillian would heed it. “I know you still talk to him and I know it’d magically spill out your lips somehow. I didn’t want him interfering with my plans or figuring out where I am. I need you to be on your own daughter’s side now, not her ex-boyfriend’s, Mom!”

She despised the sigh that answered her right away, like she thought Callie was being unreasonable. Her mother knew her better than that. Callie had never done anything on a whim, she’d always thought everything through and if her mother had not meddled in her plans, she’d have had a music degree from Cornell University.

The acceptance letter from when she was still seventeen still sit in her important files, she’d never been able to let go of it. It had been the root of the grievances she held against her mother.

“But you’re still in Chicago, right? Has he reached out to you yet?” Lillian sounded far too hopeful, her attempts at maneuvering the conversation meant completely ignoring Callie’s pleas.

Callie didn’t understand why she still cared about Lillian’s opinions but it was her mother, and she wasn’t sure she could stop.

“I changed my number, remember? And you promised you wouldn’t tell him.” Callie crashed down onto the pliant mattress, rubbing her temples at the sudden headache plaguing her skull. She paid no mind to the c***k in her heart, as betrayal struck like an earthquake. “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t love him, Mom? Why don’t you go date him?”

“Don’t use that tone on me, Calista!”

Tell her the truth, her mind told her but Callie did not wish to burden Lillian with it. Regardless of their differences, she loved her mother and would not want to burden her with guilt.

But she was done talking now. Her frustrations were mounting and she was just about ready to spit an expletive word her mother would not appreciate.

She needed to end the call.

“Look, I’m just…” Callie shook her head, the only way to express her disappointment in Lillian without telling her. “I have to unpack and get some food.”

“Call me if you need anything.” Lillian meant it but that did not guarantee Callie had support in her decisions. “He’s waiting for your call, too.”

“Bye, Mom. Love you.” Callie said instead, completely disregarding the last sentence.

“I love you, too.”

She disconnected the call before Lillian could interject anything. She never felt as exhausted as she was after talking to her mother and it felt like a lifetime ago when she first met Colin and brought on this woman who wore her mother’s face but not her soul.

Choosing not to dwell on it, she pushed herself off the bed and grabbed her purse, intending on buying groceries and two more pillows to complete the four she needed to sleep at night. She would have to reconcile with the fact that she helped lead her mother to believe Colin was this perfect boyfriend, but he was only a speck of her past now and the road ahead did not have space for him.

But it did have a lot for Alex, why the thought suddenly occurred, Callie had no idea.

Moving forward got her thinking back on what happened when they first met. She hadn’t thought much about what Alex’s gaze meant, and if she was being honest, she might have not allowed herself to digest it for fear of what she might find. She wondered if a friendship was possible but she’d gladly take tolerance, nobody stepping on anybody’s toes.

After turbulent years, Callie just needed peace.

Callie[CB1] almost went back in her room when she found Alex at the dining table just like Denise had. She could have gone back in if it wasn’t almost noon. Breakfast was nothing but a piece of bread and water, and it had been over five hours since. She needed to eat soon. She composed herself enough, deciding on reciprocating a greeting if Alex threw her one, and took the first step towards the front door.

She had just passed by the table when she heard a pen clatter as it fell on the glass surface.

"Nice ass!"

Callie gasped, swiveling in her place to find green eyes looking up from where they were glued on. She couldn’t understand if she was more perplexed or enraged at that poorly stated compliment, which might not have been one.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” She shot her the most withering glare she could muster, delighted at the shock that widened Alex’s eyes, paying little to no attention to her slamming her leather-bound journal shut.

"Okay. I’m sorry.” Alex threw her hands up in surrender but eyes were devoid of remorse.

“You think an apology can fix your attitude problem, too? Because that one did nothing to make me feel better.” Callie growled, surprising herself at her own outburst. She was not one to talk back, often choosing to defuse the situation. It should not have mattered that Alex did not seem apologetic, she would have just ignored her.

But something in her was challenged.

Perhaps it was her conversation with her mother.

Or Alex and everything she is.

“Beer?” Alex lifted the third can she finished, undeterred, but when the furrow of Callie’s brows didn’t waver, she thought of something else. “Nope? Okay, to show you that I’m really sorry,” She wasn’t. “Let me make you a peace offering. I’ll make us lunch."

She fought against a satisfied grin when all Callie did was raise her brows. She was thinking about it. An absolute rejection would have meant her storming out, stomping her heavy feet that their neighbors downstairs would have heard her.

“Come on.” She stood up and offered her best grin, already making her way to the kitchen. “I’m making grilled chicken salad. You eat salads, right?”

With a heavy sigh, Callie plopped herself down on one of the chairs. She would blame that decision on her belly, roiling about, making sounds of protest and the few dollars she saved on lunch. She looked around, keeping her gaze from Alex even if she was facing the other direction, and grateful for the breakfast bar that covered most of her.

Callie admired the pristine white color of the walls in contrast with the bare concrete ceiling and the dark laminate wood flooring. The space was modestly decorated and the only splash of color came from the royal blue chairs surrounding the dining table and the plates which were a bright yellow. It was nothing like she was used to, her mother may have come from a middle class family but she filled their home with trinkets and figurines that have only been collecting dust over the years.

It was the same in Colin’s house, only that his were more expensive and there were cleaners to clear to keep them sparkly.

But what can’t be bought from stores were the paintings that keep luring her in. This time, it was the one on the wall between hers and Denise’s doors. White paint danced across the black canvas like the ballerina in the middle of a pirouette, half of her body virtually non-existent while the other half was slowly being consumed by shadows.

She was tracing the strokes with her eyes, looking for emotions in a faceless image and finding music strumming her body.

She was washed with inexplicable sadness, as if she felt that that dancer didn’t dance anymore even if she needed to.

Whoever made all those paintings, Callie just wanted to hug them – to comfort them, to tell them she admired their work but the person invading her peripherals was Alex, holding two plates of salad, a proud grin on her face. And she had every right to.

Her salad looked delectable, Callie admitted. Alex added some cherry tomatoes, olives and onion into the mixed greens and tossed them in some honey mustard vinaigrette, and topped it off with some grilled chicken, avocado slices and hardboiled eggs.

It was the kind served as a main course dish not an appetizer.

The taste matched up with the presentation and as much as Callie denied it, it was delicious. The salt and pepper ratio was perfect, the chicken well-done and juicy. Even the hardboiled egg was already seasoned but she couldn’t risk speaking more than the two words to commend Alex for the meal so as not to give her roommate a chance to mutter something inappropriate or rude.

"Are you nervous for your first day?" Alex probed after taking a huge gulp of water.

Neither spoke until then, and Callie was enjoying the silence. It was easier to admit that Alex was attractive without all the nonsense that came out of her mouth.

"I’m okay." Callie shrugged, she was more excited than anything. It was one of the first decisions she made without her mother looming over her, directing her what to do but Alex was a stranger, and she didn’t feel compelled to share her joy with her.

"It's a Sunday night and most people who have jobs tomorrow morning don’t go to bars. It's great and not great for training."

For a brief moment, Callie regarded Alex with suspicion. She didn’t understand why she was still talking after their first two encounters. She thought they’d have a quiet lunch and they could both go their merry way and continue ignoring each other afterwards.

It’s better that way.

There was only so much Alex she could handle.

But now she was curious and she needed answers.

"How come?"

"For starters, you need orders to make cocktails and they won't just let us make every single one on the list without customers paying for them. Mason would let you practice making two or three, but nothing more than that." Alex lifted her fork, pointing it at Callie and shook her head. "But you don't want to get swamped on your first day. There’s nothing worse than drunk idiots harassing you to entertain them first."

Callie only nodded to acknowledge Alex’s remarks, eying the lone cherry tomato left on her plate. She was grateful that Alex thought to divulge on what she knew but their lunch did little to appease the discomfort she felt under her gaze.

Alex had the kind of dominant energy that could suffocate her if she wasn’t careful.

She chanced a glance at her, surprised to find desperation to keep the conversation going. Alex looked like she had more to say but something was holding her back. She appeared restless, fidgeting in her place, drawing lines on her empty plate. The way she just unapologetically expressed her admiration for Callie’s derriere and the snide comments early that morning, and then act like she wanted to get to know Callie was raising suspicion.

But the mystery would be solved the next time Alex spoke.

"Will you pretend to be my girlfriend at work?" She posed it as a question yet sounded to be demanding it, schooling her expressions to appear indifferent.

The vow she made to herself not twelve hours prior to remain strictly professional just went down the drain.

"Are you kidding me right now?" Callie stared at her as if she’d gone insane, stabbing her fork on the lone cherry tomato in her plate. Instead of piercing the fruit, it went flying in the air to land on Alex's shoulder.

Alex glanced at the fruit as it fell to the floor and returned her gaze to Callie, who appeared horrified, cupping her gaped mouth. A smile crept upon her lips, not the same devious smirk she’d been casting at her new roommate but a genuine, happy smile.

For that brief moment, she didn’t look like the Alex she introduced to Callie but it was enough for her to wonder where that happy girl went.

"There are a lot of other people you could trick into doing that for you." Callie continued, her grip on the fork tightening.

"It has to be you. My cheating ex works with us." Alex asserted, leaning into the table, closer to her. “I caught her with another server last night.” She added as if that would help her case.

“Do you want her back?”

“No!” She exclaimed, looking as if she’d been offended by the notion.

“Then what’s the point?! I get it, cheating is horrible. Hell, I’ve been cheated on. But that just means the relationship is done and it’s time to move on.” Callie reasoned but whatever she was saying fell on deaf ears. "I don’t understand why I’m even talking to you about this. But why can't it be Denise?”

"My ex has never seen you. And I have never completely dismissed the thought of dating you for real if you happened to you know, fall in love with me." Alex continued to explain as if her words weighed like a feather.

"What are you talking about?" The lines riddling her forehead were as deep as her confusion and she could not close her astonished mouth for the life of her.

She did, however, hear it. Alex was open to dating her. That did not cause Callie to jump up and down in glee. She was starting to despise her and her disregard for other people's feelings, including that of her own.

"Denise is my cousin, my ex knows that. She’s not really my cousin per se. My aunt married her uncle, so I am now related to him but not her but we’d like to think we are because we grew up together. But that's beside the point." Alex went on to explain but her explanation was not the one Callie needed.

If anything, she was even more perplexed by her behavior.

"Stop. Stop. Stop." Callie waved her hands in a wild gesture, desperately trying to get a grasp of the situation. She was on her feet then, looking to have an advantage in the whole situation and being at the same eye level as Alex was drowning her. "Have you slept at all? You should sleep. You don't sound sane."

"Semantics." Alex smirked and wiggling her brows, the innuendo serving to disgust Callie. “Come on! I did the thing to establish friendship or familiarity already. I made you lunch. I’ve slithered into your heart.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised at how crass you are after what happened this morning.”

“But you’ll do it, right?”

Perplexed, Callie grabbed her empty plate and proceeded to deposit it to the sink while ignoring the eyes that were glued on her figure. She needed to get out of there before she could stab someone with her fork.

“Thank you for the meal but I have to get going now.” She collected her purse and ambled her way to the door without acknowledging Alex’s suggestion. She just rounded the corner when her voice chased her and seeped into her bones, making her cringe.

"You didn't say no! You’re mine now! I’ll love you right, baby!”

Callie answered her by slamming door shut.

-

Alex[CB2] sprinted down the busy street, folding one sleeve of her dress shirt while hoping that her ponytail was tight enough not to let errant strands poke out. She was muttering a string of expletives, knowing she was already late and Mason, despite being her friend, would not let her get away with it. Business is business and she understood that. Her car would have brought her to work faster but she preferred walking.

She slept through her alarm, having only managed to get two hours of sleep. Alone in her room, with silence to keep her company, the reality of Felicity’s infidelity came crashing down on her. She sobbed into her pillow, her desperate grip forcing it against her chest. The void in her chest ached as if it was longing for that missing piece, the very one she was denying herself, and no matter how much she sucked air, she found it difficult to breathe.

Alex had long learned the lesson her mother should have.

She was never taking Felicity back, while her mother gave countless chances to her father, and in the end, he would never be hers.

She contemplated on calling Denise but ultimately decided against it. She didn’t want her to miss more work hours or get in trouble with her voice. She just hoped that her closet stifled her sobs and kept it from penetrating Callie’s room.

“You’re late.” Tim said with a chuckle from a few feet away.

“I know.”

“And you’re not supposed to come through here.”

“I know.” She heard him laughing before she could get a good look at him, swerving away from a teenage boy walking backwards as he spoke with his friends.

“I think you’ll like our new bartender. She’s pretty.” He tried to pull a smile from the bartender, completely oblivious to their living arrangements.

“I know!” Alex forced a grin to show her appreciation, winking at the man as she slipped into the club, into the noise, into the chaos, leaving him perplexed.

Red, purple and blue lights assaulted her vision and as she’d told Callie, there were only a few patrons in the club nursing drinks, and the circular dance floor was deserted. She breezed past the bar where she found Randy, his lanky frame difficult to miss and just like any other day, his short curls were kept in place with his dependable styling wax. Dread enveloped her like an ominous fog as she approached the little group Mason gathered in the back of the house, skidding to a stop next to Callie, whose brows were already stitched together, shooting her a questioning look but never said anything.

“I’m here! I’m here!” Alex panted, blinking her eyes to adjust to the bright light until Mason’s lean, muscular figure appeared before her.

“You’re late, Rivera.” He glowered at her, crossing his arms.

“I’m sorry, Sir.” She lowered her gaze, embarrassed.

Faint whispers could be heard from behind her, gossiping coworkers were nothing new but that did not mean Alex tolerated them. As far as she was concerned, they had their own lives to focus on. At least Callie had the decency to look away, patient as she waited for Mason to start with his pre-work briefing.

From the corner of her eye, Alex could see Felicity staring at her with that wounded look, trying to get a reaction from her. Instead of sympathy, she could feel fury rise again, reaching a dangerous boiling point and her humiliation was only adding fuel to the blaze when she noticed Marvin next to her, who looked far too pleased with himself.

“Anyway, we’re expecting a slow night and I might send a few of you home early.” Mason glanced at the waiters, pausing as they mumbled an acknowledgement. “In the meantime, I need you guys to polish the silverware and glasses. There’s a new sandwich the cook wants to try, please ask him about it.” He then nodded at Callie, lifting a hand to direct the room’s attention to her. “We’re welcoming our new bartender tonight. This is Callie, and you,” He eyed a startled Alex. “You’re going to train her and the rest of you are going to help make her job easier. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” They all said in unison.

“Alright. Go. Work hard.” He dismissed them with the wave of a hand.

Callie flinched when she felt a hand intertwining with her own, keeping her in place. She noticed how much colder it was than Colin’s. It was softer, gentler. She was thrown off by her thoughts but was confused as to why she didn’t yank her hand away.

“Come with me.” Alex said, leaving no room for argument, dragging her to the lockers.

“I didn’t agree to this.” Callie mumbled to herself.

Alex only let go of their hand when she fished for her vest in her knapsack, threw it over her shoulder and entered the combination on her padlock. She deposited everything in but the vest and turned to Callie, who had been watching her the entire time, curiosity, confusion, surprise swirling in her eyes.

“Where’s yours?” She asked, retrieving Callie’s purse from the locker she pointed to and moved it to hers. “You have to buy a padlock. Until then, my combination is six-two-four. Nothing meaningful. It’s part of a conditioner bar code. Pantene.”

Callie tried to speak but words were failing her. The next time she blinked, Alex had her vest on and was dragging her back out and into the bar. She was unconsciously holding onto her tighter, reciprocating Alex’s firm grip.

“Hey, Randy.” Alex regarded the guy serving a drink to one of the two patrons at the bar – a man engrossed in his phone, barely noticing the old-fashioned glass in front of him. “This is Callie, she’s going to be working with us.”

“Hey! Nice to meet you.” He wiped his hand on a clean rag and extended it, an easy-going smile on his friendly face, which put Callie at ease. “I’m Randy.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” She reciprocated, accepting his hand in a firm handshake.

“Am I training her?” He glanced at Alex who had just retrieved an apron from one of the drawers beneath the register. “Am I training you?”

“Nah. I’ll have to do it. You’re just about to leave.” Alex threw the extra apron over her shoulder and worked on tying the other around her waist, ignoring the groan she heard that amused Randy.

“I’ll be here if you have questions, Callie.” Randy patted her on the shoulder but his gaze was on the machine, feeding a sheet of paper detailing a new set of orders. “I better get that.”

Callie looked around the bar, admiring the assortment of liquors and spirits on a glass display that glowed red, propped up on the brick wall. Two registers sit on each end of the long curved counter, ornate pendant lights hang from the ceiling. A seamless blend of rustic and modern.

But Chug was known for its extensive craft beer collection, serving eighty local and international varieties on tap.

Her attention was stolen by an object flying before her eyes and then she felt it settle on her waist. It was the apron on Alex’s shoulder and the woman herself was securing it. The mental image of her roommate did not make sense to her. She was expecting Alex to lash out on the gossipmongers, and she was completely thrown off by what happened in the locker.

If it was part of the ruse, nobody was there to see it.

It didn’t make sense.

Behind her, Alex was grinning. Someone was watching them. It didn’t have to be Felicity. The news would reach her ears in no time.

Gossip had some sort of use after all.

“Hey, Alex. I had fun last night.”

Alex could feel the hairs on her spine rise at the grimace that tightened her muscles. When she didn’t see her during briefing, she hoped it was her day off but luck hadn’t been on her side in a long time, and what better time to start the ruse than now.

“At least one of us did.” She murmured under her breath but Callie heard her and swiveled to face the overexcited woman, whose elbows were on the counter, leaning close as if expecting a kiss. She felt no remorse as she watched her grin disappear when she uttered the next words. “This my girlfriend, Callie.”

“Since when?” Sandra asked in a feigned cheerful voice but the façade crumbled when Alex slung an arm over Callie’s shoulders and brought her close.

“This morning.” Alex retorted, too pleased with herself.

“But we just—”

“We have work to do.” She dismissed the woman and the perplexed expression sitting on her face, staring at her until she had no choice but to leave.

“Let me guess,” Callie said, a dry, monotonous tone as she glanced at Alex, who was already smirking at her. “It was her who licked all your lipstick off last night.”

“Jealous?”

“Sure.” She dismissed her, stepping away from her grip.

“You better be good.” Alex couldn’t help herself, she was challenged by the dull look on Callie’s face. She was losing the upper hand and she needed to take it back.

“You know what, this is why the last guy left. You like to pick fights.”

“We actually got along – we, as in he and I. Now we,” She gestured between the two of them. “As in you and I, do not.”

Callie decided to take the high road and end their banter but not even the high road could keep the groan that left her lips. She hadn’t even started working yet and she was mentally exhausted. They weren’t paying her enough to even exist in the bar with Alexis.

“Do you have a pen, a lighter and a bottle opener?” She asked, impatient as she waited for some sort of confirmation which came in a nod. “Good. You have to remember everything I will be teaching you today. I hate repeating myself.”

Alex seemed to be testing her, but Callie was not going to take the bait. Silently, she followed her around the bar Alex taught her where to find everything from bar tools to chilled glasses and rags. She gave her a copy of the list of cocktails they served and their corresponding prices, and a reminder to memorize as much as she can.

Alex then led her to the back and showed her the storage areas, the room where kegs and canisters attached to the tap and finally, the dreaded chiller. She’d been avoiding even looking at that section of the club but Alex never believed in dancing around anything, she liked to confront her demons and take away its power.

As far as she was concerned, she’d sanitized that place enough just hours ago.

She could still see them there, disheveled clothes, swollen lips and unfaithful hearts. She could still see the way Felicity tilted her head as Marvin devoured her neck, his hands roamed her body as if searching for something buried.

She could feel tears coming in the tightness of her chest, the soreness of her throat and that distinct prickle in her eyes.

But she couldn’t cry now.

Not in front of Callie.

“After service, we clean our workstations, top to bottom. Don’t worry about sweeping the floor. Somebody else will do that. Apart from the bar, we have to clean this chiller as well.” She motioned around the space, barely glancing at Callie to keep her from seeing her eyes. “Now this, we have to sweep and mop. The things you need like brooms and mops are right next to the employee bathroom. Questions?”

“No.”

“Okay. Follow me.” Alex had to keep herself from making a run for it, keeping her deep breaths subtle so as not to raise suspicion. She stopped in front of the dishwashers, briefly introducing Callie to them and led her to the stacked trays of freshly washed glasses. “This is the first thing I do whenever I get here. After I polish everything, I will check if there are things missing like lemon slices, cherries, mint leaves but usually, Randy keeps them full and they can be done when you’re not serving customers.”

She grabbed one tray and instructed for Callie to do the same. They returned to the bar, polishing them and storing them in appropriate places.

They worked side by side, Alex quietly watching her. She was mostly satisfied with what she saw, knowing full well repetition will solve Callie’s issue on efficiency.

When Alex stepped out, Randy approached Callie, who was picking mint leaves with delicate hands. He offered her a shot glass filled halfway with golden liquid. She hoped he didn’t see the alarm flash in her eyes but if he did, he assumed it was because they weren’t allowed to drink. The salt around the rim and the two lime wedges in his hand told her it wasn’t the spirit she feared it was.

“Patron. On me. To welcome you, and…it looks like you need it.” He gestured towards the passageway to the back with his head, referring to Alex, making Callie chuckle as she took the drink.

“Thanks.” She lifted the small glass, clinking it against his. “Cheers.”

She threw her head back, downing the shot and quickly sucked on the lime wedge, feeling the burn trickle down her throat and that familiar warmth coat her head.

“Are you really together?”

Callie thought about it for a moment. She needed to make a decision. Whatever she will decide to tell Randy would precede every other story she would divulge to her co-workers. A significant part of her hated the idea of playing Alex’s girlfriend. She couldn’t stand to be around her and it pained her to admit it wasn’t because of her tactless tongue.

The air around her was domineering, forceful and she could infuse poison in the oxygen Callie needed to survive.

But Callie was always kind-hearted that she could find a way to empathize with anyone, even the most evil of people. And the way Randy spoke about Alex and the way Denise looked at her, she couldn’t help but accept that her roommate was nothing but a victim of circumstance and she had no other way to cope with it.

“Yes.” She said with as much conviction her brittle voice could muster. “We’ve known each other a long time, we just decided to give it a try. She asked me to lunch. I agreed and I guess that means we’re dating.”

“Why is she—”

“She hates that I don’t put out. We’ve only been dating a few hours and I didn’t believe in consummating it that fast.” She hated that she had a ready response to the question and that she was thinking about someone else when she said that. “She wants to do that PDA bullshit, too.”

“At some point I get it after what she saw.” Randy offered her a sympathetic smile. “I don’t blame her for being angry. Just let her blow off some steam and everything will be peaceful. You only have to suffer for eight hours.”

“We live together since this morning. My lease was up.” Callie retorted, chuckling when Randy hissed as if he was burned. “It’s okay. We can’t only date the good side of a person. It’s a package deal somehow. Keeps the relationship interesting.”

“I guess I don’t have to convince you she’s a good person.” Randy tried again, resolute despite the smile that never left his lips. He was both surprised and relieved to hear Callie’s sentiments. He guessed he didn’t have to worry about Alex as much with her around. “She’s snarky but she’s a good person. Be patient with her.” As if he needed to remind her, catching Alex return from the corner of his eyes. “I have to get going. Welcome to Chug, Callie!” He left her with a grin and took the glasses and lime with him.

“Thanks, Randy.” Her eyes followed Randy’s retreating figure, blatantly ignoring Alex, who marched up to the small printer that was feeding a new order.

“Stop staring at him. He’s married and has kids.” Alex put on the most innocent smile, ripping the piece of paper and wagged it at an irritated Callie, beckoning her over. “Besides, I’m here. What more could you need?”

“Another bartender.”

Alex laughed like she heard the funniest joke, doubling over that she had to hold on to the work counter, completely unaware of the fond smile curving Callie’s lips. It was times like those, when Alex was not a spiteful brat that Callie could see her heart, it was tattered and torn but it was still there. She just needed help mending it.

They worked side by side, building four drinks. Alex was surprisingly a good teacher, patient and precise in her instructions and Callie was a fast learner, barely needing assistance.

But Alex would rather go mute than tell her. And Callie wouldn’t be caught dead admitting she was wrong.

“Whoa.” Callie breathed as she looked up from the last glass she set on the counter, a gin and tonic.

Approaching them was a woman whose eyes were an enthralling hazel, lips full and smeared a blood red. She was violating the dress code with the two buttons she left undone, showing off ample cleavage between two round hills. Her hips swayed with sinful grace carried by a steady stride, confident and powerful. And Callie did not miss the way they wavered when her gaze flitted sideways, to Alex.

It made sense.

Someone as beautiful as Alexis would find a woman like Felicity.

“I know.” Alex confirmed the question at the tip of Callie’s tongue, pain vibrating in her uncharacteristically quiet voice.

“That’s her?”

“Yeah.”

“It’ll be okay.” Callie assured her albeit the uncertainty but she could tell Alex didn’t believe her. “Randy asked if we were together.” Alex glanced at her, brows high and anticipating for her to go on. “I said yeah.”

“Kiss me.” Alex commanded, quick to recover from her shock at Callie’s admission. She wasn’t really going to accept no for an answer but it still surprised her she agreed. But what she was staring at wasn’t the solemn look Callie wore just seconds ago and if those brown eyes could bulge out any more, her eyeballs would have fallen. “Come on, it will sell this.”

Despite being scandalized, Callie’s gaze dropped to Alex’s lips, smooth and glossy, and delectable. It was as if her eyes had a mind of their own and convinced her tongue to poke out, tracing her bottom lip while the brain lodged in her skull was yelling for her to look away.

Ultimately, her mind won.

“No.” Callie said.

“Wait, hold on.” Alex paused for a moment looking for a diplomatic way to phrase her question but curiosity ran wild in her eyes while satisfaction at Callie’s hesitation flooded her conscious mind. “Are you…do you…gay?”

“What?” It was all she could say after opening and closing her mouth like a fish and nothing was coming out. She’d never been asked such a question and frankly, she’d never entertained the idea up until Alex’s ridiculous proposal that morning.

“From the way you reacted to my ex. You sounded…I don’t know…impressed like ‘I’d tap that’ instead of ‘aw, girl crush.’”

“I’m not.”

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Callie. You got me on your team.” There was that despicable grin again and Callie had four kinds of drink to throw to erase it. “I’m a little offended, though. Felicity over me?! Really, sweetheart?”

Defeated, Callie rolled her eyes

It was going to be a long night.