Lips of an angel

Five

Desperately needing to get away from the whirlwind of emotions running through me I turn away from Lola needing to put some space between us. Entering the bathroom I stand over the hand basin and stare wide eyed at the person looking back at me. Shock covers my features. Why did I just do that? Jo’s words rattle around in my head and I’m just grateful that she is not standing beside me right now because she would have a field day with this. How is it that just a few nights ago I had no reaction to someone fawning all over Nicole and watching someone hit on Lola I’ve hr exact opposite effect.

I attempt to pacify myself by putting it down to the fact that I trust Nicole implicitly. And perhaps I am also taking Nicole’s instruction to keep an eye on Lola a bit more seriously than required.

In attempt to avoid having to analyze this any further I decide to slip out of the bathroom and out of the club without anyone seeing me.

Only once I am in my hotel room do I fully relax. With relief I check my itinerary to find that my last seminar is first thing in the morning. Which means I head to the airport straight after that and avoid seeing Lola altogether.

Luckily I was able to postpone seeing Lola and Mia for just over a week. Thankfully it didn’t take much to convince to with . All I had to do was tell her how much I missed her, which wasn’t a complete lie. I genuinely did miss her. Probably not the way one should miss a lover. But i missed the companionship she gives me. But it wasn’t going to last forever. So tonight we are having dinner with Mia and Lola. We are having dinner at our place, Nicole is cooking and if you know Nicole at all you would know that cooking isn’t really her thing. But I am not in the mood for fighting so I am trying my best to be helpful.

"What time are Lola and Mia going to get here?” I ask as I set the table.

"They should be here in about ten minutes.” She replies as I try my best not to roll my eyes and silence my sigh. Straightening my back I brace myself for what is about to happen I'm not sure what is about to happen.

First some inexplicable reason dinner goes my without the major drama I had playing out in my head in numerous painstaking scenarios.

Clearing the table as we all assist in cleaning up after dinner I can’t help but feel as though I actually dodged a bullet. I drive when Nicole suggests that we all head to the lounge fora nightcap. It’s only after about an hour of easy conversation that I finally relax and let my guard down. About two bottles of wine later we are animatedly chatting about something when Lola insists that we play a drinking game which Mia and Nicole way to quickly agreed to do. Intense up as I realise I might be in trouble again.

“Really guys, I thought we were older than this “ my objections are ignored as shot glasses are lined up and we start playing. About ten embarrassing facts and s****l exploits being divulged from all including myself I find some relief that I haven’t upset Nicole. Preciously any delving into my past usually ends up with their being quite the upset. But this time I managed to avoid it all simply because it was being shared with another couple. Interesting fact details of my sordid past shared socially with other couples is simply an exchange of information. Yet me recount memories of my sordid past with Jo infront of my girlfriend is the kind of stuff that gets me in a six hour conversation about feelings and inevitably sleeping on the couch.

Mia and Nicole are passed out on the lounge floor. Lola and I are the only two survivors of her drinking came. It should go without saying that we are both drunk. Half leaning on the couch, I try and stay upright as Lola sits next to me.

"I knew a Lola once." I say taking a sip of the beer I am holding in my hand. A silly smile rests on my lips as long forgotten memories fill my head.

"Yeah?" The curly headed girl beside asks without looking at me.

"Yeah, I miss her." I say closing my eyes, seeing images of her run through my mind.

"She misses you too." With a smile on my face I allow my mind to drift off and before I know it, I am fast asleep.

By the time I wake up my hand is wrapped in something soft. My neck hurts and so does my butt. What the f**k was I doing? In a futile attempt I try and piece together exactly what happened, but give up. Trying to lift my hand, I feel it hit a snag. Opening my eyes I see Lola sleeping with her head resting in my lap and my hand in her hair. Mia and Nicole are in the exact same position I saw them in last night. Being extra careful I remove my hand from Lola's hair smiling at how soft it feels. Slipping a pillow under her head as I get up to head to the bathroom. Splashing my face with water, I decide to put on a pot of coffee and get some bacon going. I am pretty sure we are all going to need something to eat soon.

With the coffee going and the bacon in the pan, I decide to whip up some omelettes, trying my best not to wake anyone. Surprisingly my head doesn't hurt as bad as I thought it would.

"Hey." A soft voice comes from behind me. Turning around I see a sleepy face surrounded by wild curls. It all looks really cute. Mia is really lucky.

"Hey yourself. Want some coffee?" I ask as I already start pouring a cup. Switching off the stove as I finish off the last omelette and the bacon. I turn back to Lola.

"I am just going to take a quick shower, I will be out in a second." I say walking into our bedroom and shut the door behind me. Walking across the room I start stripping, by the time I reach the shower I am ready to jump in. The water feels amazing, so I decide to wash my hair as well. Desperate to get rid of any traces of all the alcohol I consumed. Exiting the shower I wrap a towel around me and allow my hair to drip down my back. Stepping into the room I see a lifeless form on our bed completed covered from head to foot with the blankets. Laughing I walk over to the bed and shake the form before walking over to the cupboard to grab some clothes.

"Nix, I don't think you can take a nap when we still have guests." Nicole barely moves, instead she just growls something inaudible. Standing in my underwear I pull on my tshirt and jeans. The shower really helped, perhaps I should get Nix to take one as well. Reaching under the blankets I grab hold of Nicole's foot, but she pulls it away quickly and giggles.

"Since when are you ticklish. Perhaps you should take a shower, I will keep the guests entertained." I say and walk back into the kitchen. Setting the table I see Mia stirring in the lounge. When she finally looks over at me, I show her the coffee pot and she smiles.

Joining me in the dining room she grabs a cup and slowly starts drinking it whilst holding onto her head.

"Should I wake her?" She asks and I wonder if she is actually awake.

"Who?" I ask as I continue setting the table.

"Nicole." She whispers still holding onto her head.

"She is up, she is in our room." I reply once again feeling grateful that I don't feel as bad as Mia looks.

"No, she's not. She is right there." Mia says pointing at the blonde on the floor. s**t! she is right.

"Then who the f**k is in my bed?" I say out loud.

"Oh that must be Lola, she always does that." Mia says and starts digging into the food.

"f**k, can you get her out of there, I don't think Nicole is going to take that too well." I say but Mia is too busy stuffing her face to care.

Putting on my brave face, I head into my bedroom, but the bed is empty.

"Lola?" I call out, but hear the shower just in time. Walking over to the bathroom door, I knock on it and call her again.

"Hey there. Took your advise. You are right, it feels amazing. Be out in a minute." I hear Lola call from the shower.

What the f**k. s**t! s**t! Wait. Why am I freaking out? I didn't do anything and Nicole invited these people here herself.

"I am gonna leave a towel out here for you." I say remembering I took the last one. Nicole always gives me s**t for doing that.

"The doors unlocked, bring it in." She says before I am out of earshot. Damnit! perhaps I should just ignore her. Standing at the door unsure of what to do, I decide to just shut my eyes and toss the towel in. Opening the door, I feel her hand on mine before I can drop the towel.

"Thanks." She says before I can leave. Freaked out by the exchange I shut the door as fast as I can and head back inside. Nicole is still passed out on the floor when I return. Feeling guilty I decide to pick her up and take her to bed.

As I walk into our room with Nicole in my arms Lola steps out of the shower wearing one of my tshirts and her jeans.

"Hope you don't mind, I grabbed one of Nix's tshirts. I will return it." She says not looking up yet.

"Its mine." I whisper as I place Nicole on the bed. But I am not sure why I am whispering, because I marching band could enter our room right now and Nicole would be none the wiser.

"You really are an amazing couple." Lola says from beside me.

"You're Lola aren’t you." I say staring at the brown haired girl beside me with the familiar eyes.

"Last time I checked." She says smiling up at me. Shaking my head, I try and formulate a sentence.

"No, I mean you’re my Lola?" I say and instantly regret it.

With a blush Lola drops her head and waits a beat before looking back up at me.

"Well I haven't been your Lola in a really long time, but yes Olly, it’s me."