The Thorne in My Side

Chapter 3 - Dickie

20th June- 11:00 pm

The strong smell of expensive alcohol and a thousand Cuban cigars almost knock me down as I push through the gilded entrance of ‘The Young Royals’, the exclusive clubs that my friends and I have been a part of ever since we became influential in this city. The familiar scent of a vast array of expensive cologne and polished oak wood greets me.

"Good evening, Mr. Thorne. Welcome back." a loud and enthusiastic chorus of concierges with their perfectly curated and practiced smiles chirps from the reception. "Your party's reserved on the private rooftop lounge."

I nod curtly, a forced smile tugging at the corners of my lips. They recognize me, of course, they do. Why won't they? I'm not just one of their biggest patrons and yes, the guys and I give them more business than three-quarters of the members put together but maybe because my face is plastered all over billboards and magazines in the city.

It's not easy, being one of only a few 30-year-old billionaires in the city and dare I say, in the country. There's too much pressure on us but when we're here, everything gets lost in the background. It's our solace, our home away from home.

As I walk the distance of the plush-carpeted hallways, the soft but meticulous footfalls of my brazen steps seem to echo the hollowness within my soul. For some reason, I feel rather restless today.

I get to the rooftop and a violent wave of bright lights assaults me. I had forgotten just how chirpy this place was. Now normally I wouldn't mind but I really am not in the mood today. I have a headache that's been plaguing me since morning.

There, nestled in the plush booth, just beside the pool, sit my two best friends - Liam, the heir to a Fortune 200 empire in advertising, mining, and petroleum amongst other things, and who also happens to be a perpetual playboy and Jamie, ever the optimist and a whiz kid at investments. The three of us have been friends since college and somehow we’ve managed to not just stay in touch throughout the years but to maintain a solid relationship.

Both wear matching expressions – a mix of concern and exasperation that tells me that they're not pleased with my keeping them waiting.

"I'm so sorry, guys," I blurt out as soon as I see them, my voice laced with a rare vulnerability as I run a hand through my slightly wet hair. "I had a meeting with some potential investors and I completely lost track of time.”

Liam, known mostly for his easy going but sarcastic nature, merely shrugs. “Again.” Jamie, who is the pacifier and the oldest of us three by a margin of 4 and 5 years respectively, says, "No problem, man. We're used to this side of you."

"And what side is that?" I raise an eyebrow, a flicker of annoyance and exasperation battling with the exhaustion in my eyes.

Liam counters, a hint of bitterness clinging to his tone, "The one that always shows up late, or comes up with one excuse or the other not to show up at all."

I'm taken aback by this accusation. Yes, I’ve been late to our meetings a couple of times and I have flaked out on them in the past year more times than I can count on one hand but I didn't know they felt this way, I thought they were okay with my not being there. I assumed they understood because I had gotten so caught up in my own affairs that I failed to acknowledge my friend's feelings and that's on me but I don't feel like apologizing so I bristle.

"Well, I work hard, sue me."

"And so do we, bro," Liam chimes in, his voice calm despite the tension thickening the air. "And yet we still find time to catch up once in a while, be there for each other, especially when one of us is going through something."

Jamie plants a warning look at Liam, his jaw clenching. "Stop it, man, he's here now."

My gaze darts between them both, confusion etched on my face. "What are you talking about? What's going on?"

The question hangs heavy in the air, punctuated by the distant clinking of champagne glasses and the murmur of indecipherable conversations somewhere around us. Finally, Jamie sighs, his shoulders slumping.

"It's Leah, man," he mutters, his voice barely a whisper. "She's been having an affair. "

The revelation crashes into me like a rogue wave. Leah, the vibrant, life-of-the-party Leah, the only one whom Jamie has loved more than any other woman betrays him like this. Breaking his heart and ruining him forever for all women. It's unfathomable. Jamie is the epitome of a good guy; He absolutely doesn't deserve this. He's the best of all of us.

“I really don't understand what's happening man, I thought you guys were good," I say to no one in particular. “What happened? How did you find out?”

“I suspected something was going on and I hired a private investigator to follow her, he showed me the pictures today." That's all Jamie can manage to choke out and I know that he's hurting so much because he really loves Leah. She was the first woman he ever connected with and they'd been together for the longest time.

I just wish there was a way that I could make him not feel all of that pain because if I know him well and I do, he’s feeling absolutely like hell but he won't want to show it. He’ll want to put on a brave front and try to convince us that he's doing well when in reality he's just every bit as miserable.

“Were you guys having problems?” I ask Jamie who just shrugs his shoulders. " Were they having problems?” I ask Liam who sends a scowl my way

"Why do you just assume that I’ll know the answer to that question?”

“Because he’s your best friend.”

“He’s your best friend too, I don't see you jumping at the chance to provide us with answers here.”

“Hey man, what the f**k is your problem this evening? I really have had a shitty day. Do not add to it, please.”

“And the rest of us have had what? A splendid rainbow-filled day? As always, Dickie, it's all about you. You’ve managed to turn a situation that's completely out of context to solicit some goodwill in your case instead of taking responsibility for your actions. You're a level one narcissist, man, and if you're here trying to look pitiful, I suggest you try some other place because I have none to offer you at this time.”

“Okay, man. I don't understand what the problem is with you this evening but I will not be indulging.”

“All I’m saying is if he was really your best friend, you would know if he and his fiance were having problems and it wouldn't be the first thing you bring up when you hear that they split up because she cheated on him.”

“f**k you, man”

“f**k you too Dickie n, I'm sick of your bullshit.”

We are so busy engrossed in our own drama that we’ve failed to notice that the friend we’re having this whole argument about has slowly slunk back into his seat and is no longer speaking. Liam was right. Maybe I do get a tad bit self-centered.

Guilt washes over me in a wave hotter than any desert sun he'd encountered on his business trips. Here I was, droning on about work as usual, oblivious to the huge problem that Jamie was having to deal with on his own. Shame floods my cheeks, burning away the remnants of his forced smile.

“Guy, guys. Enough, please. Let's get wasted. You guys can fight over who loves me more later." Jamie says, earning a burst of laughter from both Liam and me and defusing the tension significantly.

After throwing back a few glasses of tequila, our inhibitions melt away and our tongues begin to speak quite freely.

"Guys," I begin, my voice thick with remorse. "I... I'm so sorry. I had no idea what was happening, Jamie. And Liam, I’m sorry I'm such an asshole, I'm trying to be better, believe me.”

Liam places a hand on my shoulder, a silent reassurance. "It's alright, man. We just wanted you here."

But it's not alright. Not when Jamie is drowning in that cesspool that is called heartbreak and all I can offer is some rather belated but drink-induced apology. I need to make it up to me, to him but how to go about doing that, I have absolutely no idea.

I don't know what else to do so I get up and charge the person minding the bar to keep the drinks coming because alcohol may not help solve our problems but it's worth a shot and hopefully, it will keep us from wallowing.

We sit and drink in silence for a few minutes and then Liam suggests that we go downstairs to the club area and join the party, a ridiculous proposition to which we reluctantly agree.

And that's when I see her, a sight for sore eyes. Her skin, the color of warm caramel, glows with a healthy sheen under the flashing lights. The little black dress she's wearing clings to her curves in a way that both flatters and ignites, its sharp and cutting hue making her the center of attention – even in this sea of swirling and sweating bodies. Her hair, a cascade of rich, dark curls, bounces with each confident step she takes, and a smile that can melt ice plays on her lips. For a moment, the music fades, the throng of dancers recedes, and it's only me and this breathtaking woman- a vision in black.