Cupid
December 23rd
“What the hell do you mean she was here?” I bellowed at Angel as she stood in front of me at the bar.
“She came to see you last night. But she walked in to see your hands over Star. What the hell was that all about? What the hell happened to what you said to me last week? About making her yours? And what did I say about you not hurting her?” I let Angel get out everything that she needed to say.
“I don’t understand. I pushed Star away. She wanted to dance for me on stage and I said no.”
“Well, Candy walked in and saw your hands on her. Why would she say that if it didn’t happen?”
“Shit.” I ran my hand over my face and nearly dislodged my beard. “Star came over and asked me to join her on stage. I said no. She grabbed my hand and ran it over her body, spouting off some shit about her skin being soft. I pushed her away and said there was only one person I was interested in.”
“Fuck. Do you realise what you’ve done? You’ve ripped her heart out. She was always the one telling me not to give up on love, that it really exists and when you find the right person life will be great. You.” She poked me in the chest. “You were that person for her. She fell head over heels in love with you and you hurt her.”
“Angel, please,” I pleaded. “I love her too. I’m in love with her. I’ve never cheated on her. I’ve not kissed or slept with anyone else since December first. She’s it for me. You have to tell me her name and give me her number.”
“No. No way. It’s against the rules and besides, I don’t even know if she wants to see you.”
“Fine, I’ll give you my number.”
“No, Cupid. Let me talk to her. If she wants to see you, after tomorrow I’ll find a way to get you two together, ok?”
“Thank you. I owe you big time.”
“You promise me that it was all innocent? Don’t you dare fucking lie to me. I’ll cut your balls off if I hear anything different.”
“I promise. I swear on Candy’s life. She’s my world. She’s all I need.”
“Ok. Leave it with me. She’s not coming in tonight. So just go home before you get into anymore trouble.”
“I’m out of here. Thanks, Angel.” I kissed her on the cheek before I headed down the hall and out of the exit the guys had to use.
Eve
I looked at the time on my laptop to see it was nearly midnight, who the hell was banging on my door at this time of night? I clicked save on my document and climbed to my feet. I slouched my way over to the door and peered through the peephole to see Ruby standing there in her Santa outfit.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as I let her in.
“What have you been doing? You look like shit.”
“Yeah, thanks for that.” I sighed as I tried and flatten my hair down. Ruby went and sat herself down on my sofa as I headed back into my office. I was in the middle of a chapter and I hated leaving it like that.
She came in after five minutes, I didn’t look up from my laptop as I let my fingers fly over the keyboard.
“When did you start writing this?” She asked before flopping onto the small pull out sofa bed.
“The day Cupid broke my heart.”
“Shit, that was three days ago and you’ve already written thirty five thousand words?”
“Yep. I had to keep busy. Brad in this book is so hot. You’re going to love him.”
“Eve?”
“Yeah?”
“Please can you stop typing for two minutes so I can talk to you.”
“Let me just finish this chapter.” Ruby sat back on the small sofa and began scrolling through her phone. “Ok, done.” I hit save again before closing the lid down.
“I spoke to Cupid tonight.”
“What? You’re my best friend. You’re meant to be on my side.” I shouted as I climbed to my feet and stormed out of the office.
“Eve, I’m on the side that makes you happy again. What you saw was all wrong.”
“So I just imagined seeing his hands all over another woman?”
“No, you didn’t imagine it. But it wasn’t what you thought. He was telling her no and pushing her away. Look.”
She shoved her phone in my face and someone had posted on the Santa Land facebook page saying ‘He rejected me for Candy. What a joke’. I started shaking and more tears escaped. I hadn’t cried all day until now.
“Come and sit down.” She led me to the sofa and explained everything that Cupid had told her.
“He loves me?” I asked in disbelief.
“Yes, of course he does. And you love him.”
“I do love him,” I admitted.
“Then you have to go back tomorrow night and get your man.”
“I threw my mask and hat away.”
“Take mine,” she said as she handed it over.
“What about your last night and the dance routine?”
“I was going to give it a miss anyway, I haven’t been feeling too well lately.”
“Oh? What’s wrong?”
“Just feel a bit sick and dizzy. That’s all. I’ll be fine. You go and claim your man and then come back and tell me all about it. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
“Thanks Ruby, you’re the best.” I pulled her in for a hug but she bypassed it as she held her hand over her mouth and ran for the bathroom. I ran after her and gathered her hair up as she threw up. “Too much to drink tonight?” I laughed.
“I didn’t drink tonight.” She answered once she had stopped being sick. I ran a washcloth under the tap and handed it to her. “Thanks.”
“Why don’t you stay the night?” I offered.
“What if I make you sick?”
“I’ll be fine.” She smiled her gratitude at me as I helped her off the floor and into bed.