Hazel Pierce

love. Its the one that reminds me of…Mother. I squeeze my eyes shut for a few seconds, forcing her out of my mind. – ”Have fun. Ill talk to you about this when Im ready. ”……

Faye doesn let me respond to whatever that means before she drags me to her town car, throwing me in. Her driver has us out there seconds later. Lens last words…was…ominous. Hes going to make me suffer for this…I suppose I can complain…since Fayes my friend…I sigh, resting against the seat. First Noah, then Faye…Im too buzzed for all of the drama.

The entire car ride to the outskirts of the city was silent. Faye is stewing… I wonder how much of our exchange she watched before making her presence known. Lens stuff…I keep to myself mainly because Ive been taught to. Some of Mothers lessons made more sense than others. The other side would be…I don feel Faye would understand…my different way of thinking on the subject.

When we get inside Fayes house, we shower, then crash into her bed for the night. Come morning, Im nursing a baby hangover. Its not terribly dire since I switched to beer last night. The things that have me a little eh are the chunks of memories I can remember. On one side, Im glad, but on the other hand, I don know what really went on, but I know my heart had a lot of excitement.

Faye and I lounge in her living room on an oversize sofa. She has her back against the arm of the chair, with her legs between mine. Im stretched out on the other end, lying flat on my back, with my ankles on both sides of her thighs. Something low is playing on the TV but not entertaining enough for me to look. I have my eyes closed, hidden behind the darkest oversized pair of shades I own. Fayes eyes I can feel on me in that scrutinizing way. We haven talked about anything yet, but I feel it coming.

”How was your trip? ”.

She pokes my inner thigh with her toe. ”Fine. ” – I can feel it when she crosses her legs at the ankles. – ”What the hell did I walk up on last night? ”.

I knew it was coming…and Im still not prepared to answer. My thumb is already moving against my middle finger. I have to tread this carefully. ”Nothing…I don think. ”.

Faye sighs or groans…mumbles something. ”Hazey, that wasn nothing. Why would you look so terrified of your boyfriend? I never liked that little shit, and if he –

”Nothing Faye, I promise. ”.

I can practically hear her grinding her teeth. ”Then what was that, Hazel. I know when you
e trying to sell me bullshit. Certain things I let go because of your past, but he isn one of them. ”.

Fayes tamed rage…sparks my…guilt. My brain won allow me to tell her what she wants to hear. ”You remember the things I can do? ”.

”Yeah. ”.

”Okay, so, its like this, Im in a relationship with Len. Anything relating to it, its like… ” – I pause for a moment thinking for the right word. – ”A nondisclosure agreement. ”. The silence that comes after is stifling. Im not sure if Im hurting her…again. Its my least favorite thing to do.

”Okay. ” – Faye shifts around before I can feel her crawling up my body. – ”Ill let it go for now because I know how you get when you
e drinking, but if I see that look in your eyes again, Im putting the little shit in the hospital. ”.

This violent model makes me smile, but I don respond to that…I just didn mean to upset him last night. ”I…we were drinking at the party together…. I got a little wild, and you know how he takes that. ”.

Faye lays against me, resting her head on my chest. ”If you turned back into that hoe in front of him, then I can understand why you need to talk. ”.

I grin. ”Why do you always have to bring that up? Its been four years since Ive been that way. ”.

Faye makes a sound, disagreeing. ”More like three, to be specific. That year you called yourself dating was just hoeing in a different way. ”.

I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her as I kiss the top of her head. ”All in the past. Im a full-time committed woman now. ”.

Faye grunts. ”Don remind me. ” – Something jolts through her, and she rolls on top of me…vibrating. – ”Spencer and Carla, give me the deets! ”.

I open my eyes to see that perfect smile, as my lips mirror it. ”They
e something. ”.

Faye wiggles. ”Give me deets, Haze, not this bland shit. ”.

I would have never thought she was a model with a mouth like that…she pinches my cheek. ”Faaaye! ” – I rub it pushing her off me as I roll to my side. – ”They
e great. Carla reminds me of you, just a bit more muscular…and hyper. Spencer is a fashion icon for himself alone, but the man is the mere definition of condescending. ”.

”I got that from his tone. ” – Somehow, Faye has enough room to kneel next to me on the sofa. – ”What about the others? I know you said before you worked with a team. Are they…nice to you? ”.

I have to smile at that. They aren exactly likable, but they aren those types that plague my memory. ”Lets say they aren terrible. Its like they
e unique and quirky. I…haven gotten freaked out by them. ”. I have to think about that last bit for a minute. Its true. Tessa, Carla, Spencer, Perry, and Dave haven triggered any warning bells yet. They know when to push the gas with me or ease on the breaks. Unfortunately, Noah comes to mind…and now I feel guilty again for hiding him from Faye…..

She narrows her eyes….. ”I can tell youve been tired, but get ready. ”.

”For what…… Its like 11am. ”.

”Right, and by 1, we
e leaving. Mama needs to do some shopping before we hit the clubs. ”…..

I whine. ”Faaayyye, you just got back. ”.

”Hazel, if you start pouting, if God so helps me, Ill pinch you somewhere unpleasant. ”.

I suck my lip in. ”You do know Im two years older than you, right? I don have that energy of a young girl. ”…

Faye looks at me like thats the dumbest thing Ive ever said. ”One, Haze, you
e only twenty-five. Two, Im twenty-three, so stop trying to make it seem like you
e some ancient woman. ” – Faye shivers before disgust fills her features. – ”God, that reminded me of that piece of shit that used to hang around you. ”….

That is how Faye refers to Noah. I make a beeline off the couch. If she watches me long enough, shell pick up that Im hiding something. ”Well, lets start getting ready. ”. Im surprised she let me escape so easily.

”Theres my rich wing-woman hoe, definitely hiding something Sister! ”….

I let Faye have that as I rush to the bathroom. No comment is the best comment.