Mia was quieter than usual the whole evening, and I totally understood why. I felt weird about it, too. I mean, out of all the 330 million people in America, what were the odds that her best friend would meet her ex best friend at some random place and start dating? I'd say slim to none. But Benjamin was head over heels for Gabby and vice versa, and Mia did her best to accept that.
"Are you okay, babe?" I asked, after we'd curled up in bed like we used to. She sighed.
"Honestly?"
I hummed a reply, and kissed her cheek.
"I don't know. I don't know what to feel about it. I was finally starting to get used to my life without her, and now it all comes back. All our memories. Our childhood, you know? The time before our friendship got ruined?"
She paused for a moment.
"It's so strange. Not only having her around, but to see how enthralled Benjamin is with her."
"And her with him, too," I added, and Mia nodded. I didn't know Gabby other than from the two times we'd met, and the impression I had was most likely not very representative. Still, I couldn't help but to notice the long glances she sent Benny, and the way she beamed toward him when he smiled at her. They were a cute couple.
"It's so hard to forget. That night..."
I tried to stop her from going there, but I guess she needed to talk about it. I didn't. I just wanted to pretend it never happened.
"I can't believe how dumb I was."
"Dumb?" I frowned.
"Yeah? I could at least have said no. But it was like I just watched it from the outside, you know? I watched it happen, and I didn't have any say in it."
I was about to object, but she beat me to it.
"And it wasn't because I was afraid you wouldn't listen. And Gabby... She'd probably stopped if I punched her hard enough."
I tried not to giggle.
"She's always been like that. Head strong and impulsive. But she usually listened when I punched her hard enough. Only, this time I didn't really give her a chance. I was just too overwhelmed, I guess."
"Of course you were, babe. It was your first time. A lady's first time should definitely not be a threesome," I said and hugged her with one arm. Then I kissed her forehead. "And I don't think I can explain how much I regret what happened."
"Yeah. Me too," she mumbled. Then she sighed and looked into my eyes. "But it's not your fault. And it's not Gabby's fault. Not my fault, either. It was just a result of really bad judgment combined with alcohol."
I didn't protest.
"But I need to know something, Michael. Did you know about it?"
Her brown irises scanned every thought, every feeling and every single ion of my being, when she asked.
"Know what?"
"Did you know that Gabby was Benny's girlfriend? I mean, you two seem to talk a lot more than what I was aware of, so maybe..."
"No. Honestly, Mia. I didn't know. Do you really think I'd knowingly invite someone who would bring back unwanted memories, and potentially ruin everything we've built up? No way. Not now, not ever. We've come too far. I wouldn't risk that for anything."
Mia smiled in a way that made me kiss her again. On the nose, this time.
"We've done a pretty good job getting our relationship back to where it was supposed to be from the beginning, don't you think?"
"Yeah," she smiled and cuddled even closer to me, to really show that she agreed.
"The many hours we spoke on the phone. All the texts. The thoughts and the wishes for the future..."
I drifted off for a moment, delving in the feelings of how things were back then. It was all so new and exciting. And now? It was way better than I could have hoped for.
"It took a lot of work to make things right again, but I think we managed pretty well. And we still have years to come to raise the bar."
"How is that even possible?" she asked, and my heart bloomed, having it confirmed that she felt the same way as me. Nevertheless, I knew we would come to different stages later that probably would top this time and time again. I was looking forward to that.
"So, your friendship with Gabby...?"
I could almost see her churning thoughts as they flashed through her expressive eyes. It started as a vague glimpse that spread to her lips, and a shadow of a smile grew wider and wider.
"Definitely something that needs to be worked on. But I know that in the end the bitch is worth it."
I giggled with her. The verbal jargon between the two of them was definitely something I needed time to get used to.
"The bitch is worth it," I reiterated with a chuckle. Then we laid in silence for a few minutes, while Mia kept drawing circles on my chest.
"Further down," I murmured, and noticed how a certain part of me was coming to life. And Mia did circle lower on my stomach a couple of times, just to tease. Only she didn't continue the way I hoped.
"We're not doing any of that as long as they are in the same house," she reasoned, hinting to Dickhead and Gabby.
"Awe, why not? They're probably down the hall doing the exact same thing right now."
"They're not!"
"Wanna bet?" I challenged. I was getting hornier by the second.
"I know Gabby probably wouldn't hesitate, but I think Benjamin would..."
"Oh, really?" I snorted. "Did you see him down there? He was in the bathroom three times jerking off thinking about you and Gabby making out, naked."
Mia blushed and hid her face.
"That's gonna haunt me forever, isn't it?"
I shrugged.
"I mean, it's one of the hottest things I've seen too."
"One of them?"
I growled, assuming that I finally had turned her on too.
"You bent in all directions in the shower is the definite top notch," I smirked, and chuckled when Mia slapped her hands over her face in pure embarrassment.
"Oh, yes. Harder," I joked, but she just rolled her eyes and laid back down. Then she continued to draw those damned circles on my chest.
"Wrong place. Down there," I murmured and moved her hand to my dick.
"I told you we're not going to have sex as long as they are a couple of doors down."
I whined and pouted.
"Argh, come on. At least talk dirty to me. Tell me what you want to do with my cock. Tell me that you want it in your p..."
"You know I'm not good at talking like that," she interrupted.
"But that's what makes it even hotter. Because it comes from you. And you know I love your filthy mouth."
She sniffed out in the air and shook her head, as if verbal protests weren't enough.
"Please? A little handjob?"
All I received was a glare, and I knew I'd lost my case. Still, I had to try one last time.
"A makeout session so I can go finish in the bathroom like the horn dog I am?"
"Go to sleep," she huffed, and I couldn't help but to laugh. I adored her when she was all flustered and bothered. It made me want to continue. I didn't, though. I knew her well enough to know when enough was enough. So I cursed at my erection and closed my eyes.
"You better be ready at noon, then," I mumbled into her hair. "I'll take a break from the studio, and Dickhead will be out haunting for jobs together with his girlfriend. Any excuse you might have won't count."
Mia didn't answer, but I could feel her smile against my shoulder.
"I love you," I said and kissed her goodnight.
"I love you more," she whispered back.
"That's my line."
"No, it's not."
"It is."
"Not."
<><><>
"I love this kitchen," mom praised, while swirling around between cabinets, drawers and kettles. Her, dad and DeeVana had come to visit at Neverland to celebrate my new job, and tonight they were going to meet Michael's parents and most of his siblings.
"At first I thought it was way too big, but I think I actually might need a little talk with your father about expanding ours at home."
I made a face and rolled my eyes.
"Now that I've moved out and DeeVana's hanging out with that bartender of hers, you're building a bigger kitchen? Dad's gonna weigh four hundred pounds within the next year!"
"No, he's not. We do have a social life, if you didn't notice."
She was right. I didn't.
"We have a bunch of friends to invite. And our new neighbor is a true sweetheart."
Hm. A new neighbor? I didn't know that either.
"But cooking dinner for our family, Gabby, Benjamin and the whole Jackson family is by far my biggest challenge. Gosh, I'm so nervous."
"You're doing fine, mom. They're just people, after all. Even Jermaine. Don't hold his hairdo against him."
She chuckled. Then she yelped when the vegetables started boiling, and the water splattered all over the stove.
"Hey, y'all. What's cooking?" we heard behind us. I was too busy stirring the gravy, while mom tried to wipe up her mess, but both of us knew it was Gabby. She grabbed a piece of salad and munched on it. "Is it your famous curry roast? It smells delicious."
"You know it," I smiled. It felt good to have all my closest people gathered for once. Michael's family included.
"I'm so happy you two are friends again," mom said, and sent both of us happy glances in turn. I gulped. I knew what was coming. The most dreaded question that I had avoided the hardest I could.
"Why were you even angry at each other?"
"Son of a bitch!" I exclaimed, when I managed to burn my finger on the pot I was stirring. But Gabby seemed completely cool.
"Ah, you know. People get hammered and horny, and end up having threesomes in random hotel rooms and shit. Nothing unusual."
What followed was awkward silence where I prayed to God the almighty that a plane would crash through the roof and kill me on the spot. Of course, I wasn't that lucky. However, mom started to laugh, first nervously, before it escalated to her sounding borderline hysterical.
"I always liked your humor, Gabriella."
"Yeah..." Gabby snickered, and I shoved the gravy to the side before I pushed Gabby out of the kitchen. Murdering her with my glare wasn't enough. Maybe I should try strangling her?
"Out of all things, you had to actually tell her the truth?!" I hissed when we were out of hearing range.
"Duh. It was the least thing she would believe was the truth."
I thought about it for a moment, before I realized that she was right.
"You know... You're annoyingly smart sometimes," I mumbled, and she smirked like the crazy person that she was.
"Yeah, but you love me."
I pursed my lips and squinted at her.
"Unfortunately, I do."
Because, when it all comes to the end, you'll get through the wildest things if you really love someone.
Even failed threesomes.
<><><>
❤️ THE END ❤️