can’t tell. She’s shaking her head as Mary saunters back into the apartment.
“Holy shit!” I bellow at Antonia, who’s now chewing on the side of her mouth. “What the fuck was that?”
“She is my blood, Gavin. I don’t know why you’re so surprised,” Antonia, tells me, trying to hide her laugh.
“Maybe I didn’t expect it for the fact that she looks like a priest’s daughter? But hell, she talks like a trucker!”
She begins to laugh loud then she starts bouncing up and down and crossing her legs. “Oh crap! I need the toilet!” She laughs and runs into her apartment. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her genuine laugh and it gives me hope that maybe she’s healing.
I take that opportunity to escape the outspoken Mary and see how the deliverymen are getting on.
The apartment looks fantastic. It’s the same layout as Gaby’s. Same neutral colors and flooring, but none of the cushions and frilly shit that hers has. My pictures of my favorite classic cars have been fixed to the wall along the hallway, and Aidan’s collection of guitars adorns the far wall in the living space. The two leather lazy boys are placed in front of the sixty inches of flat screen
“It looks great!” Antonia calls from behind me, startling me.
A grin creeps across my face. “Yeah. I’m happy with it.”
“So I just wanted to clarify, when Mary said girls talk, I haven’t said anything about your little pal having rot.” She stifles a laugh while pointing to my crotch. “Gaby came in talking shit about Julie one night when I had Mary on speakerphone.”
I pull her into a hug. “Don’t sweat it. It’s probably best she thinks the worst of me anyway.”
She sighs into my chest. “I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, Gavin. You don’t give yourself enough credit. For the record, I wasn’t going to say stay away from Mary, I was going to say she’s looking to go to school here, so maybe you could take her to the club one night. Show her around, help her meet some friends.”
I kiss her forehead. “Thanks, and of course I can do that, if she would want to after that little outburst.”
“Yeah, she can say things without thinking first, a bit like someone else I know. So, I’m nipping out for a bit. Will you be around later?” she asks.
“Maybe. Depends on what time you’re back because I have work.” I smile.
“Okay, well I might see you later then.” I see her into the lift and go back to the apartment.
When all the deliveries are finally set up, the whole day has been and gone. I take a quick shower and slip on my grey suit and loafers before checking my appearance in the mirror.
I’m glad to see the bags under my eyes from my late nights have disappeared, and the blue of my eyes is looking clearer again after laying off the heavy drinking these past weeks.
My blonde hair is styled neatly in place, giving me the professional look I’m going for. My friends rag on me sometimes for being so formal, but just because I run a club, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be smart. My clothes represent my business and me. I’m proud of the club. It’s very successful and high-end, the kind of business my father never thought I could get off the ground. He was wrong to doubt me. He’s always been wrong about my brother and me.
I go over to Antonia’s to write out a quick note just in case she’s not in, telling her that Aidan will be picking up the keys later from her, so to leave her door open if she goes to bed. She tends to do this anyway so she and Gaby can go back and forth.
I knock then open her front door and call out for her. Mary looks over at me from the couch.
“She’s taking a bath.”
“Okay, well I’m leaving my spare key on here with a note.”
She looks over at where I set the keys down. “Okay, sure. I’ll let her know.”
I nod my thanks and then walk over to her. “Listen, Mary, I think we got off on the wrong foot.”
She stands, and I notice she’s no longer wearing braids. Her hair is flowing in waves down her back, all the way to her waist. It has light honey streaks through it. She looks a lot like Antonia with her hair loose.
She turns and walks towards me. She’s shed