Piper stifled a yawn; she hadn't slept well the night before tossing and turning. For hours she had laid awake thinking about Alex, Larry and what she was doing with them both. Piper couldn't figure out her thought process but she felt guilty when she was with Larry, and felt like she was betraying Alex. Which is ridiculous she thought me and Larry have been together for seven year! Piper tied to put it down to Alex been her first love and to the fact that they were back in contact and getting reacquainted with each other again, she couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal though even after spending hours of reasoning with herself over her thinking.
"I'm sorry are we boring you?" Polly asked Piper sarcastically seeing her friend trying to hide yet another yawn.
"No. I'm just a little tired" Piper explained.
"Pipes went out with the girls last night" Larry told Polly.
Piper snapped her head around to glare at Larry, who was sat beside her at Polly's dining table, Larry smiled back at Piper innocently.
"You went out last night and you didn't invite me?" Polly asked offended.
"Poll it was a few drinks, I was home before twelve"
"But you usually invite me because you can't stand how…" Polly stopped talking and looked at Piper.
Piper squirmed in her seat under her friend's probing gaze. She knows Piper thought. Pete and Larry looked at their partners who were sat across from each other at the table, one glaring the other staring at the empty plate in front of her.
"Who did you go out with?" Polly asked innocently.
"Oh you know the usual"
"Like?" Piper glanced at Polly knowing she wasn't going to drop subject.
"Lisa" Piper replied.
"Mm who else?" Piper chuckled nervously, running through a list of names of her colleagues in her head.
"Margret"
"Oh Margret who's leaving party we went to two months ago?" Polly enquired.
"No a new Margret" Piper said, erratically looking around the table at the others.
"You've not mentioned a new Margret" Larry said confused.
Piper turned to Larry her mouth slightly open.
"She replaced the erm the old Margret"
"What a coincidence!" Polly said slamming her hands onto the top of the table making everyone jump in their seats and the cutlery scatter on the table.
"… Yes erm it is" Piper stammered.
Polly stood up from her chair and started to collect the dirty dishes from the table, banging them loudly on top of each other. Pete stood to help Polly clear the table.
"No Pete" Polly said waving him away.
"Piper's helping me today" Piper shot a look at her friend who stared back and handed the dishes she were holding to Piper.
Piper took the dishes and walked into the kitchen leaving behind Pete and Larry talking and Polly gathering the rest of the knives and forks. Once in the kitchen Piper placed the plates carefully on the kitchen counter and drew in a deep breath, she waited for Polly to join her. Polly stormed into her kitchen and threw the cutlery she was holding into the sink, she whirled around and faced Piper who was staring down at the plates she had carried.
"You were with her weren't you?" Polly snapped at Piper.
Piper sighed and slowly nodded her head.
"What the fuck Piper! You said you were going to get rid of her!" Piper's head shot round towards Polly her eyes burning with a reigned anger.
"No Polly you said I should, I didn't say I would!" Polly gawked at her friend sensing a sudden change in her.
"Have you slept with her?" Polly asked.
Piper pushed away from the kitchen counter and ran her fingers through her blonde hair. When she looked at Polly she had tears in her eyes, she didn't have to say anything to Polly because she knew Polly already knew the answer to her question.
"Fuck" Polly said quietly.
Polly looked at her friend and saw a battle of emotions run across her face.
"What you are doing is wrong Piper" Polly stated not understanding what was going on with her friend.
Piper sucked in a deep breath at the tears she had been holding in cascaded down her cheeks.
"It doesn't feel wrong" Piper whispered.
Polly opened her mouth to talk but Piper continued.
"Been with her doesn't feel wrong" she said shaking her head as more tears fell.
Polly walked over to Piper and rubbed her hands up and down Piper's arms soothingly.
"Pipes…" Polly shook her head not knowing what to say, she brought Piper into her for a hug she held onto the back of Piper's head and stroked her hair gently as Piper continued to cry.
Piper pulled gently away and smiled weakly at her friend, she pushed her hair behind her ears and stood straight.
"What you are doing is wrong" Polly stated again trying to make Piper see sense.
"You're cheating and your lying"
Piper nodded as she lifted her arms and placed her fingers over her lips, she stared at Polly beseechingly, Piper removed her fingers from her lips and spoke quietly.
"But it doesn't feel like I'm cheating on Larry" Piper admitted to Polly her voice breaking as she spoke.
Polly was stunned by Piper's admission and took a step away from her.
"What? How can you say that Piper? You and Larry have been together for years!" Polly said.
Piper shook her head and looked pleadingly at her friend.
"I know Poll. I know but she's Alex. She's my Alex! Seeing her again…. It's …. She makes me feel crazy when I'm around her" Piper chuckled smiling.
"Evidently" Polly grunted.
"I don't expect you to understand" Piper said.
"I don't even understand Polly. I don't understand how I feel or how I'm thinking. I don't even understand why I'm doing this" Piper said gesturing wildly with her arms.
Polly shook her head at Piper.
"She did this to you last time Pipes. She changed you into someone you're not. She…"
"Or maybe she brings out who I really am" Piper interrupted.
The two women stood facing each other, both looking back at the other. Piper could see Polly processing everything they had said, she stood still and held her breath. Polly threw her arms in the air and sighed.
"You're my best friend and when this all goes wrong, because it will!" She stated.
"I'll be here for you, grudgingly and telling you what a fuck up you are, but still here" Piper chuckled and hugged her friend.
"You're the best Poll" Piper said quietly.
"Don't you forget it!" Polly said smiling at Piper.
"Now load the dish washer because I'm keeping your dirty little secret I'm making you my bitch"
Piper laughed at her friend, grateful to have someone like her in her life, and did as she was told.
Alex walked into her bedroom naked after the shower she had taken, drops of moisture dripping from her skin as she walked. Cassie lay on the bed and scanned Alex's form appreciatively. Alex smirked at her girlfriend checking her out.
"I've missed you baby" Cassie murmured gesturing to Alex to come over to the bed.
Alex shook her head at Cassie.
"I can't babe I've got to go to Rafi's bout a new business deal, could be a big thing" Alex said excitedly.
Alex turned away from Cassie and reached for her moisturising cream from her dresser.
"Or is it because you're going to show someone else a good time?" Cassie asked snappily.
Alex turned to look at Cassie, who had sat up on the bed, with a cocked eyebrow and chuckled.
"What?" She questioned not knowing what Cassie was talking about.
"You've got fucking claw marks all over your ass and back Alex; you've obviously been enjoying yourself. Immensely. Is that were you're going now?" Alex tilted her head and scanned her girlfriend neutrally.
"I'm meeting Rafi" She said coldly.
"Like fuck you are!" Cassie shouted as she jumped off the bed.
"I've been working my ass off and you're running around with some hoe!" Alex threw the tube of moisturising cream she had been holding back onto the dresser she had picked it up from.
A rage circled around Alex at Cassie's hoe comment. Alex laughed sarcastically.
"Working your ass off? Are you fucking kidding me? You carried no sorry wheeled a bag, dropped it off then you probably partied and fucked the rest of the time you were out there! Why are you acting like a jealous girlfriend and giving me shit? We fuck who we want remember?!" Alex shouted at Cassie.
"It's still fucking working Alex! I do it for you! Because you ask me to! And the fucking claw marks aren't ok Alex! Yeah we fuck who we want but those…..those make it real!" Alex strode to Cassie and took her in her arms as a wave of guilt hit her.
"I'm sorry Cass, I didn't know they were there. I'll be more considerate in future ok?" Cassie pushed away from Alex and snorted.
"Whatever Alex just remember the fucking rules!" She said storming out of the bedroom leaving Alex bewildered.
Alex didn't like Cassie's jealousy they had agreed at the start of their relationship that they would be in an open relationship, but lately Alex had been getting a feeling that Cassie wanted more of a commitment from her. Something she wasn't willing to give. Especially now with Piper been back in her life. It had been a day and half since Piper had said she would call and Alex hadn't heard a thing from her. Her thoughts had yo-yoed from Piper having gotten what she wanted from Alex and now she wasn't interested to something bad happening to Piper and her not been able to call Alex and tell her then back to been used. Alex would shake her head to dispel the negative thoughts, she knew Piper even after all the years that had passed she still knew her. If Piper said she would call she would, Alex knew she would have to wait for when she could and hope that it would be soon, the waiting was intolerable. Alex got ready for her meeting with Rafi, as she walked out of her apartment she smiled and winked at Cassie.
"Wish me luck" she said.
Cassie grimaced.
"Go fuck yourself" Alex shook her head and ignored her girlfriend.
She'd buy her something big and expensive that always put a smile back on her face Alex thought. Alex decided to drive to Rafi's rather than pay the extortionate fare of a taxi. She walked to the private car park behind her apartment building and found her grey Ford Taurus that she hardly drove. She unlocked the door and climbed in; inhaling the smell of new leather and clean interior she smiled and caressed the seat underneath her. Alex reached into the glove box and pulled out a CD of her favourite band and slid it into the car's CD player, she turned up the volume and rolled down the windows.
"Time for business" she said as she skidded out of the car park and headed out of the city towards Rafi's.
Two hour later Alex stepped out of Rafi's house a huge grin on her face. She felt like she was on top of the world! Her life was getting back on track, she was more successful than before, she had a decent relationship and she sort of had Piper. Things couldn't be better she thought. Alex jumped into her car and drove back into the city heading towards a jewellery store, singing at the top of her voice and tapping in time with the music with her hand on the steering wheel. Alex parked outside the store and walked in, she strode with power and authority oozing from her. She leant across a glass cabinet counter and smiled slowly at the woman working on the other side.
"Hi" Alex said deeply.
"I'm looking for something very flashy and expensive that will get me out of the shit house with my girlfriend. Do you have anything along those lines?" she asked.
"Of course we do Ms, follow me and I'll show you our latest range."
Alex was leaning on a counter studying various pieces of jewellery when her phone rang; she pulled it out of her pocket and answered it without checking the caller ID.
"Alex Vause" she answered abruptly.
"Well hello Alex Vause" Piper chuckled down the phone.
Alex stood up straight and smiled widely.
"Hey kid. What took you so long?" Alex asked teasingly.
"Sorry baby, I was at Poll's yesterday and I'm at work now. I called as soon as I could" Piper explained.
"I understand Pipes" Alex said
"How are things?" She asked Piper.
"I'm not feeling too well actually" Piper said loudly.
"Jeez what is it you're hearing?" Alex said pulling the phone away from her hear at Piper's loud voice.
"No" Piper chuckled quietly.
Alex heard shuffling from the other side of the phone and heard a door been opened and closed.
"Are you ok Pipes?" Alex asked worriedly.
"Yes I'm fine" Piper replied.
"What's wrong with you are you sick or…"
"Oh no I'm not ill; I was saying that so the people I work with heard me"
"Hence the shouting" Alex interrupted.
Piper giggled.
"Exactly. I'm ringing in sick tomorrow because I want to see you and spend the day with you, if you don't have any plans that is" Piper said hurriedly.
Alex smiled and took her glasses off.
"I have no plans for tomorrow kid"
"Great!" Piper sighed happily.
"Larry will still think I'm going to work so I'll leave home around half eight and we could meet somewhere for breakfast?" Piper asked.
"Sounds like a plan. What else would you want to do? If I have you to myself for most of the day I'm making the most of it" Alex purred down the line.
"We could…"
"We also have these which are beautiful" The jewellery shop worker said to Alex showing her a pair of diamond tear drop earrings.
"Where are you?" Piper asked hearing the woman from Alex's side of the call.
"I'm present buying. I'm in the shit house with Cass so I'm trying to buy her forgiveness with jewellery" Alex explained.
"I'll take them" Alex said nodding towards the earrings the woman was holding out.
"Oh" Piper huffed sadly.
"Pipes…"
"Forgiveness for what?" Piper asked not wanting to hear whatever Alex was about to say, knowing it wouldn't make her feel better about the situation.
Alex sighed and put her glasses back on.
"I have scratches on my ass and back from Saturday. She saw them and kicked off" Piper chuckled at Alex.
"Shit sorry Al, guess I got carried away"
"Don't be sorry" Alex said chuckling back at Piper.
"I loved it, you were wild" She stated seductively.
Alex could hear a change in Piper's breathing and knew she was remembering their time together on Saturday night.
"You ok kid?" Alex asked smirking.
"Erm yea. Yes I am" Piper stammered back.
"I have to go back into work but I'll text you later where to meet me tomorrow ok?" Alex nodded.
"Ok" She replied.
"I'll see you soon baby" Piper sighed.
Alex opened her mouth to reply but Piper had already hung up the phone. Alex smiled as she pocketed her phone, talking to Piper even for a few minutes gave her a buzz feeling, like a jolt of electricity had passed through her. She purchased the earrings and drove back to her apartment smiling happily at hearing Piper's voice and knowing she would be getting to see her very soon. Alex entered her apartment and shouted Cassie, who walked out of the kitchen when she heard her name been shouted. Alex strode over to her and kissed her as she handed over the small gist bag she had been holding.
"For you" She murmured.
Cassie took the bag and greedily ripped open box, she beamed as she saw the earrings in their tiny casing.
"Oh my god Alex their gorgeous!" Alex smiled in response and took Cassie by her shoulders.
"I got the South American runs" She said proudly.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Cassie asked excitedly.
"No their all mine!" Alex grinned.
Cassie squealed and jumped into Alex's arms.
"Babe that's fucking amazing! We need to celebrate!"
"Too fucking right we do" Alex agreed thinking maybe going out or a party was what Cassie had in mind.
"Why don't we go on holiday to celebrate?" Cassie asked
"Just me and you, before you get caught up in and stressed over the new runs?" Alex put Cassie down and stared at her.
"Erm yea" She replied.
One of the reasons she loved Cassie was because she loved Alex's job as much as Alex did and Alex knew that was hard to find with the line of work she was in. She took Cassie's face in her hands and smiled warmly at her.
"You make the plans. Where ever you want to go" She whispered kissing Cassie firmly on the mouth.
"Is this week ok to go?" Cassie asked giddily.
"Sure" Alex replied.
"But just so you know I'm out most of the day tomorrow. Work" She explained as Cassie opened her mouth to argue.
Cassie nodded but grinned at Alex.
"I'm going to go look at holidays now" Cassie said moving away from Alex.
Alex let her go and sat down on the sofa. Alex smiled widely, she had been promoted, forgiven and had made plans to see Piper again all in one day. She felt a happiness she hadn't felt in a while over take her. Life is good she thought. Now all she had to do was try and find a way to explain to Piper that she was going away on holiday with Cassie. Alex didn't know how Piper would react to the news and a small feeling of dread seeped into her happiness. Piper would understand surely? Alex thought, she has to.