Page 105 of Unfiltered
“What aboutIt? Stephen King,” Blythe said.
“You guys are trying to creep me out.” Abby playfully slapped at both. “Are there any sapphic books?”
Ricki scrolled. “Atmosphere.The Senator’s Wife.Requiem for Immortals.”
“Oh, my god. Those would be so fun to do.”
Abby broke into a lengthy description of what she’d buy to accessorize the rooms. Blythe sat back with a smile as she watched Abby and Ricki excitedly talk about how they’d create the space.
As Blythe listened, she scrolled through her own feed. She’d gotten another message from Dapper. After Blythe had reached out, they’d exchanged several messages over the weekend. Dapper wasn’t as bad as she’d thought. In fact, she liked her. Every creator had a persona, Blythe included, but Blythe discovered more depth to Dapper than she’d expected.
When she’d told Ricki and Abby she’d had several exchanges with Dapper, Ricki had teased her mercilessly, until Abby toldher to stop. But it didn’t bother Blythe; she would have done the same to Ricki.
She skimmed the message. Dapper was doing well, with the community rallying behind her and pushing back at her ex. Of course, she’d gotten a few threats, but who didn’t online? It had increased her popularity.Damn it.Though, Blythe would pass on getting that kind of publicity. She’d stick with roller derby.
Blythe continued to scroll. Her eyes widened.Shit.Femme4Boiz had started a hashtag trend last weekend, and Blythe had thought she was crazy, but tonight, Blythe’s feed was filled with people using it.
As Blythe scrolled, the hashtag continued to pop up.
#3SomesWithFriends
Jesus.She hoped Dapper’s ex didn’t see it, or she’d use it to show how depraved the lesbian community was. Never mind the upside-down pineapple crews in the straight community.
Blythe finished her beer. Abby and Ricki were still hunkered over Ricki’s phone reading the comments on Abby’s post.
“Hey, can I get you two another beer?” Blythe asked as she stood to get her own.Whoa.Her head spun as she got to her feet. She was feeling the last beer. She wasn’t drunk—well, in the legal driving sense she was, but not in the I’m gonna puke or have a hangover tomorrow sense.
“No, I’m good,” Ricki said.
Abby picked up her bottle from the ground and took a drink. Her face scrunched up in distaste. “This one is warm. How about giving me a new one?” She held out the bottle to Blythe.
“Isn’t that only your second?” Blythe asked.
“Yeah, but I forgot to drink while we were talking about room decor.”
Blythe laughed. “Two beers coming up.”
She took her time fetching more drinks, stopping to gaze into the fire and breathe in the scent. The fire would go out soon, soshe grabbed another log and tossed it onto the smoldering pile, not ready to go inside yet. She considered throwing another on, but she didn’t know how much longer they’d be outside.
Blythe took a long pull from her bottle and gazed up at the stars. The excited voices of Ricki and Abby were better than the crickets chirping. Everything was perfect.
It took Blythe a moment to realize Ricki and Abby’s tone had changed.
When Blythe glanced at them, Abby shoved the phone at Ricki and sat up straight in her chair. She took a long drink from the beer Blythe had just given her.
Blythe shifted her gaze between their faces. Something was wrong. Abby appeared angry or was it upset? And Ricki’s cheeks were bright red.
What the hell had happened?
While Blythe considered what to say, Abby piped up. “I suppose we should put the fire out. It’s getting late.”
“Yeah. Good idea.” Ricki stood.
Blythe stared at the two. “Sit your asses down” escaped Blythe’s mouth before she had time to think it through. “What the hell is going on?”
Abby glanced at Ricki and raised her eyebrows as if asking if she planned on saying anything.
“No!” Blythe said. “There are no secrets between us. What the fuck happened?”
