Page 143 of Unfiltered
“You’ve never given me a straight answer.”
“That’s because I’m not straight.” Blythe chuckled at her own joke.
“Nice try. But didn’t you know or at least suspect?”
“Oh, fuck, what is this? Confession time?” When Dapper didn’t answer, Blythe said, “I’ve asked myself the same thing a million times. Maybe I suspected or had an inkling, but there was other shit going on. Maybe I should have known, but…denial isn’t just a river in Africa.”
Dapper threw her hand against her chest. “Oh, my god, you’re brilliant. That might be the most creative metaphor I’ve ever heard.” Sarcasm dripped in Dapper’s words.
“Shut up.” Blythe laughed. “I know you want to psychoanalyze me, but I’m not sure why I missed it. Too wrapped up in my own world? Didn’t believe Abby could resist my charm? Shit, I dunno. But after the threesome, I couldn’t ignore it. Their angst was off the charts, and it was more than morning-after embarrassment. Now can we talk about something else? Like all the women crawling out of the woodwork, wanting to take care of me. Damn, there are some hot ones.”
Dapper laughed. “Nope, I’m not letting you get away with changing the subject again. You’ve been doing that for the past three weeks.”
“Jesus, now you’re gonna press me right before they get here?”
“Yep, I want to make sure you’re prepared for their arrival.”
“Once you meet them, you’ll understand. Neither has a mean bone in their body. They’re not like us.”
Dapper grinned. “Oh, so I’m mean?”
“You know what I’m saying. We’ve got thicker skin. Swagger. Some might call us self-absorbed and a little selfish.”
“Says the woman who graciously gave her girlfriend to her best friend.”
“What the fuck? Will you stop saying that? Abby wasn’t mine to give to anyone.”
Dapper laughed.
Blythe glared. “You’re just saying that to get a rise out of me. See, I told you you’re mean. But seriously, they are just the best people you’ll ever meet. They deserved a chance at happiness.”
“And you couldn’t have made Abby happy?”
“Dude, what is up with you? Why all these serious questions? Can’t we go back to talking about our content?” Over the last few weeks, they’d been toying with joining forces and creating content as the Dykonic Duo. They’d even discussed a podcast.
“I wanted to make sure you’ll be okay this weekend.” Dapper scrunched up her nose. “A moment of weakness.”
“Thanks for the concern, Mom, but I’m gonna be more than fine.” Blythe glanced down at the floor. “But to answer your question, no, I couldn’t have made Abby happy. I think I knew all along. She humored me and went along when I pushed, but we wanted different things. It would have fallen apart, and Ricki would have fallen down the Missy rabbit hole. A lose-lose, for sure.”
“I wish I had a friend like that.”
“You do, dumbass. I wouldn’t have been talking to you for the past hour if I didn’t kinda like you.”
Dapper laughed. “Oh, yeah. That’s right.”
“But don’t think that means I’ve forgiven you, baby-faced punk.”
It was what Blythe had taken to calling her once she discovered Dapper wasn’t as young as she’d thought. Dapper was a year older than Blythe.
“Geez, when are you gonna let that go? I’ll say again for the record, I never once lied about my age. It’s not my fault I’m naturally adorable.” Dapper rubbed her hand across her face and batted her eyelashes.
“Please, spare me. You’re just mad you’re not as ruggedly handsome as I am.” Blythe mimicked Dapper’s gesture of rubbing her hand down her cheek.
“Careful, don’t get your fingers caught in all the wrinkles.”
“Harsh.” Blythe bit back a smile. “Weren’t you the one worried about my well-being?”
“That was so three minutes ago.” Dapper grinned. “Seriously, I just wanted to know you’re okay.”
