Page 9 of Below The Surface
I sigh and press my hands to my heart all dramatically. “Three weeks of amazing fucking. He’s a keeper. Can’t wait for our next fuckening.” I grin and hop up onto the counter, letting my legs swing.
“The guy must be amazing. You never sleep with the same guy more than once. This is like a record for you.”
“It is, but he’s cute. Wait!” I grab my phone and scroll to the Influencer Con announcement page. “Dallas Runer. Iknewhe looked familiar.” I show Kendra my phone. “I just couldn’t figure it out. I should have picked it up instantly.”
“Ah! Yes! That gym guy. Doesn’t he jump rope or something?” She fans her face with a dishtowel.
“No idea, but he’s got a great dick and his body is beautiful.” I click the link to go to his website. “Oh, he’s one of those happy positivity do what you’re able kinda influencers.” He’s got pretty eyes and a great smile. He feels trustworthy. You can always tell it from the eyes.
“Better than a douchey gym bro.”
“Absolutely.” I shiver.
Our timer goes off and I drop to my feet and grab our flower shaped oven mitts to remove our muffins from the oven.
“Mmmmm.” I hum as I set the tray on top of the stove to let them cool.
Kendra grabs the butter from the fridge. Real butter, not margarine because that stuff ruins everything. Butter is where it’s at for flavor.
“You’re thinking about margarine again, aren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“The little nose scrunch.” She imitates me and I stick my tongue out.
We slather our muffins in butter until they’re dripping.
“Damn, we’re good,” Kendra says around a mouthful. “Probably shouldn’t eat so much butter before a performance, but here we are.”
“True, but at least this one is a Q&A about ocean conservation at the Aquarium. We don’t have to use the silicone tails if we don’t want to. The fabric ones have more breathing room.” I smack my stomach.
“Good point.” She boops my nose, leaving butter on it. “Come on, we should probably get ready for it.”
“We still have plenty of time, but for you, my mer princess, I’ll do anything.”
Another eye roll. “Last time we did this gig you forgot your wig and your natural hair clashes with likeeverything.”
“I know. I know.” I run a hand through my red hair. It’s more on the orangey red than red brown and I kinda sorta hate it.
“You know I love you and your hair, but the color is hard to work with if you want the colors you love.”
“I am aware.” I swipe a buttery finger across her forehead.
“Ugh. Go get ready.” She wipes the back of her hand across my mess.
I sashay away and lock myself in the bathroom to shower. But pain floods my thoughts. Dorian was my life and every day without him hurts. I’m aware that a lot of it has to do with howwe were raised. The cult, it fucked us up and I try not to think about it. But Dorian wasmyDivine. Myentireworld for years.
Until I saw what Charles did to those he blessed as the Divine.
I ball my hands and shake my head, trying to rattle my thoughts away. Dorian’s been gone for so damn long. He held on as long as he could, but I wish he could have told Kendra and me his plan. We would have done better. There has to be something we missed.
A soft knock on the bathroom door startles me from my thoughts.
“Casey, take some deep breaths,” Kendra says loud enough through the door.
“Iambreathing.”
“I know, babe, but you’re spiraling out of control in that pretty head of yours. Do we need to cancel the appearance?”
