Staring up at the water stains on the ceiling, I said, “I can’t believe I’m actually going to miss Roach Central. How will I sleep without the subway roaring and fire engine sirens wailing all night?”
“Well, I’m not gonna miss this dump. Mmm, mmm, no way. No more cold showers and freezing my ass off from those drafty windows. I was born for luxury, baby, but I’ll take Eduardo and call it a day.” She giggled.
“You’ll probably forget all about me, now that you’re going to be famous.” I turned my head to the side to look at her.
Her eyes met mine. “Honey, I could never forget you.” She squeezed my hand, then got up and wrapped another one of her belongings in newspaper and added it to the box. “Besides, we’ll still see each other. Eduardo’s apartment is easy to get to in the city. It’s not like I’m moving to Timbuktu.”
“Yeah, but you’ll be busy recording, which I’m so proud of you, by the way, and when you’re not doing that, You’ll be spending all your time with Eduardo.” I grabbed the roll of packing tape and slapped a piece across the top of the box and met her gaze. “He’s crazy about you, you know.”
A dreamy smile crossed her face. “I know.” She winked. “But we girls gotta stick together, chica.” She labeled the box with permanent marker, her bangle bracelets clanking away. “Besides, Eduardo’s not the only one who’s got it bad.” She arched a brow. “Your Hot Britches is a goner when it comes to you.”
My heart did a funny little lurch, but I ignored it. “Oh, please. I’m not naive enough to think what we have is permanent. He’ll grow bored. They always do. For that matter, who’s to say I won’t. My track record stinks, you know. I’m not saying that I’m not having fun with Dylan, but I still don’t want to be in a relationship.”
I headed to the kitchen, pulled out a pitcher, and mixed up a batch of Bahama Mamas. “He knew I couldn’t afford this place on my own, so he offered up his apartment. Trust me, I tried to find another place, but everything reasonable is already taken with school still in session. I had no choice but to take him up on his offer.” I handed her a glass of the fruity drink. “The end of the semester is only a little over two months away. I’m sure I’ll have better luck when students head home for the summer.”
“Such a cynic.” She shook her head, taking the glass and holding it up. “To new beginnings and being happy, even if you’re too blind to see what’s right in front of you.” She clunked her glass against mine, then took a sip.
“Not a cynic, Gloria, a realist. My past has taught me that relationships don’t last. I’m simply not setting myself up for heartache this time.” I took my own sip, letting the rum linger on my tongue before I swallowed. “Believe me, I plan on enjoying every minute I have with Dylan, but when school’s out, so am I. Enough about that. Now that we’re done packing up your stuff, care to help me load up mine?”
She stared at me long and hard then sighed. “I’ll let you off the hook for now, but one day, you’ll see that I’m right.” Her big brown eyes grew misty. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“Me too.” I hugged her tight, ignoring her previous comment.
“So let’s get busy, chica. I gotta be at the studio in two hours.” She grinned from ear to ear. “The studio. I love saying that.”
I laughed. “You’re gonna make an awesome record, babe.”
“Damn right I am.”
“Now, that’s something to drink to. To the future. Don’t be scared and just go for it, baby.” I held up my glass.
“Hell, yeah.” She clunked her glass against mine once again and then downed the rest of her drink.
I followed suit, but my mind wouldn’t stop repeating Gloria’s words that Dylan had it bad for me. She couldn’t be right, could she? Relationships and I were such a bad combination. I had no clue how to handle a “real” relationship. I sure as heck hoped she wasn’t right or this could be my biggest disaster yet.
Only time would tell.
***
Gloria was so wrong.
“I saw an apartment in the newspaper that I think I might be able to afford.” I rolled over in bed and faced Dylan. We’d been living together for a while now, and so far, everything had worked out fine. We meshed as though we’d been living together for years. The sex was phenomenal, and we had so much fun just hanging out together. No strings attached, no possibility for heartache. Nothing heavy, just enjoying being with each other.