The Arrangement Anthology 2(12)

Mel rolls her eyes and says, “Yes,” at the same time I say, “No!”

They both look at me. I sigh dramatically and kick off my heels before pacing and talking with my hands. They’re flying everywhere. “I won’t sleep with them. I’ll be so revolting that we won’t get that far. They’ll throw me out, and demand a refund. Last time someone refused me, she wanted to fire me—so it should work this time, right?”

“Last time you did that, Black didn’t think you were running your own brothel. Besides, I can’t let you do that.” Sean is staring at me. His arms are folded together and I realize that he never talks with his hands. I’m pretty sure that if I couldn’t move while I was talking, I’d fall over.

“The other option is to not show up.”

Mel shakes her head. “Black will hunt you down to make sure you’re not dead in a gutter or something. You can’t no-show. And when she finds you alive, you’ll wish you were dead.” There’s a moment of silence and then Mel finally asks, “Why’d you two add me to your little freak show tonight? I mean, I wasn’t going to ask. I was just going to wait and see, but no one has said anything and I’m out of patience.”

Jabbing my thumb at Sean, I tell her, “He’s giving us a night off.”

“No way.” Mel’s perfect eyebrows lift in surprise.

“Way.”

“Well, then…” Mel kicks off her heels, and takes off her earrings and lays them on the desk, before adding, “I’m really glad, because I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Avery’s boney ass.”

“Ha!” I turn to Sean with my jaw hanging open and my finger pointing at Mel. “I told you that she didn’t like me!”

Sean shrugs like he wasn’t all that committed to the idea. Mel watches us before blurting out, “What the fuck are you two talking about, because if you think I’m gay because I’m a good friend, I might have to beat the shit out of you, scary Ferro reputation or not.”

Sean holds up his hands, palms toward her. “No offense meant. I just noticed how much she means to you and thought there might have been more there.”

“There’s not, you bunch of white toast with…” Mel sputters, trying to find the right insult, before giving up. Her hands slap the table. “You’re so dumb, you know that? Just ‘cuz I’m a hooker doesn’t mean I do everyone and everything.”

“What’s your type?” Sean asks abruptly.

“Rich.” Mel’s shoulders are back and tension lines her arms. It’s like she’s ready to fight, but I have no idea what set her off. She sleeps with guys and didn’t object to the idea of having a woman, assuming she’s loaded. Sean watches my friend, waiting for a real answer, but there’s no way in hell that she’ll tell him anything. Come to think of it, I’ve never heard much about her hopes and dreams, only that she doesn’t want to go back to the hellhole she climbed out of.

Mel rolls her eyes and laughs. The tension dissipates as she points at Sean. “And not you, Ferro. You’re way too fucked up for me. And this conversation is officially over. I’m gonna eat me some noodles. What do you guys say to take-out?”

“Actually, I have other plans for Avery and I.” Sean’s voice sounds scary, the way it does when he’s anxious. He looks down at me, “We have a table downstairs.”

I can’t help it and crack a smile. “Really?”

He nods. “Yes, there was something I needed to ask you earlier and I didn’t get the chance.”

I try not to show any emotion, but I can’t. I giggle and try so hard not to jump up and down. “I love this game!”

Mel groans, “Oh my God. Get out of here. You two make me sick.”

Sean smiles deeply and tosses Mel a room service menu. “Order anything you like.”

Mel is leaning her elbow on the desk and has her head in her hand. “Can I get another hooker, so I have someone to play chess with?”

If Sean’s shocked, he hides it well. His voice is flat. “No.”

“You’re no fun,” Mel pouts.

“I already hired two call girls for one evening. Many people would say that’s more than enough fun for one man.”

“Psh, whatever White Boy. Go play house with Avery. I’m going to order crab cakes and the seafood buffet for six people.”

I lean in towards Sean, “You’re going to need to order another room since this one will smell like fish.”

Sean laughs and takes my hands. “Order anything you like, Mel. I mean it. Come on, Avery. Our table awaits.”