Free December Rain by A. L. Goulden Page B

to mind his fuckin’ business now.”
    His fingers flare in retreat as he lifts the glass slowly to his mouth. His first sip looks painful, but before the glass can settle back into the napkin ring a second one slips much smoother. The bartender brings another whiskey to Monica and gives a look to Robin signaling it’ll be her last.
    “God, I used to love coming here.” Monica says before sucking on her cherry a little too seductively. “With you.”
    Jack flinches when he notices and takes another welcomed sip. Meanwhile Ri and Robin zero in on the flirting gesture and watch the temperature change.
    “I loved it too.” He tips his eyes to hers and his breathing gets noticeably heavier.
    “It felt like you only played for me… and everyone watched us. Just lovers who couldn’t contain ourselves. I woulda gotten naked up there for you.”
    His cheeks flush beneath his beard as his eyes shy into his glass. “That’s probably what it looked like too.” He laughs and downs the last of his drink. Quickly he flashes a glance to the bartender for a refill.
     
    Ri starts to chew on her lip and fidgets on the stool.
    “How’s the studio going?” Robin asks as distraction.
    Rianne makes her usual polite eye contact and welcomes the distraction. “It’s going great! I’ve kept the same clientele we had before the buyout and was able to hire this wonderful new teacher, Brian, to take some of my classes. He’s really talented.” She can’t help but sneak one glance. “Gives me more time to actually be home.”
    “That’s so great! You deserve huge success with it. I have no doubts it will succeed.” Robin keeps trying to lift the mood away from the dirty Monica mud. “And, how about your week?” She nudges Tristan across Ri’s back.
    “Oh yeah. How did the doctor go?” Ri asks noticing Tristan has upgraded to a Shirley Temple.
    “Wait,” Robin’s head swishes between them, “Is that why you’re not drinking?”
    Tristan smiles and gives a sheepish look. “Yeah.”
    Robin jumps up and flings her arms around Tristan who laughs. “We didn’t want to tell anyone too early. And tonight definitely didn’t seem appropriate.” Her meek grin is full of genuine concern for the elephant in the room.
    “I’m so happy for you sweetie!” Robin lets go, relieved that there’s genuine happiness for the first time all evening.
    “Really? You’ve never liked kids.”
    “That’s not true. I love kids. I can’t wait to teach yours all the things I know you won’t.”
    “Nice. You will never be alone with them.”
    Rianne reaches for Tristan’s hand. “I can’t wait to get you into our prenatal class. You’re going to love it! I’ve never had a woman that didn’t rave about how much better their bodies felt.”
    “I’m so bad at yoga without adding a huge bulge…”
    “Nonsense. You gotta stop that. You’re just inconsistent. We’ll change that.” She’s in full nurture mode until Monica slides back over, too drunk now to care about their conversation
    “So did Hoi cheat on you at some point or something?” Monica blurts out.
    “What?” Tristan has a look of horror at her timing. “Of course not!”
    “Why of course not? What? Is that sooo… crazy?” Monica stiffens up. “What? Only my husband would do that?”
    Tristan hones a patient voice. “No. That’s not what I meant. I-”
    “Then what the fuck happened to you? Do that many women chase after Hoi? Is the University just crawling with Hoi lovers?”
    “What is wrong with you? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Monica fiddles with an ice cube as a mischievous smile surfaces. “Oh please. You’ve got him on the shortest leash I’ve ever seen.” Tristan shakes her head in awe of the drunken spite. “He might as well have a shock collar with a five foot radius.” The echo of her wicked laughter rolls out of her glass. “I mean, I get it. He’s actually a lot sexier than I thought he was at first, but I can’t