Free Everything Unexpected by Caroline Nolan Page A

over certain spots of my body, it only reminded me of it more. I put on my bathrobe, hopped into bed and did nothing but stream Friends all day. I let all my calls and texts go unanswered.
    “I guess those shots hit me harder than I thought they would,” I say, trying to smile but I’m certain it looks more awkward and strained than anything else.
    “Hope you’re feeling better for tonight. Nothing big. No drinking, that’s for sure,” Holly says.
    “Tonight? What’s happening tonight?”
    Holly gives me a funny look. “Shane’s leaving tomorrow,” she says slowly.
    Fuck.
    I completely forgot that Shane is leaving for Australia tomorrow for a National Geographic shoot. It’s a trip he’s been looking forward to for over a month. He’ll be taking pictures of the outback. A story about the Ayers Rock, I remember him saying. He’ll be gone nearly two weeks. I feel a small stabbing jab in my heart at the thought of him being gone for so long without having talked to him first. But I can’t talk to him with everyone around, and I still have no idea what to say.
    “I don’t know, Holls. I’m a little behind,” I point to all the folders on my desk. “I think I’ll have to stay late tonight.”
    It’s a poor excuse, I know. Especially since I never miss a get together before Shane leaves for a trip.
    “You remember that he’ll be gone for two weeks, right? You’ve never not been there before he leaves,” she says, shocked I would consider missing this.
    “I know but my schedule can’t always revolve around Shane’s,” I say. I hear how defensive I sound and inwardly cringe.
    Holly sits back in her chair, studying me. “What’s going on?”
    She’s obviously heard it too.
    “Nothing.”
    Her eyes stay on me, clearly not believing me.
    “No…something’s up. Spill,” she probes.
    I’ve never kept one of my sexcapade stories secret from Holly. Especially when the sex was that good. But this time is different. Everything about it is so fucked up, I don’t even know where to begin. Maybe if I talk about it, things will become clearer and I’ll know how to handle Shane when I see him. Whenever that may be. I take a deep breath. “Something happened…with Shane.”
    “What do you mean? Did you guys have a fight or something?” she asks.
    I twirl a pen between my fingers a few times before I look back up at her. “No,” I say quietly. “Not exactly.”
    “Then what? Everything seemed great Saturday night. We all had a great time, especially Shane. Last I saw, you guys were leaving the dance floor and I lost track of you going outside—”
    She stops mid-sentence. A questioning yet astonished look appears quickly, like it was just slapped on her face. “Wait!” she begins, raising her hands. “Wait, wait… Did you… Did you guys…?”
    I turn my head, looking away and swallowing hard. After a few seconds of silence, Holly’s burst of laughter jerks my attention back in her direction. “Why are you laughing?” I ask, annoyed.
    “Oh my God,” she says between small bursts. “I should be so pissed that you’re only telling me this now.” She folds her arms across her chest. “So, you two did it. It actually happened. Happy Birthday, Shane,” she teases.
    I press my lips together and continue to roll my pen between my fingers.
    “So? What does this mean?” she asks anxiously.
    I shrug, barely making eye contact.
    “Well, what did he say?”
    I shrug again. “He hasn’t said anything.”
    “I don’t understand. You’re not making sense.”
    “I mean we haven’t spoken.”
    Her eyes squint and her head jerks back in surprise. “You haven’t spoken since or you haven’t spoken about it yet?” she questions. Then her eyes flare open. “Oh God,” she gasps quietly. “Was it… bad ?”
    “What? NO!” I say a little too quickly. Bad is definitely not the word I’d use. Amazing. Orgasmic. Those are words I’d use. But I keep them to myself. “We just haven’t