Free Three’s a Crowd by Dianne Blacklock

grunted in reply but didn’t budge. Rachel kneeled up on the bed beside him and heaved on his shoulder to turn him over. He groaned. She hoped he wasn’t going to throw up, that’d be stretching the friendship. She leaned over him and started to unravel his tie.
    He opened one eye. ‘What are you doing?’
    â€˜I don’t want you to choke in your sleep.’
    He sighed heavily, patting her leg. ‘I love you, Rachel. Have I ever told you that?’
    â€˜Yes, you have,’ she said, lifting his head to slide his tie out. She tossed it aside and started to undo the buttons on his shirt.
    â€˜I’ve always loved you, Rachel.’
    â€˜Mm.’
    â€˜We used to be best friends, what happened?’
    â€˜I left the country and you found your soul mate.’
    â€˜Oh yeah.’
    She undid the buttons on the cuff of his sleeves and then started on his belt buckle.
    â€˜Rachel, are you going to have your way with me?’
    She laughed. ‘I don’t think you’d be up to it, Tommy boy.’
    He smiled, his eyes closed, as she tugged to loosen the belt.
    â€˜Be gentle,’ he sighed.
    Rachel removed his belt and stepped back onto the floor, crouching down to take off his shoes. This was not the first time she’d had to perform this particular service for Tom, though it had been a while. Back at Rainbow Street it had been a semi-regular occurrence, getting Tom into bed after a big night; but then, he’d been known to do the same for her on occasion. She peeled off his socks and tossed them aside, straightening up again to look down at him. His eyes were closed, but he wasn’t snoring yet. She probably should try and get his shirt off at least, make him more comfortable. She grabbed his wrists and pulled him up to sit, but he couldn’t hold himself up, so Rachel quickly dropped to one knee as he slumped forwards, his head landing heavily on her shoulder. She eased his shirt down his back and then started to wrestle one arm out of its sleeve.
    â€˜Hey, Tom, can you work with me here?’
    He bent his elbow and yanked his arm out and then Rachel was able to slide the shirt off the other arm and let it drop to the floor. And that’s when she realised he was sobbing. He brought his arms around her, clinging to her. Rachel didn’t move, her back was hurting and her leg was shoved awkwardly against the bed base, but she just held him, stroking his head from time to time, murmuring reassurance. Eventually his sobs subsided and he lurched back to lie flat on the bed.
    â€˜Fuck,’ he sighed. ‘I’m sorry.’
    Rachel got up, a little stiff and creaky, and perched on the side of the bed. ‘Are you okay?’
    â€˜I guess not.’ He met her eyes then, taking hold of her hand. ‘I’m sorry.’
    â€˜Would you shoosh already.’
    â€˜Rach,’ he said. ‘Can I ask you something?’
    She squeezed his hand. ‘Anything.’
    He took a breath. ‘Do you think you could stay?’
    â€˜Tom –’
    â€˜I’m not coming on to you, I just don’t want to sleep alone, I hate it.’
    â€˜Tom,’ she winced, ‘I can’t, not with the girls here, it wouldn’t be appropriate.’
    â€˜I thought you and I didn’t have to be appropriate?’
    â€˜Around the girls we do.’
    He sighed, bringing his forearm up to rest on his forehead. ‘I’m sorry.’
    â€˜Hey,’ said Rachel. ‘Would you stop saying that?’
    He met her eyes again. ‘I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just, the nights are the worst.’
    Rachel thought about it. ‘I tell you what, I’ll stay till you fall asleep.’
    â€˜You will?’
    She nodded. ‘Sure, but you can take your own pants off, I’ve gone as far as I’m prepared to go.’
    She got up and walked around the other side of the bed to the window, closing the