Chapter Eight:

“Here? You’re sure about-“

“I just need to get it over with, Vasha.”

I watched helplessly as Olivia wrote a furious text to who I’m assuming was Charlotte when Brody suddenly appeared beside us in our secluded corner. Her brow was furrowed with worry, and I sat up straight.

“Charlotte’s here....I didn’t tell her to leave, but you have to get this shit under wraps-“

“I’m not the type to start a scene and you know it, Nicole.” Olivia hissed, clearly on edge. What’s more, she used Brody’s legal name. I sensed a heated exchange coming on and quickly went to stand between them.

“Easy.” I coaxed, eyeing them both sternly. Brody took a step forward, narrowing her light hazel eyes at Olivia. Becoming eye level with her chest made me back away slightly.

“I know you’re having a tough time right now, but this is my going away party. You’re my best friend! We’re not going to see each other for two years dude, and you’re back here feeling sorry for yourself. Work it out with Charlotte or tell her to fuck off, I don’t care, but either way do what you have to do so you can lighten up.”

“It’s not that easy for me. Considering your past with Megan, I thought you’d understand. Guess not, but thanks for checking in anyway.” Olivia fired back, briskly walking away from us.

“I do!” Brody called after her, cursing with a kick at the chair Olivia had been sitting in. I looked on sympathetically, shoving my hands in my pockets as I brushed past Brody to find Francine or Liza. Luckily, the sea of people in front of me hadn’t heard anything in their oblivious merriment. They weaved in between each other, dancing and drinking with vibrant energy. It didn’t seem too long ago we were all doing the same, as a group of friends. Knowing how seperated we all were now gave me an unexplainable empty feeling. I felt someone come up from behind me, and I turned around to find Brody eyeing my profile with a guilty look on her face.

“Do you think I’m selfish, Vasha?” She lowered her eyes with crossed arms. “I know you’ll give me an honest answer.” That was true, but I wondered if she needed to hear what I had to say right now. Brody lifted her gaze, staring at me with the question hanging between us. I decided to answer.

“Yes,” I started matter of factly “but only when it’s necessary. You just want to spend time with your friend. Though you must remember she’s suffering, and it’s difficult to turn away emotions.” I smiled to let her know I still understood, and she nodded deep in thought. I was about to invite her along to come find Liza when Olivia stormed toward us. Her face was wet with tears. Charlotte was quick on her heels, a hysterical mess.

“You’re not listening to me!” She sobbed openly, making several people turn to watch the spectacle happening before their eyes. “I didn’t cheat on you! I just texted her! I don’t know what I was thinking- I had too much to drink and couldn’t stop myself. It was a stupid mistake. Why don’t you get that!?”

“Hey, hey. Let’s all talk in the restaurant.” In true Francine fashion, my girlfriend swooped in from wherever she’d been lingering and took Charlotte in her arms to steer them both inside. Her distraught crying made me feel terrible, and I glanced at Olivia to try and gauge a reaction. Brody was already leaning in to whisper something to her quietly so I decided to follow Francine and Charlotte. Maybe there was something I could do for them.

“Why won’t she talk to me?” Charlotte whimpered through her tears. It was a miracle Francine was able to convince her to sit down and take a few deep breaths, but it was only because she’d promised to get Olivia.

“Vash, will you stay with her? I’ll be right back.” Francine glowered at the onlookers, craning their necks at where the three of us had gathered privately. “Don’t you just love it when people stare?” She muttered in Russian before heading back outside. Francine strongly disliked being gawked at like a zoo animal, and I shared the same resentment. Then again, other’s affairs don’t interest me unless I’m directly involved somehow. So my lack of understanding for their curiosity probably doesn’t help matters. I suppressed a smile and turned my attention to Charlotte. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a messy bun. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and her dusky brown eyes were red and puffy underneath. I had no doubt she’d been crying for hours. Or days. She always dressed in gorgeous skirts and bright dresses, but today she wore plain jeans and a stained light blue babydoll tee. With everything happening between she and Olivia, it was obvious to me that Charlotte had been neglecting herself. I made a mental note to teach her the art of acting like you’re on top of the world, even if in reality it’s crushing you.

“Vasha...” she latched on to my hand and burst into tears again. If I didn’t know the situation, I’d think someone she loved had died. I thought back to her saying she never cheated, only talked to someone. Of course context is everything...but if I were Olivia, I’d at least allow Charlotte to explain herself. As I’ve learned with Francine’s EX girlfriend— everything is not always what it appears. I knelt down, trying to soothe her by saying it would be alright. I was more than relieved when Olivia came back. Without Francine.

“Vasha, can I talk to Charlotte alone please?” She took a deep breath, for the first time looking at her fianceè with merciful pity. I quickly rose to my feet and left them alone. Only a couple minutes passed before I stole one last look inside. Charlotte had her arms wrapped around Olivia’s neck as they embraced tightly. My heart surged with warmth. It was about time something went right.

********************

Francine and I had been the last to leave the party, cleaning up and gathering unused supplies for Liza, Charlotte, and Olivia to take with them. Brody wished me safe travels, and the lump in my throat it gave me wouldn’t go away for hours. I’m not an overly emotional person, but lately everything has been rushing forward and I can’t stop any of it. As I hugged Brody goodbye, I thought about how lonely it would be without her around cracking jokes, or making us laugh with the stupid stories she liked to entertain everyone with. Brody was one of those people who’d be missed by everyone, because she was the life of the party. The brightest bulb. The fiercest protector who loved every one of us. Even me, the outsider.

“Take care, Russki. I hope all goes well with your mom. You’ll have to tell me everything when I get back.” She grinned, breaking the embrace to shake my hand firmly. I shook once, smiling tightly to keep the tears from falling.

“I’ll write. Thank you for serving this country.” I heard a sob break against Liza’s lips before I finished my sentence, which only made me feel worse.

Everyone else gave their tearful farewells, and I stood back to watch Brody have her moment with each of our friends. Francine was the first to pull away, and she grabbed my hand to wordlessly let me know we were about to head home.

“I’ll call you sometime tomorrow.” She promised Liza, who’d taken her place beside Brody for a long hug. Our friend’s flight wasn’t far behind mine, but we wouldn’t cross paths since I’m traveling internationally. Different terminals.

“Thanks Ceen. You better Skype me, Vasha! I want the grand tour of Siberia I didn’t get last time.” Liza pressed her cheek against’s Brody’s chest, smiling playfully at us. I rolled my eyes with a short laugh.

“Snow, more snow, man drinking vodka at six A.M. in the streets...oh and occasionally we see bears. There’s your tour.” I loved American’s reactions to Russian stereotypes. Trust me when I say it’s not one sided. Won’t my friends be shocked when they learn not everyone in America eats burgers constantly and ignores Global Warming threats?

“Great, so you’ll have plenty to show me.” Liza chirped back, squeezing Brody tightly. We all laughed, exchanging hugs before Francine and I drove back to our place.

The rest of the evening was spent tidying up around the apartment, and bringing my luggage out to the living room. I’m pretty sure I left a few things behind when I moved to the United States, so this time I was determined to make sure everything I packed made it to Russia with me. Once that was done, I drew a sensual milk bath and called Francine into our bathroom after I lowered myself into it.

“Yeah Vasil-“ she stuck her head in, stopping mid sentence at the sight of my hardened nipples swaying along the milky water as I got comfortable. Biting my lip, I sensually let my fingers play with the warm surface I’d submerged myself into. This was the last night we’d have with each other physically for at least a couple weeks, I wanted to make it special.

“You know how soft we’ll be after this?” I teased breathlessly, watching my lover slip out of her dress silently. Then the sheer, nude pantyhose went. Francine’s silky blonde hair almost covered her perky breasts, and I thought of all the times I pulled it while fucking her senseless. Hard, the way she loved.

A goddess stood before me, and I was highly aware of her presence.

“Unbearably so.” Francine admitted, stepping in to join me. I spread my legs so my girlfriend could sit in between them, and she eased against me perfectly. We slid against each other gently, bathing ourselves with the luxurious milky substance as moans escaped into the hallow air above us. Her’s, mine or both. I felt my lover’s thin hand roam around my pussy and I gasped softly. Her fingers circled my sensitive clit as another hand explored my inner thighs torturously.

“The water could be thicker...” she giggled, referring to my cum. I closed my eyes in ecstacy and whimpered.

“No...you won’t make me submit here.” I challenged, suddenly finding my legs wrapped around Francine’s neck. She lowered her mouth to my mound and the rest was pure magic. I cursed, begged, and screamed until my throat went hoarse. Francine emerged with a satisfied smile several minutes later, wiping sticky relief from her face. My honey, she always called it.

“Think about that while you’re in Russia without me.” She instructed lovingly. I pulled Francine close so I could taste myself on her tongue. After a second I forced myself to stare into her beautiful brown eyes.

“I don’t need a sexual experience to think of you while I’m back there, detka. But it’ll help me along when I’m alone.” I cocked an eyebrow and she splashed me, laughing like a child.

“Vash— you’re something else.”

“True, but only your something else.”