◈A D R I A N◈

I trailed behind them like an evening shadow, my eyes fixed on the herringbone pavements with blades of resilient grass poking through the gaps. Anywhere was better than looking at that woman fawning over her ex-husband.

Her slim heels clacked noisily against the paving bricks and I secretly hoped it would get caught between the bricks and sprain her ankle. That way, she can sip her tea as much as she wanted in her own home. Alone.

I kicked on a pebble laying innocently on the sidewalk, my mood soured with every step I took. Why did I agreed on torturing myself with that eyesore?

Cutting off the nose to spite the face, wonder why that sound familiar? That snide voice in my head poked and gutted at my ego. Yeah, that made me feel so much better.

"Did you cut your hair? It looks shorter now," her shrill voice cut through the peaceful silence. She peered over her shades to look up at Logan, her slim hand reaching for his head.

"Yeah," Logan replied in a gruff voice, his hand running through his hair expertly dodging her hands from reaching him. "Been running tight on money so I gotta cut down on shampoo."

Kara giggled at his joke, completely oblivious to his subtle rebuff. "Come on, you don't ever use shampoo when we were together. You said it was too girly." Her painted lips pulled into a longing smile. "I like it when your hair was a little longer. You looked...liberated."

"Well I'm not chained to a post now, am I? 'Sides, new year new me, whatever bullshit that was," Logan huffed. He stopped and turned to look at her looking slightly annoyed. "It's been thirteen years, Kara. Things changed."

She stopped as well and took off her sunglasses, her hands held up in mock surrender. "Hey, I didn't come here to judge you or your way of life. I just wanted to catch up with you. Just because we're divorced doesn't mean we can't be friends, right?"

As much as I was enjoying this spectacle with hidden glee, I felt that it was way too personal for an outsider like me. It almost felt like I was peeping on their private show.

Logan glanced at me briefly and tightened his jaw. "I'm starving. Let's go."

"Lead the way," Kara smiled trying to set the atmosphere right.

The rest of the journey was quiet. I noticed the familiar row of shops brushing past us until we stopped near an intersection. I looked up at the sign and felt betrayed.

We have arrived at Average Joe's.

The smell of greasy pizza hit us before the bell attached to the door could ring to notify our presence.

"Mio fratello! You come just in time for the secret menu!" A heavyset man with an even heavily accented voice called out from the kitchen, his curly moustache bounced above his lips as his head poked out from the little opening on a brick wall separating the kitchen from the dining area.

"I'm a lucky man, Giù." Logan chuckled and walked up to the front to greet the chef. They shook hands and slapped on each other backs in greeting.

The chef cocked his head sideways at us and exclaimed, "I see you brought a pretty lady with you this time. Desserts on me, fratello! I have cannoli and bombolone."

I was as noticeable as air to him with Kara standing in front of me with blowing hair and fluttering dress. Scoffing, I slid into the booth and waited for the hoo-ha to end.

"Just give me three of what you have to offer, Giù." Logan took up the seat opposite of me and Kara sat beside him in a smooth grace. "Add a Margherita too!" Logan yelled in afterthought.

"Arrivando subito!" the chef answered.

Kara tucked a stray strand behind her ears and looked around the building. "So this is the place you mentioned just now?"

"The one and only. Their pizza is unbeatable. You can't get any better food anywhere else."

Kara broke into a sly smile. "I'll be the judge of that. In case you've forgotten, I studied culinary arts."

"Hard to forget when I was the lab rat for your little experiments," Logan scoffed.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad! You liked the chocolate gnocchi I made. Don't even try to deny it," she held up a fork and pointed at Logan playfully.

Blah blah blah. Can't they talk about something else other than the past?

I dipped my fork into the glass of water and stirred around watching the liquid swirled into a mini water spout. My frown curled deeper the further they went down the memory lane.  Somewhere where I have no place in.

Deep in self-pity, I didn't realize the fork stirred faster and faster until the glass lost balance and tipped over. A steady stream of water snaked towards Logan and spilled on him causing him to shoot up from the booth seat.

"Shit!" I cursed and quickly grabbed a pile of napkins. "Are you oka—"

"Oh my god! Are you alright?" Kara cut in. I was a tad too late when Kara already had her hands all over Logan wiping at his wet shirt. I dropped my hand, the napkins bunched up in my tight grip as I looked at them.

It felt like there was a glass between us, Kara and Logan on one side while I stood on the other. I couldn't reach out to them. Even if I could, all I could touch was not Logan's warm skin but the cold, hard glass.

"I'm fine. Nothing a hand dryer can't fix." He scooted out of the seat while Kara stood up to make way for him.

"I—I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to."

"It's just water. Don't sweat over it," Logan assured and turned to head to the washroom.

I slumped back to the seat, my shoulder hunched over heavy with guilt. Kara glanced over me and cleared her throat, smoothing out her dress as she sat back down too.

We sat in awkward silence since neither of us had any words for each other. We were practically strangers if it wasn't for Logan. She took out her phone and started swiping through it, not sparing me another glance. Well, I never expected her to start chatting me up anyway.

My eyes kept watch for Logan's return but there was still no sign of him. I was getting more antsy by the minute. Should I go in and help?

"So...Adrian, have you known Logan for a long time?"

I was startled to hear her talking to me. I looked up to see her eyes never leaving her phone screen. Did I imagined that question?

"Hmm?" she tried again, this time catching my eyes after placing her phone on the table. Her elegant brow arched in question.

"No. We just met three months ago," I replied.

Kara nodded her head slowly and leaned over the table, her sharp eyes peering at me expectantly. "I suppose you wouldn't know if Logan's seeing someone, huh?"

So this was what she was after for, to check if there was any potential love rival.

My hand unconsciously went to my neck and rubbed on it, the gears in my head grinding up a proper response.

This was my chance, the only one chance to make her give up and step down. Logan was my lifeguard and I would not allow some bimbo fake drowning to steal him away. I needed to play this card right.

"I do know something." I stopped for awhile before continuing just for the effect. As expected, she took the bait almost instantly. "I saw something when I came over to help out after school one time." I lowered my voice to a whisper and looked around to make sure no one was listening in. "Something...scandalous."

Kara's eyes widened with interest. "And what's that?" she whispered back.

I pretended to hesitate. "It's not really my place to say anything. I have no rights to disclose his privacy."

"I'm sure it's nothing serious. We're just worried about him, that's all." She held up her hand and smiled sweetly. "I promise I won't tell anyone."

Bingo.

"Well...I saw Logan kissing someone," I started slowly.

"And...?" Kara asked impatiently. Her manicured fingers gripping on the edge of the table in anticipation.

"He was kissing a man."

✈

Author's note

I have no words for this.

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{Song: bad guy by Billie Eilish}