Page 104 of Checkmate
Yeah, they needed a conversation.
“Look, Alex said she got hurt or something –“
“When he punched her, you mean?”
“I… Well, okay.” She took a minute to recover, clearing her throat. “Either way, he’s been trying to call, and her dad said she’s not there anymore. Have you seen her?”
“Yeah, I have.”
“Oh! Okay, brilliant. Do you know where she is?”
“Oh, yes. She’s here with me.”
“Hi Sophie,” Erica said. “Broke up with Alex, but still doing his dirty work, I see.”
“W-what the fuck? She’s there with you?”
“She is.”
“I am.”
“Right. Well…. Good. Good, I’m glad. “I’m glad you’re okay, Erica. Are you at our place?”
Marcus laughed. “No. We’re at my place. You don’t have a place, remember?”
“Whatever, Marcus. I just needed to know where Erica was. And if she’s okay.” She paused. “What are you doing, anyway?”
“None of your business. Don’t call again, Sophie.”
Ending the call, he sank into the sofa, still holding Erica’s hand. He turned his head to look at her. “You know, that would have been so much more satisfying if I could have slammed down a receiver.”
“These touchscreens aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, huh?
She squeezed his hand and laid back with him, a small sigh escaping her lips.
“Long day?” He asked.
“The longest.” Finally releasing his hand, she rubbed her fingers against her eyes. “And it’s not over yet. I need to figure out what I’m doing next.“
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“Well, most pressing is where I’m staying. My parents are an option, but I don’t want to impose after today. And Liv and Josh are still in honeymoon mode—”
“Lucky bastards.”
“Right? Anyway, at some point, I have to make a decision, and it’s not one I want to make.”
“So don’t,” he said with a shrug. “Stay here with me and get pissed on apple sourz and cheap cider.”
“How appealing,” she teased. “Like being a teenager all over again.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll bring out the good whiskey if you’re gonna complain.” He tapped her shoulder with a teasing touch. “Seriously, Erica. You can have the bed, I’ll sleep on the sofa. Why go somewhere and be sad all by yourself when you can stay here, and we cheer each other up?”
“What sort of fake girlfriend would I be if I left you all alone tonight?” She asked, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Marcus. I really don’t want to be alone tonight.”
“Neither do I,” he murmured. “Believe me, you’re doing me a favour.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Distantly on the street below, Marcus could hear children. They were excitedly chatting as they played with the toys Santa had brought them.
