Page 70 of Forgetting the Enemy
With five minutes to spare, I am showered, dressed, and ready to go. I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do tonight. It will be fun to go out and kick back and have fun. It will be fun to make new memories.
The door buzzes, and I go to see who it is. It’s Darius. I’m surprised to see him here. I expected him to be at the party with the rest of the guys.
“Why aren’t you at the party?” I ask.
“Because I’m going to the girls’ party,” he replies with a smile.
“Oh, no. You’re stuck with us tonight, aren’t you?” I suddenly feel bad for him. It’s really not fair.
“Yea, Zaira, I am. Jude too.”
“That’s so unfair,” I cry.
“It’s all part of the job. My number-one priority is you. Where you go, I follow. It’s that simple,” he says, and I truly believe he’s not disappointed about the party. If he is disappointed, then he’s a damn good actor. “Come on, the girls are waiting for you in the lobby.”
“Okay then, let’s go.”
***
It’s 2:00 a.m., and we are just getting back to the hotel. What a fun and relaxing night. Dinner was amazing, and that show? Oh my God, it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. I even think Francesca enjoyed it. None of us got drunk and out of control either. It was just a fun girls’ night.
Opening the door to our hotel room, I find it dark and quiet. Then I remember, Michael is not here. Tonight, we spend apart.
Darius follows behind me and says, “I’ll be in Ricco’s room if you need me.”
“Thank you, Darius. You’ve been a real trooper tonight,” I say sleepily.
“It was my pleasure, Zaira. Sleep well,” he says and walks toward Ricco’s room.
“Good night, D,” I say and head into my room.
He turns back and looks at me. “D?” he asks.
“Sometimes Darius is just too long. Is that okay?”
“Yep, sure is, Z,” he replies, and I smile. I like it. It’s less formal, and since he and I will be spending a lot of time together in the future, it’s relaxed and perfect.
I’m exhausted, and once I have my face washed and my teeth brushed, I crawl into bed. It’s lonely without Michael, but I find comfort in knowing that tonight will be the last time I sleep without him.
Closing my eyes, I quickly drift off into sleep.
***
Michael
I’m so done with this. It’s 2:00 a.m., and the guys are still drinking and partying, and all I can think about is Zaira. I hate that I am spending the night alone, but she was adamant about heeding superstitions. After tonight, however, she will never sleep without me again. I walk over to Alex and say, “Hey, man, I’m gonna turn in.”
He looks surprised and disappointed. “Oh, man, come on. Just a little longer.”
“Alex, everything was great, but I’ve got a big day tomorrow. Do you really think Zaira would be happy if I showed up to our wedding half asleep?” I ask in my defense.
His expression softens. “Okay, bro, I get it.”
“Thanks, little brother.” I walk toward Vince, who is still partying, and say, “I’m gonna crash in your suite.”
He nods. “Sleep well.”
Ricco is right behind me. Turning back to him, I say, “Let’s go.” He nods, and we leave the party.
When I get to Vince’s room, I ask, “You want the bedroom or the couch?”
Ricco replies exactly as I expected him to. “I’ll take the couch.”
I walk into the second bedroom and drop onto the bed. I’m beat, and I don’t even have the energy to change my clothes. Before I know it, I’m out.
