The hotel that Becca finally chose was a
classically small place that all three of them agreed was charming. As an
extra, the owner, a very nice, matronly woman, had thrown in the room for the
entire night before the wedding at half price. Becca decided it was practical.
She couldn’t sleep with Liam the night before the wedding, it was bad luck. So
she decided to throw a little party the night before. In the hotel room.
“It’s a good idea, love. But do you have to
invite Mark?”
“He’s my best friend, Liam. I can’t exclude
him. Besides, Holly and Alice are going to be there, what’s the problem?”
“Nothing, I just…you know how I feel about
him.”
“I also know that you have no reason to
dislike him. He is always honorable to me and he would never try to break us
up.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Okay, throw your little party. Enjoy, but
the next day you’re mine. For the rest of our lives.”
She smiled at him and kissed him, but it felt
forced and, to be honest, the thought that it was forever was terrifying. She
decided to call Holly and Alice later to invite them. Besides, Liam’s mates
would probably get him a stripper or something. She was just having her male
friend over for a few drinks.
*~*
“Mark would you head down to that liquor
store and pick up some wine and beer, please?”
“Sure thing,” he said before dashing off.
“We are going in here to pick up some snack
foods,” Becca announced to Holly and Alice as they walked into a small grocers.
“So Liam knows that Mark is with us, right?”
Holly asked nervously.
“Of course. I have no reason to keep that
from him.”
“You don’t even think it might be a bad
idea?” Alice asked surveying the shelves in front of her.
“Why would I think that?” Becca asked staring
at Alice who seemed oblivious to the shock in her voice.
“Only because you and Mark plastered in the
same room might be trouble. That’s all.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Holly tried to mend the situation to avoid an
awkward evening. “All she’s saying is that you might have some pre-wedding
jitters and you might do something you’ll regret.”
“Why would I do something…” Becca stopped
realizing that she might in fact do something she regretted tonight. “I guess
you’re right. I get kind of flirty when I’ve been drinking.”
“See,” Holly said shooting Alice a look.
“Don’t worry, Bec, we’ll be there to make sure you don’t do anything too
stupid.”
“Thanks Holly. I don’t know what I was
thinking,” Becca chuckled before moving off down the aisle while Alice and
Holly shot each other wary glances.
Outside on the sidewalk, Mark was waiting for
them with a brown paper bag in his arms. “Did you get something yummy?” he
asked with a flirtatious smile playing on his face.
Holly and Alice rolled their eyes to heaven
while Becca answered, “Yeah, lots of shrimp and crab and fish and―”
“Hold it, you didn’t seriously buy out the
seafood department, did you?” he asked looking disgusted.
“No, we got cheese and bread and some crisps
and stuff. Nothing bad,” Becca stuck her tongue out at him and Mark returned
the gesture. Together, the four of them walked to the hotel.
Alice leaned over to whisper into Holly’s
ear. “It’s going to be a long night.”
*~*
“York is going to kick Manchester’s butts!”
Alice exclaimed as she and Mark sat, transfixed by the small TV in the hotel
room.
“In your dreams,” Mark said taking a swig of
his beer. “Lawrence is the best player on the league and there’s no way he’ll
go down.”
“You guys, when I invited you here, the idea
was not for you to watch rugby while we played gin. Now turn off the telly and
get your asses over here,” Becca ordered before gulping some white wine.
“All right then,” Mark said smiling for
Alice, “what shall we do?”
“Well, what do you guys do at these things?”
Holly asked.
“We don’t have these things. What are they
called? Sleepovers? We get pissed and pass out or we shag all night, there’s no
pajamas and giggling and games or anything,” Alice said before downing the last
of her second beer.
“Well, I think we’ll get the pissed part
down, no problem, but as for the shagging all night…”
“Well, it’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to
do it,” Mark said looking around at the three of them.
“Baz, part of BBMak’s charm is that there are
three members,” Alice said dryly, “Let’s not change that.”
“Fine, fine, no one gets laid tonight.”
“We didn’t say no one, just not you!” Becca
said cackling.
“Well, Becca, deary, I had no idea. When were
you going to tell us?” Holly said chuckling at her obviously drunken friend.
“How many glasses of vino did you give this
girl while my back was turned?” Mark asked jokingly.
“Only four,” Becca said laughing. “I’m not as
think as you drunk I am.”
“No, you’re absolutely right, love. Forgive
me for thinking otherwise.”
“Forgiven. Now, since you limey Brits
obviously have no fun girly traditions, we yanks are gonna have to provide the
entertainment.”
“And what, pray tell, is that?”
“Well after the traditional strip show―”
“We get a strip show?”
“Well, it’s normally all girls…of course you
don’t get a strip show. Anyway, after the stripping, we usually play…truth or
dare?” Becca asked Holly.
“In the time-honored tradition,” Holly
agreed.
“What’s this?” Mark asked leaning forward.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Bazza, even I
know what it is,” Alice said laughing.
“Sorry, I’m a male and a British one at that.
You’ll just have to excuse my ignorance.”
“Okay, ignoring the boy, are you in or what?”
“I’m not in until someone explains this
game.”
“Well, Baz, why don’t we all go before you
and by the time we get to you, I think you’ll understand.”
“Sounds good. Let’s go.”
“Okay,” Becca said slyly. “Holly, truth or
dare?”
“Truth,” Holly said.
“Have you and Christian had dirty nasty sex
yet?” The three women cackled with laughter while Mark looked at them in awe.
The wonders a little alcohol could do.
“Well, it hasn’t been of the dirty nasty
variety yet, but we’re working on that.”
“Oooh, very good,” Becca nodded approvingly.
“All righty,” Holly turned to Alice. “Truth
or dare?”
“I think in the name of education, I’ll take
dare, just to show Bazza.”
“Okay then, how about you…call the room next
door and when the man answers, you order him to remain quiet and then talk
dirty. When he tells you that he’s not ‘Alan’ you apologize for calling the
wrong number like it’s nothing.”
“Oh that’s horrorshow.” Alice said smiling.
She moved over to the phone and dialed a few numbers. “Hello Alan, don’t say a
word, just let me say what I have to say and then if you still want to stay
with your wife, I’ll understand. I want you, Alan, I need you. You make me hot,
you make me so wet, just the mere thought of you makes me come. I can’t go on
unless I have you all to myself, every day and every night, I’ll make you
happy, you won’t forget it―” She stopped and held her hand over her
mouth. “Oh, right, sorry sir, have a nice evening.”
The group roared with laughter and suddenly
heard a thumping coming from the next room. “Probably Alan,” Mark said
laughing.
“Probably,” Alice said happily. “Your turn
Baz. Truth or dare?”
“I have to go with…” he looked at Alice and
knew there was no way out of it. “Truth.”
“Ever been in love?” Holly gaped at Alice and
Becca held her breath. Mark looked at their faces and forced a smile to his
face.
“Yes. I have. Now, Becca’s turn.”
“No explanation?” Alice asked innocently.
“No. Becca? What’s your pleasure?”
“Truth, please.”
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?”
“Of course I am. This is life we’re talking
about. I have to grow up tomorrow. I have to pledge my life to someone else and
that’s just unfathomable. I mean, of course. How could I not be?”
The three of them stared at her. She had just
poured her soul out to them and then Holly and Alice turned to Mark. How could
he have the gall to ask such a question?
“Well, it’s only to be expected,” Mark said
giving her an understanding smile.
“Okay, um, Alice, Truth or Dare?”
“Truth,” she said brightly.
*~*
Becca and Mark sat side by side on the floor
sharing the last beer, while they watched Holly and Alice snore softly on the
bed.
“I’m gonna look afright tomorrow…this
morning,” she said looking at her watch.
“You’re also going to have one hell of a
hangover.”
“Probably. Mark, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, sweetie.”
“When you said you’d been in love
earlier…what happened? Do you still love her?”
“Well, she was perfect, Bec. She was
everything I’ve ever wanted, but I couldn’t have her. She had one path in life
and I had another. I regret not having told her every day of my life, but time marches
on and I’ll get over it.”
“You’re not over it? That must be very hard
for you.”
“It is. But, like I said, life goes on.”
“I love you Mark.” She proclaimed leaning her
head on his shoulder.
“You’re just saying that cuz you’re pissed.”
“Well, yeah, I’m pissed, but I do love you.
You’ve the best friend of my life.”
“Isn’t it funny…I spoke to you in the bar to
hit on you. I ended up becoming your best friend.”
“I hope that my being married doesn’t change
our friendship, Baz.”
“Never,” he said putting his arm around her
and squeezing her shoulder lightly.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart.” Mark watched as she
lay down on the floor with her head in his lap and drifted off to sleep. He
knew now that he would love her for the rest of his life and that he would live
every day knowing that he couldn’t have her. Welcome to hell, he thought
bitterly.
*~*~*~*~*