Chapter 16 -- Game of Chaos
As I opened my eyes I saw that I was still in Penny's bed. I was still holding my Penny and I was delighted. I was even more delighted when I looked past Penny and saw that she had her arm wrapped another lovely female body. I smiled widely, wondering when, exactly, Brooke had crawled into bed with us. I was extremely glad that she had.
I was not about to move. I laid there for what felt like hours, just staring at my sunshine and my angel. They moved me without even knowing it, without even being awake. I watched them sleep, watched them breath. It was so peaceful and perfect that I never wanted it to end, but it did when Brooke began to stir.
I watched her rub her eyes and the gently glide out from under Penny's arm. She slowly slid off the bed, not knowing that I was watching her every movement. She placed her feet on the floor quietly and took a step towards the door.
"Leaving so soon," I whispered playfully.
Brooke jumped back, crashing into the closet door and put her hand on her chest. She was completely startled and it woke Penny. I leaned over and kissed Penny gently on the cheek as she opened her eyes. Brooke had regained her composure and was staring at me.
"That's not funny," she chastised me.
"Neither is sneaking out," I countered mockingly.
"Ok, well, I am going to get ready to go to Leslie's," Brooke announced as she left the room, still scowling at me.
Penny rolled over to face me.
"What's going on at Leslie's," she inquired.
"Brunch," I answered simply. "We should get ready as well."
I sat up and exited her bed. I returned to my room and heard Penny head into Brooke's room. They got ready together, giggling and traveling between their rooms for needed accessories. I threw on a pair of shorts and a decent enough looking shirt, presentable but very casual. I headed downstairs and waited on my women. The wait always seemed to pass quicker with a cup of coffee.
As I placed my mug in the sink, they made there way down to me. I took in the sight of them as they turned the corner from the stairs. They were always beautiful to me and today was no exception. Brooke had on a royal blue halter sundress and matching patent leather pumps. Penny was wearing a black tube style dress with lots of ruffles complimented by simple black flip flops. They were wonderfully perfect to me and I could not get enough of either of them, but together, they were magnificent.
I rode with Penny over to Leslie's while Brooke followed us in her car. She loved having the top down on sunny days. I adored that she was the perfect California blond. We pulled up in front of Leslie's house as Brooke sped into the driveway. We walked to the door together and waited as Brooke rang the bell.
Leslie answered the door, looking terrific herself. She was wearing a white tube top and denim short-shorts. Her feet were bare and she was totally charming. She went wild when she saw Penny, hugging her tightly and ushering us all into the house. We followed her out to the back patio, where Nikki and Monica were fussing over Brian. Mindy was also already there, sunning herself on a patio chair and unaffected by anything going on around her.
Everything stopped when we made our way out from the house. Nikki rushed to Penny and hugged her tightly. There was a lot of love as everyone appeared genuinely happy to see her home. We all found seats at the table on the patio, where we enjoyed the food and mimosas that were set before us. It was a great way to spend a Saturday and the mood was very upbeat. I was enjoying these moments as they past swiftly in front of me.
When Emma arrived late, the mood in the air seemed to change. She came through the glass doors and greeted everyone, including Penny very casually. I gave her my seat at the table so she could sit and eat, though I felt a tension or apprehension sweep over then entire group of people I was with. I moved to a patio chair next to Mindy, where I laid back and relaxed. I watched Emma just go through the motions of making small talk and I was somewhat confused.
I would have thought Emma would have been happier to see Penny, but her mood was rough and bitter. She drank several mimosas while they talked and she seemed to lighten up some, but as the conversation and the alcohol continued to flow, her bitterness returned. It was evident to me in her tone of voice and her body language. Maybe it was me.
Nikki was seated on the edge of the pool, holding Brian and dipping his toes in the water while Monica relaxed on a patio chair on the other side of the pool. The vibe stayed casual, but I still felt that something was not right. The women shifted from mimosas to wine and cosmos as they chatted away the mid-day. I watched and rather enjoyed seeing them being together without making me the center of attention. I lounged and relaxed, thinking briefly how lucky I was to be here, now. The booze continued to flow and Emma seemed to be getting more and more obstinate with every drink. Her cranky demeanor was being overlooked by everyone, except me, though I continued not to call her out on it. The day passed slowly and as we hit late afternoon, I thought the tension had passed. Monica had taken Brian inside for a nap and Nikki joined the ladies at the table. Mindy turned herself in her chair and was now leaning against me lazily.
"If you want a week or two to get back into the swing of things, I will continue running the game," Emma offered to Penny casually as she polished off her sixth or seventh cosmopolitan.
Every woman's eyes snapped and locked onto Emma. This was bomb I was waiting for, the one we could feel hanging in the air. It felt like something was coming and this was it. I hoped that Emma had passed by it but she had not. My stomach turned and I felt a large knot forming. She was pretty drunk and I feared that this was not going to end well.
"I think I am good to go," Penny countered peacefully, not sure of where that had come from.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to continue running the game," Emma said flatly, slightly slurring her words.
"Why wouldn't it be a good idea," Brooke asked patiently.
"I think I should stay in the lead for a while," Emma admitted.
"Em, this isn't funny," Leslie chastised her.
"I'm not joking," Emma scolded. "I think it's time we take the game up a notch and I can do that. I started this thing after all. It's mine anyway. It's time I took it back. We need to right this ship and set some things straight."
Tears began to fall rapidly from Penny's eyes, though she said nothing. She was not prepared for this and she did not know how to respond. She sat silently and listened while she cried.
"You are saying hurtful things to people who care about you," Nikki informed her. "That is not called for nor is it appreciated."
