Chapter Seventeen

Bette is on edge tonight, though I have absolutely no idea why. I listen to her grumbling in the living room as she waits for me to shower and dress. I couldnt even distract her from her miserable mood by asking her to join me.

Somehow Bette has been roped into donating art for this new club called Milk. Ok so I roped her into donating it, but Im sure that Milk is going to be a big hit and pretty soon Bette is going to be glad that the art hanging on their walls came courtesy of my one and only. I guess I should have asked before I made suggestions because tonight Bette will be Bette Porter art director and not my Bette. It never occurred to me that Id be dating two people, and it never occurred to me that the two of them would be so different. I muse over my thoughts as I apply mascara to my long lashes.

I look at my reflection in the steamy bathroom mirror, my puckered lips a faint cherry red to match my fitted dress that sort of sways out at the bottom when I twirl. Hopefully this will put a smile on Bettes face, otherwise Im going to have to break out the black underwear.

When I open the bathroom door Bette is sat on the sofa, looking down at her watch anxiously as she tuts to herself. She leans forward, her white suit stretching with her, its jacket opening slightly to give me a glimpse of her black bra. I lick my lips, walking slowly towards her. She rubs her temples with her hands, her eyes catching sight of me, dropping and then shooting back up again. A smile teases her distressed features. You look amazing She gushes, standing up to run her hands lingeringly across my body.

Thanks baby I wrap my arms around her waist kissing her lips tenderly as the smile returns to her eyes. You look so hot I comment, my hands moving from her chin to inbetween her cleavage. I bring my lips to her full, glossed mouth, tasting the sweetness of her. Delicious She chuckles as I wink at her. Good enough to eat I add.

Save that for later She playfully scolds me. For now I have business to attend to I take her hand, entwining our fingers together.

Ill be good I half heartedly promise, snaking my hand along the curve of her back.

When we walk through the doors of Milk, Bette talking to some woman that I dont know, I find that I dont even want to blink in case I miss anything. Its lame but right now I feel like a virgin to all of this.

Before I met Bette my life was pretty simple, if a little stagnant. Everybody looked the same, talked the same, and acted the same, nobody ever really tried to make an impact.

These people, men and women, some indistinguishable, are making a pretty big impact on me. So many different people with so many different personalities all flocking into the club. I look at my surroundings with wide eyes, drag queens embracing, girls kissing each other, men touching each other. I shouldnt look, I should be polite and focus on Bette and the people that are praising her art, and yet I really cant.

Youll get used to it Alice tells me, when Bette has left my side to talk to a growing group of people.

Its just all so…

Pornographic? You get used to that too, in fact you should be used to that at the rate you and Bette are going

Yeah but its always interesting to spice things up a little I wiggle my eyebrows. Interested? Didnt you just write an article on threesomes?

Alice considers me with one eyebrow cocked in thought before she breaks out into a big smile. I see Bettes briefed you on my sense of humour She sighs. Yep this could be the start of a beautiful relationship. I approve

Thank god for that

You and me Tina we need to get to know each other more. I say ladies night out, leave your little woman at home and Ill clue you in on all the juicy gossip that concerns our lady Porter

Sounds like a plan to me

Im going to go mingle but Im gonna hold you to that night out
I watch Alice spread through the crowd, greeting almost everybody she comes into contact with.

I look around and realise that Im on my own, my eyes search the crowd and find Bette stood infront of a painting, all eyes transfixed on her as she literally sells the work of art. It makes me proud, all these adoring faces, all these people that want to talk and listen to her. Knowing that none of them could get even the slightest bit as close to Bette as Ive been. Since weve been together its like Bette and I are the same person, no matter what Im doing or where I am I can feel Bette pulling me to her.

I walk over to her just as a guy in a polyester shirt cracks a joke that everybody seems to find funny, bar me. I stand next to Bette all conversation lost on me as I slide my hand down her arm, entwining our fingers together. I feel Bette pull away from me, and I wonder if Ive made some kind of social faux pa? Because almost every face seems to be focused on me.

Tina Im a little busy here… She smiles at her little crowd of people. …could you give me a minute?

A frown furrows my brow Sure I reply, my voice deflated as I walk away.

Sorry what was I saying?

You were talking about the hidden message behind the piece

Right, right, so basically…

I sit at the bar, looking over my shoulder as Bette chats to her group of fans. I did not like the way Bette spoke to me, didnt like the way she made me feel so small. Could you give me a minute? Like she was embarrassed to have me around her. I feel excluded, I feel like I do not belong here, and this is the first time Bette has made me feel like this since we started dating. I mean I had expected to feel like this, but I dont know I guess I just never expected to be made to feel like this. I finish my glass of red wine, its warm taste soothing some of the sorrow in me.

Can I get you another? I look to the side of me to find a brown haired woman smiling, her cheeks rosy her eyes content. I glance over my shoulder at Bette, noting how different she looks when she has her game face on. I shrug.

Ok

Ok good. My names Melissa She extends a hand and I take it in my own.

Tina I tell her.

Tina, thats a beautiful name

I shrug again. I guess

She places a glass of red wine infront of me. It could be worse She explains, and Im embarrassed to admit that I find her cheery aura somewhat irritating. I mean you could be called Margaret or Beryl…or Bette She chuckles.

My head snaps up. Whats wrong with Bette? I ask my tone accusing. I catch a glimmer of sadness in Melissas cheerful manor and it makes me feel bad. Im sorry, today isnt a very good day I explain sipping my wine.

She moves closer to me. I thought as much Out of the corner of my eye I notice her arm moving sneakily around the back of me. Maybe I could change that? She asks with a wink, her hand touching my naked back. She runs a hand through my tousled locks and I pull my head away.

Im flattered honestly but…

Whats going on here? I turn around, Melissas arm slipping guiltily from around my shoulders as Bette eyes her with a mixture of disgust and anger.

Hi my names Melissa Melissa introduces herself, extending her hand which Bette just looks at.

T? You want to explain this situation?

I take a sip of my wine. What situation? I ask calmly.

I dont know whether you know this but when youre in a relationship with a woman the same rules apply, you cant flirt with women at the bar!

I wasnt flirting with her

It looked that way to me

I finish my wine. Thanks for the drink, it was nice talking to you, and thanks for trusting me Bette

Trusting you? She snorts, holding onto my wrist as I walk quickly towards the exit. I know what I saw

No Bette… I push her hand away. …you saw nothing and your mind made up the rest. She was coming onto me, that doesnt mean I was coming onto her

So why were you so flattered then?

Like I was going to say to her, I was flattered but I already have a girlfriend. A girlfriend that abandons me at the bar because Im not good enough to be included in conversations with her fans, but a girlfriend none the less

We reach the parking lot, the cold clinging to my body, my teeth chattering with sympathy for my bare arms. I look around for a cab more than aware of Bette standing behind me, her expression expectant as she waits for me to say or do something.

Well what was I supposed to think?

I glare at her before turning my attention to the empty space infront of me. What were you supposed to think?

Thats right T, what the ***** was I supposed to think?

I take a step closer to her, my hands placed firmly on my hips, my face flushed with anger. You know how I feel about you Bette I spit the words out even as I can see Bette trying to bite down the amused smile on her lips. Its not funny!

Im sorry…ok Im sorry but Ive just never seen you this angry before, you look cute I cant help it

I want to go home, take me home or get me a cab