“I got a few polish choices that I thought you might like. That way, if the polish chips, we can just reapply it ourselves,” she says, our feet in the little bowls of hot water.
These mani pedis are no joke. I practically get a full body massage over my shorts and t-shirt. I choose a light nude pink for my fingers and a hot pink for my toes.
The next surprise is lunch at my favorite taqueria. I get carne asada street tacos, and Raquel orders shrimp tacos. One of the reasons I love this restaurant is because they have a salsa bar with pickled veggies! They are spicy and delicious and amazing!
“Rock, this is insane!” I say when she pays for our lunch.
“I want you to stay. Figured a little bribery wouldn’t hurt.” She winks, giving me a grin.
“Well, I’m here at least until I take the boards,” I tell her.
“When do you plan on taking them?” she asks as we walk to her car.
“I’m thinking a month,” I say. “Is that long enough for you?” I ask. I’ve already been here for two months.
“You never need to leave as far as I’m concerned. You can always get a nursing job here and live with me,” she suggests with a toothy grin.
I’d considered it. But Austin is big and spread out. Plus, there’s no big lake or body of water nearby. I like being near the water. Always have. Even during the winter months in Seattle, I’d find myself sitting on our dock staring at Lake Washington.
And, as I predicted, Silk is a lot for me! Like a lot, a lot!
While the acrobats are amazing on the silks, it’s too sexual for me. Like it’s everywhere. The aerialists wear pasties and basically underwear. I’m not a prude, but this just isn’t my scene.
“Hey, I’m gonna head out,” I tell Raquel after I drink down my last Cosmo.
“You can’t go; you just got here,” says Felix, one of Josh’s friends.
I met Felix once before when he came over to watch movies with Josh. I think he thought I was gonna hook up with himbecause he kept trying to put his arm around me.
I laugh at the memory because that was never going to happen. Felix looks too much like my ex. So much so that I almost called him Cody. It was weird.
I look at Raquel and Josh and still do not understand their relationship. His arm’s around her shoulder, and she’s cuddled into him, yet… they both seem distracted by other people. I don’t get it.
“Sorry,” I say with a shrug as I put my glass down and stand. “I need to study, anyway. Thanks for getting us in, Josh.” He reaches over and gives me a hug. “Don’t let her drink too much,” I tell him.
“I got her,” Josh replies. “Text me when you get home.” He chucks me under the chin in a brotherly way, and I roll my eyes.
I give Raquel a quick hug and get the fuck out of there!
Chapter Twelve
Mikayla
Another day, another nightclub. The noise is more than I can handle! And I’m beginning to feel like I’m ready to move on from this city.
I love Raquel. But you can tell she’s the extrovert in this relationship. It’s not that I don’t like people. I just… clubs aren’t my thing. This isn’t my idea of fun, but I do it for her.
I have been staying at Raquel’s now for three months, and it has been amazing. I’m not expected to cook and clean for her, but of course I do. I don’t have a problem with doing nice things forpeople. I guess it’s the expectation? I don’t know.
Now that I’ve been away from my mom, I’m beginning to wonder if maybe I was too close to it? Maybe I was being too hard on her? I mean, fucking Cody… that was a line she crossed. But the stuff before then, maybe I was being overly judgmental? Yet, I can’t seem to bring myself to contact her. I feel guilty, but at the same time, happy.
Over the course of my time here in Texas, I’ve studied enough and felt confident in taking my boards. So… I took the exam earlier today.
Not that she needed an excuse, but of course, Raquel said I had to go out and blow off some steam. I haven’t told her yet, but I’m gonna head out tomorrow, maybe go to California. I’m not sure. But I need to figure out where I want to work. I love Raquel, but I can’t live with her. And I’m getting restless.
“You make it seem like I’m trying to kill you by making you go out!” she yells at me over the blaring music.
We walk to the bar and order apple martinis after waiting for what feels like hours.
