Page 42 of Chasing Blue

“She’s not my girlfriend,” I confirm. “She’s not my anything anymore.”

“Anymore? You got dumped over dinner? Ha. Must be something in the air.”

‘What’s that mean?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Nothing. So, the blonde is no more? She seemed pretty at home at your place earlier.”

“Yeah, that was kinda the problem.”

“Ah, yeah. Right.” I watch as she gives a succession of over-exaggerated nods.

“She was getting serious, so time for Jack to move on. I’m gonna find Zo.”

“No. Blue, wait.” I try to reach for her arm, but Shannon shoves a shot glass in my direction. I knock back the fiery liquid and watch Scarlett disappear into the crowd on the dance floor.

* * *

Standingwith my back against the bar, I again shift out of the way to allow another group of people to take a selfie with my brother.

I’m a lot of vodkas and three shots of tequila in. I can feel the effect, but I’m too pissed off to enjoy the buzz.

Scarlett’s been dancing for an hour, sending Zoe to the bar to order drinks, I’m assuming, so she can avoid me.

I watch as she raises her arms in the air, moving her hips, and singing along to another old-school tune. I know this one, and when I sing the words, ‘when you just can’t break away,’ to ‘Young Hearts Run Free’, Scarlett’s eyes hit mine, and she sings right along with me.

It’s not until Zoe says something into her ear that she finally looks away, and I finish the drink contained in the glass I’ve been gripping.

“So, are you down here visiting your brother? Scarlett’s never mentioned to me that she knows Shannon.”

I turn my head to see Span standing beside me.

“Is your name actually Spangles?” I ask. He laughs and shakes his head.

“No, it’s actually Spiros, but when my niece first started talking, for some reason, she called me Spangles. I was fifteen, knew for sure I was gay, was comfortable with that, and thought Spangles was the most fabulous name for a gay man ever, especially because my surname is Diamandis.”

“Spangles Diamandis, great name for a drag queen,” my unfiltered brain responds.

“Isn’t it. Unfortunately, I have an aversion to heels and lipstick, so I opened a bar instead.”

I nod, realising that not only do we have Scarlett in common, but a business.

“But no, in answer to your original question, I’m not here visiting Shannon, I live here,” I explain.

“Really? Strange that Scar has never mentioned you.”

I take a moment to study Spiros Diamandis, wondering again what exactly the dynamics of his relationship are with Scar.

“She didn’t know I was living down here. We’ve not seen each other for eighteen years, not since she left Palmers for Uni.”

He nods, his eyes scanning the room.

“How’d you meet back up?”

“I’m opening a bar and restaurant.” His head instantly turns my way and his narrowed eyes hit mine. “My sister booked an appointment with an interior designer for our fit-out, and it turned out to be Scarlett.”

“Where’s the bar?”

“Down the other end of the peninsula, don’t worry, I’m not the competition.”