III: Rival Bestfriends…

THE VACATION SWAP, EPISODE FOUR: RIVAL BEST FRIENDS..,

GABBY

Celia joined me at the bar that evening. “I didn't think I would see you out here,” she said as she took the stool beside me.

“I needed a drink to knock me out after that flight,” I confessed.

Celia nodded. “Same here. Lekan went to sleep as soon as he showered. I have been sitting on the bed, reading a magazine about furniture and home decor.”

Celia crossed her legs as we laughed. She ordered a drink, and we both looked out at the pool.

“The view is better at night,” I told her when I noticed her admiring the place.

“I can't wait,” Celia squealed. She was in a much better mood than she had been this morning, and I wondered why.

I had been here before for work. When Celia called to ask if I wanted to go to Vegas for our anniversary, I immediately said I wasn't sure I could make it.

Celia and I have been best friends since high school. We were the kind of best friends who chased boys and made up whenever we grew bored with the men. We were wild and we were rivals, but we were inseparable.

When we agreed to have our weddings on the same day, we also decided to merge our honeymoon locations.

One night, Celia and I drank too much and had a dangerous idea. She wanted to sleep with Terry, and she offered her husband, Lekan, to me.

We agreed to switch beds for one night without the men knowing, but my sweet Terry got busy with work and never came back to our room.

That was my final act of asserting power over Celia. It wasn't intentional, but I had the last laugh. I got to enjoy Lekan without him even knowing, and Celia spent the night alone, imagining all the ways her new husband was making love to me.

My phone rang and I answered. “Hi, baby,” I said, putting my earpods in.

Terry’s voice came through. “You tired me out so well that I don't think I'm coming to the bar,” Terry said.

I chuckled. “I tired you out?”

“Yes, in the shower and… the point is, I am sleepy. I will call it an evening, night whatever, and wake up later for dinner. Okay, baby? I love you.”

Confused, all I could do was reply, “I love you too.”

Celia frowned at my expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Terry said he saw me and…” I was about to explain, but it made no sense. “I don't think it matters.”

“Oh, did I mention I went to your room first to look for you?” Celia said, leaning back and crossing her legs. She stared into the horizon at the blinding sun and the salt-tainted air. When she turned back to me, a wicked smile curled her lips.

It was starting to make sense why she was so happy.

“You left the door open, so it wasn't hard to get in. Girl, I finally completed a deal we made five years ago. How crazy is that?” Celia said teasingly.

I sat up, grabbing the edge of the table. “What did you do?”

“I only sucked your husband’s cock. God, I wanted to fuck him so bad, but I could not risk you walking in and messing it up.”

I was furious as I listened to her. How dare she do this to me?

“Celia, I told you not to bring up anything about our past,” I said, leaning across the table to whisper.

“It is a new day, Gabby. All I did was step in for you. To be honest, I haven't had that much fun sucking Lekan off in at least two years.”

I folded my hands and looked away disappointed. Terry and I were doing great. Our sex life was healthy, if you didn't count the days we were stressed from his legal trial.

Terry’s father died without leaving a clear will, and now Terry had to go to court with his elder brother. They were trying to keep him out of the will because he was an illegitimate son.

Terry’s half-brother, Keith, was the stranger Celia and I had hooked up with six months before our weddings.

These were the secrets I hoped we would take to the grave. If this came out, it could cost Terry the case.

If they had any reason to say I conspired, it would destroy the honest stance Terry’s lawyers were trying to maintain. Even Terry could not get a whiff of it.

“We were twenty-five. I am over thirty now,” I snapped.

Celia spoke very quietly. “Are you happy, Gabby?” She reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “I know you wanted more for yourself. I hate to see you not living those dreams. It is only one week and we are in Vegas. Me and you, Gabby and Celia. Why are you afraid to play?”

Because I was afraid to lose Terry. After all these years, he was all I had, and all he had was his family wealth.

Terry was as anxious as I was, if he felt my past would cost him his inheritance, he would not hesitate to cut me off. I had nothing to my name except a dying acting career and outdated brand deals.

“Terry can never find out about—”

“About what?” Celia cut in, winking at me. She zipped her mouth shut and threw the imaginary key away.