Family Ties — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

”

“Did they visit his family?”

“Oh, God no! He won’t do that while she’s still working at the club.”

“Wonderful,” I said. “Love the double standard.”

“And she’s still pulling away from you?”

“Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “She hasn’t been home since last week. She still has a few things here—I think she’s too scared to officially break up with me—but it’s over. In all but name.”

“I’m sorry to hear. Why don’t you end it, for both of you?”

“Yeah, I know. Easier said than done.”

“You’re going to have to do it eventually.

“You know her so well.” She laughed, but it was forlorn.

“Yeah, I guess I do. I mean, she was my girlfriend too… at least for a while.”

“So be a grown-up and end it. Then you can be friends after. You know if she just disappears, you won’t hear from her again. Ever. She’ll feel too guilty.”

“Easier said than done,” I repeated.

“Let’s talk about something happier.”

“Okay. What’s the good part of your Thanksgiving?”

“I had fun with the gallery owner and her friends.

“Romantic possibilities?”

“Well, Max— Wait, lemme back up. The gallery owner is Maxine, but everyone calls her Max.”

“Okay, so… Max.” She paused and considered her next words. “Let’s talk about the good first. Then the exciting, like you said.”

“So, the good: she definitely wants to help my career.”

“I’m not surprised. You’re really talented.”

“You’ve always said that, even when I was a total bitch to you.

“Thanks. Sometimes I have a hard time believing it, though.”

“Yeah, I guess you would. Anyway, Max can do a lot for my career. And I don’t have to sleep with her.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“I’m not sure,” she said with a laugh. “I mean, I was prepared for her to tell me I was spending the weekend. It wouldn’t’ve been the first time.”

“Yeah, I kinda figured,” I said.

“What? Someone treating you like a person instead of property?”

“No, I don’t.

“I don’t need your pity,” she flared.

“It isn’t pity. It’s… empathy.”

“I’ve never been in your situation, but I know what it feels like to have someone treat you like a convenient sex toy.” I thought about Kendall, and sometimes even Gina. “I never really felt… powerless… but still.”

“Yeah, well… you have no idea.”

“No, I don’t. So… let’s talk about something happier. The gallery owner is interested?”

“Art lovers or other lesbians?”

“Both.