The Side Project

Chapter 25 - Lexi

Chapter 25 - Lexi

Alliterative Allie & The Lexicon

Alliterative Allie & The Lexicon

Author's Note: Another slow chapter. And rather indulgent from a writing perspective. Hope you find it cute rather than obnoxious. Upcoming Chapter 26 is, uh, not slow.

I knew I would enjoy the hockey game. I was pretty sure Ky and Reed would too. The fun surprise had been how much the other ladies had gotten into it. I was totally invigorated that they had all enjoyed one of my favorite sports so much.

"I know you have to work tomorrow, but we can indulge in one drink after that, right?" I asked Allie.

"Oh heck yes, it's not that late. Not like I can just go to bed after all that electric excitement anyway!" Allie replied and linked her arm through mine. She led the way towards a Broadway bar she thought would be good for a postgame beverage.

Brandi proposed a round of shots, but Allie and I begged off. Her because of work, me because I didn't want another hangover in the morning. We got our drinks and grabbed a standing table. The bar was full of fans creating a satisfied post-game celebratory atmosphere that contrasted with the pre-game excitement from earlier in the night.

We expected the others to join us once they had done their shots and gotten their drinks, but Reed seemed to be holding court about something or other.

"Hey, can I ask you something? How well do you know Reed?" Allie asked once it was clear we were going to have a few minutes to ourselves.

"Pretty well, I suppose. Ky and him have been friends for a long time, but I've known him for a few years. Certainly would consider him a friend - you've heard some of our banter. Why do you ask?" I replied.

"Well I've got a weird feeling he's been sort of ignoring me all evening. Like ever since we got back to the house," Allie said. "Was just curious if he's normally aloof and I'm reading too much into it or not."

"Hmmm, normally disingenuous is not Reed's style. What you see is what you get," I said carefully. In my mind I was thinking that if Reed was after a woman he was normally laser focused.

"Huh, so you really think he's just ignoring me? That feels odd," Allie said.

"How so?" I asked. I had a feeling where this was going, but wanted to confirm it.

"Just that we seemed to have this really intense connection. I wasn't expecting anything crazy, but I kind of assumed he'd at least want to hang out tonight," Allie answered.

"Ok, so Ky's thoughts would be valuable here, since he knows Reed way better, but just to give you some insight - Reed is pathologically scared of commitment. Ky mentioned earlier some of how Reed is acting reminded him of how Reed acted around Alayna - that's his ex-wife," I explained.

"Uh, that's kind of nuts, right? I mean one, I'm married, even if I don't exactly take that commitment seriously. More importantly we only met yesterday. It's a hookup. A good hookup sure, but jeez. It's not like y'all even live in the same state," Allie said, perturbed.

"Hey girl, I'm not trying to defend it, just sharing my thoughts," I said.

"Fair, it's just, kind of annoying. I don't really want to play games, I just wanted to have some fun and get laid. You know, what I can't get at home," Allie complained.

I looked at Allie and we made eye contact.

"You want to ask me about my marriage, don't you?" Allie guessed.

"Sort of, you're under no obligation to talk about it though, of course," I admitted.

Allie sighed. "Probably healthy for me to give you the full story. Maybe you can guide me on how to find a perfect guy like Kyle."

I laughed. "Trust me, Ky's not perfect. We just work. But please go on, I'm in no rush," I told Allie. I glanced at the rest of our group. Brandi had center stage now. They seemed to be having a good time.

"So you know I went to Alabama. I grew up in a small town in East Texas, no chance I was going back there after college, so I moved to Dallas with a friend from college and kind of started making my way in life. Got a job, you know. Tried to be an adult," Allie explained.

"Wait, how old are you again, 29 right?" I interjected.

"Yep, turn 30 in a few weeks," Allie replied.

"Ha, that's pretty funny, you almost assuredly overlapped with Reed in Dallas. Possibly Ky too. He moved to California around that time. Anyways, just a funny aside, please, go on."

"Oh weird, small world I guess. Right, so I loved a party then as much as I do now, usually went out most weekend nights. And some weeknights. One night I was at a club and met Garrison. He was a little older, but not in a creepy way, just a little bit more established in life. We hit it off, partied for a bit and he got my number. We got along pretty well, started dating and next thing I know he's on one knee on our second anniversary," Allie said.

"Seems pretty normal so far, maybe moving a little fast for dating in your 20s but not unreasonable. When you say a little older I'm assuming you mean like five or six years, not 20, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, he turned 36 this year. So anyways, we get married a few months later. Big ceremony, very fancy. I knew he was pretty well off, but I thought that was just because he was farther along in his career than I was. Turns out his family is like generationally wealthy, as I discovered while wedding planning. That's also when the prenup came up. I figured I was in love, wasn't planning to quit my job anytime soon, so didn't think much of signing it."

Allie's husband insisting she sign a prenup contrasted so strongly with Ky, who I was not even married to, insisting on giving me some of his money for financial security. I smiled inwardly at how lucky I was.

"Everything started to change after the wedding. He had a few of his frat brothers as groomsmen, two of whom lived here. I think that's when they started to try to sell him on this annoying ass 'Alphas' idea. He started making little comments here and there, but as you've seen I'm not exactly shy about expressing myself, so I pushed back.

"What really changed things was when he got a job offer to come work with his buddies at this consulting company here in Nashville. It was almost double what he was making in Dallas, so I sort of felt like we had to say yes. And his family was more than happy to help him with a down payment on the house. Next thing I know we're living in my bizarre little slice of suburbia and my husband is spending all this time with his Alpha buddies.

"He was never exactly the sweet, sentimental type to begin with, but since we moved he's gotten worse and worse to the point I don't really want to be around him. He doesn't seem to notice or care because he only really cares about impressing his buddies and proving he's an 'alpha male.'" Allie's tone grew increasingly acidic as she finished her explanation.

My initial reaction to Allie's story was anger. I had always despised the sort of obnoxious, entitled male behavior Allie was describing. When I was younger I had been urged to tamp down my opinions, be less abrasive. I'd been the target of the term 'feminazi' a fair few times. I realized that probably was not what Allie was looking for though, so I resisted my urge to be upset and 'fix' things.

"I actually think you need better friends," I told Allie.

She cocked her head to the side thoughtfully. "Hmm, you might have a point there, explain?" she requested, a hint of shyness appearing for the first time.

"Well, your husband is a joke. That's obvious. There's a part of me that wants to tell you to find your self-respect and get rid of him, but I understand for a multitude of reasons it's not that simple.

"It seems like what you really use is a better support structure. Clearly you're very social and extroverted, the fact you were drinking by yourself when we met you last night? Couldn't get one girlfriend to join you? I think that's what you're really missing.

"Then I see how you lit up once you realized Reed, Ky and I invited you to join our little adventure, then we met the other girls. I know some of that was the coke and the excitement, but I think you were also back in your element a bit," I explained my thinking.

"Huh, you make some really good points. In my defense, between where I live and the unique circumstances of my marriage, there are some obstacles to easily making friends," Allie pointed out.

"Totally fair and I understand, but don't sell yourself short either, you seem really fun," I said.

"Thanks!" Allie smiled her broad toothy smile. She really was pretty. "Since Reed is doing whatever he's doing, can we be friends for tonight?"

"You got it!" I said and raised my glass in salute before taking a sip of my G&T. Just friends. For now.

- - - - -

- - - - -

Allie and I talked about how it could be hard to make friends after moving as an adult with nobody you knew in your new city, comparing her experiences in Nashville with mine in Houston. Eventually we got on the topic of telling old war stories of crazy nights in college. I felt like we were really bonding.

"So anyways, after we hit our requisite Zeta zest, we go out," Allie explained.

"Zeta zest?" I asked. She was in the midst of the lead up of a story about some crazy sorority social.

"Oh yeah, that's what we called coke," Allie told me.

I chuckled. "You and your alliterations are funny. You must be jealous of the Sigma Sluts," I said.

"Oh my gosh, for real! What a catchy name!" Allie exclaimed. "The girls in college called me Alliterative Allie because I love silly little phrases like that so much."

I laughed. "Well that seems appropriate. My friends actually started calling me the Lexicon because of my tendency to use words they didn't know. Kind of ridiculous, in my opinion. Milquetoast isn't like some crazy vocab word," I stated.

"Uh, it kind of is, what does that even mean?" Allie asked.

"Weak, meek, unassertive," I said.

"Oh so like my husband's comical cock?" Allie asked, then clapped her hand over her mouth as if embarrassed she'd just said something so transgressive.

"Allie!" I cried, but couldn't help but laugh. "You know...there is a way to make sure it always stays hard."

"Oh? Between me and Sigma Sluts I figured we already knew all the tricks," Allie said.

"So no need to be mentioning this to Ky, but a strap on never goes soft," I told Allie and grinned.

Allie was smirking at me. "So you and girls?"

"Yeah, Rose was hardly a one off or to entertain Ky. I'm basically a lesbian with one very significant Ky-sized exception," I said.

"Huh, interesting," Allie said slowly. I could tell this was sort of mind bending for her.

"You, uh did things with Brandi and Jackie last night right?" I asked.

"Well yeah, Brandi fingered me. Then after Reed came in me they ate it out," Allie said.

"Rose did the same to me. Are you trying to tell me it was anything less than incredible?" I pointed out.

"Yeah, I came pretty fucking hard. They definitely knew what they were doing. I guess I see your point," Allie admitted.

"So just saying, I understand you're not exactly satisfied at home, just keep in mind there are options beyond slutting around at random bars. Sapphic ones. Perhaps you should make a friend in your little neighborhood who can help you ward off women's hysteria. Give each other, ahem, pelvic massages," I said.

Allie laughed. "You're more of a bad bitch...and a nerd than I realized," she teased.

"Seriously? I'm the nerd? That's rich ramshackle rhetoric, little miss supercilious superlative, Alliterative Allie," I retorted.

"No need to bepugnacious, Lexicon," Allie fired back.

I grinned at Allie, she grinned back. We were definitely bonding.

We were halfway through our cocktails when we noticed the rest of our group seeming to break up. Brandi gave us a little wave and followed Reed out of the bar. Jackie, Rose, and Ky finally joined us at our high top. I saw a look of disappointment flash across Allie's face and put a hand on her forearm to reassure her.

"Where are they off to?" I asked the trio that had joined us.

Rose and Ky shared a knowing look. Ky put one finger on his nose and closed a nostril and made an exaggerated inhalation noise. I probably should have guessed. More coke.

"You passing too tonight Jackie?" Allie asked.

"Yeah, I'm not really trying to be wrecked for a second morning in a row. Plus this was such a fun evening, I'm sort of in the mood to just chill, have a few drinks and relax with my friends, new and old," Jackie replied.

I caught Allie's eye. She smiled. It was good to have friends.

"Sounds like a good night to me, even if I didn't have to work tomorrow," Allie said.

Bringing up work got us on to the rather boring topic of how much paid time off we had at our various jobs. Ky caught my eye at one point and I could hear his implied question, 'are we sure we want to continue working?' Not a topic for tonight but one we would have to deal with at some point. That discussion segued into how much time off would be needed for Rose and Jackie to get to Columbus on a weeknight for a hockey game. Allie invited them to return to Nashville whenever they wanted as well.

Our drinks were finished by that point and we decided to head back to the rental and wind down since it was close to 11 PM. Ky took care of our bar tab and we made the short walk home.

When we got back nobody was there. Jackie and Rose noticed they had a text from Brandi that she and Reed were going to hit the club. We had only missed them by a few minutes.

"Jeez, nice of them to ask if they could use the coke I brought," Allie said sarcastically, noting the pair had done a number on the baggie in the kitchen. She began tidying up.

"We're doing quite a number on our wine stash too," Ky noted, looking over our options. "Merlot?"

We all agreed that sounded good and he set about opening and pouring. We all took a glass and moved to the large sectionals in the attached living room to relax.

"This is the most fun evening I've had in awhile," Rose said. "Parties are fun, but I like doing stuff and friends. We're friends now, right?"

"For life," I joked and stole a quick glance at Allie who gave me a small smile.

"I have a question for y'all," Allie said, looking at Rose and Jackie. "Is Brandi like territorial about guys?"

"No, I mean not at all," Jackie said. "She's a more the merrier type. That applies both to partying and the bedroom."

"So she's not trying to like monopolize Reed?" Allie asked.

"No, she's just following the party at this point," Rose confirmed.

I noticed Ky frowning. I suspected he had some insights to share. "Care to enlighten us what your good buddy is up to then?" I asked him.

Ky made an expression with his mouth like he was trying to decide what to say. "Alright, so I'm not defending Reed here, I'm just trying to explain his thinking. Basically he's freaking out because of how well you got on with him, Allie. He's so afraid of repeating the mistakes of his dumpster fire of a marriage."

"Huh, so you were right," Allie said, looking at me.

I shrugged. "I don't have a good explanation for you. He is what he is," I lamented.

"Wait so is Brandi just some disposable nobody to him?" Jackie asked, a bit of ire in her voice.

Four pairs of eyes shifted to Ky, who was most likely to have an explanation. "I think he sees Brandi as a more straightforward, no strings attached arrangement," he said.

I was pretty sure he was holding back a little bit.

"But I'mnot? This is ridiculous. Ugh, I should never have let him have my ass so easy," Allie said, frustrated.

"So I'm actually going to call you out on that girl," I said. "Did you let him have your ass, or did you do it because you wanted it?"

Allie looked thoughtful for a moment. "You're right, I wanted it. I saw what he did with Jackie last night and I thought it was fucking hot. And I wanted to be bad and feel naughty. I liked it."

"See, so you have nothing to apologize for, if he's an idiot not your problem," Rose chimed in.

"He'll come to his senses. Reed isn't one to pass up good sex, and it sounds like you guys had it," Ky said.

"Yeah, can confirm, quite good," Jackie said. Allie blushed slightly but nodded.

"I'll talk to him tomorrow about getting his head out of his ass, for tonight let's just relax and appreciate a fun evening and good friends," Ky suggested.

His suggestion was met with expressions of approval. The conversation turned much lighter. Reminiscences about the hockey game turned into story telling. The great part about making new friends is that we had not heard each other's greatest hits. All five of us were laughing at our silly stories. It was great. I felt like these were my people.

"You're quite the loquacious Lexicon," Allie said with a laugh after I had been telling a long-winded story about my misadventures trying to score Blackhawks tickets while I was a broke college student.

Ky groaned. "Oh no, she told you about the lexicon thing?" he asked.

"Yeah! And I'm Alliterative Allie!"

Ky just shook his head. Rose and Jackie were laughing at these antics.

"I did not have Lexi and Allie secretly being nerds on my bingo card," Rose said.

"Lexi generally hides it well, but yeah total fucking nerd," Ky said. The affectionate way he said it made my mind start to consider how this night would end. He was hot. Still, I had a reputation to uphold.

"Oh and you're one to fucking talk," I retorted. "You've had that one game going with your college buddy for literal years, before we even met." Ky played some sort of turn-based strategy video game that was mind numbingly complex.

"Hey, it'll probably be done soon," he said.

"At which point you'll start another one," I pointed out, smiling.

"Maybe," Ky allowed, but smiled. I knew him well.

"Y'all are adorable, your nerdiness knows no bounds," Allie said.

"Motherfucking master of alliteration," I replied. We high fived and devolved into giggles.

"Alright, this was awesome, thank you all for a super fun evening and calming my worries," Allie said. "Probably time for me to get to bed though."

Each of us got a hug, then Allie collected her bag and trudged upstairs to claim one of the empty bedrooms. I felt a little sad for her going to bed alone, but I hoped the message of friendship had gotten through to her tonight.