“In clubs, Sparx.There’s a difference.They’re not inches from my face.”Callie waved her straw like a flaccid dick in front of Sparx’s nose, dripping NRG on it.
“How was I supposed to know you’d be so dramatic about it?”Sparx squealed, relishing the attention.
“Ten years, Sparx!You’ve known I was a lesbian for ten years!”Callie huffed and threw herself back into the plastic cushion of the booth.
“Not even a little bit?”Sparx tilted her head.Callie frowned so intensely her forehead hurt.“Fine, message received.I’ll never set you up again.”Sparx sulked for a moment before adding, “What about Akna?She’s been into you for a year.It should be obvious, even to your useless lesbian senses.”
“Akna is a fuckboi,” Callie said, tersely.
Sparx shook her head.“And that matters how?You’ve had sex on first dates before.”
“Yeah, if I liked them and thought it might go somewhere.”
“So, it’s never just sex with you then?”
“Haven’t we been over this a million times already?”Callie whined, exasperated.“Also, I work with Akna.That would make things super awkward.”
Sparx lifted a finger.“More or less awkward than the poly couple?”
“Why would that matter?”Callie’s adrenaline started rising again.
“Just a question,” Sparx said defensively.“Anyway, I have to go to work.”
Callie stood up to hug Sparx.“You’re a pain in the arse.”
“And you love it.”Sparx whispered giddily.“Bye Ms Therin,” she called as she left.
Callie groaned as she sat back down in the booth.
“Don’t you have to work today too?”Cat called from behind the counter.
“Yeah, but I can stay a few more minutes.”Callie draped herself across the table again.Cat slid into the booth across from her.“You know she’s just worried about you, right?”
“I know.”Callie whined.
Cat ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair.“I am too,” she said quietly.
“Yeah, but that’s your job, mom.”Callie’s voice was muffled against the tabletop.“It’s not like you dated much after you left dad.Maybe Sparx should focus her charity work on you.”
Cat couldn’t deny that.She had this shop in a proper building, at least, surrounded by second-hand clothing and a few tables and chairs for people to socialise around.The Vendr had a decent assortment of drinks and she made enough to keep the place and afford food.But it took up most of her time and energy and she could see Callie ending up the same.
“I just had no interest in it after your father.”She decided that was the safe response.
“He hurt you that bad, huh?”Callie thought she was being clever.
“Nothing like Brin.”Cat was not going to be outdone.
Callie flicked her eyes upward to see Cat’s knowing smirk.
“Don’t try that on me,” Cat grinned.“I’m still the master of passive aggression.”
“Fine.Both Brin and Dad were pieces of shit.”
“Hmph,” her mother snorted.“Do you really want to end up like me?”
Callie lolled her head on the table.“There’s no good way to answer that question, mom.”
“I supposed not,” she conceded.“Idon’t want you to end up like me then.Better?”
