Sunset Down Under

COCO

“I’m sorry?” I drew my brows together, wondering how this guy thought it was okay to talk to me the way he did. I recognized him as Blaze’s friend.

“Blaze is a top bloke.”

“I’m sure he is. What does it have to do with me?”

His friend combed his fingers through his hair. “I don’t get it. The ladies are fighting with each other to be with someone like Blaze.

“You look like one of those chicks who are after someone for their money. Are you rejecting him because you think he ain’t rich enough for you?”

My mouth gaped open. “Excuse me? I know nothing about Blaze, and you know nothing about me.”

“Well, you should. He’s a legend.”

A smirk played on my lips. “Have you thought about asking him out yourself?”

“What? I’m not— Fuck! I reckon you’ll kick yourself for saying no,” he huffed, standing from the booth and storming outside.

Woah. Wait till Christina hears about this.

***

After enjoying my lunch and a brief walk, I found myself back in the apartment lobby. The loud voices of Blaze and Mountain Man echoed while they argued.

They shifted their attention to me as soon as I stepped inside.

“Coco...” Blaze walked right up to me. His eyes begged for forgiveness even though he had done nothing wrong.

I shook my head. “Not really in the mood to talk right now, Blaze.”

“I’m sorry for what Harley said.”

I placed my hand up signaling him to stop. “It’s okay. Just leave it.”

After pressing the lift button, the doors opened, and I heard Blaze telling off his friend.

“You’re an idiot, Harley.”

“She’ll just use you.”

***

“What the fuck did he say?” Christina growled.

I slumped on the couch and told her what happened at the café and in the lobby.

“He pretty much told me I would be using him for his money or something. I really don’t know. It was all too confusing.”

“This guy sounds like a total dickhead.”

“Yeah, he definitely fits that description.”

“God. If I ever see him…” Christina rolled her fists into a ball tight enough the blood drained from her knuckles. “You know me. I won’t be able to stop myself from giving him a piece of my mind.”

“Well, he won’t be hard to miss if you do. Trust me.”

I was surprised that Christina hadn’t run into either of them yet.

“How was work?” I decided to change the subject, slightly disappointed that even though Blaze seemed like a sweet guy, his friend had it in for me.

“Exhausting, but I love it. I’m already glad we’ve moved in together.”

“Same here.”

Christina’s lips curved upward. “So, we should go out tomorrow night. To celebrate your divorce.”

I wasn’t sure I was in the mood to do anything, but I didn’t want to sulk at home feeling sorry for myself. “Where do you want to go?”

“There’s a good pub down the road called Three Wise Monkeys. They have live music on Friday and Saturday nights.”

“Sounds like exactly what I need.”

***

The next day, I headed out for a walk with Bobo. The music blasted in my earphones so I could avoid any possible confrontation with a certain sexy guy and his mountain bodyguard.

I glanced down at Bobo and smirked while she did her business. Using a doggy bag as a glove, I gently picked up her mess and flipped it inside out, sealing it tight.

When I went back to my apartment, I was relieved that I hadn’t run into Blaze or Harley.

I don’t think I could deal with either of them now.

After checking my mail, I smiled to myself as soon as I saw the package I ordered had been delivered. I prepared my gift pack for Jack to mail out, which he would receive the following day.

The contents included the dickhead shirt, world’s greatest asshole jumper, and his original jumper, which I smeared with Bobo’s dog shit.

Perfect.

***

I had gotten changed for our night out when Christina barged through the doors. “It won’t take me long to get ready!”

She scurried into her bedroom, and while she worked out what to wear, I sat down and scrolled through Instagram checking the accounts of my family members, who I missed dearly.

Christina walked out of her room and beamed. “Okay. I’m done.”

She was the type of girl who could get ready in a flash and still manage to look as though a professional had touched up every inch of her—from her hair to her makeup to her clothes.

I smiled at her choice of outfit. Her tight jeans hugged her perfect physique and matched the color of her wavy hair.

“You look gorgeous, hun! Your eyes really stand out with the blue jeans.” I stood from the couch and tugged at my denim shorts. “I decided to go with comfortable.”

“You look great, Coco.”

“Thanks. Ready to go?”

“Fuck yeah. I’m ready.”

Christina and I made our way down the lift and out of the building. We enjoyed the leisurely stroll to the pub located on the corner of our street.

“This is it.”

“Looks like a great place.”

There was a huge line outside the pub of patrons waiting. Aussies were extremely friendly but were rowdy when they’d had a few too many.

While I was with Jack, we never went out much.

Even through the separation, I’d spent most of the time at home trying to work out what happened. I’d slipped into a brief depression, but with the help of Christina, I managed to come out of it.

“We might be here a while,” Christina sighed.

“I’m just hanging out for a nice cold beer.”

“Beer is awesome. I can’t believe you never drank it before you came here. There’s still hope for turning you into a true-blue Aussie.”

I bounced up and down on my toes. “I’m dying to go to the restroom.”

“Bathroom,” Christina corrected me. “You need to go to the toilet, dunny, or loo.”

“Oh, right.”

Christina smirked. “You still got a long way to go just yet.”

After waiting in line for half an hour, we finally managed to head inside the pub. The building boasted four large levels.

Level 1 had a bar with a DJ working the music. The second level had live band music on the weekends. The third floor was a karaoke room which was used every night of the week.

There was a rooftop pool on the fourth floor which was opened on Saturday nights only.

Christina and I decided to hang out on Level 2 and watch the live band play.

“Cold beer, babe?”

“Sounds awesome.” I nodded.

We went straight to the bar and waited until we were served. “What can I get you, ladies?”

“Two Crowns, thanks,” Christina ordered.

The bartender opened the glass fridge and pulled out two chilled bottles before he slid them on the bar.

I took a sip and let the cool liquid soothe my throat. “God, that’s refreshing.”

“Nothing like a cold beer,” Christina agreed.

We both sat down on the stools and gazed around. There was already a huge crowd watching the live band.

“Hi, ladies. What are you drinking?” a guy asked.

“Beer,” replied Christina.

“Can I buy you ladies another? It looks like you’re almost done,” he offered.

“We’re good thanks...?”

“I’m Darren,” he beamed and reached his hand out to Christina.

“I’m Christina, and this is Coco.”

“So, is it just the two of you ladies out tonight?”

“Yeah, having a girls' night out,” Christina replied.

“Well, I’m meeting a few friends downstairs if you’d like to join us for a fun night.”

Christina turned to me and smiled while her eyes begged me to say yes.

“Fine. I just need to use the restroom—I mean, dunny.”

She laughed at my choice of word before her attention shifted to Darren. “How about we meet you downstairs at the bar?”

“I’ll be waiting.” He winked and turned to leave.

After Christina and I went to the bathroom, we made our way back down to Level 1. We couldn’t help but laugh when we noticed Darren at the bar with his friends singing “Down Under” by Men at Work.

Beers tight in their grasps, they swayed side to side with their free arms flung over each other’s shoulders while they sang the lyrics to the popular Aussie tune.

Beer spilled from the tops of the glasses as they rocked. Darren turned and glanced between me and Christina. He smiled before he tapped the shoulder of the guy next to him.

My breath hitched as soon as his friend turned. “Oh shit.” I leaned in and whispered to Christina, “We can’t stay here.”

“Why?” She narrowed her eyes.

“Because that’s Blaze standing next to Darren.”

Christina caught Blaze’s attention and her eyes widened. “That gorgeous guy next to Darren is Blaze?”

“Yes.”

“Shit, girl. You weren’t lying.”

“I know.”

She stretched her lips. “Uh-oh.”

“What?”

“He’s coming over with someone I assume is the Mountain Man?”

I turned my attention and saw Blaze walking toward us with Harley by his side. His smile widened when he reached the both of us. “Hey, Coco.”

“Hey.”

Harley gawked at Christina before he shifted his attention to me. “I’m surprised to see you at a place like this.”

Here we go.

“A place like what?”

“A pub. I thought you’d be at some kind of rich bar or some shit, trying to snag a millionaire.”

“Wow.” I shook my head.

Blaze elbowed Harley and shot him an angry glare. “Stop, bro.”

Not surprisingly, Harley managed to set Christina off. “What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means she’s nothing but a gold-digging bitch—”

“God, you’re a dickhead. You don’t even know her!” Christina cut him off. Her fists rolled into balls, and I knew if Harley didn’t shut up, he would see a side of Christina many didn’t realize existed.

I turned to Blaze. “You need to tell Harley to back off.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into him.” He grabbed Harley by the shoulder and whispered beneath his breath. “What are you doing, man?”

“You know she’ll just use you, mate. Nothing but a bitch—”

Christina shoved Harley to get his attention. “Hey, asshole!”

He swiftly turned around only to have his face met with Christina’s fists.

Pow!