Work Text:
Unknown Number
Hi Rose Landry.
Unknown Number
Your dress from paparazzi
photos. Where did you get
it from?
Unknown Number
I want to buy it for lady
friend.
“Who the hell?” Rose muttered with furrowed brows.
Rose Landry was a curious cat, though most people who knew her called her nosy. Or worse: a meddlesome gossip. But she was careful with whom she shared her personal phone number. No juicy story was enough to disturb her peace.
It was probably Miles, that lovable asshole. She warned him to stop giving out her number to men who seemed interested. Every man who texted her ended up being gay in the end—
She knocked on the door with a rapt rhythm. A loud thud blared from inside the apartment like someone’d tripped. Hushed whisper-shouts cursed and then thumping footsteps surged away from the door. After what felt simultaneously like no time and an hour, Shane ripped the door open.
—Case in point.
Shane huffed heavily like he’d just gotten off the ice. His face was flushed and it did not escape Rose’s attention that there was a blooming kissmark at the base of his neck. And further damning debauchery? Shane Hollander opened the door to his ex-girlfriend with sex-tousled hair.
“R– Rose!” His voice lilted. “What are you doing here?”
A smirk threatened to overtake her but she forced her face blank. “Is it a bad time? I was in town and—”
“It’s not a bad time!” Shane shouted, obviously unconvincing.
“I could go—”
“Stay!” He pulled her inside. “Of course, you’re always welcomed here!”
Strewn across the dining table was takeout. Cold takeout. But more importantly were the clothes loosely thrown over the couch and coffee table. And on the floor. And by the door. And the underwear being shoved under the couch by Shane’s foot.
“Was I interrupting?”
“What?” Shane nearly jumped. “Interrupting what? There’s nothing to interrupt.”
Rose hummed and nodded when Shane cleared a spot for her at the table. Over dinner, they talked about their days since the last time they saw each other. Rose shared stories from celebrity afterparties and award shows full of people who should not be drinking drank. Shane nodded and hummed interest, but his eyes frequently drifted to his phone.
A notification dinged and Shane’s eyes shot straight down to it. He yanked the phone closer to him and read the text. A soft smile appeared on his face before he wiped it away, feeling her stare on him as he replied.
“It’s my mom.”
“Hmm,” Rose swallowed the orange chicken Shane obviously ordered for someone who refused to eat the salmon and brown rice he was having. “Did you get a new brand deal?”
“Huh? Uh, no.”
“Oh, then—” Rose giggled to herself, enjoying the way he squirmed. “—why were you smiling to yourself?”
Shane stiffened and then did one of those fake laugh-scoffs. He did them frequently when they were dating, when she tried to dirty talk him. God, she was so blind, wasn’t she?
“I wasn’t.”
“Okay,” she let it go. “Did your mom tell you a joke or something?” Nevermind, she didn’t.
The phone went off again and he peeked at the text. His lips pressed into a thin line, suppressing a wider smile from blooming across his face. But Rose could tell; she was an actress, a professional of body language. Shane Hollander was a flashing neon sign screaming he was in love.
Oh god. Shane was in love.
“Tell me,” she demanded.
“Tell you…?” Shane blinked rapidly. Then his lips rounded into an O. “Uh, it wasn’t a funny jok—”
Rose shook her head and reached over the table. His body went still, the personification of restraint. At the contract, he flinched, never taking pleasure in being touched. But she gently ran her thumbs in slow circles over the veins on the back of his hands.
“Tell me about him.”
She leveled him a look and in that moment, she watched Shane, her best friend, crumble. It was reminiscent of—”Have you ever told anyone that before?” “Was it different with a guy?” “Was it better?”—him across the table, eyes glassy, teeth biting his lips in an effort to both speak and withhold. But this time, there was a glimmer to his eyes as another notification came.
Shane smiled briefly. “Uh, I don't know—”
“Shane,” Rose tightened her grip but softened her expression. “I've already seen you naked and not-hard for me.”
Shane chuckled and she giggled at him telling her to shut up.
“And I was the first person you came out to.”
He snorted. “No, you told me I was gay. He was the first person I told.”
She gasped. “Is he—?”
Shane nodded. They sat in silence, letting the weight of the unspoken words fall on them like wet snow: is he the one you'd been with before? yes. is he the one you've been with since then? yes. is he the one? yes.
Another notification interrupted their silence. Rose peeked over but only saw the name Lily.
Shane rolled his eyes as he saw the question on her face. He was ignoring it, but she asked anyway. “Lily? Is that code for…?”
“It's his code name, yes.”
“Code for what?”
“For his name!” Shane laughed and Rose tossed his hands away from hers. She stood and pointed viscously at him and they laughed as she raised her voice in a mock-upset tone.
“TELL ME HIS NAME!”
“NO!” Shane giggled as she chased him around the table.
“You saw me naked! Tell me his name!” Rose stomped around, her fingers slipping past Shane’s sleeve.
“I didn’t want you to get naked!”
“Shane Hollander!”
Rose successfully snagged his t-shirt in her fist but she slammed her hip into the table. Shooting back with a grunt—”I’ve been shot!”—Rose rubbed her side only to notice Shane’s ginger ale had spilled over him.
“Shit!”
Shane waved her off. “It’s fine.”
He rushed off to change his clothes, while Rose stumbled around the unfamiliar kitchen for a washcloth. Carefully wiping the table, she pounded at her head with her free hand.
You dummy, she knocked her head once. First, you interrupt them on Shane’s one day off. She tapped her head with her fist again. Then you eat his boyfriend’s dinner. Then she twisted her knuckles into her forehead, then you go and spill ginger ale all over Shane. Rose groaned about how she was ruining Shane’s night, how it was almost 8 pm and that only left Shane and mystery boyfriend a few more hours to—
Rose glanced over to the couch, where the underwear was tucked under. They were totally fucking when she interrupted them. And now they needed to wait for her to leave before they could continue.
The actress genuinely felt awful.
After spraying the counter and wiping it again (Shane would definitely know if she hadn’t), Rose sat back on her chair, ready to do the obligatory I’m actually going to head home, it was nice to see you, I promise to call next time I show up, have a nice night. However, another familiar ping made her jump.
Shane left his phone on the table. And he hadn’t turned it off.
Rose stared at it. Then she stared at the hall. Then back at the phone. Then at the hall.
Fuck it.
Rose picked up the phone and quickly opened up the notification.
Lily
Tell your boring
ex-girlfriend to fuck off
Lily
I want to fuck you
Rose blinked. Once. Twice. Wow, that was rude. Considering that Rose was currently digging through her ex-boyfriend turned best friend’s phone… She was not boring! Nosy and invasive, but not boring.
Peeking towards the hall again, Rose got more courageous. She scrolled up and read through the texts that were exchanged while she was visiting, uninvited.
Lily
I left my boxers on the
couch
Shane
How the fuck did you leave
without your boxers?
Shane
You’re lucky I saw them
before she did!
Shane
I thought you were fully
clothed when you ran into
the room?
Lily
Only my sweatpants
Lily
Funny if I ran inside with
nothing, no?
Shane
Not funny.
Lily
Very funny
Lily
Fine. Not funny
Lily
Sexy. I am sexy
Lily
I will wait naked on your
bed. Very sexy
Shane
Fuck you.
Lily
I will 😜
Shane
You will.
Rose’s face flushed. Sure, it was flirtatious but she was more flustered by the ease of their conversations. Shane and Rose hit it off quickly when they first met—enough that they both mistook their chemistry to be more than it was: uninhibited friendship. But Shane and Lily were comfortable beyond uninhibition. Intimacy permeated from each sentence. Affection coated every punctuation. Love didn’t need to be spelled out for it to be present. It was apparent in every of Shane’s retorts, in every smug response Lily shot back, in the fuck you and I will.
Shane
Sorry. Rose is eating your
dinner.
Lily
👎
Shane
I can’t just kick her out.
She’s my best friend.
Lily
Boring. Boooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooo
Shane
You can eat the other half
of my salmon later.
Lily
You want to give me
mercury poison?
Shane
Where did you learn that?
Lily
Documentary
Shane
About salmon?
Shane
Or mercury?
Lily
About your mother
Shane
Fuck off. You love my
mom.
Lily
I do. I love David too
Shane
And me?
Lily
Was documentary about
almonds
Shane
Fuck you. Answer me
Properly.
Shane
Almonds?
Lily
Was about how many
almonds I can eat before I
die
Shane
From cyanide poisoning?
Shane
You don’t even like almonds.
Lily
But what if
Lily
And you like them
Shane
I won’t eat thousands of
them. Salmon and almonds
are safe in moderate
amounts.
Lily
Okay
Lily
Promise
Shane
I promise to not eat
thousands of almonds in one
sitting.
Lily
Okay
Lily
I love you
Shane
I love you too
Lily
More than almonds?
Shane
Lol. Yes.
Lily
More than salmon?
Shane
Hmm, I have to think
About that one.
Lily
Hollander
Lily
I will come down there
With no pants
Shane
Please don’t. I love you
more than salmon.
Lily
😈
Lily
Me: 1 Salmon: 0
Rose snorted at the chain of texts. In hindsight, Shane’s smile during their dinner seemed brighter because of the conversation he was having. With Lily, not Rose. Was she envious? A little. She wanted someone to tell them they loved her more than their favorite things too, no matter how ridiculous it was.
Lily
I miss you Hollander
Shane
You have me all night.
Lily
Is not enough
Lily
Tell your boring
ex-girlfriend to fuck off
Lily
I want to fuck you
Admittedly, she had been overstaying her visit, but Lily was being rude about it. A smirk quirked across her lips as she gently set Shane’s phone back on the table and sat with her hands neatly folded on her lap. It wasn’t until she realized her feet were tapping that Shane had been gone for far too long. The lights felt too bright suddenly as she sat in the dining room with nothing but the hum of the refrigerator as company.
She was not a particularly antsy person; Rose could stand silence and stillness. It was actually one of her best qualities as an actress, even if it isn’t what she preferred doing. Yet, it was all too much. Rose glanced at the phone on the table again. It hadn’t gone to sleep yet, but the brightness dimmed slightly. Her curiosity was too much.
Jumping out from her seat, Rose dove for the phone again and swiped at it before it could go completely dark. She peeked over her shoulder in hopes Shane wouldn’t appear suddenly. He didn’t. She quickly swiped through the phone and double-palmed her own phone. Typing as swiftly as she could, Rose created a new contact:
Shane’s Lily
A sudden thwap startled her and Rose dropped Shane’s phone on the table. Cursing herself, she rubbed the corner of the phone where it had landed and then finally shut it off. She sat back down and smugly dusted off her jeans. Like a good girl, she was going to sit nicely and wait for Shane to dismiss her.
That was until she heard another thump. And then a moan, high and breathy.
Shane’s moan.
Holy shit.
“Mmn,” Shane’s voice carried through the apartment. “Stop.”
Lily clearly wasn’t stopping. Shane whined this time; he clearly didn’t want it to stop either. Rose might have even heard a yes, please, need you, love it.
HOLY SHIT.
Rose shot up and shoved her phone into her purse, simultaneously yanking out her keys. She breathed heavier, trying to fill the room with anything other than Shane’s rapid grunts and moans. Shit! It was like hearing your parents having sex!
The words crept up her throat but she paused, unsure about what volume would be best. It didn’t matter in the end as another thud echoed from the other side of the apartment.
“Shane! I’m heading out!” Rose was sure her voice cracked. “I– I have plans! I’ll call you!”
As Rose wrenched the door open, a thundering tumble was followed by heavy cursing. Then a low chuckle and a hushed “fuck you.” A door whipped open from a distance as Rose was nearly out. “R– Rose, I’ll call you!”
She couldn’t trust herself to respond appropriately and simply waved before slamming the door. The elevator worked as a sanctuary, a quiet and pathetic metal sanctuary. Shane’s paranoia served her well as she didn’t have to worry about anyone entering the elevator in the nearly empty building.
Rose crouched down and hugged her knees. It shouldn’t have shocked her. Unlike the glamour fans imagined for people like in her profession, Rose was not a stranger to the uglies of stardom. The good and the bad, the moments in the sun and the memories creeping in shadows like smoke—Rose was a witness to all of it. Of course she’d been a victim to overhearing overzealous people having sex.
What she was not expecting was to be victim to her Shane Hollander’s sexual pursuits.
Shane Hollander, the man who only had sex with her after heterosexual pressure squeezed him like a juicy zit? Shane Hollander, the man who couldn’t stand being rubbed on in the front (her) nor the back (Miles)? Shane Hollander, the man who ironed—not steamed—his boxers every morning.
(The last point had nothing to do with his sexual practices but more with his sex appeal. That habit was probably the least sexy thing he could have done in front of her, though Rose had to admit putting care into his undergarments was better than not.)
Yet, she just witnessed that exact Shane Hollander in the midst of being ravaged. In fact, he’d been goading Lily to do it. And it worked.
Rose clicked her tongue. That bitch. It was unfair he was getting laid so nicely after she acted as his fairy gaymother. She did a lot of the work, didn’t she (by fucking him into the realization that he wasn't into women)? What about her? Didn’t she deserve credit? Compensation? An in on the gossip?
Rose plopped herself into her car and rubbed her warm cheeks. This was not what she was expecting when deciding to visit Shane on a whim. But despite the buzzing heat and secondhand embarrassment, Rose gained something worth it all.
She pulled out her phone, nearly going blind in the dark car. Shane’s Lily.
Perhaps it was a dick move but Rose couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up her chest. Shane would be disappointed if he found out she snuck around on his phone. He’d present his Yuna-Hollander-crossed-arms at her as he said, “You know better.” But who could blame her? Rose never called herself a saint. She had thorns.
Rose swiped along the name and hesitated. A text would be the best choice, considering she didn’t want to get on Lily’s bad side twice in one day by interrupting their private time again. But when she opened the messaging app to send a hello, her eyes widened at what was already there.
Shane's Lily
Hi Rose Landry.
Shane's Lily
Your dress from paparazzi
photos. Where did you get
it from?
Shane's Lily
I want to buy it for lady
friend.
Her mouth gaped so wide, she could feel her tongue going dry. There were too many questions but she got an answer in the midst of the confusion. It wasn’t Miles who gave her number away. It was Shane. Or rather…
Rose burst into a wet and heavy chortle. Lily had snuck into Shane’s phone and taken her number in secret, just as she did. A dimple etched itself onto her face as her grin widened. Rose knew she might like Lily.
He was brash and bantered well with Shane. He never took Shane’s shy and embarrassed fuck offs and fuck yous as an insult but as a form of endearment. He put an effort in making quiet and private connections with the people in Shane’s life, even if it was an abrasive text about her random clothes.
She smirked as she scheduled a text for Lily in the morning. Rose thought she’d enjoy becoming friends with him. He was Shane’s boyfriend; she was sure he was secretly as lovable and sweet as her best friend.
***
A barrage of pinging notifications startled Rose awake. Groans unbefitting her face escaped as she yawned and rolled around until the sleepiness wore off (meaning she dozed off several times before fully waking). An emergency two minutes ago will still be an emergency in thirty more seconds.
Once she’d stretched herself into a functioning human, she peered over her phone. Then cursed. Her eyes glazed over, reading the texts.
Rose
I thrifted it. I googled the
tag and it says the dress is
from a French boutique
that’s gone out of
business
Rose
Sorry
Rose
I’m sure one of my fan
accounts can find you a
dupe
Shane’s Lily
What is dupe?
Shane’s Lily
What is thrifted?
Shane’s Lily
Nevermind. Googled it.
Shane’s Lily
Are you poor? Why do you
thrift? Can Rose Landry
not afford new clothes?
Shane’s Lily
Is ok. I will buy new and
expensive dresses for my
friend instead. Will tell
her Rose Landry is poor
and do not dress like her.
Rose scoffed at the texts. Her head should have hurt with how hard she rolled her eyes. He’s a dick, Rose thought. But unfortunately, it was a bit funny, honestly.
Rose
Thrifting’s fun! And it’s
good or the environment
and local businesses!
Rose
I can take you next time!
One couldn't say Rose never attempted to meet Lily. She did, albeit too enthusiastically. The invitation was a bit rash, considering she wasn't supposed to know who he was. For all Lily knew from their current exchange, Rose invited strangers to thrifting dates all the time. And she favored exclamation points. Excessively.
Shane’s Lily
Too busy. But maybe I will
go next time with my
friend.
Shane’s Lily
She likes to shop. Maybe
we can pretend to be poor
too.
Rose
Thrifting isn’t something
only poor people do!
Rose
No nononono
Rose
Sorry
Rose
I mean, all sorts of people
thrift. Don’t call it a poor
people activity. That’s
rude
Shane’s Lily
Rude? Whats that? Rude.
Shane’s Lily
Rose Landry, google that
for me.
A disbelieving laugh ripped out from her. She couldn’t believe this man! Her fingers tapped quicker than her brain could stop her.
Rose
Do people ever tell you that
you’re an asshole?
It was admittedly rude, but as much as she believed in Shane’s choice in men, Rose had more experience in men. Both straight and gay. And she was going to help her best friend in selecting someone who was good enough for him.
Sure, Lily’s arrogant humor was satisfactory and she was confident it tickled Shane regularly. But Rose was adamant in knowing firsthand if he could take as much as he hashed. Shane was dry but could be just as sharp in his jabs. Rose was not-so-secretly upset no one knew how funny he truly was.
Shane’s Lily
Every day.
Shane’s Lily
I need to hear it every day
or I will turn into a bear.
Rose
A bear? Specifically a
bear?
Shane’s Lily
Yes.
Shane’s Lily
But it is not too bad. I will
just have my boyfriend
kiss me.
Shane’s Lily
Like magic. Will be fixed.
Shane’s Lily
His favorite is salmon so if
he kiss me he can taste the
salmon on my lips
Rose
Omg lol
Shane’s Lily
The Prince and the Bear. Is
better than Princess and
the Frog.
Shane’s Lily
Romantic, no?
Rose
Not really, no. Haha
Shane’s Lily
Ah. Rose Landry is poor and
does not know romance.
Shane’s Lily
I see why Shane Hollander
dumped you.
Rose
He did not dump me!
Shane’s Lily
Are you saying you dump
him?
Rose
It was amicable!
Shane’s Lily
Fancy short word. I do not
understand. I do not know.
Shane’s Lily
But I know you are not
compatible.
Rose
How do you know we're
incompatible?
He was an ass. But—she sighed—he was talking to his boyfriend’s ex. She understood to some extent that he would still be bitter. Maybe jealous. But incompatible? That was a totally incorrect read; they were very compatible, just not sexually, thank you very much.
Shane’s Lily
My boyfriend told me.
She scoffed and marched down the stairs, straight into the kitchen, and yanked the fridge door open. With abject consideration of her calorie intake (fuck her agent who told her to lose seven pounds), Rose dragged her cheap smoked salmon cream cheese from the fridge and dumped it on the counter. Then she slipped into her pantry and slammed an entire bag of mini bagels next to the cream cheese. Smoked salmon, she scoffed, rolling her eyes, fitting. Then she stared back at the text, ripping pieces of the bagel and dipping it into the carton of spread.
Rose
Oh?
She took a bite. Swallowed.
Rose
And you and your boyfriend
are
Rose
✨️COMPATIBLE?✨️
Shane’s Lily
More than Shane Hollander
and Rose Landry. Yes.
Rose
You sound confident.
Shane’s Lily
Is easy.
Rose
What's easy?
Shane’s Lily
Is easy to be more
compatible than Shane
Hollander and Rose Landry.
Shane’s Lily
Just fuck him good.
A headache was threatening to burst a vein in her head. Rose rolled her eyes and chuckled hollowly. That's what she was trying to do– Nevermind. Rose couldn't start fighting about how she failed Shane as a girlfriend. She didn’t fail him. They just weren't—
“Compatible,” she muttered and a snicker followed like a popping bubble.
She rubbed down her eyes, blowing out a breath. These two were going to rub their happiness in her face, weren't they? What was her motive in having this insufferable conversation with Lily again?
Ah, right. To see if he was compatible with Shane.
Rose
Why are you even lecturing
me about my relationships?
Rose
We don’t know each other.
Shane’s Lily
I know you.
Rose
We’re strangers!
Rose
Unless this is you asking to
be my friend?
The phone went motionless for the first time since Rose woke up. She tipped her head and blinked the tired from her eyes, waiting. He did not respond. She reread her text then set her phone back down on the counter. Rose’s jaw unhinged in a grin, nearly dropping the half-masticated bagel on the counter.
“He was!” Or at the very least—Rose strum the pads of her fingers over her lips—Lily was trying to scope the ex-girlfriend.
Rose
Are you?
Shane’s Lily
No.
Shane’s Lily
Am asking you about
dress.
There was a tickle inside Rose’s belly, telling her to be impulsive, to just do it. She was often a reckless person. It was a helpful trait in her career; one could not become an actress of her level if they did not take risks. However, her risk-taking often backfired in her personal life.
This impulse to prod at Lily and learn about him was… Well, it was fun, but more than that, Rose was beginning to understand. He was witty and insufferable, but confident and self-assured in a way Shane needed. Lily was Shane’s secret. That was the horrible truth. Shane was keeping people as secrets. Lily, yes, but also himself. The secrecy of it all, the suffering in silence, the consuming desire to just exist in private, not in secret... Shane was at the brink of shattering when Rose met him.
And now he wasn’t.
Shane still had a secret but Lily seemed to make the burden easier. Lily understood. He could keep a secret. But Rose saw Lily. His love for Shane wasn’t the secret. It would never be a secret. Lily was devastatingly, pathetically, and privately in love with Shane Hollander.
Impulsivity took over and Rose grinned at her phone. She wasn't doing it for her own amusement (okay, she was a little but–). This seemingly featherlight secret could crush even the strongest men. Shane was worth a thousand of them, but his soul shouldn't have to bear more than the crush of an embrace. Rose wanted to alleviate the pressure, even in a small, ridiculous gesture.
Rose created a New Conversation.
Rose added Shane and Shane’s Lily to the Conversation
Rose named the Conversation Rose’s Friends
Rose
I made a new friend!
Rose
Shane, meet…
Rose
Uh, sorry, I never got your
name.
Shane’s Lily left Rose’s Friends
Rose
Wtf?
Shane left Rose’s Friends
“What the fuck?” Rose shot up, beginning to pace as she opened her texts with Shane.
Rose
Why did you leave the
group chat?!
Shane
Rose.
Rose
Shane
Shane
What exactly are you
doing?
Rose
I don’t understand your
question
Shane
Are you fucking with me?
Rose
Babe, that was one time!
Rose
Okay, two times but who’s
counting?
Shane
Rose.
Rose
🙄
Rose
I'm not lying!
She needed to tread lightly. Shane probably didn’t know about her interactions with Lily. And Lily didn’t know Rose knew his boyfriend was Shane. Rose held all the cards in this convoluted game and she was going to make sure to never lose control.
Rose
I made a friend! I wanted
you to meet them
Shane
You made a new friend and
you don’t know their name?
Rose
😅
Shane
How did you make this…
friend?
Rose
Aww
Rose
Is my baby jealous?
Rose
You’ll always be my best
friend
Shane
Rose.
Rose
Lol
Rose
They texted me about a
dress I wore
Shane
What did they say?
Rose
Relax
Rose
It was a cordial interaction
They asked where I got my
dress
Rose
Before they called me poor
Shane
Fuck my life.
Rose giggled to herself. Was he texting Lily and telling him to fuck himself? Or calling him and freaking out over speaker? What if Lily was sitting with him in bed, shoulders up to his ears as Shane told him off for being reckless and an asshole?
Rose
They’re really funny
Shane
It’s not funny to call
someone poor.
Rose
It was a little
Rose
I also called them an
asshole so it’s fair
Shane
Of course. Leave it to you
both to make ME seem like
the dramatic one. I’m being
logically fair and
appropriately upset. He
called you poor and you
thought to add him to a
group chat? And why add
me? I don’t trust either
of you to have a normal
interaction.
Rose
Is this not you being
dramatic?
Shane
I will not be gaslit, Rose
Rose
Then you can be the
logical one FOR us.
Rose
Pleaassssse???
A heavy virtual sigh could be heard from across text.
Shane
Fine.
Rose
Yessssssssssss
Rose added Shane to Rose’s Friends
Rose added Shane’s Lily to Rose’s Friends
Shane’s Lily left Rose’s Friends
Rose
Hey! ☹️
Rose added Shane’s Lily to Rose’s Friends
Rose
Buddy! Stay!
Shane’s Lily left Rose’s Friends
Rose
This is legitimately making
me sad.
Rose added Shane’s Lily to Rose’s Friends
Shane
Hi. I’m Shane Hollander.
Rose clicked her tongue as Lily stayed after Shane’s boring self-introduction, even though she put in all the work! These two bitches.
Rose
And you both obviously
know me!
Rose
But I never got your
name
Rose
Even though I know
intimate details about your
boyfriend
Shane
What?
Shane’s Lily
Is lie. Rose Landry is liar.
Rose Landry tells lies
Rose
I’m an actress, babe. I tell
lies for a living
Shane’s Lily
I am not your babe
Shane’s Lily
Only my boyfriend can call
me babe
Rose
Touchy touchy
Rose
But your boyfriend calls you
babe???? That’s cute.
Boring but cute
Shane’s Lily
No. He is boring. He calls
me nothing
Rose slammed her face into her hands. She expected Shane to be modest but no pet names? He used them with her. Well, he used babe, the most generic and basic of the pet names. Maybe he felt obligated to use them with her?
Rose
What does he call you
then?
Shane’s Lily
My name
Rose
That’s boring
Shane’s Lily
I like boring
Shane’s Lily
But I will try to make him
call me sir in bed next time
Rose
OH MY GOD 🤣
Shane
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
Rose
Lol nice segue Shane
Shane’s Lily
Lily
Rose
Lily?
There was a pregnant pause.
Shane’s Lily
Elijah Lily
Rose nodded while sniggering. Shane definitely ripped him a new one and decided on a different alias. Truth be told, it wasn’t entirely impossible his real name was Elijah Lily but she knew Shane. He'd never take the risk.
Rose
Are you James Bond? Lol
who introduces themself
with their last name first?
Shane
Lots of people do
“Sheesh, getting defensive for your man?”
Shane’s Lily
Yes. Lots of people do Rose
Landry
Rose
That’s not fair! You’re both
tag teaming me!
Shane’s Lily
I do not tag team
Shane’s Lily
My boyfriend is only for me
Rose
THAT IS NOT WHAT I
MEANT! 🤢
Shane’s Lily
I will call reporter
Shane’s Lily
Rose Landry is homophobe
Shane
Lily
Shane deleted a message
Shane
Elijah
It was difficult to deny now. Rose liked Lily. Furthermore, she liked him for Shane. She had to admit, yes, Shane did have good taste in men (and women!). He was a bit of an asshole but if Canada’s good boy wanted a bad boy, he should get it. And Rose couldn’t help but giggle at that.
***
That night’s game was fabulous! Montreal destroyed Ottawa's ASS with a 4-1 win! Honestly, Ottawa had no chance. The main point was that Shane beat Ilya Rozanov’s ASS.
Rose tucked her red ponytail into her cap and firmly gripped her sunglasses as she shoved through the crowd head first. It was a loud and bustling blur to the public parking with jostling bodies, all smelling of both coldness and sweat. Shucking off her shades and cap in the car, Rose breathed out in relief.
Shane was at the top of his game, better in the recent days than in the past. As cheesy as it was, Shane was the prime example of how love could affect people and was the best motivator. She could kiss Lily tonight for how good this game was. Imagine what Shane would be capable of.
She’d received insider knowledge (via diehard fans; she would never call another woman a puck bunny) indicating the players were headed to Stereo in celebration. If she was able to pressure Shane to a night at the club as his girlfriend, she was certain he’d surely be dragged along by his burly team. Rose didn’t know what she’d accomplish by hounding him. It was possible Lily already left and fucked off wherever lillies went, but there was a chance he hadn’t. What if he was at the club?
There was only one way to find out. And regardless, she was in town. What better time than now to affectionately harass her best friend about his boyfriend whom he loved?
Rose Landry loved a night club. There was something about the flashing lights and bass beating under her diaphragm that made her feel like this was the closest thing to drugs. Not in a bad way, but just in the way where her brain was tweaked down to a simmer and the world around her—the noise, the body heat, the movement of both dancing and lights and drinks—was at a comfortable eleven out of ten. All in all, Rose thrived at clubs but today was not one of those days.
The pounding bounce of EDM fading into the sharp tang of a female rapper was an unexpected annoyance. And frankly, the dim pink lights which Rose would usually love just pissed her off. It didn’t help that a neon green laser flashed in her eye, blinding her. She cursed at the man she slammed into.
“Fuck!” They both yelled at each other.
“Sorry!” He shouted over the deafening music, lowering his spilling glass.
Rose simply swiped at whatever sweet concoction was soaking into her jeans. “It’s fine.”
“Let me get you a napk—”
“I heard the Voyageurs were here today?”
He smirked. “We are.”
Without permission, Rose’s brows shot up to her hairline. She squinted at the dimly lit man in front of her, his face now a saturated magenta from the lights. “Oh, Pike. You’re Hayden Pike.”
“Yep.”
“Oh, great!” She perked up; how lucky. “Where’s Shane?”
His face fell just a few degrees, suspicion coating his usually friendly expression. “A fan of Shane’s? I’m sorry but—”
Rose removed her cap and flashed a smile at him. Pike went slack at her reveal. His lips wobbled, attempting her name but she put a finger to her mouth. “I was at the game and wanted to surprise him! Congrats on the win, by the way. Where can I find him?”
His face crunched together slightly, a bit cartoonish honestly. “Sorry—” Canadian men really sticking to the Canadian stereotype, eh? “—He didn’t come.”
“He didn’t come?!”
“He’s…” Pike clicked his tongue, his expression unreadable. He sighed out his words, clearly a LIE, “He decided to stay home. Was tired.”
“Hmm, he was… tired?”
“Yep.”
“And this has nothing to do with somebody?”
“Nope.”
“Are we sure this has nothing to do with a certain somebody?” Rose put her soul and two intensely wiggling eyebrows into her last word.
Pike’s avoidant eyes swished to Rose’s. He moved in, like he was whispering but he was still shouting over the noise. “You know about… Lily?”
“And you know Lily.” This wasn’t a question.
“You know about Lily?”
“I know about Lily.”
It was an interesting game of code words with Pike. They stared at each other, Rose with devilish curiosity and Pike with relief like he was a dam full of secrets. But suddenly, Pike’s face went cold and he rolled his lip up. Rose could hardly make out the color of his eyes but she saw the clear disapproval on his face. It was short of disgust but still harsh, full of judgement.
“You know about Lily?”
The game took a twist. Did Hayden Pike know Lily was simply a man or did he know his identity? This was a dangerous playing field, and Rose was not going to take any chances.
“I know about Shane,” she replied. “Do you have a problem with him?”
“Fuck no!”
Emergency homophobia-hired-hit canceled.
“Not with him,” Pike muttered.
Rose’s brow shot up. “You have a problem with Lily.” Again, this was not a question. Was Lily untrustworthy after all?
Pike clamped his mouth shut and rubbed a hand down his face, dragging his average features with it. “No– I mean—” he lowered his head again, attempting to mutter as subtly as he could. “—Lily’s an asshole. Shane’s happy but he couldn’t pick someone better? I’m sure there are nice boys in Montreal!”
Rose laughed. “Wow, so he does get called an asshole every day.”
“I bet he does, the asshole.”
“But he’s not that bad,” Rose hummed.
Pike’s brow twitched and he scoffed, “He’s not as bad as the media makes him seem, but he’s still an asshole.”
She blinked. Oh. This was more information she’d ever known. Lily was a public figure?
The buzzed hockey player kept going. “And sure, he’s good with my kids but I just know I’ll come home one day and my girls will have learned how to fight and bodycheck like him.” He took another sip of his drink. “It’s a nightmare! Seriously, they’re already mimicking his accent at home.”
It was concerning how much information she was getting from Hayden Pike. His ability to be discrete was a broken oar in an ocean of secrets. Earnest but useless.
“Still have a bruise from when he checked me weeks ago. I think the asshole aimed for the same spot.” Pike pressed his ribs and then winced. “Ow. Fresh.”
Oh.
Lily wasn’t only a public figure.
He was a player. From today’s game. With an accent. Who fights and bodychecks with a ferocity that is reckless if taught to children.
An asshole.
Fuck.
“I gotta go,” Rose slithered out between sweaty bodies, her cap going askew.
Pike drunkenly cursed himself. Rose glanced back and he stuck his head out from the crowd, guilt plastered on his face. “Don’t– Don’t tell him I said that! My wife will rip me a new one.” He swallowed, like it was painful to say, “I do like him, just… He’s an asshole!”
Rose giggled as soon as he said it. She understood the sentiment.
Driving to Shane’s apartment was… Well, she didn’t know how she actually got there. All she remembered was sitting in the driver’s seat, thinking about the intensity of Shane’s panic attack if he knew she knew. She wondered if Lily would be furious about her nosy American behavior. Europeans didn’t really like Americans, did they? They were loud and self-important and too curious and nosy for their own good, like her. Shit, he was going to hate her, wasn’t he?
And it hit her. Rose didn’t know who was going to hate her more.
Her phone buzzed and she jumped. She scoffed at herself before glancing at the notification.
Rose’s Friends
Shane’s Lily
Rose Landry
Shane’s Lily
Are you in Montreal
Rose
Why?
Shane’s Lily
Answer
Rose
So damn aggressive 😆
Rose
I am. I was at the game.
Shane
You were at the game?
Shane
Why didn’t you say
anything?
Rose
I wanted to surprise you!
Shane’s Lily
[Photo attached: Rose talking to Hayden Pike on the dance floor at Stereo]
Shane’s Lily
Pike is married
Rose
What the?
Rose
I know???
Rose
He has like 5 kids
Shane’s Lily
4
Shane
He has 4 kids.
Rose rolled her eyes. “I swear to God, if both of you are literally sitting next to each other while texting me, I will—” She muffled her screams.
Rose
Are you asking if I was
hitting on him?
Rose
What? Why would you think
that?!
Shane’s Lily
You have type
Rose
And what is that?
Shane’s Lily
Hockey player
Rose
I dated ONE hockey player
“And he was GAY!” Rose slammed her fists onto her steering wheel repeatedly.
Shane’s Lily
You like average hockey
players
Rose
Did you just call Shane
average?
Shane’s Lily
Is average, no?
Shane
Fuck you
Shane’s Lily
I will
Shane’s Lily
Only to my boyfriend.
Shane’s Lily
Not to Shane Hollander.
Rose howled in laughter. When silence settled in the car again, she wondered if she should relieve these two idiots or continue playing along. She’d always been a curious cat. A risk-taker. A fucking nosy friend. Never before was she afraid of being hated, until now. And maybe that was why she needed to fight more, to help them fight more.
Rose
Shane
Rose
Can I come over?
Rose
I’m actually at your place
Shane
What
Shane
I’m not home
Rose
Hayden Pike told me you
were home
Shane
I’m not home
Shane
Maybe next time
Shane
I'm not home
Rose swallowed. Her finger hovered over the phone. In hindsight Rose understood the way she tried to softly encourage Shane out of the closet wasn't at all soft. She'd twisted his arm. She'd forced him to a public restaurant, as private as it might’ve seemed. She'd cornered and pried the words out of him. It doesn't matter how gentle her tone was, it was still unfair of her.
Yet. She was going to do it again. And she knew it was unfair. It was probably evil. But she saw Shane that night. She would never forget it.
He could finally breathe. He could be.
And maybe, just maybe, she wanted that again. For Shane. For Lily. For Ilya Rozanov.
Beep.
“Shane.”
“...Rose. Please.”
“Can you let me in?”
The silence was deafening. It rang in Rose’s ears. She wanted it to stop, to let relief bleed through Shane’s voice and maybe even to hear Lily’s—Ilya Rozanov’s—comfort through the phone. There was a moment in which Rose felt the stopping of her heart was the reason for the quiet.
“Come in, Rose Landry,” a voice shot through. It wasn’t Shane.
Her jaw hardened. Inhaling felt painful, like barbed rocks rattling down her esophagus. His heavy accent attempting to flow carefully and hold still in English replayed in her head over and over again.
“Can I come in?” She breathed out. “Ilya?”
It went quiet again, but it felt lighter than before.
“Come in,” he repeated.
The humming of the elevator vibrated alongside her pulse. Breath in. Breath out. Rose stepped out and was suddenly in front of Shane’s door. She was just here last night, but this weighed on her differently.
The door opened and Shane stood in the entryway. His face was pale and his stare was dull, like he was standing at the gallows for a crime he’d grown tired of denying. But there was no crime to be had. Rose pressed forward and took him in her arms. She slammed her face into his collarbone, ignoring the pain it caused her nose. Her arms wrapped around his waist like it was the most natural response. On the other hand, his arms hovered.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“For what?” His voice was raspy and tired.
She pulled away and cupped his cheeks in her hands. “For taking this away from you. Again.”
“You didn’t—”
“I did,” her voice was stern and he flinched slightly. Rose softened herself. “It wasn’t fair of me to demand anything. But I… I love you. I want you to know that you don’t have to hide anything from me.”
“I wasn’t hiding—”
“I’m not mad at all,” Rose clarified. “You had good reasons. I’m just… I’m sad that it has to be this way.”
She glanced over his shoulder. Ilya Rozanov stood several beats behind Shane with hands clasped in front of him. He fidgeted nervously with his nails but kept his face firm and stern like the very image of a proud soldier in his last battle. His eyes widened at her eye contact.
“I’m sad for both of you.”
He nodded back and then looked down, shoulders hunched with shame like he was the uninvited guest. Rose scoffed, causing both men to flinch. Wincing at the action, she inhaled and exhaled sharply before stepping back.
“Okay,” she said tersely, “In.”
They stared at her arms out and wide. Both men peeked at each other and then back at her. Shane had the gaze of a wild deer and Ilya followed with the alarm of a skittish—well, bear. Rose chuckled and they raised mirrored brows at her, causing her to laugh again.
“Come in,” she said, wrapping an arm around Shane.
With her other arm, she beckoned Ilya closer. He approached like she was delicate marble, but Rose Landry was anything but fragile. She dragged Shane with her as she threw both their bodies into the sturdy Russian. After twisting her arms around Ilya and sandwiching Shane between them, the stilted quiet finally faded away. She let out a sigh of relief.
“Finally.”
“Finally what?” Shane’s squished voice rumbled from between them.
She blew a raspberry, her voice twinkling with its usual tang. “Now I don’t have to pretend Elijah isn’t pretending to be Lily who isn’t pretending to be Ilya Rozanov.”
Ilya and Shane pulled away from her. Rose cackled at their unhinged mouths.
“You knew?”
“The whole time?”
“I knew about Elijah being Lily. Ilya was a surprise, if I’m being honest. But it makes sense, now that I think about it.” She smirked at the blushing Shane, nudging him slightly. “Oh, and I only found out because Hayden Pike basically told me. You should have a talk with him.”
“Pike,” Ilya’s voice rumbled dangerously but Rose couldn’t do anything but smile at how tight his arms were still around Shane and herself.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what, Rose Landry?”
She raised her head at him and smiled. “For loving Shane.”
That broke the stillness in his face and Ilya Rozanov grinned at her. It wasn’t the sneer or smirk she’s grown familiar with from games or interviews. No. His face was inebriated with joy, childish and innocent and pure happiness.
“Is easy,” he replied. “I am compatible with Shane. Not like Rose Landry.”
She let out a snort. “You’re such an asshole!”
“Ahh,” he released his hold and rested a hand on his chest like he was relieved. “Yes, I will not turn into bear now.”
They laughed as Shane alternated staring between them, bewilderment imprinted in his furrowed brows. He frowned at their mocking snickers, telling them both to fuck off. Ilya cooed and pressed a kiss to his forehead, asking for forgiveness. And Shane gave it easily.
Rose was right. She did like Ilya. Ilya loved Shane. And Shane loved Ilya back. In the privacy of their arms, it was all going to be alright.