Seventeen
Ameila
P am and I walk through the doors of The Bar.
“I’m so excited for tonight. We needed this, and I’m happy Luna and Abby are joining us,” she says.
I agree because I tend to be standoffish if I’m not working. Those two just make it easy with how they fit into our little girl squad.
“We should grab that booth over there in the corner because I haven’t seen them yet,” I say as we weave through people.
We slide around the U-shaped table and put in an order for some drinks and some appetizers to share for the table.
“Oh! I see them walking in the door,” Pam says and half stands up, waving her hands over her head.
“Sup, my bitches!” Pam says as they grab their seats.
I smirk and roll my eyes because it seems Pam is ready to party tonight. “Hey, ladies! How are you guys?” I ask.
“Great, now that I’m here!” Abby says.
“Agreed,” Luna says as she sits down.
“I hope you don’t mind, we ordered some food and water for everyone,” I say.
“Perfect! I’m starving! It was so busy at the diner today that by the time I had a chance to eat, it was close to the end of my shift, and I didn’t want to spoil dinner,” Abby says.
Luna just looks around the bar with wide eyes, and I lean over to her. “You good? I know we don’t know each other well yet, but I can tell this is a lot for you.”
“What? Oh yeah, we just didn’t have bars where I grew up, and I was so busy trying to make it after I left that I didn’t get out much . . . or well, ever,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear.
I pull her in for a half hug. “I know you aren’t ready to talk about it, but I promise you can trust us.”
“I know, I trust you guys more than anyone else in my life besides Joe and Ann,” she says with a soft smile.
“Alright, ladies! What’s your poison tonight?” Pam asks. “Well, Am, I know you’re going to have a Coke, no ice. Abs and Luna, what about you?”
Luna looks at her wide-eyed and says, “Um, I’m not sure. I’ve only ever tried beer, and I don’t really like it.”
Pam doesn’t miss a beat when she says, “Do you not want to drink? Because it’s no big deal if you don’t. Or if you want me to choose, I can order you something to try, and if you don’t like it, then I’ll drink it.”
“I’m good with you picking something for me to try.” She shrugs.
“I got you, my friend. Okay, what about you, Abs?”
“I’ll just have a cranberry and vodka,” she says as she fishes out some cash to hand to Pam.
“I got this round. No worries, ladies,” Pam says as she walks away toward the bar.
“How are your weeks going so far?” I ask.
“It’s been slow since Luke left the bed-and-breakfast, but we’re getting everything ready for the holiday season, so I’m not mad. I started working on their website, making sure it’s up to date,” Luna says.
“That’s awesome! I didn’t know you knew how to make websites! Have you thought about doing that on the side? I wouldn’t mind you taking a look at mine, and I bet some local business would feel the same,” I say.
“Oh, I’m not that good. It’s just something I’ve taught myself, and I want to help Joe and Ann out since they do so much for me,” she says.
“Well, I still wouldn’t mind your help. Just let me know when you have some free time,” I say with a smile.
“Here we go, ladies! The drinks have arrived,” Pam says as she passes them out.
“Thanks!” Abby says. “Let’s toast to the first of, what I hope will be, many girls’ nights. Oh, and the fact that I might be buying the diner!”
“I second that!” I say as we clink our glasses, but I pause as I realize what she added at the end. “Wait! What did you say? Are you serious!”
“Holy smokes! That is awesome! Ken is selling? I didn’t hear about that!” Pam says.
“That’s really cool!” Luna says.
“Well, Ken kept making comments about wanting to retire. I thought about it, and I love that place and I have my business degree, so I figured I would talk to him about it. No one knows yet, and it might not happen.” She shrugs.
“No, it’ll happen. I’m putting all the good vibes out there for you!” Pam says.
Luna and I agree with her as we all drink.
“What do you think of your drink, Luna?” Pam asks.
“It’s really good! I can’t even taste any alcohol! What is it?” She takes a big sip.
“Sex on the beach,” Pam says.
We switch topics easily, going from catching each other up on what’s going on personally to all the town gossip we’ve heard over the last couple of days. Three drinks in, Abby looks at me, and I know I won’t be able to avoid the topic anymore.
“Okay, so spill. What really happened at the end of your date with Luke? You can’t tell me you just said good night, and that was the end. I’ve seen the way that man looks at you,” she says.
Pam snickers, and I sigh. “Well, the rescue kitten thing really happened. Then I walked him out as I was also letting Penny out for the last time for the night, and well . . .” I pause and take a deep breath. “We started making out, and then I basically humped his leg on my front porch !” I look at the ceiling and take a deep breath as the three of them laugh. “I mean, anyone could have seen, and then he pushed me off and said something like we can’t do this out here, and I wanted to both swoon and be embarrassed at the same time.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve never had an orgasm,” Luna pipes up.
I just stare at her because I know she wouldn’t have admitted that without the alcohol she’s been drinking.
“What did you say?!” Pam shrieks.
Abby just stares at her and asks, “Like not at all or like not by someone else?”
“Either?” she admits. “At first it was because I was too busy, ya know, and now I just don’t know how to act around men.”
“Well, we need to change this as soon as possible! I bet Noah would like to help you with that,” Abby says with a knowing smirk.
“Oh, no, I don’t think so. There’s no way someone like him would ever want to be with someone like me,” she says nervously.
“Be with someone like you? Beautiful, smart, and a lot of fun? If he doesn’t see your worth, then he can fuck right off,” I say.
“Thanks, ladies . . .” she says before downing the rest of her drink.
“Well, look who we have here! I wasn’t expecting you all to be here tonight,” someone says, and I groan as I see who’s walking up.
“Hi Brian, can we help you?” Abby says in a dry tone.
“I was just hoping I could buy Amelia a drink,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “Well, for one, I don’t drink, but for two, I’m out with my friends, as you can see. So the answer is no, thank you.”
“Come on, Amelia, just one drink. The girls here won’t miss you,” he says as he tries to sling an arm around me.
I shrug his arm off. “They might not, but I’m here with them. I’ll be staying here to hang out with my friends.”
“What she’s trying to say is you should just leave her be because no means no,” Pam says, glaring at him.
“Well, good thing it isn’t up to you, Pam,” he sneers.
“No, for real, Brian, please leave,” I say and lean back as far as I can, giving Pam a look, knowing she’ll know exactly what I’m asking her to do.
She grabs her phone and fires off a text.
“I don’t know why you have to be such a tease, Amelia. We would be so good together,” he says and leans right next to my ear. “You’ll give me a chance one day soon. And by then, you won’t have a choice.”
With a shudder coursing through me, I open my mouth to say something when I hear a familiar voice off to the side.
“Sheriff Brian, an upstanding citizen like yourself wouldn’t be making Amelia feel uncomfortable, now would you?” Farmer Joe says.
“Just Brian, sir, I’m off duty and no. I’m just asking if Amelia would like to have a drink with me,” he says, with the fakest megawatt smile I’ve ever seen.
I grab my phone from next to Pam and shoot a text off to Luke.
Why?
I’m not sure because I know Pam texted Sam to see if he can come get us since we have two cars here and only one sober me.
“Funny, I thought I heard Amelia tell you she was hanging out with her friends. Not only would your father be upset with your behavior, but an officer like yourself wouldn’t push yourself on anyone . . . right?”
If I weren’t sitting right next to Brian, I would have missed his jaw tick at Farmer Joe’s words. My phone vibrates, and I sneak a glance at Luke’s response.
Luke: Of course I can, sweetness. We were just wrapping up
We’re leaving now and will be there in ten tops.
I immediately relax as I read his words.
“No, sir, I’m just heading back to my table. I’ll talk to you soon, Amelia,” he says, and the look in his eye tells me all I need to know. He isn’t happy about the situation, but there’s nothing he can do about it.
As he leaves, Luna says, “Why is he such a creep? I hate men like that.”
I just look at her because I don’t think I’ve ever seen her mad before.
“Same. I don’t know why everyone thinks he’s a good guy. I’ve known he was a dick since elementary school,” Abby says.
“Thanks for the backup, Joe. As always, you’re a rock star!” Pam says.
“My pleasure, ladies. Let me know if you need anything. The next round is on me!” he says as he walks back to his table with Ann.
As the next round arrives, I’m glad we asked the guys to come get us because while I could drive us all home, we would be missing a car . . . and for a Thursday, that would be a pain even if it was worth it.