Chapter Forty-Two
Emily
Three drinks later at Callahan’s Bar, and I’m on a roll. Thankfully, Ruby just returned from the restroom so she’s fully present to hear my tirade. At least this time, I’m not talking to the empty cushion across from me.
“I can’t believe that asshole picked me up, took me to his house, and ruined any other man for me.”
I pick up the fourth drink and sip the smooth watermelon and tequila mixture through the straw to pure frozen torture.
“Fuck!” My eyes cross as I set the drink back down with a thump and squeeze my eyelids shut. Like that has ever helped cure brain freeze for anyone. I whimper in pain as the seconds tick by.
Jesus. That fucking hurts. I inhale as the world spins.
“Are you okay?” Ruby pats my hand.
The band plays a fast song, and the college crowd jumps up, running to the dance floor. With a collective roar, they shout the lyrics to a familiar tune.
Ruby. Right. I crack my eyes back open. Right. I’m here with Ruby. I blink again. At Callahan’s.
Okay. I straighten my shoulders and sit upright in the booth seat. This is why I rarely drink. I’m going to feel like dog shit tomorrow. What does that even mean? I frown as the room fades away with Ruby’s fuzzy face frowning back at me.
How does dog shit feel? How about I’ll feel like I swallowed dog shit? I lick my teeth. Yeah, when I wake up tomorrow, that’s a strong possibility.
“I’m fine.” I wave my hand dismissively. “I’ve never felt better.”
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s true, and I feel awful for even suggesting we come here after Rusty Nail. You’re going to feel like terrible tomorrow.”
“Thankfully, I’m off work tomorrow so I can spend the day hovering over the toilet and hoping it doesn’t take off.”
“What’re you even talking about?” Ruby wrinkles her nose. She agreed to be my designated driver as I spilled the details of my night with Jake. And now, she’s stuck babysitting me. I’d feel sorry for her but I’m too busy feeling sorry for myself.
“I’ll hold the toilet down, so it doesn’t take off.” How can she not understand that?
“God, you’re a mess,” she laughs and shakes her head. “You’d better remember this night when I need a DD in the future.”
“You’re on.” Tears fill my eyes as I lean across the table. “I love you and Bella so much.” The waitress brings a platter of appetizers to the next table.
I’m starving. I shift to my right. They surely wouldn’t notice if I snatched one of those fried mushrooms, would they? I scoot to the edge of the seat.
“Stop.” Ruby smacks my hand. “You will not steal someone’s food.”
“Spoilsport.” I settle back into the cushions. What was I saying? My brain is blank. Was I talking?
Right. My head shifts up and down as a light bulb goes off in my brain.
Ruby and Bella. I was talking about Bella and Ruby.
The best friends in the world. “You and Bella are the absolute best friends a girl could have.” The words are slightly slurred.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you. And to think Bella is going to forget all about us. ”
“She’s got a boyfriend, not moving to a different country.”
“It’s the same thing. She’s going to be happy and properly plowed on a daily basis. She’s not going to want to hang out with me while I wallow in misery.”
“Then stop wallowing.” Ruby’s face is stern as she glares. “I’m giving you a free pass tonight. But tomorrow, when you get done puking all this up, you’re going to put on your big girl panties and you’re going to forget about him.” She shifts her attention to her left. “Why don’t you start now?”
“What?” I swing my head in the direction she’s looking and the world tilts. Whoa Nelly. I stop moving and hold my breath. That’s when I notice a 6’2” tall god with a backward baseball cap stalking toward us. He has a goatee.
Goatee. That’s a stupid name. I wonder why they called it a goatee. Because goats have them? I bet that’s where the name comes from.
“He’s hot.” I fan the front of my shirt. Skintight jeans and a T-shirt that’s filled out with defined muscles. The man is good looking. Not as gorgeous as Jake. I growl under my breath. But Jake is fucking Amanda tonight so that removes all his good looks with one swipe.
The guy smiles as he stalks toward the table with the fried mushrooms. We really need to get something to eat. I’m starving. Would they notice if I snatched one on the way to the bathroom?
Why does that seem familiar? I frown. Did I already grab one from them?
“Yes, he’s hot. And he appears to be on the lookout for a dance partner.”
He doesn’t stop at the table with the appetizers. When he smiles, his eyes twinkle. Why is he coming over here? Do I have something on my face? I swipe the back of my hand across my mouth.
“Hey gorgeous, you look like you could use a dance.”
“What?”
“I said, hey gorgeous, you look like you could use a dance.”
“Why?” I frown, trying to make sense of his words.
“I….” His eyes widen as he looks at Ruby who rolls her eyes.
I wrinkle my nose and tilt my head, surveying him from his work boots to his freshly cut hair. “Are you a stripper?”
“No.” His head snaps back as if I’ve insulted him.
“An escort?”
“No. What in the hell?” His attention shifts to Ruby who lowers her eyelids and raises her hands in surrender.
“Sorry dude, she’s usually not this slow. She’s had a bad night and too much to drink.”
“Right.” The man shuffles from foot to foot as if he’s ready to bolt back across the bar.
“Oh, I get it. Ruby asked you to ask me to dance, didn’t she?” I slump into my seat. “I’m more pathetic than I thought. I can’t even get a guy to ask me to dance on his own.”
“Just go dance with him. You know what–”
“Don’t.” I slam my hand on the table and lurch upward. The guy grabs my arm and settles me into an upright position as a lurch forward. “You’re right.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, never better.” I lace my fingers through his and smile. “Let’s dance.” I attempt to waggle my eyebrows but I’m not sure if my eyebrows are moving or not. “And then go from there.”