Chapter 9
LOLA
We were in my apartment just twenty minutes after the show ended, and on the way here, I hadn’t spoken.
Willa and I kept looking at each other, unable to form words. She could tell I needed some time to realize what happened back at The Hot Spot, and she gave me my needed space before trying to understand how I felt.
We sat on my couch, with the TV on, and my thoughts were just running wild. My heart was beating fast, with my chest still filled with adrenalin.
“I’m just going to say this…that was the most intense and overwhelming thing to ever happen to me.”
Willa pursed her lips, studying me closely. “In a good way?”
“I think so. I mean…it felt nice being up there. Being close to them made me have that same effect I had when I was in the elevator with them. It was…intense.”
“It looked intense. They were all over you, and it almost looked like they were fighting over you,” she said, laughing softly.
“It felt like it too, to be honest. God, they messed with my head.” I covered my face with my hands and sighed, unsure about the way I was feeling. Was it right to feel so many things for multiple men? “They probably think I hated it because I ran.”
“Well, you didn’t hate it. It just overwhelmed you, and you needed some space. I don’t think staying there would’ve helped you in that situation.”
“I don’t think so either. I wouldn’t have been able to look into their faces again.” I lowered my hands and leaned back, tilting my head, and closing my eyes. “But we’re definitely going back there.”
Willa chuckled. “Definitely. That way you can evaluate how you really feel, and I get a chance to see Morris again.”
“Right. Did he text you yet?”
I watched her reach over to the coffee table, taking her phone out of her purse, and checking the screen. “Nope. But I know he will. That was love at first sight, I tell you that.”
I laughed softly. “There was chemistry for sure. And he seemed like a nice guy.”
We sat there for the rest of the night, talking about the men who had impressed us so much that we couldn’t stop talking about them.
It was easier for Willa though. She only had one guy to worry about.
I, on the other hand, just had to get involved with four.
But there was nothing I could do about it. My heart was in control this time, and my head had nothing to say. I wanted to be rational and realistic, but my heart wouldn’t let me.
I had to simply accept the fact that I was crushing on four extremely handsome, sexy, older men.
***
Willa had slept at my place, and the next morning, we decided to go get breakfast at the bakery which was right next to my apartment building. We sat at one of the small tables outside and ate croissants and drank coffee while we did some people-watching.
“Do you think I should text him first?”
“Never.”
“You’re right.”
I laughed. “But I get it. I kinda want to text them. They have an Instagram.”
“I wouldn’t text them on there. What if someone else runs their account?”
She was right. They had almost one hundred thousand followers, and I was sure that many tried to send them direct messages before. “Maybe we’re lucky and they’re home tonight.”
“Are you ready to face them after last night?”
I looked at her and shrugged. “Not sure. I mean, I want to see them, but I’m not over last night. Just thinking about it makes me nervous. And I’m never nervous.”
Willa puckered her lips in amusement. “I’ve never seen you like this either. It’s kinda scary.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed at her comment. “I’ll be back to my normal self soon, I promise. Just need to figure out how to handle those four men.”
We finished our breakfast and decided to go for a little walk around the neighborhood, and we ended up at the grocery store to get food for the next few days. Willa and I ran errands together often. Whenever we needed anything, we called each other up and asked if the other got time to head to the store.
In a way, it was a pastime for us whenever we were bored. It didn’t happen very often because we both had a full-time job, but we still got to see each other a couple of times a week. If not personally, then over FaceTime.
The afternoon came quickly, and after getting a few things from the grocery store, we both headed home. Willa would be coming over again later to get ready for Benson’s party, and until then, I decided to hang out on my couch and watch TV.
***
I had to admit to myself that I was nervous to go to Benson’s party. Knowing the guys would probably be in the same building was exciting, but if I were to face them again so soon, I wasn’t ready for that.
I looked up at the large windows on the exterior, noticing that there was only one room lit on the upper two floors. “Doesn’t look like they’re all home,” I said.
“Not really. Let’s go upstairs and check out the party. Doesn’t look like many people came to Benson’s party tonight either.”
There weren’t many cars outside either. Maybe this time it really was just a little get-together.
Willa and I headed inside and took the elevator to the third floor. We once again were wearing heels, but I chose my brown leather boots this time. They were way more comfortable than the ones I had on last weekend.
“Hey, girls.” Benson greeted us by the door. “Glad you came. I’m going crazy in there.”
“Why, who’s in there?” Willa asked.
“Just the guys. They’re on their tenth beer each, and they’re babbling on about the stupidest things. I need some intellects in there who I can have normal conversations with.”
I laughed and patted his chest. “We’re here now, don’t worry.”
We walked past him, and he followed us inside.
“Hey, why aren’t there more people tonight?” Willa asked, looking back at Benson.
“Everyone’s at that concert downtown.”
“What concert?” I asked.
“Of some country singer. Don’t really know his name but apparently, he’s super famous. At least that’s what some girls said.”
I looked at Willa and we both shrugged. We didn’t hear anything about a concert, but we would’ve chosen to come here anyway.
“Guys, Lola and Willa are here. Be nice, okay? Don’t be weird,” Benson called out over the music. “Can I get you something to drink?” he then asked us, placing a hand on my lower back.
“I’ll have a Smirnoff Ice, please.”
“Me too.”
Benson left to get our drinks, and Willa and I walked over to the couches, sitting down on one of them. We greeted the others, and without giving us a minute to take in the scene, they started to complain to us about things.
They didn’t even explain what they were so angry about, and shortly after, they were arguing with each other. It was amusing to say the least, but I had trouble following what they were saying as they started to slur their sentences.
“I’m pretty sure they had more than just beer,” Willa whispered as she leaned in closer to me.
I nodded, amazed at how drunk some people could get without blacking out.
“Not sure we can keep up with them,” I said, jokingly.
“We could try,” she suggested.
I looked at her, intrigued by the idea of getting drunk.
We usually drank responsibly, and we made sure we had a safe ride home whenever we decided to let loose. Tonight, though, I didn’t want to ruin my chances of seeing them again.
“I won’t get wasted, but you can. I’ll get you home safely afterward,” I promised her.
She started to grin, and she wrapped her arms around my neck to hug me tight. “Perfect! Oh, but make sure I don’t drunk dial or text Morris.”
I laughed and patted her arm. “Don’t worry, I won’t let that happen.”