2. Thrash
Chapter 2
Thrash
I drum my fingers on the counter, checking my phone for the hundredth time. Addie’s late, which isn’t like her. The notification I sent her about the “Ashes of Decay” TV adaptation sits unread. That’s our favorite book series, one we’ve both read a half dozen times, so I know she’ll be stoked to talk about it.
Damn, I still wish we could’ve gone and had that drink yesterday. Instead, I ended up at my sister’s making sure her fuckface of an ex-boyfriend got his shit and got the fuck out of her house without any drama.
Finally, Addie walks in, but something’s not right. Dark circles ring her eyes, and her hair hangs limp around her face.
“Hey text ignorer. You see the news about?—”
“Sorry I’m late.” She drops her bag behind the counter. “I overslept.”
“You okay? You look...” I trail off as she shoots me a look.
“What, like death warmed over?” A ghost of her usual smile appears.
“I mean, you’re rocking the whole zombie chic thing.”
Her laugh comes out hollow. Wrong. I’ve heard her real laugh a thousand times.
This ain’t it.
“Guessing that bottle of wine turned into two bottles?” I ask with a grin.
“You told me not to get wild. I should’ve listened,” she says, the corner of her mouth quirking up for a split second.
“Seriously, though. You good?”
“Yeah,” she says with a sigh. “I really did just stay up too late reading.”
She’s lying. Staying up too late might be the case, but it’s not the whole story.
It’s not the first time Addie’s been quiet or distracted at work lately. It’s none of my business though, and if I’m being honest, I don’t want to fuck up the vibe between us by pushing. We have an easy friendship, a good one that I treasure. I don’t want to jeopardize it by getting involved in the personal shit she’s not offering up on her own.
But it doesn’t mean I can’t help out in other ways.
“You still up for that drink later? A bunch of us are going to Lumberjax tonight to throw axes. You should come. Maybe take some time in the smash room,” I say, nudging her with my elbow. “Nothing cures a funk like breaking shit.”
“I’m not in a funk...” Addie swipes her tongue over her lip ring, a tell-tale sign she’s about to make excuses. I know it’s coming, but I can’t stop thinking about the things I’d like to do with her mouth, with her tongue... I cut her off before she gets the chance to shut me down.
“C’mon... Let’s have a drink or six. We can talk about the new Ashes of Decay series coming out.” I waggle my eyebrows, and I’m rewarded with a real laugh. Fuck, it’s a great sound.
“I don’t know...”
“Look, I know you don’t really want to go to Jax, but when was the last time you actually went out and had fun?”
“Who all is going?”
“I thought I’d ask Bones and Danny, but I’m not sure they can get a sitter for the twins so fast, so I don’t know if they will or not. Nash and Jenna are on vacation, so they’re out... Dean, Aria…”
“Aria from the bakery next door?”
“Yeah,” I say. “She’s in visiting Agnes... Actually, I should ask Agnes. I bet that old gal can out party the lot of us.”
“Oh, I know she could,” she says.
“A couple of my clients from up at the Center might go, too... You know Janie and Mari will probably be there with the Watson Twins.”
“Yeah,” she says, the light that was there a minute ago dimming. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”
I cock my eyebrow and tilt my head, studying her. I know she briefly mentioned this yesterday, but I’m having a hard time understanding how this is still bothering her.
She crosses her arms, staring at the floor. “I’m really happy for them, ya know? They both deserve everything they’ve gotten and more... And I’ve been there through it all. The weddings, Mari’s pregnancy announcement, the Center opening up for Janie and Sean... Everyone’s paired up, living their best lives, and kudos to them, but I’m starting to feel like the odd one out.”
“You won’t be the only single person there, and besides that, I believe I asked you to hang out with me, not them. Did I not?”
“Well, technically you said there were a bunch of you going, which would indicate it wouldn’t just be me and you.”
“I did.”
“So it doesn’t just count as us hanging out.”
“I’m sorry, did you say something?” I ask, cupping my hand around my ear. “All I heard was ‘blah, blah, excuses, blah.’”
“Jerk,” she says with a smile.
“Come on. Come out, get a little buzzed, and let loose with me. I’ll even make sure you get home safe.” Her eyes meet mine, searching. For what, I’m not sure. But my heart hammers against my chest while I wait for her answer. “I’m not taking no for an answer, so stop with the poor me attitude you’ve got going on and come and have fun with me.”
Addie’s lips twitch into a half-smile. “You’re right. I’m being ridiculous.”
“Nah, just human.”
She takes a deep breath and nods. “Okay, I’m in.”
“Awesome.” I grin.
Her smile turns mischievous. “Fair warning, I plan on getting completely sloshed tonight. Gonna drink my weight in tequila and make bad decisions.”
“Well I guess I’ll be your designated driver and bad decision preventer.”
“My hero,” she says, batting her lashes.
“I do what I can. Pick you up at 8?”
“It’s a date.” She pauses, her cheeks flushing. “I mean, not a date-date. You know what I mean.”
“I know.”
But damn if I don’t wish it was a real date.
Something’s off with her. More than just feeling left out. I’ve known Addie for a little while now, and I’ve never seen her this down.
But tonight, I’m gonna make sure she has the time of her life. I’ll be there to listen if she wants to talk, to make her laugh if she needs a distraction.
To fuck if she wants that...
No. Not that, even if it’s all I can think about.
Whatever she needs though, I’ve got her back.
Always have, always will.