Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
I’ve been to Bob’s dozens of times, but walking across the parking lot with Ryan by my side feels different.
Not in a bad way, just that we have history here.
In the past, I enjoyed finding new ways to irritate him and he took the bait every single time.
I probably won’t be able to resist teasing him a little, but tonight, we’re here on an actual date.
We’ve only been a couple for a short time, but part of me is feeling stupidly confident that what we have is real. The other part is freaking out.
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” I say, tilting my head up as we get closer to the entrance. “I was the one who wanted to come here.”
Every month, Bob’s hosts a variety of theme nights. Karaoke, line dancing, whatever the staff is in the mood for. Ryan has never gone out of his way to attend any of them, but that doesn’t mean Carson hasn’t dragged him along occasionally. Tonight is trivia night, and it’s one of my favourites.
“Maybe you’re worried that you’ll get all the answers wrong,” he says with a wink. “That would be embarrassing,”
“Nah.” I snicker and shake my head. “The girls always kick the boys’ asses. That won’t change tonight.”
“I like your confidence, but your winning streak may be coming to an end.” He smirks and nudges me.
We walk only a few more feet when he stops in the middle of the sidewalk. Facing me, he loops his arms around my waist. “So, what’s bothering you then?” he asks more seriously.
Resting my palms on his muscular biceps, I meet his blue-grey eyes. “This is the first time we have seen our friends together since we started doing this thing.”
“You mean dating?” He raises an eyebrow and pulls me tighter.
“Yes, that.” I smile softly when he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
“They all know, and they support us, so I don’t think we have anything to worry about. Probably some good-natured ribbing,” he reassures me. “Is there anything else bothering you?”
So many things, but I’m going to try not to think about them tonight. I want to have fun with Ryan and our friends, so I shake my head no.
“Are you ready to go in?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Releasing him, I turn and walk backwards towards the door. “Get prepared to lose.”
The place is already busier than usual for a Thursday night. A few people near the door look when we enter, then go right back to planning their strategy. Some regulars take Trivia Night super seriously.
The tables have been arranged around the room to accommodate all the teams. Blank paper and a few pens are in the centre of each.
The TV above the bar is playing the hockey game, but the sound has been muted.
By the time we begin, nobody will hear it anyway.
Two bartenders are moving quickly, filling orders before the first round begins.
“Dillon’s here.” I point towards where he’s sitting on a stool, leaning his forearms on the bar, with a beer in front of him. “He never comes out with us.”
“Carson must be wearing him down.” He chuckles as we cross the room. “I wonder if he brought Harold with him.”
Pausing, Ryan asks close to my ear, pointing towards the stage where the host has set up with his mic, “Did you see the theme tonight?”
“Canadian Pop Culture,” I read aloud from the sign with a laugh. “We are totally going to win.”
“You’re feeling pretty optimistic, aren’t you?”
“Do you want to make a bet?”
“I’m listening.” He leans back and crosses his arms, accepting the challenge.
“How about the winner can request something sexy from the loser? Anything they want.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Oh, Baby. Win or lose, I’ll get exactly what I want,” he says confidently, running his thumb over his bottom lip as he scans my body.
When I’m momentarily stunned into silence, he says, “Come on. We’re over there.” He points to our friends. Taking my hand, he leads the way.
They have chosen tables side by side, away from the stage. Everyone is scattered around them, engrossed in conversation.
“There you are.” Hannah greets us and gives me a hug. “I was worried you wouldn’t make it.”
“Of course I’m here. I’m the honorary captain.” I snicker, hugging her back.
Leaning closer, she says, “Meg called and asked us to pick her up. She and Jeff had a huge fight, and he left. Said he was going to sleep at his office and would be back when she’s more reasonable.”
“What the fuck?” I look over to where she is standing with her back to me in between Carson and Claire.
“I know, right? I’m only telling you because she’s already had two drinks since we arrived thirty minutes ago.”
“Oh, no.” I grimace. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve seen Meg have more than a glass of wine with dinner in all the years I have known her. She is a total lightweight, and drinking any more than that results in tears and embarrassment.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan asks, leaning into our huddle.
Hannah ducks her head and mumbles, “Meg has had two drinks.”
“Meg has?” He pops his head up to look at her.
“Get back down here,” I say, pulling on his arm. Turning to Hannah, I ask, “What’s our plan?”
“Cut her off if she wants more than three, I guess.” She bites her lower lip in concern.
“We’ll all keep an eye on her,” I reassure her. “She’ll be fine.”
“That won’t be a problem. Carson is practically glued to her side,” Ryan points out. “And that’s a problem for another day.”
Hannah and I nod our silent agreement. Carson is a good man, but his fixation on Meg over the past few years has become worrisome. He cares and respects her enough never to cross the line, but at this point he’s going to end up breaking his own heart.
Ryan threads his fingers through mine, and the three of us continue towards the tables. Logan stretches out his arm, and when Hannah ducks underneath it, he kisses her on the side of her head.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his voice quiet and low.
“Yep. Just catching them up on the state of our unexpected passenger.” She gives him a quick smile.
When Claire notices our joined hands, her face lights up. “Seeing you together, and not bickering, almost makes up for me leaving Ben with my sister on a school night.”
“You need to quit being so hard on yourself,” Riot drawls, leaning over the back of her chair close to her face.
“You are the best mom I know, and you deserve a break occasionally. Besides, you put him to bed before you left. Let’s have fun, eh?
” he says, squeezing her shoulder before walking to the boys’ table.
“Fifteen-minute warning,” the host calls over the microphone. “Please find your table, name your team, and settle in for Canadian Pop Culture Trivia Night. The prize is a $50 gift certificate to…look at that…” He holds the slip of paper above his head. “To Bob’s Bar and Grill.”
The crowd erupts in hoots and hollers as they shuffle around the bar.
“This is where I leave you,” I say, patting Ryan’s chest. “Best of luck. You’re going to need it.”
He catches my hand and holds it in place over his heart. Leaning close, he whispers into my ear, “I told you. I’ve already won.”
Smirking, he turns, and I watch him walk away and sit beside Logan.
“Stop staring at the man’s ass and come sit down,” Hannah says, leading me to our seats.
“Busted, but in my defense, he has an exceptional ass, especially in those blue jeans.” I snicker.
The chair scrapes across the worn hardwood floor as I pull it out and sit down facing Ryan. He’s leaning back with his arms crossed over his solid chest, already watching me.
“You have it so bad for each other,” Claire says slowly, enunciating every word. “I would never have believed it if you had told me a few months ago.”
“I think it’s soooooo cute,” Megan slurs slightly as she leans over the table towards me.
Her cheeks are flushed red, making her freckles pop.
Glassy and red-rimmed eyes blink back at me.
It’s hard to tell if it’s from the alcohol or her recent tears.
Normally she has her red hair pulled up into a ponytail, but tonight it’s down, curls loose and wild. Beautiful, but absolutely wild.
Sliding across the table, I place my hand over hers. “Hey, Meg. How are you?”
“I’m great!” she says loudly, holding up a strawberry daiquiri. “These are delicious. You should get one. Hey, Carson…” Sitting up taller, she searches the room. When she spots him at the next table, she shouts, “Beck wants a daiquiri too.”
Tilting his head, he narrows his eyes, questioning. Shaking my head, I turn back to my group.
“We need to pick a name for our team,” I announce, reaching for a piece of paper.
“No, I already did it.” Meg holds up a piece of card stock. Beavers Behaving Badly.
Hannah, Claire, and I burst out laughing. “What? I think it’s a great name,” Meg grumbles defensively, crossing her arms.
Hannah is the quickest to regain her composure. “It is a great name, Meg. Thank you for choosing it.”
“Carson said I could pick their team’s name too,” she says, perking up and proudly pointing to their table.
Ryan rolls his lips inwards as he shows us. Poutine Posse. Good Lord, someone take away her drink.
“Looks like the men will have a number advantage tonight,” Claire says as Dillon pulls over an empty chair, spins it backwards, and sits down.
“I knew you couldn’t stay away.” Carson beams, sitting down beside him. “I’m winning you over, aren’t I?”
“If I had known you were going to be here, I wouldn’t have come,” Dillon mutters, shuffling his chair away from him.
“Now you’re just trying to hurt my feelings,” Carson scoffs.
Dillon sighs loudly and raises a hand to wave at our table.
“Hiii, Dillon,” Meg calls to him, wiggling her fingers. Furrowing his forehead, he slowly raises his hand once more in return.
“Oh my God, he’s soooo cute,” she whisper-yells at us with wide eyes, visibly melting into her chair.