12. Aus
AUS
Finally, a break.
Not that it matters.
Thea left with Wick fifteen minutes ago. I looked away, but I could still see them sneaking out. She was running her fingers up and down his arms, gripping onto him like he was some kind of security blanket.
Whatever. Fuck her. And really fuck Wick.
If he harms a hair on her head, I swear to God…
Why am I so attached to this woman? We interacted for maybe ten minutes. I’m feeling heartbroken, like I’ve been dumped by my wife of ten years.
It’s so weird.
Maybe I just need a drink. I amble over to North, sit down on a stool, and nod to Nora. “I need a beer yesterday.”
She frowns. “Everything okay, Aus?”
I sigh. “On paper, yes.”
She pours two glasses of Wonderful Whiz. “I think I’ll join you in this one.”
“I’ll always share a beer with you, Nor.” I raise my glass. “To healing hearts.”
She crinkles her eyes. “What’s got you in such a poetic mood?”
I take a sip of my beer. “It’s dumb.”
“Nothing’s dumb if it’s got you down.” She leans on the bar. “Come on, Aus. Spill.”
“Fine.” I draw in a slow breath. “That girl I brought by, the one I was showing around? Thea?”
“What about her?”
“I don’t know. She just… We seemed to hit it off great.
But I couldn’t ask her out because she was here on one of those damned Twistr dates.
But then, get this. The date didn’t show.
At least that’s what it looked like. But by that point I was in the middle of my set.
And then”—I look over my shoulders to make sure no one is within earshot—“fucking Wick of all people swoops in and picks her up right under my damned nose.”
“Aw, honey.” Nora pats my hand. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out. And that you’re upset.”
“That’s the thing, though.” I grip my beer glass. “I shouldn’t even care. It’s not the first time I haven’t gotten a girl. But something about this particular girl… She just got under my skin for some reason.”
She scratches the side of her head. “And I’m sure it didn’t help it was Wick.”
I sigh. “You know we’ve never exactly gotten along.”
“Why is that?”
“Honestly, no idea. Before tonight, he hadn’t ever even done anything to piss me off. I just get a weird feeling about him. A general distrust.”
“Then why didn’t you get rid of him when you took over for Rouge?”
“Oh, come on, Nora. You know I can’t just fire a guy because of a feeling.” I take a long sip of the beer. “Besides, he’s good at his job. His whiskey sour is a big draw, and the college girls love him.” I roll my eyes. “And so, apparently, does Thea.”
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry.” Nora takes a sip of her beer. “Affairs of the heart are complex. I know you just met this girl, but it sounds like you felt a connection. I bet she felt it too.”
I cock my head. “You think?”
“I saw the way she was looking at you when you were giving her the tour. I can’t read her mind, of course, but it’s a bit premature to abandon hope.”
“But she went home with Wick.”
“She left with Wick. You don’t know where they went after that. And even if she did go home with him, he has no claim on her.”
“I know that, but…”
“But nothing. Spare me the ‘I don’t want another man’s sloppy seconds,’ bullshit, Aus. It’s an outdated idea. Thea won’t be eternally tainted by engaging with another man.”
“But it’s not just any other man, it’s—”
Nora holds up a hand. “I know. I know. It’s Wick. The last man you want Thea going home with. And why is that?”
“Because he’s a player. He’ll use her and then lose her. I’ve seen him do it a million times.”
“Exactly. He’s not the relationship type.” Nora leans forward. “He’ll grow tired of her quickly and then move on to the next one. And then you’ll be able to shoot your shot.”
“But…” I hang my head. I have no argument.
There’s just some caveman instinct in me that wants to keep Thea to myself.
I don’t want to be her consolation prize after she spends the night with Wick.
It’s shallow and petty, but I can’t control how I feel.
“I don’t have any means of connecting with her even if he does dump her.
I didn’t get her number or anything. And I have no idea if she’ll ever return to Jade.
She was only here because Twistr brought her. ”
Nora raises an eyebrow. “Come on, Aus.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you recognize her from the news?”
I widen my eyes. Shit. Yes, she mentioned she was a meteorologist for some news channel. Which one was it?
“She’s on ChicagO2 news.”
I frown. “So? I can’t exactly climb through my TV and see her.”
Nora pinches the bridge of her nose. “No. But you can figure out where she films. And what her hours are. I assume you’re capable of doing a simple Google search. Or will I have to hold your hand through that as well?”
I chuckle. Nora is good at assuming the “tough-love” mom voice when she needs to. One of the reasons I love her so much.
“Okay, so I…what? Just stalk her at work?”
“Find a pretext for being there. A nearby coffee shop or something. Bump into her as she leaves. Pretty simple. You’ll be able to pick up where you left off. Easy as pie.”
A tiny glimmer of hope pierces the storm clouds in my heart. Maybe Nora’s right. Maybe I can course correct, steer Thea back into my arms.
But one problem still remains.
I can’t get the image of Wick fucking her out of my damned head.