Chapter 21 Birdie
Birdie
Echo Hall is one of my favorite parts of Saddlebrooke, and probably one of the things I missed most when I was living in the city.
The venue is in a historic warehouse just on the outskirts of town.
For a warehouse, they’ve made it feel intimate and warm with draped string lights that line the whole room, mismatched chairs and tables are spread across the space, with an ornate wooden bar that lines the entire side with floor to ceiling shelving that stores old books, records and liquor bottles.
The walls are covered in picture frames and old newspapers used as wallpaper.
It used to be Saddlebrooke’s newspaper printing press so you can feel the history there.
Every single romantic bone in my body is in love with this place.
After my run in with Dawsen this morning, I’m even more conflicted about having invited Max to join us at the concert.
I mean, we had a nice time together, and he did and said all the right things, it just felt like I was having to force it.
I’ve been going back and forth since I got home about this date and if I was being honest with myself, had I met Max when I was living in the city, far away from Dawsen being in my life, I’d probably would have had a great time, would have been excited about a second and a third date, but since my current reality is working for Dawsen and being in close proximity to all six feet, four inches of him almost every single day, well, it’s safe to say that he’s been taking up the better part of all my thoughts.
I usually look forward to getting dressed and doing my hair and makeup for a night out like this.
I love putting together a playlist to set the tone for the night and get lost in creating the perfect outfit and makeup look, but I was distracted the whole time.
I even had to wipe off my eyeliner and reapply because I kept messing up the wings, which shows how distracted I am because I can usually apply winged liner with my eyes closed.
It’s like muscle memory for me. I just kept thinking about my interactions with Dawsen in his apartment this morning.
I know he doesn’t look at me as anything other than River’s little sister, and he’s always charming with little flirty banter, but that’s just how he is.
I know he doesn’t mean anything by it, but I can’t help but question if maybe he does.
Like, that happens sometimes right? Sometimes your brother’s best friend ends up falling for the little sister…
I mean, I’ve seen movies and I’ve read books with that plot line.
I shake the thought because I am not the kind of girl Dawsen is into.
And I have over a decade of his track record that speaks to that.
Even if he was, I royally fucked that up by spewing all my emotional baggage on him after he made me breakfast and the best coffee I think I’ve ever had.
Somehow I managed to pull my look together, even with the Dawsen haze that was overtaking my entire prefrontal cortex. I’m wearing my favorite leopard print skinny jeans with my red western boots, and my favorite blouse that dips quite low and leather jacket.
Casey pulls up to my house exactly when she said she would, not a minute later because she’s Casey. My truest and most favorite punctual best friend.
Max was going to pick me up, but I got a text from him earlier today letting me know that he was going to have to stay a bit longer at work for a meeting with some investment group.
I run down the steps and straight into the car because it’s freaking cold out.
I buckled in and Casey hands me her flask almost immediately.
A mint green Stanley flask. I tilt my head at her and roll my eyes, “what is this for?” She nudges it towards me again so I take it, “You need to pregame for this. You’re about to be at a concert with your new boyfriend, your lifelong crush, and your lifelong crush’s flavor of the week.
” She says it like that’s obvious. I feel my stomach twinge.
“Wait, what did you just say?” I just stare at her, clutching the flask.
“River didn’t tell you? Stephanie is coming. Isn’t that just so fun?” She says, her voice laced with fake peppiness as she pulls out of the driveway.
“No, he absolutely did not tell me. Is she going as his date? Like Dawsen’s date?” I’m searching for my phone frantically because I plan on sending my brother a very strongly worded text.
“No, I honestly don’t even think Daws knows. Your asshole of a brother has been hanging out with her apparently and he invited her.” I stare out the window, my ears feel hot.
I feel my ears get hot. “Whats in the flask?” I ask, spinning open the top.
Casey reaches over and gives my knee a little love pat.
“Your favorite.” I can smell the wine and I’m instantly grateful for my best friend who breaks all the flask rules by putting Cabernet Sauvignon in a flask made for the hard stuff.
“Don’t you think it’s kind of gross that your brother is getting with the same girl Dawsen gets with? Like, that’s just gross, right?” Casey is almost as annoyed with the whole situation as I am it seems like.
“Casey, I really don’t want to picture or think about either of them doing anything with that woman for both entirely different reasons.” She leans forward and adjusts the volume knob on the stereo.
“You’re right, let’s just not.” We both shiver and shake off those thoughts immediately.
* * *
We get to Echo Hall and I stash the now empty flask in the glove box. I don’t really know how much a flask holds, but I’m definitely feeling it in my knees as we make our way to the entrance.
“What time is Max supposed to get here?” Casey asks, breaking my train of thought about my wobbly wine legs.
“I’m not sure exactly. He was going to send me a text when he leaves the office. He wasn’t sure how long the meeting was going to take.”
“Oh look what we have here.” Casey says sarcastically waving her finger towards the entrance of the venue where River and Stephanie are walking up.
“Joy.” I say dryly.
“What’s up sis, and sister’s friend.” River drawls as we catch up to them in the line that’s now forming outside the doors of Echo Hall.
I roll my eyes and Casey gives River a sucker punch to the shoulder.
River grabs his shoulder, “Ouch, Damn girl. Who pissed in your cheerios this morning?” Casey whips her braid around her shoulder and folds her arms across her chest as she raises her eyebrows at my brother, “You are disgusting and annoying.” She blows out a breath and I feel awkward just being around the tension these two put out sometimes.
I lean forward and offer my hand to Stephanie because I don’t want to give her a hug.
“Hi Stephanie, I’m Birdie, I don’t know if you remember me from Dawsen’s winery…
” I am rambling when she cuts me off, “I know who you are. Hi.” She takes my fingers and gives them a half assed shake and with that greeting I can tell she’s still not a fan of mine and she’s still definitely on my shit list.
I don’t have a shit list, but this bitch will most definitely be at the top of it whenever I get around to making it.
* * *
The doors finally opened, thank the good Lord above because the conversational dynamics I was working with were getting dicey while we waited in the line wrapped around the old building.
Max had texted me that he’d be here in about thirty minutes, so we wandered in and grabbed a few tables near the front of the stage.
Luckily we were some of the first in, so we scoped out some of the best seats in the house.
Dawsen isn’t here yet and I hate that I’ve noticed and I hate even more the amount of times my head has swiveled to the entrance.
And I hate even more that my head is swiveling to look for a man that is not even my date.
I decide I need to keep my flask buzz going so I decide to head to the bar, but before I do, I ask Casey, River and even Stephanie if I can get them anything.
Casey and River are arguing about some band I’ve never heard before and the integrity of their music.
Stephanie honestly looks bored, and I’ve noticed that maybe her head is swiveling to the door for the same reason as mine, which gives me a rush of jealous rage.
I’m disgusting.
I put it out of my mind as I recite the drink orders so I don’t forget by the time I get to the bar. One long island iced tea, Titos on the rocks, and one Pabst Blue Ribbon.
I wish I could say the Pbr is for River, but that boy loves a nice tropical trip to Long Island, if you know what I mean. Casey is my redneckin’, Pbr drinkin’, cowgirl and I think that makes her all the more adorable.
* * *
I managed to wedge between two linebacker sized men at the bar to put in our drink order.
While I was waiting for the bartender to mix and pour, I felt a hand at the small of my back.
I turned around to see Max standing there, looking so good.
He has this very business and polished vibe about him that screams success.
He’s also definitely hot, and he’s hard not to notice.
He’s wearing a navy blue suit, and he’s unbuttoned the top two buttons on his white collared shirt underneath, revealing a peek of tan skin.
I grabbed his drink order and insisted that he go over to the group to say hello and I’d bring the drinks once they were ready.
I noticed at least three different girls watch him walk by, and I give myself a mental hype up, reminding myself that I’ve got a hot, successful man that is interested in me and that I should appreciate that.
I don’t miss the way that I didn’t feel an ounce of jealousy from those girls taking a good look at Max. But just the thought of Dawsen being in here with Stephanie makes my skin burn.