by JL Davis
“Thanks. You’re not used to seeing me all dressed up,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows at her.
She’s staring at me and it’s kind of weird. “What?”
“Nothing. You just remind me of someone.”
“Oh, okay. I thought maybe I had a booger or something.” I laugh.
Brittany flags the bartender. “Can we have another round please?”
“If I keep having tequila I’m going to need some food in my stomach very soon.”
“Okay. Let’s eat and then go dance it off.”
“That sounds great!”
We share some cheese fries and have more shots. We are both pretty tipsy now. We walk on to the dance floor. There’s pop music playing and I see there are a few others also dancing. There’s a few strobe lights for effect. My favorite song comes on over the sound system and I start dancing beside Brittany. We are having a great time together, so far. A guy comes dancing between us, wanting our attention. I look him over. He is cute, but by the look of his hair I’m betting he takes longer than I do to get ready. I’m not into pretty boys. I like manly men. I try to get closer to Brittany so maybe he’ll get the point and go away, but no such luck. We look at each other and smile. “More drinks?”
I nod my head quickly, “Yes!”
We stand at the bar and the bartender walks over smiling, “Same?”
“Yes. Please,” I smile back.
He returns with our drinks. We raise our shots and sling them back. That one wasn’t bad at all. That must mean we’re almost drunk. “I need to walk around,” I admit.
“How about some pool?” Brittany asks.
“Okay. I’m not very good but I like to play,” I laugh.
We find an open table and I rack the balls. Well, I try to. We pick our sticks out and Brittany breaks. We each try getting our balls in; this will be long game. We both suck. It’s pretty funny, actually.
“I fucking suck!” Brittany yells. “I gotta go pee. I’ll be right back.”
I nod and laugh at her as she hurries to the bathroom. I bend down on the table with my stick to see how I can make my shot. One of Brittany’s balls is in the way of me sinking the eight ball in the corner pocket for the win. I’m contemplating how I can do it.
“You’re holding the stick wrong.” I jump. Holy shit. I’d recognize that sexy voice anywhere. I’m a little drunk and I don’t want him to see me like this. I turn around, not realizing how close he is to me and he smiles knowing he startled me. Ugh! When he smiles I just become a puddle in the floor. I decide I can play with him a bit too. I’ve had a bit of liquid courage.
“Wanna show me how to hold it?” He can take that however he wants. I may have the courage but my face still heats. He takes it exactly how I meant it. His smile disappears and I see his eyes darken.
“Bend over and I’ll show you.” I immediately turn around facing the table; I don’t want him to see me blushing. I bend over the table. He’s very close behind me and puts his arms around me, maneuvering my pool stick between my fingers. The heat from his body and the smell of his cologne is intoxicating and almost too much for me to handle. My heart is racing.
“Make sure to have your right hand further back on the stick so you have more control of where you’re trying to make the ball go. Does that make sense?”
When he speaks, he’s so close to my ear it causes me to shiver and I feel goosebumps rise on the back of my neck. I’m trying to concentrate, but he’s so distracting.
“Yes. I think so. I’m not very good,” I laugh.
I’m trying to concentrate. I feel him step back just as Brittany walks up to the table. I aim and make the eight ball in the corner pocket. I scream with excitement, jumping into his arms. Alex smiles but I don’t think he knows what to think about my arms wrapped around him.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” I say, letting go of him quickly.
“It’s okay,” he says grinning.
“Alex why are you here?” Brittany asks annoyed. “If I’d known you were coming you could’ve saved myself the trip to your house.”
“I finished and thought I’d come out for a bit. I thought you girls may need someone to look after you,” he smiles.
“That was sweet of you,” she says sarcastically, frowning at him.
“Jessa since you beat me you can buy the next round,” she laughs.
“Uh, I’m not sure that’s how that works,” I say, giggling as we all walk to the bar.
It’s close to eleven thirty now and I need to eat something. I’m hoping it will help sober me up. I’ve drank too much and don’t know if I’ll be able to drive myself home. Brittany is quite tipsy, also. The waitress comes over, “What can I get y’all?” She’s talking to all of us but her eyes are only on Alex. I guess he has that effect on all women. I don’t blame her at all. I feel the same way.
“I’ll have a water and some nachos, please,” I say and she writes it down, but her eyes never leave Alex. I want to slap her.
“I’ll have the same,” Brittany says, looking at me rolling her eyes. “Um, did you get that or are you gonna stare all night?”
I bust out laughing and I can’t believe she just said that, but I want to high five her.
She ignores Brittany’s comment, “What would you like, handsome?”
Alex taps his fingers on the table trying to decide. “Make that three.” I look over at him and he isn’t acknowledging her at all. He’s looking at me. I smile and look up at the waitress as she walks away unhappy. I hope she doesn’t spit in our nachos.
We eat our nachos and drink our waters and don’t have any more issues with the waitress other than seeing glance over at Alex a few more times.
“So do y’all think you’ll be able to drive home?” Alex asks, looking at Brittany and I. Brittany looks at me crazy and we both laugh.
“Honestly, I don’t think we can,” she says to her uncle. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
“I thought as much. Come on I’ll take you both home,” getting up from the table and leaving a few bills to cover the bill.
“Alex, I can pay for my food,” I say.
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “You will not.”
I stand and I see his eyes looking over my body and it excites me. “Thank you,” I say as I walk towards him. Brittany follows and we walk out like the three musketeers. Alex drapes his arms around us as we walk to his truck. It has been a great night. I needed to have some fun, and when Alex joined us it made it that much better.
Chapter Four
The next morning, I feel like shit. My head is pounding. I had every intention of getting up early and going to take the GED test. I get up and call to see when the next scheduled time is and there’s another at noon. I have a couple of hours to get ready and look over a few math problems that could possibly be on the test. I’m confident I can pass. I was smart in school, when I went.
I walk through the door and sign in. In the room, I take a seat at one of the desks. There are a few others here, also. I look around the room and see a girl that’s maybe twenty sitting a couple of seats down and she smiles at me. I smile and tap my foot impatiently. I’m ready to get this over with and behind me.
A man in his mid-forties walks in with a briefcase and takes a seat at the front of the class. He must be the instructor. He smiles. “Welcome to the class. I will need everyone to turn all cell phones off and put them away and then I will distribute the tests. You’ll have three hours to complete and return the test to me. I will then drop them off and your grades will be posted on the website within seventy-two hours. I need everyone to set up an ID and password to enter the site. I will give you the ID number as you return your test. Does anyone have any questions before we begin?” He looks around the room as does everyone else. “Alright I will now pass out the tests and you may begin.”
I think I did well. My only issues were a few math equations. If those are the only ones I got wrong, then I should be fine. Now the
waiting. I am ready to get my results so I can enroll into a tech-college online. I want to go into business. There are several jobs that qualify with a business degree. There are a few eight-week courses to get me started. If I decide to go further, then I will.
I pull into the driveway and receive a text from Brittany.
* * *
I feel like shit. How about you?
* * *
Same.
* * *
Do you want to get some coffee? I’m about to leave the office for a bit.
* * *
Sure. Starbucks?
* * *
Yes. I’ll be there in ten.
* * *
Ok. See you there.
* * *
Being a small town, we were lucky to recently get a Starbucks. There’s been several new businesses going up the last few years, and the population has slowly been growing.
I walk in and the smell is heaven. I could live here, it smells so good. I see Brittany seated in a corner with her coffee and laptop, typing away. I walk up to the counter and wait for the barista to take my order. “Hi! Welcome to Starbucks. What can I get started for you?” He’s smiling and is very handsome. There are always cute college guys working at Starbucks. I haven’t been to one where there isn’t.
“I’ll have a venti, mocha frappuccino with no whip, please,” I smile.
“A lady who knows what she wants,” he says as I step aside. I think about what he’d just said. I do know what I want, but can’t have it.
“Here you go,” he says, pulling me from my thoughts. “That will be $5.83.”
I reach in my purse pulling out a five and a couple of ones. “Keep the change,” I smile and walk to the table where Brittany is still working.
“Hi!” I say, taking the seat across from her.
“Hey, sorry, give me one minute and I’ll be finished.” She types a bit more and closes her laptop. “Okay. So, you feel like shit too, huh?”
“Yes. I should get something to eat and maybe that will help. Do you want anything?”
“Nah. I’m good. I had a muffin when I first got here.”
“Okay, I’m going to order a panini. The new chicken one sounds delicious.”
I return to the table and waste no time diving in. The only thing I had yesterday were the nachos late last night. I take a bite and moan my appreciation for the flaky goodness. It is good. I know I’m starved, but this may be my new favorite.
“So, there’s a local band playing at the club tomorrow night.” Brittany says, almost ready to bounce out of her seat.
“Oh yeah,” I giggle.
“Yes, they’re really good and super fuckable in the looks department. It won’t take long for them to hit it big. Do you want to come with?”
“Sounds fun. What time?”
“I think eight. We could get there a little early and eat first, so we don’t have a repeat of last night,” she winces. “How about seven?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“My brother, Nick, will be coming along too. He’s friends with the drummer,” she says, rolling her eyes and I nod. I don’t remember her brother much. I think he was a couple of years older than us.
* * *
Wednesday evening comes fast. I’m excited about the show. I shower and shave and am now standing in my towel looking in my closet for something to wear. I try on a dozen different outfits, tossing them to the floor in frustration as I take them off. I have no clue what to wear, not happy with anything I’ve tried so far. In the very back of my closet I find a little black dress that I ordered online a couple of years ago. It was a little bit too big and I couldn’t return it. I snatch it from the hanger and try it on. Holy shit! It fits. I turn and look over myself. I’ve gained a few pounds in the last couple of years. Fast food will do that to you. It fits great. I grab a strappy pair of heels, nothing too high. I’d break an ankle. I don’t know how girls can wear stilettos, makes my feet hurt just seeing someone walking in them. I walk back in the bathroom and put on a little makeup. I look at my reflection in the mirror happy that my eyelashes look good on both eyes. I swear, one eye always clumps and the other looks perfect. On the way, out of the bathroom I spray some perfume on and grab my wristlet.
* * *
I arrive at seven. There parking lot is almost full. I guess they do put on a good show. I find a spot all the way in the back. I reach the door and a big, bulky bald man is standing there to check my ID and take my cover charge. He looks down my body, “Have a good night.” I hurry inside.
I stop just inside the entrance and search through the massive crowd for Brittany. I finally spot her near the bar talking to a hot, tall, blonde haired guy. I walk towards them and Brittany spots me and smiles. I hug her and she nods to the hot guy. “This is my older, but not smarter, brother, Nick,” she smiles, joking with him and he rolls his eyes. I find myself looking him over. He is wearing a black shirt that hugs his biceps. He has beautiful, light brown eyes with what I believe are hints of green around the edges. It’s hard to tell with the lighting.
“Where have you been hiding?” he asks, as his eyes are looking at my chest and down my body.
“Huh? What do you mean?” I’m confused.
Brittany chimes in just then, sounding a bit irritated, “That’s his way of hitting on you,” she sighs. I can’t help it. I start laughing because that was not a good line. He looks at me a little shocked, maybe a little embarrassed.
“I’m sorry to laugh.” I shake my head, still giggling. He smiles at me and I finally gain my composure. A beautiful waitress comes up. She’s wearing a very tiny tank top with even tinier shorts that shows off the many tattoos on her body. I don’t blame her. She needs her tips. Her boobs are huge and Nick takes notice immediately. “What can I get you?” She’s looking at me as if she’s undressing me with her eyes. I’m a little thrown. I just assumed she’d be bending over backwards for Nick, the hot guy standing next to me.
“Um,” Brittany jumps in, “we’ll have three shots of tequila.” She wraps her arms around me. The waitress says nothing and leaves quickly to get our order. “Oh my God! Thank you so much!”
“I think she wanted to eat you alive,” Brittany laughs, letting me go.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so uncomfortable. I’m flattered but that was very unexpected and the way she looked at me, I wanted to jump your brother,” I say, looking to him with a grin.
“I wouldn’t have stopped you,” he smiles and then grazes my arm with his.
“Gross!” Brittany says fake gagging. “I don’t want that visual.”
The waitress returns with our drinks and quickly walks away. It’s beginning to get quite crowded now. “I thought we were going to eat before drinking,” I nod at the shots. Brittany smiles and shrugs. “I’ll be right back. I need to eat. Anyone want anything?” Brittany shakes her head and throws back her shot. “I’ll come with you,” Nick says. We walk towards the bar area where you place food orders. There are about ten people ahead of us.
“So, Brittany says you know the drummer,” I say, trying to make conversation.
“Yeah. I went to college with Drew. He’s a good guy and very smart. We studied a lot together.
“Is that code for partied?”
Nick laughs, “No, well sometimes but we had some hard classes together and had to keep up.”
“I’m hoping to start some online classes in business soon.”
“That’s cool,” he says smiling. “Why haven’t I met you before?”
“I saw Brittany last week at the bank. We hadn’t seen each other in a few years.” I didn’t want to go into the long story of dropping out and being consumed with Tyler. Not a great topic. We finally make it to the bar and I order a chicken sandwich and some fries. I look to Nick, “Are you having anything?”
“No, I just thought I’d come with you in case the waitress tried to take you to the back or something,” he smiles.
“Well, that was nice of yo
u.” I return the smile.
After eating, and a few more shots, I feel great, very tipsy.
“Wanna dance?” Nicks asks me.
I think about it and decide what the hell. What would the harm be? He seems nice and he’s hot. It should be fun. “Sure.” He takes my hand and we head for the dance floor. The band is pretty awesome. They are a bit rock and pop together. The song playing is fast and has a lot of bass. I love it. Nick wraps one arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. We are having a great time. He smiles at me and I smile back. He twirls me and now my back I pressed against his front. He’s grinding on me and I think I feel how excited he is to be dancing with me. I drop down and pop back up and turn facing him again. He has a shocked look on his face.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” he smiles. “I didn’t know you could dance like that.”
“Well, you really don’t know me,” I laugh.
The song changes and it’s even more energizing. We continue dancing and I look in the crowd and see Brittany, only she’s not alone. Alex is beside her and he doesn’t look happy. The song ends and we make our way back to Brittany, and now Alex. I’ve worked up a thirst.
“Hey Alex,” Nick says. “I didn’t know you were coming.” Alex looks at me and then at Nick. “I thought I’d stop in and see what all the fuss was about. Hi, Jessa,” he looks at me.
“Hi,” I smile.
“Y’all were quite the dance team out there,” he says, nodding toward the dance floor. He has a bit of a tone when saying it. Is he jealous?
“Do you dance?” I ask.
He hesitates, “I do.”
“Well, let’s see what you’ve got then,” I smile challenging him.
He grins. “I don’t want to put Nick to shame,” he counters, looking at Nick.
Nick dies laughing. “I think I’ll have to see this.”