“I know, I’m a jerk. I get it.” He sighed himself, taking a longer drink from his glass. “She wanted me to tell you she’s sorry.”
“I know she is.” Jeff fell quiet for a few moments and Drew busied himself with swirling the liquid in his glass around. “I need you to do something for me.”
Was he going to tell Drew to apologize? Because he was pretty sure that wouldn’t help the situation. At this point, it was probably best if they both just cut their losses and moved on.
“What’s that?”
“I need you to keep an eye on her for me.” Drew leaned forward, setting his glass on the table beside him as he began to shake his head. What the hell was Jeff thinking?
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea, man—”
“Look, I know how Anna gets when she’s all guilt-ridden.”
“Yeah, but doesn’t she have friends or something?” Drew shook his head again, determined to protest against this with everything he could muster—even if Jeff couldn’t see him. Anna had seemed pretty thrilled by the prospect of never having to see him again.
“I’m not asking you to paint each other’s toenails and gossip over your latest celebrity crushes.” Drew almost laughed at the image in his head. He hardly imagined Anna to be the type to paint her nails and gossip over boys.
It only took him a moment to realize that what he should be laughing at was the image of himself in her life.
“I just mean…maybe check in on her here and there. You can usually find her at the community center most nights—”
“And you think that’ll really fly with her? Me just randomly dropping by?” There was no way Anna was going to let him anywhere near her, let alone her place of work.
“You’re a smooth talker, Drew. You’ll make it believable.”
Jeff seriously overestimated Drew’s abilities. Especially considering that Anna was one of the select few on whom his efforts went completely unnoticed.
“I’m just worried about her.” Jeff told him.
And if Drew was being totally honest with himself—which he definitely wasn’t going to be—he would have to admit that he was worried, too.
Chapter Three
Anna smiled as she waved goodbye to the few remaining kids. The first movie night of the week had just drawn to a close, which meant that it was time for Anna to return home. A pint of ice cream and a brand new package of Oreos was waiting for her.
Just over a week had passed since she had dropped Jeff’s things off at Drew’s and, though she knew she shouldn’t be wallowing, she couldn’t help herself.
She was still hurting. Even though she had been the one to end things with Jeff, it didn’t mean that she wasn’t mourning the loss of their relationship. They had been friends, too.
So as she curled up in front of the TV, ice cream in hand, she justified her depression. What was the harm in nursing her broken heart with a little ice cream and a lot of true crime shows?
“If I have to listen to that narrator for one more minute, Anna Marie, I swear, I’m going to hang myself.”
Well, maybe there was some harm in it after all.
Alice appeared in the living room, her hands on her hips. She was definitely dressed for a night out, wearing a black vest-like top with nothing but a bra beneath it and a pair of very tight jeans. “Get up.”
“I just sat down.”
“I don’t care. Get up.” Anna rolled her eyes at her younger sister. “I mean it, Anna. You’re coming out with me.”
“Excuse me?” Anna coughed on the spoonful of ice cream she had just swallowed. Alice couldn’t be serious. “I don’t think so.”
“That’s too bad for you, because I do. A new club just opened up downtown. It’s supposed to be pretty good.” Alice raised an eyebrow at her older sister as if challenging her.
“I plan on doing nothing but lying in front of the TV for the next few hours.” Anna truly couldn’t care less about a new club. There was a new episode tonight that she had been looking forward to seeing all week.
“Oh, really?” Alice turned around and unplugged the TV, lifting it off the stand and carrying it away.
For a moment, Anna could only stare in disbelief. As soon as she recovered, though, she scrambled to her feet, chasing after her sister—but she wasn’t quick enough. Alice had already locked the TV away in her bedroom. “Good luck watching it through my door.”
“I don’t feel like going out, Allie.” Anna told her sister, her tone full of dread.
“Of course you don’t. You’re in your pajamas. Give me about twenty minutes and you’ll feel as good as new.”
Anna seriously doubted that.
“I know you’re sad. You guys were together for a long time. But the only way you’re going to start believing you did the right thing is if you start living your life a little bit. You’ve got to get out there, meet some new boys. Have a little fun. Seriously, Anna, how long has it been since you’ve gotten any?”
Her only response was to stare at Alice doubtfully. Okay, so her sister had a point. It had been at least a few months since she had, as Alice had so elegantly described it, “gotten any”. Even before the break-up, it wasn’t as if she and Jeff saw each other regularly.
“Come on. Just give me an hour of your night. If you’re not enjoying yourself, then you have my permission to come home. I’ll even bring the TV back out.”
Anna stared at her little sister, knowing the quickest way to placate her would be to do what she wanted. Anna sighed.
“You’ve got an hour.”
~*~
Drew stood on the upper level of the club, watching the crowd below him. It was crowded tonight—lots of new faces. Looked like his on-air shout out had worked.
He was on the prowl, as he usually was. He scanned the crowd, looking for his conquest of the evening.
Nothing was catching his attention, though. He wondered if he was getting too picky—maybe he was setting his standards just a bit too high these days. He’d been having a hard time finding anything to catch his attention as of late.
The thought disappeared the moment he saw the girl standing at the bar. She had her head turned toward the bartender, but from everything he could see, she was exactly what he was looking for tonight.
Short skirt, a silvery top. Her fair colored hair hung in loose waves—kind of wild, but not unruly. Legs for miles, curves Drew could only imagine felt like heaven.
And then she turned to face in his direction.
He felt his heart drop from his chest.
No, it wasn’t…
It couldn’t be…
Anna?
He watched as she sipped from her drink, sitting alone at the bar. A guy nearby watched her, sizing her up. Drew knew what was going through his mind—hadn’t he just been thinking the same thoughts just moments ago?
She stared down into her drink, stirring it around with her straw. He could see her sadness even from where he stood.
Drew was mesmerized.
The guy decided to make his move and Drew watched in anticipation, waiting to see her response. She lifted her head as he sat down beside her, her smile reserved.
He didn’t have a chance.
It only took her a few moments to slip away, pushing through the crowd. She paused a moment to talk to a girl Drew vaguely recognized as her sister, cupping her hands over her mouth so that the girl could hear her.
And then she hurried toward the door, disappearing out into the night.
Drew had to quench the urge to go after her.
It wouldn’t help anything.
~*~
“Okay, Anna. That’s it.” Alice’s tone was stern. Anna groaned, knowing what was coming. Alice was a bit disappointed in the lackluster attempt Anna had made the night before—and as a result, her little sister was standing in front of her, digging through her closet. “We are going to get you out of this funk if it is the last thing we do.” She turned around, tossing a very thin white shirt
and a pair of black faux-leather pants at Anna.
“I’m not in a funk—”
“Oh, you most certainly are.” Alice now focused her attention on Anna’s dresser, pulling open the drawer that contained all of her bras.
“Hey!” Anna shouted as Alice began to ruffle through her bras, pulling out something black and lacy. Anna jumped to her feet and snatched it from her. “I am perfectly capable of dressing myself.”
“Great, then you can go ahead and get a head start on that while I go and whip us up a little libational fun.”
“Allie—”
“No arguments, Anna Marie. You’re coming out with me tonight. I am going to make sure you get drunk enough to forget all about Mr. Jeff Gardner and your lonely little heart so that you actually have some fun. Besides, the quickest way to get over one guy is to move on to another. Even if just for one night.”
Alice disappeared from Anna’s bedroom, a devilish glint in her eye, before she had a chance to argue with her.
Anna groaned again, knowing her sister wasn’t going to let up until she at least made somewhat of an effort to enjoy herself. Last night, she’d barely given it an hour before she had slipped away.
She sighed, stripping out of the pajamas she had put on after coming home earlier and taking a bath. Without even the faintest hint of enthusiasm, Anna dressed herself in the clothes Alice had chosen for her.
Just as her thoughts began to wander to a night that seemed an eternity ago, Alice reappeared, two shot glasses filled with some mysterious liquid in one hand and two bottles of liquor in the other. “Drink this.”
Anna didn’t hesitate.
Maybe Alice was right. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. A night out, just she and her sister. A little alcohol, a lot of dancing…
That sounded like a recipe for a pretty fun evening, didn’t it?
Alice poured another shot and Anna took it without argument. “You’re going to have fun, Annie. You’re going to walk into that club, looking sexy as hell, and you’re going to let guys buy you drinks. And you’re going to dance with them. And if you even so much as think about a certain someone—you’re going to do a shot of tequila.”
Anna groaned. She hated tequila.
“I mean it.”
“Just promise that we can leave whenever I’m ready to.” Alice handed Anna another shot and she drank it, trying not to notice the bitter aftertaste. After taking the glass from her and setting it on the nightstand, Alice reached out and took Anna’s face in her hands.
“I promise. But you have to promise me that you are going to make an effort to have a little fun tonight.”
“Okay, I promise.” Anna agreed, taking a deep breath. “But you’re going to have to keep those coming.” She nodded toward the empty shot glass and Alice laughed.
Fun. Anna was going to have fun.
~*~
Drew had resumed his usual spot on the balcony, staring down at those below him.
He’d noticed her the moment she walked in this time. She and her sister were on the dance floor now, dancing as if there were no tomorrow.
When the song finished, they made their way to the bar where they tossed back yet another round, presumably purchased by one of the many pathetic jerks who’d been watching them from the start.
Okay, so Drew was one of them. But he wasn’t watching because he thought he had a chance.
He was watching because he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
The moment he’d seen her walk in, he remembered the night the two of them had met. She had been dressed almost identically that night, even down to the sadness in her eyes.
Her sister leaned over and said something into Anna’s ear. He watched as she glanced at a table of guys, one of whom waved at them.
Ah-ha, so that was the chump. What a moron, actually thinking he had a shot.
Drew watched as Anna waved him over, a smile on her face. It wasn’t a real smile, though.
She was just going to thank him, Drew told himself.
But a moment later, he watched as she let him take her out onto the dance floor.
Well, he had funded practically her entire evening, so at least one dance was called for.
They danced for one song, and then another. And then another after that.
Drew began to feel a heavy weight in the pit of his stomach as he watched them. He made his way downstairs, taking a seat at the bar. The woman beside him leaned over, apparently thinking he had taken the open spot in an attempt to garner her attention.
He smiled politely, trying to carry on a conversation with the woman while keeping his attention on Anna.
The guy, who Drew had officially named Grabby-hands, leaned in, as if he was about to kiss her.
Drew was on his feet in an instant, making his way through the crowd. He tapped Anna on the shoulder before he could stop himself. “May I cut in?”
He couldn’t even find a word to describe the look on her face. It was an odd mixture of relief, hatred, and annoyance. “Hey, buddy, if you don’t mind—”
“Actually, I do.” Drew barely even glanced at Grabby-hands. “How about it, Annabelle? Just one dance.”
“I—” She narrowed her eyes as she glared at him. “I’m okay here, Drew.” She wrapped her arms around Grabby-hands’ neck.
Well, this just wasn’t going to work for him. He watched as Grabby-hands took Anna by the hand and led her back to the bar, where he ordered more drinks. It was pretty obvious what his intentions were.
For some reason, it infuriated Drew. Who did this guy think he was? And what the hell was Anna thinking?
Grabby-hands finally took the plunge, leaning forward and kissing Anna. When they pulled apart, Anna looked as if she might cry.
Drew was just about blinded by rage.
That was it.
He made it to the pair before Grabby-hands had the chance to lead her out of the building and Drew reached out, taking Anna’s hand. “What are you doing?” Anna asked him.
“I’m taking you home.”
“You’re what?” Grabby-hands was obviously pissed that Drew was moving in on his game.
“Look, I know you think that you actually have a shot here. But I’m telling you right now: You don’t.”
“I think she’s capable of making her own choices.” Drew looked at Anna expectantly.
“Come on, Anna. Let me take you home.” He pleaded with her. Obviously, he was a much more reasonable choice.
“You know what? I’m not going with either one of you.”
Drew couldn’t deny the satisfied feeling flooding through him as he watched her go to Alice. Grabby-hands swore and Drew turned to him, a serious look on his face.
“You touch her again, I’ll break your nose.”
There, that was better.
So maybe keeping an eye on Anna wasn’t the worst idea Jeff had ever had.
~*~
Anna was having a bad week. It had started off with the worst hangover of her life, made even worse by her annoying little sister taunting her about it all day.
Then there had been the drive to work Monday morning, when she had accidentally heard Drew Whitman’s stupid morning show. She had been graced with his opinion about girls on the rebound, and how they were willing to throw themselves at anything that paid them even the slightest amount of attention.
Like he was one to talk. Drew was guilty of acting like a girl on the rebound every day of his life. He was easily the biggest man-whore she’d had the privilege to know.
His ranting had lasted most of the week, and though she didn’t want to listen to it, she couldn’t escape it, either.
Finally, she’d had enough.
“Seriously, is there anything worse than a woman on the rebound? It’s like being in high school all over again.” His voice was saying. Crystal chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I mean, I’m not saying girls don’t have the right to sleep around. On the contrary, my friends. But at least use a little discretion. Don’t
go sleeping with the first jerk-off who buys you a few drinks—especially one who smells like he took a bath in cheap cologne.”
That was it. Anna could feel her cheeks turning red and she finished pouring herself a cup of coffee—it was definitely a serious caffeine morning—and hurried down the hall to her office.
She was already dialing the number before she turned the radio on. They were on a commercial break—which was perfect, as far as Anna was concerned. All she wanted to do was let Drew Whitman have a little piece of her mind.
The screener answered. “Hi, I’m calling to talk to Drew.”
“You want to talk to him?” Anna nodded, then realized she couldn’t be seen.
“Yes, I’d like to speak with him. About this whole rebound nonsense.”
“Your name?” She thought about it for only a moment.
“Belle.”
“It’ll just be a minute.” She began playing out scenarios in her head, each one where she ripped into Drew and told him what an ass he was. She hadn’t even noticed the show had returned from a commercial by the time she was taken off hold.
“Is this Belle?” It wasn’t Drew, but his co-host Dave.
“Um, yes,” she replied.
“You have some comments for Drew?”
“That’s right.” Anna was surprised to hear herself on the radio a few feet away from her. She froze for a minute, not sure what to say.
“Belle, are you still there?”
“Yes, I am, sorry.”
“You know, Belle, you sound familiar.” Drew told her. That was it—the last reminder she needed.
“I just wanted to respond to Drew’s comments about the rebound girl.”
“Well, respond away, my dear.”
“First, I wanted to tell you to stop being such a hypocrite. All week long you’ve been talking about how desperate girls on the rebound are. Every day, it’s another bash. Well, I’ve had just about enough. Because what you’re calling ‘rebound behavior’, I call just another Saturday night for you.”
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