"I have been so out of it lately I didn't even realize he hasn't been around. Should I call him and see if he wants to go to lunch or something?"
"That would be awesome! Eat and take a break at the same time, my mom will be so happy."
"Consider it done."
Colt walked over and said, “Consider what done?"
"I'm going to call Tony and take him out to lunch."
"Really?"
"Yep. Now are you ready to go?"
"Whenever you are"
"Mike, I will call you and let you know what he says. Okay?"
"You are the best, Sadie! Thanks again."
"No, thank you for that phone call. Love ya Mike," I said and then I walked hand in hand out the door with Colt.
We went back to Colt’s apartment and it felt so strange to be there. He still had all the locks and now there was a lock on the closet door. What has he gotten himself into? I sat down on the couch that held so many memories for me. He sat on the other end. I knew we had a lot to talk about. But I had to ask one question before we got into all that.
"Did you ever tell Mike about Liz and the baby?"
"Yeah, the next day he called me. I met him for lunch and told him. At first he was denying ever having been with her. Then he said there was one time but he swore he wore a condom."
"So he thinks she is lying?"
"Absolutely."
"How can he find out?"
"Wait until the baby’s born and have a paternity test done."
"How can he stand the wait? I would be going nuts."
"He really believes she is crazy. So with that frame of mind, he probably doesn't think much about it at all."
"Wow"
"So Sadie, we need to talk. Seriously talk. Not let our emotions take control, have incredible sex and forget the conversation kind of talk, but a real one."
"Then let’s talk." I knew that was cheating, but I didn’t want to be the one to start. I laid it all out there in the alley an hour ago.
"First I need you to know I hated this last month. Hate isn't really even a strong enough word to use. It hurt, would be better. I will never tell you a lie when it comes to us. I care about you, I truly do, but not enough to not live the life I feel I need. I made myself a promise on what I would do with the two years I got back from life, and I want to live them. Having the opportunity to come back to college is like getting my junior and senior year back. I know making mistakes is part of living, so are experiences, and regret. I have experienced so much with you already, and I want more of them. I hope there aren’t many mistakes and I pray there is no regret, but who knows what will happen. Seeing you come in that gym tonight and finding out why, it meant everything to me. I can't promise you a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, Sadie, but the rainbow is just as beautiful all the same."
"I couldn't have said any of that better myself. I don't know how I am going to feel six months from now, but I know I want now back."
"Thank God! I was so scared you were going to decide you couldn't do this after all."
"I told you earlier and I meant every word. I can handle this. Now can we consider this done so we can move on to the incredible sex you were talking about earlier? It has been a month."
"You don't have to ask me twice. But Sadie, don't grade me on my first performance. It has been a month for me too, ya know?" What? Really? He hasn't been with anyone else? Wow!
"Fine, but round two better measure up or we need to have this whole discussion again." I got up and he slapped my ass, following me into his bedroom. It was even a great round one that night.
CHAPTER 27
Work went back to being enjoyable. I went back to being enjoyable. All my friends seemed to appreciate my change in attitude as well. Tonight we were going to go to dinner with Shawn and Ashlee and then meet up with Dave, Jason, Heather and Angie at ‘51’. How it fell into a couple’s thing, is beyond me. Well truthfully, Bryan, Mike and Tony were either working or had other plans. Colt was going to pick me up but called and said practice was running late so he had to just shower there and would meet me at the restaurant. That allowed me to get in one more client and then I could leave straight from work. Shawn and Ashlee were already at the fondue place called The Melting Dish when I got there. I went ahead and sat down with them versus waiting in the parking lot for Colt. Ashlee and I had never had fondue and Shawn thought that was crazy because he loved it so much. We went ahead and ordered drinks. Thirty minutes later Colt still wasn’t there. I had texted him several times and each time he responded immediately with “I’m almost there."
Because it worked the way it did, Shawn went ahead and ordered. If that’s what you call it. You cook your own food! And it is expensive! How can cooking your own food be fun? Colt finally showed, but I was mad and drunk by then. He missed the appetizers and got there just in time for the meat. He kissed me and told me he was so sorry and that he had got stuck in traffic. I didn't want the whole evening to be ruined so I gave in.
Strangely enough they give you a time per meat type menu. Angie and I apparently can’t tell time because we burnt ours. The guys thought that was hilarious, so we made them cook ours for us. It ended up being good. The cheese part was fantastic. The time came for the chocolate and I was so excited. Strawberries, rice crispy treats, you name it, and I dipped it. Colt kept dropping his and Shawn, Angie and I couldn't stop laughing. He began to pout so I gave in and did his for him. In the end, it did make for a fun night. Then it was time for some ‘51’! I loved this bar. Drinking for free did not hurt either. When we hooked up with the gang, Megan and Jeff were there too. The owners brought in another assistant manager, which opened up time for both Shawn and Colt to have a life outside of work a little easier. Mike was even there. I walked over to him and gave him a hug.
"I thought you weren't going to make it tonight. I'm glad you did."
"Me too, how was dinner?"
"Weird, but good. Have you tried it?"
"No. I've heard you have to cook your own food. Who wants to do that and pay for it?"
"My sentiments exactly, you and I are too much alike."
"Great minds think alike, little one."
"I completely agree with that statement, so I guess I belong in that group," Colt added. I didn't even know he had come up behind me.
"You’re a dork."
"And I agree with that statement," said Mike.
"Now you’re both dorks.” I walked away from both of them and over to Heather. She and Megan were talking about Megan getting engaged. I normally think getting married is for crazy people but she and Jeff are a little older than us. It works for them. What wasn’t working for me was Heather, my girl, talking about her and Jason getting married someday. There is no way. We are twenty one years old, not twenty five. Way too young to even be thinking about that. I decided I needed to change the subject.
"Hey ladies, anybody up for drinks and dancing? I miss my girls." Heather looked sympathetic, which is exactly the reaction I was looking for.
"Sadie, you lead the way."
Way too many shots later, Ashlee, Heather and I were trashed. Megan had bailed long before then. Lemon drops were lined up and I wanted them served the way you shoot tequila, not mixed. Heather said she would puke if I made her do any more shots. I risked her puking. On the count of three, we slammed the vodka then sucked the lemon. The guys slowed down, seeing as we were getting out of control. "Clarity" by Zed started playing and I lost it. I pulled both of the girls on the bar and we danced like mad women. This was another song I could devote to Colt. The lyrics, “If our love is tragedy why are you my remedy" sounds so fitting in my head. I closed my eyes to take in the music and just let my body move. It moved itself right off the bar. Yep, I fell off the bar! ‘Clunk’ went my head against a chair. Everyone ran over to see if I was okay. Colt picked me up and held me like a baby.
"Sadie, honey, are you okay?"
"Colt, put me down. Is it not enough that I just fell off of the damn bar, b
ut everyone is still staring at me because you’re cradling me like an infant?”
"Well, now that I know you’re alright, I can tell you how much that reminded me of the first time I met you. You tripped then, too. You are not the most gracious drunk, you know?"
"Oh, I know. But I am the most fun."
I jumped out of his arms and got back up on the bar. Ashlee was pouring a shot down Shawn’s throat. Heather was trying to do the snake. I busted up laughing. Thank God, we know management or we would have been kicked out a long time ago. I noticed some commotion going on in the back corner of the bar. Then I saw it was Mike. I got down, grabbed Colt and drug him with me to the back where I saw them. There Mike was trying to walk away from a very pregnant Liz. It wasn’t hard to miss her say, "You stupid son of a bitch. I hate you."
"If you hate me, then why would you want to make up the fact that it’s mine? That would mean your lucky ass gets me in your life forever. That doesn't make much sense to me."
"Two months, Mike. You have that long to wise up. "
"I won't hold my breath."
I kept looking back and forth trying to follow their conversation but my head was feeling dizzy. It was like a tennis match. She called him every name you can think of and told him she was going to take every dime he made from the fights for the rest of his life. Mike tried to stay calm, but he was losing it when she started hitting him. I wanted to stop her, but what could I do? I stayed back and just observed the train wreck, until she threw a drink in his face. Hell no, she didn't. I walked over and slapped her. I can’t believe I did it. She looked at me like I just committed the biggest sin. I think I might have. I just slapped a pregnant girl. It all happened so fast. She lunged for me. I raised my hand to slap her again, while Colt grabbed me and picked me up. He carried me away and set me down when he knew I wasn't going anywhere.
"What was that, Rocky?"
"Rocky? Colt, what did I just do? I struck a pregnant girl. I'm going to hell."
"Sadie, you hit a bitch, pregnant or not. You didn't threaten the baby in anyway and she threw a damn drink in Mike's face."
"That's right, she did. What a bitch."
"Let’s go get you another drink, Rocky."
"You’re not really going to keep calling me that, are you?"
"Sadie, hold up!" Mike was calling me from behind. When he caught up, he said, "Thank you. One of the shittiest parts of being a dude, is that you can't hit a woman. That girl has deserved to be bitch slapped for months. You are the best."
"You’re welcome."
We walked back over to the group and everyone was talking about the pregnant girl in the bar. No one had a clue until Colt piped up and said, "You mean the one Sadie slapped?" Great, I am forever going to be known as the girl who hits pregnant people. What is wrong with me?
It was that time again. Birthday time! Heather and I chose to celebrate them together this year, being we are only a couple weeks apart. There was a place in town that has demolition ball. It was the coolest thing. You ride in bumper cars with lacrosse sticks, shooting at basketball hoops. So in other words, it is like a basketball game while you drive and use a small ball with hooked sticks. Not sound fun to you? Then you’re nuts. The place even has a full bar. We rented it for the night and all of our friends were going to be there.
Heather and I were finishing up getting ready when she dropped a bomb on me. "I think Jason might propose tonight!" What? I heard about the ring in the beginning, but for it really to be happening, this couldn’t be real.
"Wow, really? That is great!"
"I know, right? He's been acting weird lately and I just have a feeling tonight might be the night."
I didn’t want to crush her spirits but if my boyfriend proposed at demolition ball I would be devastated.
"This could be a huge night for you, Heather! I can't wait to see what happens."
"I won't let it take away from the fact it’s your birthday too. I promise."
Did she really think I was so shallow that I would care if the spot light wasn't always pointed at me? I hope not.
"It will be an amazing night regardless."
When I was done getting ready I walked back over to the floor length mirror in my room to check myself. It was funny how I now had to stand practically on my bed to see myself. Ever since Colt moved it so we could watch each other during sex, I have not been able to put it back. It’s little things like the placement of a mirror that give way to a smile. That man has truly got me.
One last look and I was ready to go. I decided to go for comfort versus sexy. We are going to be in bumper cars remember? Blue jeans, a cream sweater and my black chucks made up the ensemble for the evening. I went downstairs to wait for Heather. Eventually she came down and boy did we look ridiculous together. She was wearing a skin tight black sequin top, bright orange skinny jeans and black pumps. She looks fantastic, but did she forget where we were going?
"You look great! But don't you think you at least need comfortable shoes?"
"Oh, I'm not playing that silly game. I need to look good if Jason is going to pop the question." I sure hope he does. I will still think they are crazy but she will be devastated if he doesn't.
"Ok then. You ready?"
“Are you sure I look okay?"
"You are the shit without trying. You look perfect. Now let’s go."
When we walked in everybody was already there waiting on us, literally. The guys bitched because we took so long and they were ready to get started and play. Happy birthday to us. I went over to the bar where Ashlee, Angie and Megan were. I ordered a Red Bull and vodka, figuring it would wake me up and get me started all at the same time. Colt was nice enough to wait until the next game to play. He came over and kissed me.
"Happy birthday, Sadie."
"You know it’s not until tomorrow right."
"Well, my plan is to have you until at least midnight, so officially it kind of is your birthday."
"In that case, thank you." I kissed him back.
"So, is there anything special I can do for you?"
"I can think of a few things, but it probably isn't the time or place to talk about those." He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me close to him.
"My beautiful dirty girl"
"Yes, I am." We started laughing. I pulled away from him enough to be able to see the game. Not one of those losers came up to say hi when we got here. They were so eager to get out there, that I don't even know who all came.
"Who's out there?"
"Well you've got Shawn, Dave, Bryan, Mike, Geoff, Jason, Tony, and Jeff."
"Tony?"
"Yeah, Tony, Why is that such a big deal?"
"Because it is. I never could get him away from work long enough for that lunch I promised Mike about. I miss him."
"Really, that's comforting."
"Are you jealous, Jennings?" I looked at his face and was floored. "You are! Colt, Tony is who drove me to you at the gym. He’s the one that got me out of my funk. You have no reason to be jealous."
"Whatever you say, beautiful." and then he kissed me and walked away. I didn’t follow him. That was just weird behavior and I didn’t want to get any deeper into the reasoning behind it. I walked over to Heather. She was filling the other girls in on how she thought the night would pan out. They all screeched and screamed. Yuck. This is why I mainly hang with boys. I am not a screechy kind of girl. The buzzer sounded, so I guess since the guys were coming off the court, the game ended. Now was the time I felt like screeching. ‘It is my turn to play!’ I ran past all of them and got in a bumper car. They all went to get a drink at the bar and I was just sitting in my car waiting. I am not competitive or anything. I just like a good game. It took forever for the guys to come back out. They all laughed at me.
"Couldn't even have a drink with us, huh?”
Dave couldn’t help but point it out.
"Of course not, this is Sadie we’re taking about." Thanks Bryan.
"I personally
would have liked a hug. Not you running past me and preferring to sit in a bumper car for twenty minutes before we even play." Mike was a softy.
Tony came to my rescue. "Leave her alone. It’s her birthday and if she wants to come out here and get her ass spanked, it’s up to her." Really?
"Whatever, assholes, let’s just play."
The buzzer sounded and the game started. Ramming into each other was a blast. Trying to get the ball wasn’t. This looked a lot easier out in the bar. If you were lucky enough to pick the ball up without getting your hand smashed between the cars, you still had to pass or shoot, get the rebound or catch. It was hard. I hurt from laughing so hard but when the game ended, I decided I was done with demolition ball forever. Colt did not play that game either. He watched though and cheered me on. He even lied to me and told me I did great when it was over. Nice man. He did go out the next game and naturally, he did great. He doesn’t know how to be bad at anything. His team won because of Colt’s eight points. It was bull shit how good he is. The bar became the hot spot after a while and the drinks were flying. Music was pumping and things just couldn’t have been better. Tony being there did mean the world to me. Somehow he worked his way into becoming one of the best friends I ever had. Colt being jealous was just plain silly. I mean yeah, I slept with him, but it is not like that with us. He just gets me. I noticed he wasn’t drinking and wondered what was up with that. I walked over and sat down next to him.
"Where's your drink, cowboy?"
"Cowboy huh, did you just come up with that all on your own?"
"Sure did. It has felt like forever since I've seen you. Are you avoiding me on purpose? I'm starting to suffer from Tony withdrawal syndrome. What can you do to remedy that?"
"Wish I could help you out with that more. I have been so busy, that life outside of work just doesn't happen all that often anymore. But I'm here for you. Doesn't that say something?"
"Thank you, Tony. You being here means more than you know."
"Oh, I know a lot. Speaking of which, I've seen all the movies and I don't remember Rocky shitting his pants. Do you?” Oh my God! I am going to kill them.
Finding Solace Page 18