Downward Spiral

by Bria Starr

  “The sooner, the better.”

  “Great. Give me tonight to get things set in order, and I’ll give you a call on Sunday to go over exactly what time you’ll be starting as well as the rest of the details.”

  “And what about going out on Saturday?”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “We’re going to be best friends. I can feel it.”

  “I’ll have to break the news to Laura.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You two were always so close.

  Guess I have my work cut out for me,” she jokes.

  I laugh. “We’ll just have to see.”

  After she leaves, I stay in the booth and go through my notes, letting my thoughts move away from Larissa and the thrill of what awaits on Saturday evening,

  I hear the bell above the front doors to the restaurant sound and see Patrick and Eli enter.

  I draw in a quick breath and hold it as his eyes latch on to my own. I take in his appearance from head to toe: tight navy blue shirt with light blue jeans, hair neatly styled, and he obviously hasn’t shaved since I saw him last night as there’s still a little bit of scruff on his chin. His vivid blue eyes are even more striking against the color of his shirt.

  How it is possible he gets better looking every time I see him?

  I slowly exhale as he walks over, Patrick trailing not far behind. “Can we join you?” he asks me.

  “Of course.” I motion for them to sit across from me.

  Eli unexpectedly slides in next to me and I promptly scoot over to give him more room as Patrick takes the booth across from us.

  Sitting in such close proximity of Eli is making me sweat a little. I find myself staring at his handsome face and when he looks at me, I smile and turn away, embarrassed. “So … uh, what brings you guys in?”

  “Lunch,” Patrick replies as he picks up a menu and starts looking through it.

  I turn my eyes to the left and Eli is still looking at me. My body starts to tingle all over, goosebumps break out on my arms and I instantly rub them to make them go away.

  Eli notices. “You cold?”

  “It’s a bit chilly in here.”

  “Not to me. I’m actually quite warm,” he taunts. I ignore his comment and take a menu from my end of the table and pass it over to him. “Will you be joining us?” Eli asks.

  It’s been a few hours since I’ve eaten anything and I was just about to go ask Dom to make me something, plus I’d have to ask Eli to move so I could get out, which I’m not sure I want to do. “Um, yeah. I could eat.”

  I wave for DeAnn to come over and take our order.

  “What can I get for you?” she asks.

  We each give her our order, then silence falls. Patrick takes out his phone as he sits back, removing himself from any possible conversation. That leaves Eli and myself, so I decide to try and do what I can to come up with something to talk about, although Eli and I have never had a problem just sitting quietly while being next to one another.

  “So, what are you guys working on now? Another house somewhere?” Lame.

  “Yeah, over in the Cold Creek neighborhood.”

  “That’s way on the other side of town. What made you come all the way back here?”

  “You guys have good food. Besides, it was Patrick’s idea.”

  Patrick’s head pops up from his phone. “You’re so full of shit.”

  Eli laughs and I look back and forth between them, trying to figure out what’s going on.

  Eli places his arms on the table and folds his hands.

  He looks over at me. “So I hear you’re going out with

  Larissa Clemmons on Saturday night?”

  I’m startled. “How in the hell do you know that?” I realize after I asked it that he must have bumped into her when she left.

  “We ran into her out in the parking lot and talked for a bit. Patrick couldn’t take his eyes off of her.”

  His eyes shoot darts at Eli. “Go to hell. There’s no way. Besides, you were the one practically interrogating her.”

  “Eli, didn’t you and Larissa date back in the day?”

  Of course I would remember something like that …

  Patrick suddenly loses interest in his phone. “Oh, that’s right!”

  Eli shakes his head. “No, I didn’t.” “Yes, you did!” Patrick counters.

  “We did not date.”

  “Fine, hook up, date, what’s the difference?” I ask, waving my hands around and rolling my eyes.

  “A big fucking difference and I never hooked up with her.”

  Patrick smiles.

  “Liar,” I throw in. Not that I care anyway …

  Eli looks over at me, the laughter gone from his eyes. “It was one date. She asked me. And I never hooked up with her.”

  “It really doesn’t matter. I was just giving you shit.”

  “Well, I don’t want you thinking I just randomly slept with every girl I dated.”

  “Didn’t you?” It doesn’t matter who he slept with, but he didn’t need to lie about it.

  “No.”

  Patrick excuses himself and heads towards the restrooms, leaving Eli and me alone. Right at that moment, our food is delivered and an awkward silence falls. I feel uncomfortable, like maybe I’ve said something wrong. I don’t want him to be upset with me. I look down at my plate, a part of me wishing I could disappear into my office right now.

  Eli takes a deep breath then exhales. “So do you want to go out with me next Saturday?”

  Still looking at my plate of food, I don’t move. Eli Stone just asked me out. Me?

  I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face.

  “Paige?”

  The sixteen-year-old girl inside of me is giddy. The football star is asking little old me to go on a date. It’s ten years too late, but who’s counting?

  I keep calm as I take my hair and slide it behind my ear, slowly looking up into his deep blue eyes. I grin. “As long as you tell everyone it was just one date and that you were the one who asked me. Deal?”

  “Deal. As long as you don’t go around telling everyone we hooked up.”

  ***

  “Dude. We have to talk,” I say to Laura as soon as I get home from work.

  “Why? What?”

  “I have so much to tell you.”

  She looks down at her watch. “I have an hour before I need to start getting ready for work. Do you need longer than that?”

  “No … well, I suppose it all depends on your reaction.”

  “What did you do?” She looks worried.

  “Oh, calm your tits. It’s nothing bad!” I sit down next to her on the couch and fold my long legs under me. “Eli asked me to go out on a date with him next Saturday.”

  “He did?” Her eyes widen with surprise and her mouth falls open just a little.

  “Yes!” I giggle and bury my face into a throw pillow.

  “You are aware you sound like a child right now, right?”

  “Yes. One who is overjoyed with excitement.”

  “You’re so juvenile.”

  “Shut up.” I hit her with the pillow.

  She smiles and scoots back to face me. “So how did this happen? What’s going on?”

  “Well, you know that I’ve gone over to his house a few times.” She nods. “We’ve just sort of … connected. Again. It’s like he’s the same person yet different. More mature. I think I really like him.”

  “You’ve always really liked him.”

  “Yes, but I think I really, really like him this time. It’s different. There’s nothing blocking us from being friends.”

  “There wasn’t before. It was his choice, remember?”

  “I know, I don’t quite understand what happened back then myself. Honestly, I feel so normal around him. Normal! I haven’t felt this carefree for … well, since January. I feel good. Like, really good.” I let out a breath. I can’t even put into words how I feel. How he makes me feel. “I don’t even
think about the bad things when I’m with him.”

  She takes a long pause. “So you guys are finally going out, huh?”

  “Yup. Not sure what we’re doing, but I’m looking forward to just spending some time with him.” I have a stupid grin on my face right now that couldn’t go away if I wanted it to.

  Eli asked me out.

  Only my dream come true.

  No big deal.

  “Patrick and I both discussed whether or not this would happen. Patrick was convinced that it would. That it was just a matter of time.”

  I feel guilty the moment she mentions Patrick’s name, knowing that I shared her secret with Eli. Eli could be trusted, but she probably thought I could be too. Oh well, she’ll thank me later when they live happily ever after. There, now I feel better. “That’s what you guys talked about that night?”

  “I told you we did.”

  “Well, what else did you talk about? Did he say anything else about him? Like about Eli liking me or anything?” I’m so curious to know how much he likes me.

  He obviously does a little.

  I’m overthinking again.

  “No, we mainly talked about how close you guys used to be. Why you drifted apart, and the obvious attraction between you two.”

  “Well, you’re going to have to ask Eli why we drifted apart. I have my own opinions, but don’t know if it’s the truth.” I shrug. “Did you guys discuss that night at the bar at all?”

  “We didn’t. I think it was on both of our minds, kind of like the elephant in the room, but we didn’t go there. Maybe another time, since I think we could relate on that level, but then again, maybe never.”

  “That’s fair.” I stand up from the couch and stretch.

  “Oh, and I’m going out with Larissa Clemmons this

  Saturday.”

  “Geez, you just have random dates coming out of your ass now! How did that happen?”

  “She applied for a job at Belle’s and we talked for a while.” She rolled her eyes. “Wanna come?” Larissa didn’t say Laura wasn’t invited. “No thanks.”

  “I didn’t think so.” I grin.

  “I couldn’t stand her.”

  “But you could stand me? Larissa and I have a lot in common.”

  “I don’t know how I could stand you either, but I did. Probably because I knew you didn’t have any friends.” She laughs.

  “Yeah, because you were surrounded by people lining up to be your friend when you first moved here,” I tease.

  “You’re cool though. You didn’t get on my nerves.”

  I playfully place my hand over my heart. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  She laughs. “Okay, I’m going to be late for work.” She rises from the couch. “I do hope you have fun this weekend. And next weekend.”

  “Thanks, Laura. I intend to.”

  Chapter 12

  I double check my hair and makeup in the mirror on the visor quick before I start driving towards the other side of town to meet Larissa at Relic. Of the two bars in this town, Relic is known as the fun bar, unlike The Dungeon, where crazed madmen enter with intentions of killing someone. I can’t believe that hellhole is still open. I shudder every time I have to drive by it.

  I text Larissa to let her know I’m here. As I wait, I consider the fact that this night might just be a total disaster. I look down at my short green dress, hoping it’s not too short. I don’t want unwanted attention. This is the first time I’ll be going out to a bar in six months, and I’m a little nervous. It probably doesn’t help that Larissa and I are practically strangers, but I have hope that we could become great friends. So this might be worth the risk.

  She pulls up beside me and gets out. Here goes nothing.

  We sit down and look over the menus. “I’ve never actually eaten here before,” she admits. “I just usually come to get away from the kids for a bit. And to get drunk, of course.” She laughs and I laugh with her. I like her honesty.

  We discuss her kids and how she met her husband for a little while, as we order a round of drinks. I’m excited we get to work together! It’ll be weird having you for my boss. Don’t feel obligated to give me special treatment,” she jokes.

  I come back with, “I treat everyone special.”

  “Good one! Say, have you ever thought about purchasing Belle’s Pepper?”

  “Buying it? No. Why?”

  “My parents know the owners. How do you think I heard you guys were hiring? Anyway, they told them they were thinking about selling. They’re practically ancient, you run that whole place, and who loves it more than you do?”

  “Oh, I haven’t heard anything about it. I’m only twenty-four. Sure I’ve been there for nine years but I’ve never thought it was a possibility. I suppose I could look into it.”

  “Do it.”

  “I just might. Thank you, for letting me know.”

  “Sure.”

  “How come you don’t look into buying it?”

  “I could never afford it. Can’t say I’d want to if I did have the money.” I don’t think I’d ever have the money either. No matter how much I’ve saved. “Now, what are you ordering? I’m thinking this Buffalo Burger sounds fantastic.”

  I look over my menu one more time. “I just want something with bacon on it. I try to eat healthy, but I have a serious weakness for bacon.”

  “I need me some more alcohol. Where is that damn waitress?”

  After a few rounds of karaoke and too many shots, Larissa rises from her chair. “Do you need to use the restroom at all?”

  “I don’t.” She’s still looking at me, so I ask, “Should I come with you?”

  “No, you stay here and watch my purse will you? It’s almost nine. I’m going to go potty and then call my kids quick to say good night. Will you be okay by yourself until I get back?”

  “I’ll be fine.” My head is a little fuzzy as I continue drinking my long island iced tea. I should really slow down.

  I have to drive home.

  Starting to feel uncomfortable as I sit at my table alone, I look through the crowd, shocked to find Eli standing across the bar and looking right at me.

  Guess I’m taking a cab …

  I grab my drink and finish it, my body shivering as I try to keep down the pure alcohol that was sitting at the bottom. I watch him saunter over and stand near my table.

  “Come here often?”

  “You’re hilarious. I should ask you the same thing.”

  “Nah. I only come here to pick up chicks.”

  “Pig.”

  “I’m joking. No, I don’t ever come here. I’m not a big fan of bars anymore.”

  “I’ll drink to that!” I raise my empty glass.

  “You need another one?”

  “No, thank you. I shouldn’t have had the last three, honestly.” He leaves for a minute and comes back with a water. “Thanks. Wanna sit?”

  “Yeah.” He pulls out a chair and takes a seat.

  “So why are you here? Are you all by yourself?”

  “I know a few people on the other side of the bar.”

  “Oh.” My eyes peer over his shoulder and I see a few women standing where he was.

  “But I came here for you.”

  I gulp. “You did?”

  “I did.” He smiles at me and I look at his perfect teeth, surrounded by his perfect mouth. Again, I’m at a loss for words, but this time it’s in a good way.

  “Eli! What are you doing here?” Larissa squeals, coming back in from outside.

  I quickly respond. “He saw you and wanted to come say hi!”

  Larissa throws her arms around him and gives him a big hug. Eli shoots me a look that says I’m in trouble. I laugh. I’m just a little too drunk to care. Plus, he makes shit up about Patrick all the time, it’s only fair he gets a little taste of his own medicine.

  “Are you staying?” she asks him.

  “Yeah, Eli, are you staying?”

  “I’m
not so sure anymore,” he replies, giving me a dirty look, “but I suppose I can stay for a little while.”

  As the last person sings their song, the DJ sets up and dance music is pumping through the air. Larissa, Eli, and I are catching up on each other’s lives. Larissa is so drunk she won’t stop repeating herself as she goes on about how much she loves her husband, how perfect her kids are, and how excited she is to start working again. If I didn’t know any better, I would think she was trying to see if Eli was jealous at all. Which he wasn’t.

  He’d tell her how happy he was for her and let her continue on. I was having so much fun with her before, and I can’t say I’m liking Drunk Larissa. An hour has gone by and people are already filling up the dance floor. As much as I would love to sit next to Eli’s smoldering face all night, my buzz is dying off and I made a goal to myself that I would let loose and have as much fun as possible tonight.

  I stand up. “Eli, do you want anything?”

  “No, thanks. I’m not drinking tonight.”

  I walk over to the bar and order another long island for myself and a raspberry martini for Larissa.

  I sit down and take a sip of my drink and, waiting for the buzz to kick back in.

  “Three Panty Droppers please!” Larissa yells towards our waitress.

  “No! No more shots.” I can’t keep up with this chick.

  “Yes, more.”

  The waitress sets three small pink shots down on our table and Larissa and I down ours. We look to Eli, who shakes his head, so Larissa passes it over to me. I think for a quick second before grabbing it and swallowing that one as well. I wipe my mouth and smile.

  “Shall we?”

  “We shall!”

  She grabs my hand and we run to the dance floor, leaving Eli behind. I can feel his eyes burning into me, but I choose to forget about him. Larissa and I hold hands as we get lost in the music, dancing until my feet feel like they’re about to fall off. I can’t remember the last time I danced this much. It’s been long overdue.

  A part of me is green with envy as I notice various women, all of them beautiful and confident, strut over and sit on Eli’s lap. Must be nice to still be so popular after all these years and have people vying for your attention.

  Especially all those girls. Just have fun, Paige.

  When I decide I really need to sit for a bit, I go back to find Eli alone at our table. “What’s this? No sheep around? Aren’t you lonely?”