Eric
The bar is closed up,and everyone is getting in their cars. I’m always the last to leave the parking lot. As one of the managers, I take pride in making sure all of my employees get to their cars safely. Every single one of them has pulled away…except for Joan.
I lean against my car for a few moments, waiting to see what she’s going to do. Still, she sits in the car. She hasn’t turned it on yet. A small part of me wishes the illumination of the dash light was on her face so I can figure out what she’s thinking.
Screw it. I make my way toward her car, doing my best to stay visible so she doesn’t think I’m creeping up on her. And because I don’t want to scare the shit out of her. My knuckles are inches from the window, ready to tap to get her attention when she opens the car door, forcing me back.
“Crap. Sorry.” She closes her car door behind her.
“No worries. I wanted to make sure you were okay since you didn’t pull out of the lot when everyone else did.” I nod my head to the empty lot behind me.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She runs a hand through her almost black hair, “sorry to make you wait on me.”
She chews on her bottom lip. Her eyes on anything but me. “Joan,” I reach out to touch her arm and think better of it, pulling my hand back. “Are you sure everything is okay? I promise whatever you say doesn’t leave the parking lot.”
“This is so dumb,” she groans and finally her eyes meet mine. “I decided before we locked up to go to Lisa’s. But when I got in the car, I realized I don’t know where she lives.” She throws her hands up, “and, I’ll probably be the oldest person there.”
A chuckle rumbles in my chest. Those are the things she’s worried about. Her eyebrows furrow at my reaction. “The first thing, I can definitely help you with. You can follow me over there.” I planned on going home to change, but I doubt that would make her feel comfortable. “The second, I doubt you’ll be the oldest one there. I think Carlos and his girlfriend will drop by. And who cares if you are? Nobody is going to judge that.” I shrug my shoulders like that’s a given. “All of us are like family.”
She grins, and I know she’s about to have some smartass comment. “Oh really? I didn’t realize family flirted with each other.”
And there it is. “Okay, not like that. I mean as in we always have each other’s backs.” I shove my hands in my pocket, “besides, you’re the only one I flirt with.”
A quick glance away, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. “Are you sure it’s okay if I come?” A complete change of subject. Huh, interesting.
“Positive.” I take a few steps back. “Let me see your phone.”
“Why?”
“So, I can put in the address in case I lose you.” It’s not possible in this town, but it’ll make me feel better if I’m not her only source of getting to Lisa’s house.
“Okay.” Unlocking her phone, she hands it to me.
The first thing I do is open up the contacts and add my phone number. As much as I want to text myself so I have her number, I don’t. I’m not a total creep. Instead of searching through the pages of apps she has on her phone, I search for the map. Opening it, I put in Lisa’s address.
“If for whatever reason, you don’t see me in front of you anymore, press start. It’ll take you straight there.”
She moves to open her car door. “I guess I’ll see you there.”
“Yep.” I wait until she’s in her car, with the door closed before I jog to my own. Once inside, I start it up, and wait until her headlights come on before putting the car in drive.
She creeps up behind me as we approach the exit to the parking lot. A few minutes ago, when I was talking to her, convincing her to join us, I wasn’t nervous. Now, though? Now, I’m worried she’s going to hate me outside of work. Not that she seems to be my biggest fan during work, but I digress.
I’ll get to see her away from the bar counter. Away from annoying customers who hit on her. She’ll be able to let her hair down and have fun. Tonight, is the night I’m going to take my shot. Figuratively and literally. If all goes well, I’ll get some time with her that isn’t awkward. At this point, what do I have to lose?
Cars are lined up along the driveway as I pull in. To my surprise Joan has stayed behind me the entire time. A small part of me thought she’d turn around and go home. Luckily, she decided to live a little…for tonight, anyway.
I park behind a car about halfway down the driveway, and turn my car off. Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal, but her and Devin have a long drive, and she said this was going to be a small thing. My fingers are crossed it isn’t too much for Joan.
Her car comes to a stop behind me, but she makes no move to turn off the headlights. Or her car for that matter. The lights shine brightly in the rearview mirror, and I lift a hand to block it and attempt to see what she’s doing back there. Maybe she’s waiting for me to get out before she makes her final decision.
I lift the handle and push open my door. I’m nothing if not a leader. Once I’m out, the sound of her engine dies and the lights flick off. Darkness surrounds me as I make my way to her.
Would opening her door for her be a bold move? I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. She doesn’t emerge after a minute, and I take that as my cue. I lift the door handle and pull it open. “Are you going to hide in the car all night?”
“I’m thinking about it,” she sighs and glances at the line of cars in front of us. “I thought this was a small get together.” She points in front of us, “this looks like a full-on party.”
Fear and worry cross her face in a split second. “She either invited a few more people, or her boyfriend is home a day early.” I hold my hand out, patiently waiting for her to accept it. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Lisa doesn’t let her parties get wild. If anything, she’ll kick everyone out in a couple of hours. She’s not the nicest when she hasn’t had a solid night of sleep.”
