“Pfft. They are more scared of you than you are of them.” I’m not sure I like how nonchalantly she talks about creepy crawlies. I’m only glad we didn’t come across any. “But, it’s on my list of things to do. I swear, I’m always finding new things to update or add.”
Eric grins, “I guess it’s a good thing you have a superstar boyfriend to have someone do it for you.”
“I’m perfectly capable of doing my own home repairs.” Lisa crosses her arms across her chest and glares at Eric. I have a feeling this is a long running joke between them. I know they used to live together.
“If you say so,” he shrugs and closes the door behind him. “I have a screwdriver size hole in the wall I still need to cover up before Carlos finds out and kills me.”
“What am I killing you for?” The man in question joins us.
“Nothing,” both Lisa and Eric say in unison. If you didn’t know better, you’d think they were siblings. Which I guess makes sense since they seem to be best friends.
“Hmm.” He purses his lips for a split second before smiling at me. “I’m glad you came, Joan. I bet a night out without kids is amazing, I know it is for me and Caroline,” he points toward the opposite side of the room where his girlfriend is talking with Angie. “We don’t normally do this, but things have been so busy at the bar and we all needed to blow off steam. Plus, Lisa is the only one besides Stella with a house big enough for everyone.”
“Your backyard is literal acres, Carlos,” Eric slaps him on the shoulder. “You have enough room, too.”
“Technically that belongs to Johnny and Stella,” he glances toward me, “they let us use it from time to time.”
“Enough chit chat.” Lisa waves the conversation away, “let’s get a drink.”
She drags me toward what I assume is the kitchen. Daring a quick glance back, I notice Eric’s eyes on me. The spell of what we shared on the walk to the house shattered with our coworkers surrounding us.
“I don’t want to drink too much,” I whisper yell to be heard over the music, “I still have to drive home tonight.”
“Okay,” she pulls me toward the mini bar she has set up in the corner. “But if you need to stay, I have plenty of room for you. Or,” she waggles her eyebrows at me, “you can always go home with Eric.”
“Won’t he be staying if he’s drinking, too?”
She waves my question away. “Nope. He rarely drinks at these get-togethers. He prefers to stay sober so there’s a designated driver should anyone need one.”
That’s actually pretty awesome. Most people their age would throw caution to the wind. “One or two drinks won’t hurt.”
“You say that now, but you haven’t had my sangria.” She moves to a drink dispenser and slides a plastic cup under the nozzle. She releases the toggle and red liquid fills the cup.
Fruity drinks aren’t really my thing, but I’m not going to worry about that tonight. I’m here with the people I spend most of my weekends with, and it would be good to get to know them. To have friends outside of sports parents. Not many of them have the same sort of lifestyle I do, and it’s hard to relate to them. The people in this room are my people. We work odd hours and know how to talk to all sorts of customers.
Lisa hands me the cup once it’s almost full to the brim and begins filling another one. Once her cup is full, she lifts it in the air. “To amazing coworkers and friends.”
I tap my cup to hers and take a long drink. “Holy shit.”
“Told ya,” she grins.
I have a feeling I won’t be driving home after drinking just this one, but it is good. We continue drinking as we make our way around the room. Patrick is off in the corner tapping away at his phone. I’m honestly shocked he’s here. He usually leaves work around ten since he does the cooking and that’s what time he closes down the grill.
Lisa leaves me to my own devices when her boyfriend motions her over, and I take in my surroundings. Eric was right. It’s not a wild party. Everyone is mingling. Lisa’s boyfriend plays his guitar off and on. I wonder if nights like tonight inspire him to write music. Carlos even seems less grumpy with Caroline around.
I feel him move behind me before he says a word. His cologne is also a dead giveaway. “You’re going to regret that in the morning.”
“So I’ve been told,” I turn until I’m facing him. “Nothing for you?”
He raises his bottle of water, and gives it a small shake. “Someone has to be the responsible one.”
“You are a good human.” The alcohol is getting to me. It’s not a bad thing. If anything, it’s helping loosen me up. “What would this tiny town do without you?”
“Probably have a boring time at the bar.” He laughs, “I’m ninety percent sure I’m the personality of that place.”
“Hey,” I playfully smack his chest and he captures my hand against his chest with his own. I take another drink. “I happen to think I have a sparkling personality.”
“You aren’t wrong there,” he releases my hand, but taps me on the nose. “Are you having a good time?”
