“I don’t know about that. Carson’spretty adorable.”
I’ve only encountered him atgames, but he’s a friendly guy with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. I’msure his humor comes in handy when dealing with a prick like Tad. My biggestcomplaint when it comes to Carson is that he’s more interested in appeasing Tadthan making sure he stays safe.
“But from what I can tell,” Tadsays, “you’re pretty smitten with Darren.”
This is a good time to be silent.Anything I say can and will be used against me for idle gossip. And I don’tplan on fucking up any chances I might have with Darren by saying something toconfirm Tad’s suspicions.
“I’m not judging you,” he says. “He’sa good lay.”
I tense up. Not sure how I feelabout getting Tad’s sloppy seconds. Although it doesn’t surprise me that theywould have messed around, considering all the time they spend together.
He smacks my arm. “Just playing.We’ve never done anything before. He’s a nice guy, but no. That just wouldn’thappen.”
“You have to admit, he’s prettyhot.”
“If you’re into that whole dorkything.”
Which I am. A lot more than I aminto the sort of beefcake that Tad is: one who only seems to exist so that hecan attract attention and admiration from others.
Tad beams as he looks at me. Heseems to be enjoying having a secret to hold over my head.
“I can make that a lot easier foryou,” he says. “Find a way to get you two together…Maybe put in a good word foryou.”
What makes you think I needyour help nabbing guys, you conceited son of a bitch?
“No thanks, but I appreciate theoffer.”
Jen sets shots down before us.
“I don’t think we should have any more,”I say. “You know we have to get back to the hotel in the next hour.”
“Shit,” he says.
“What?”
“I forgot about that bullshitinterview. That’s probably what your boyfriend has been texting me about forthe past half hour. Fuck, I need to stop drinking.”
We clink our glasses togetherbefore downing our shots.
“Okay,” he says. “Think I’m readyto close out my tab now.”
***
“Just come in for a second,” Tad says, his arm over myshoulder.
“I’m already inside,” I say.
Since it’s clear he’s had one toomany shots, I had to escort him back to the hotel. I didn’t think four would besuch a big deal. Or was it seven? I can’t remember. I lost track after a few.Regardless, he needs to clean his act up before he has to get on the interview he’sscheduled for in a little under two hours.
Darren’s texted a few times,asking me where the fuck Tad is. It was clearly a bad idea to agree to go tothe bar when I could have just as easily brought him back here. Or stopped himearlier than I did.
I carry him to the sofa and layhim across it.
“There you go,” I say. As I pullback, he lunges forward, wraps his arms around me, and offers a kiss. His lipstaste so good. His breath sweeps across my face. Rushes of excitement overtakeme.
I’m in over my head.
He goes right for the goods,feeling me up.
