“Date stuff.”
Lucky stops moving. His hand is still on the door handle, but his eyes are looking right into mine. “A date?”
“Yep. I’ve got a date.” He seems shocked, which I get. I’m a little surprised myself.
21
Lucky
Who the fuckis she going out with?
Is it someone I know?
All I can do is cover my face with my hands and groan.
If she’s seeing someone, how long’s it been going on?
What if it’s that twit from her building?
I knew I should have kicked his ass when I had the chance….
22
Becklyn
When he askedme where we were going, I figured he was just making small talk since it was so quiet on the ride home from the gym. Usually, Deena would be jabbering on, but it was still way too early for her. Even after the workout, she found a way to fall asleep in the back seat using her gym bag as her pillow.
So, here I am at Brother’s Bar & Grill with my date, Sam. And Lucky. Talk about awkward. I’d tell you it was a coincidence if there was any chance in hell that’s what it was. I suspect Deena told him, since she’s the only other person who knew. The truth is, I didn’t think much of her question to Sam. Deena’s nosey and a little protective of me. I assumed she asked him, “So, where are you taking my girl?” and “Are you doing anything else?” because she was making sure he wasn’t taking me to some corn field somewhere. Except, now I know that’s not the case. She was an informant rather than a friend.
I’m not surprised Lucky knows Sam—they both work out at Smiths. Sam is more into weightlifting than boxing or even kickboxing, but I’m sure they’ve run across each other from time to time. When Lucky sidled up to our table, the two of them did that guy handshake and the back slap thing to each other like they were old friends. Sam, being a very polite person, invited Lucky to have a drink with us.
That was an hour ago. He even ordered food with us. They’ve spent the entire time talking about protein and supplements. It’s annoying, and do you want to know what else it is? It’s rude. Both of them are being very rude. And do you want to know something else? I’m not going to sit here another minute. The more I’ve thought about it, the angrier I’ve gotten.
Sam was my first real date. I didn’t want to make a big deal about it, but it was significant, and my best friend, Deena, is part of this—this conspiracy.
I push my chair away from the table, and both men stop talking about creatine, whatever that is, and look up at me. Giving my best and fakest smile, I point toward the back of the restaurant. “Gonna use the ladies’.”
“Oh, okay.” Sam turns back to Lucky and keeps right on talking.
“Great,” I mutter as I make my way in the direction of the bathrooms. Except, I don’t need to go to the restroom. I look back at the guys and see they’re still engrossed. I take the opportunity to do a little U-turn. I’m out the front door and walking to the bus stop before I know it.
Luckily, the bus arrives, and I hop on, swipe my metro pass, and am on my way home in no time. Sitting in the back, I frown, thinking of all the things wrong with tonight. Heck, my life, really. My anger has dissipated and turned into sadness. I wipe a tear from my cheek and will them to stop. I can’t cry over any of this. It was just a date with a cute guy from the gym. There wasn’t really a spark between us, but I thought he was nice.
It takes almost an hour for the bus to make the trek across town. When I step down at the stop nearest my apartment, I’m not surprised to see Lucky leaning on the hood of his car. As soon as I’m within earshot, he says, “That was a pretty shitty thing you did back there. Leaving your date at the restaurant like that.”
I feel the flush of heat rising from my chest to my face. Oh, don’t worry, it’s not embarrassment. It’s fury. I don’t bother responding. Okay, yes, I have something to say. “Fuck you, Lucky.”
My language must shock him, because his mouth opens, then closes several times as I pass him. Reaching for the handle on the front door, I feel his hand on my arm. And do you want to know something? For the first time in my life, I don’t want Lucky to touch me. I need for him to step back. For him to go home and leave me the hell alone.
So, that’s what I tell him. Those exact words.
Surprisingly, he does it. He pulls his hand away, and he steps back. I hear his footsteps as they retreat. Pulling the door open, I step inside. Now, I’ve got to deal with Deena. As far as I’m concerned, the three of them can go to hell.
* * *
It’s beentwo weeks since my date. Well, I guess I wouldn’t call it a date. In that time, I’ve barely spoken to my roommate, using short statements only when it’s absolutely necessary. As for Lucky, he’s been trying to drive me to work every morning, but I just walk past his car and head to the bus stop. He’s sent me numerous texts apologizing for his role in the worst first date ever. (That’s what I’m calling it.) Sam’s been avoiding me altogether. I had a text from him that night asking me where I went. When I didn’t respond, he didn’t try again. Part of me thinks that’s a good sign. Sam didn’t seem especially into me. He was more interested in hearing what Lucky had to say that night, and part of me is just glad he’s no longer a concern.
“You ever going to talk to me again, Foxy?”
