“Like girls?” She smirked. “Yeah, I know. I can tell.” She started to say something else, then glanced at her buzzing phone instead. She read a text and frowned.“Shit.It’smy sister.Our parents left her home alone without telling me. I gotta go. I know she’s probably fine, but I get worried. Especially since this town is overrun with vamps.”She stood while I went to close out her tab. Much to my surprise, she scribbled a phone number across the receipt with a small heart, then added cash for an extra tip.“I don’t need change. But I do need to finish this.” She downed her drink and set the glass down.“See you later, babe.”
“Bye, you.” I said it a few seconds too late; she was already gone. Thankfully, because that wasn’t the sentence I’d meant to come out.
“Bye, you?”
“Why’d you get so awkward?”
I turned to see Nate and Sean watching me.“I don’t know. She’s pretty.” I sighed and stared after her. “I was trying to say ‘bye’ but also ‘see you’ and then ‘bye you’ came out.” I took her receipt and bit my lip. At this point, I was almost certain she was hitting on me. I saved her number before sliding the tip into my pocket and receipt in its home.
“I thought you were into guys?” Nate demanded more than asked. Like it was any of his business.
“Have you never heard of a bi person?” I demanded right back. “Are customers gonna come in soon? Now that she’s gone, I’m bored again.”
“It’salmost happy hour. It should get busy soon.”
Sure enough, a half hour later the bar was full of people drinking, playing pool, shooting darts, and watching games.It kept me entertained for the next couple of hours until I realized it was my lunch time. I announced my departure and headed out back.
“I’ll come too.”Sean followed me outside, where a bunch of crates were scattered around. I sat on one of them and he sat across from me.“So, what was that earlier?” he asked.
“Huh?”I had no idea what he was talking about.
“The whole you’re not worth it thing. What was up with that?”
I shrugged.“I dunno. I’m being honest.”
“Nate’s right, you know. You’re oblivious if you think no one’s ever been into you.”
“Don’t tell me you like me.”I was being as sarcastic as possible. He laughed and shook his head. “Because you like Ari.Don’t think I haven’t figured that out yet.”I beamed when he didn’t deny it.“I knew it! I fuckin’knew it.”
“Can we go back to talking about you now?I’m not done.”
“Okay,fine. So who likes me then, if you’re so sure?”
“Nate.”
“No. He’s confused.”
“Benji?”
“He doesn’t even know me.”
“You really can’tacceptthat someone might have feelings for you? Even when they literally say it out loud?”Sean frowned when I shook my head.“Wow. Your parents really did a number on you.”
“Thanks,”I muttered. My eyes were stinging but I refused to cry about this.
“Sorry, that came out wrong. I’m not trying to insult you. It’s just… I’ve heard you say things like this before. From what I gather, your parents caused a lot of emotional damage. Maybe some physical. And now you’re convinced that no one will ever care about you. Am I right?” He waited, but I didn’t respond.“You know Ari loves you. She’s always there and she wants you to be happy.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“And your uncle.”
“I know,”I repeated.
“And Dennis?”Sean asked.
“What about Dennis?”
“I give up. You’re gonna have to talk to him.”He got out his phone and started texting.
