Match 1: And the other half?
Jane: Knows it’s a bad idea. There’s no place for me with him.
Match 1: So, you really feel like there’s no place in his life for you?
I gulp backthe rest of my sangria, ignoring the straw and peek back up toward Dex. He’s laughing and telling a story to the three women he’s standing with, and my heart feels too tight in my chest.
Jane:I don’t think there is, and I don’t like crowded places anyway.
Match 1: You don’t believe he’s worth fighting for?
Jane: I believe in fighting for someone who you love, but I think it’ll be a waste of time to fight to try to make someone love me.
My eyes catcha movement across the rooftop. Two of the three women are walking away, leaving Dex talking alone with the prettiest one. I slip my phone in my lap and watch his lips move as he talks to her. I really loved watching those lips move when he used to talk to me with them. Dex has very sexy lips.
I drink another glass of sangria and giggle. “Sangribriation achieved.”
“Am I going to have to carry you home?” Nate asks with a chuckle.
“Possibly,” I say, holding out my glass for him to pour in more.
“Maybe you should slow down?” Julia asks.
“Maybe you should shush up or catch up?” I reply.
She shakes her head and stands. “Okay, do whatever gets you through. I’m going to the restroom; do you want to come with me?”
I’m pretty much too scared to stand up right now, so I wave her off with my hands, “Nah. I’m good.”
Nate and I sit in silence and gawk at Dex from our seats. He doesn’t look back at me anymore. He’s too preoccupied with the pretty girl to remember I’m here. Up in the front area, music starts playing and a DJ shouts into a microphone about dancing and games and contests. I barely pay attention because I’m too busy watching the prettiest of the brunettes lead Dex into another area, hidden from my sight.
“Is she going to sex with him?” I slur.
Nate looks at me with pity.
“Oh no, really? He’s going to put my favorite part of him in some other girl?” I immediately want to leave.
“I didn’t say that, I didn’t say anything!” Nate says, laughing.
“Your eyeballs said it to me,” I whine.
“Maybe they just went to a quieter place to talk? The music is really loud,” Nate shouts.
“I can’t sit here and do this,” I say standing up. The roof’s view of the city spins wildly around me. Wow, those were definitely extra-strength drinks. I’m totally drunk. I somehow skipped right over buzzed and lightheaded and went straight to tanked in less than an hour. I hold up my phone to check the time. It’s only eight o’clock and I’m useless. “Come on. Let’s go.”
I’m so drunk, that when I walk through the dance floor to the exit, I actually win a dance contest. Someone holds up my hand over my head while a bunch of people dance and cheer around me. Someone balances a pink plastic Dancing Queen tiara on my messy bun that perfectly matches my slippers, and another person hands me a five-dollar Amazon gift card prize.
Julia saves me from the mass of people and drags me singing and dancing down the stairs. I’m searching through the crowds for Dex and his new friend, but I don’t see him. Did he leave? Did they hook up? I look all over, but I don’t find them anywhere.
Chapter 14
Dex texts me to see if I got home okay.
I lie to him and tell him I’m fine. What else could I say? Physically, I am fine, except for a few scratches and scrapes from falling off the curb into the street in front of the bar as Nate and Julia shoved me into a taxi. Emotionally, I’m drained. I don’t understand how he could get over me so fast. It has to be that he really didn’t love me in the first place. He stares at me the entire time we’re at the rooftop party, but he goes off with someone else? Why would he text me to see if I got in okay? Why would he care?
Dex:Did Nate take you home?
Jane: Nate AND Julia. WHY DO YOU CARE? Didn’t you cuddle up to some gorgeous brunette all night?
