Sighing, he reluctantly opens the door for me and when we step inside, the entire bar stops talking, swivels in their seats and shouts, “Dancing Queen!” followed by a chorus of laugher as the ABBA song plays over the speakers.
Mortified, his eyes widen, and his cheeks become scarlet red as he spins to return the way we just come. Placing my palms on his solid chest, I intercept him before he can escape. “I promise I didn’t know that was going to happen.” I try to stifle my laugh, because let’s face it, that’s funny.
Carson weaves his way through the crowd towards us and claps Logan on the back. “Glad you could make it, man.” I snicker as Logan scowls at our friend.
Stepping back, he points his finger at Carsons chest. “You did this, you asshole,” he grouches.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Carson replies, unsuccessfully trying to keep a straight face. “Come on. We have a table over here.” He leads us over to a large table where all our friends are chatting with one another. In our girls group chat earlier in the day I learned that Erin insisted that Claire leave Ben with her for the night, and she reluctantly agreed. Megan is traveling solo again, to nobody’s surprise. I can’t remember the last time Jeff came out with us.
The table is already littered with a collection of shot glasses and empty beer bottles, all evidence that they got this party started without us. A large platter of hot wings and a basket ofFrench fries sit in the centre of the table to be shared. After a chorus of greetings, we settle into chairs facing the dance floor.
Riot reaches across the table and hands me a beer.
“Thank you. I may need this if Beck expects me to join her on stage.”
“None for me.” Logan shakes his head at the beer in Riot’s outstretched hand. “I may never drink again and definitely not in this fine establishment.”
“That’s fair.” Riot nods and places the beer back in front of himself.
“You good?” I lift my chin towards my friend. The last few times I have been with Riot he has been quiet. He’s not a chatterbox most days, but he looks stressed out. It probably has something to do with the house he’s currently renovating. Logan told me it’s a money pit.
“Yep, no worries.” He smiles back but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. When I raise my eyebrow in question, he subtly shakes his head, silently asking me to let it go.
“You have no idea how excited I am for this to begin.” Beck steals my attention as she bounces up and down in her seat.
“I’m pretty sure we do. The thirty-four messages you posted in the group chat was my first clue,” Ryan says, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his index finger.
“Okay, okay, let’s try to get along tonight, shall we? This mommy is child-free and doesn’t want to spend the night listening to the pair of you bicker,” Claire scolds, waving her hand between them. “I gave up cuddling with Ben and watching a Marvel movie tonight for this, so don’t wreck it for me.”
“It’s not me.” Beck shakes her head and points her finger at Ryan. “He just doesn’t know how to have fun. Why did you even come if you can’t have a good time.”
Arms crossed he glowers back at my friend. “I think you know I can have a good time when I want to.”
“What are you going to sing, Beck?” Riot interrupts, trying to defuse the situation, before it escalates.
“Wrecking Ball for sure,” she beams back, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder. Silver strands of tinsel she has woven through it glimmer as it catches the light.
“Fitting,” Ryan mumbles, dragging his hand through his hair. Meg bumps her shoulder into his in a silent plea to knock it off.
“Holy fuck, enough, or I will have to separate you.” Claire throws her hands in the air in exasperation.
“What about you, Logan? Have you picked a song yet? What about Achy Breaky Heart? You know all the words to it.” Carson’s eyes sparkle as he tries to get a rise out of my man.
Narrowing his eyes at Carson. “That’s not happening. I’ve already made a fool of myself once this month and I’m afraid that’s my personal limit. You go ahead, though.”
“That’s okay, Logan, you get a free pass, we won’t make you sing tonight.” Beck pats a relieved Logan’s hand. “But next time, I get to pick a song for you.”
“If you are handing out free passes, I’ll take one too.” Meg twirls a strand of her thick, auburn hair around her finger. “I just want to watch tonight.”
“Me too, I’m sick.” Ryan fake coughs into his fist. Rolling her eyes, Beck shifts in her seat so she can ignore him.
“It’s okay, Beck, I promise, I’ll sing with you.” I’m not the best singer, but I gave up worrying about what people think about me years ago. Your skin thickens quick when you are unwillingly thrown into the centre of a town scandal.
“I knew I could count on you, bestie,” Beck beams, blowing me a kiss across the table.
Everyone catches up while we listen to some horrific versions of some very popular songs. My girls still give Logan a hard timewhen the opportunity presents itself, but I know they support me and my decision to move forward with him.
The bar has become busier and louder since we arrived. I’m certain the crowd has surpassed the fire code capacity limits, but the party continues. The more people drink, the more ridiculous the performance becomes.
