Clarky
I’m in love with her makeup!
Little Hunt
She was with a few people from the crew I guess, but we told her when they leave she should come sit with us!
Summer Kincaid
Impromptu girls night, don’t wait up!
I laugh to myself before answering. I don’t think Demi has ever hung out with the girls socially. I’d guess the football game was the first time she hung out with Abby.
She doesn’t drink so don’t pressure her into a margarita Summer Kincaid.
Summer Kincaid
Ok dad, I know she doesn’t drink. I already told her we’ll have a crispy Diet Coke waiting for her if that’s her thing.
I can’t lose the smile on my face. The thought of Demi hanging out with my best friends makes me happy for her. In all our conversations, she’s made it clear, without flat out saying it, that she doesn’t really have anyone. And Demi deserves people in her corner. I have no problem sharing mine with her.
I haven’t flat out told anyone we’ve been hanging out—believe me, it’s killing me to keep quiet, but I’m leaving it up to Demi if she wants that out there. It wouldn’t totally surprise me if Demi ended up trusting the girls enough to tell them. Especially Mia, she has a trusting face.
And here I was thinking my mood tonight would be sour because of that conversation with my dad. I’m still pissed at him, but even just the thought of Demi spending time with my friends adds some happiness to my evening. Hell, having Demi as part of my life lately has added a ton of happiness I didn’t realize I was missing.
“Demi, I can walk you out to your car,” Tom offers as I’m fishing my phone from my bag.
“Oh, no, thank you, Tom. I actually saw some friends so I’m going to sit with them for a few minutes before leaving. Have a good night.”
He nods, and I head toward the ladies’ room.
It was a pleasant surprise seeing Liam’s friends earlier. Chase Hunt’s girlfriend, Summer, is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She started talking to me immediately, and I just hope I wasn’t awkward as hell at first just watching the three of them interact.
I found myself staring at Summer. Intrigued by her. She’s beautiful, but she looks like the woman Brandon cheated on me with, and I hate that’s the first place my mind went. I’d never been in the same room as that woman, but in looking at Summerthey share a lot of the same physical features. Though, I feel confident Summer isn’t a homewrecker.
Her long blonde hair, blue eyes, the curves that hit in the right places. I felt myself staring, and I just hope like hell she didn’t notice, because it isn’t Summer who deserves my look of disdain.
I head to where they said they were sitting and I spot the three of them at a high-top table in the bar area. Abby’s in a black and white detail top with jeans, and Mia’s wearing the cutest light blue dress with a pair of sandals. Summer’s back is to me and her blonde hair flows down her shoulders, and I admire the black outfit she has on.
They did say to come find them when I was through, but I still feel a tad nervous approaching these women I’ve really only interacted with a handful of times. But they’re Liam’s friends, practically his sisters with the way he describes their relationship. And that nugget of knowledge alone eases my body a little.
“Hi,” I say, coming up to the empty chair.
“Hey, oh my god, have a seat.” Summer smiles.
“I’m so glad you came over,” Abby says, beaming at me as she hands me a menu. “I know you probably already ate, but if you want to browse the drinks.”
“We know you don’t drink alcohol, though,” Mia rushes out.
“Right, yes. I meant, you know, something else,” Abby adds.
I chuckle as I take a seat. The bar area is much louder than the lounge where I was previously sitting with my colleagues. The TVs are on and it looks like preseason hockey is on most of the screens. It looks like Phoenix is playing, and I linger for a second on the screen. Bri and I went to a couple Phoenix hockey games when we were young. The brief memory makes me smile.
“It’s fine. I’ll grab some water for now.”
The waitress pops over and the girls order some appetizers along with more drinks, and I put in my order for the water. When I first decided to stop drinking alcohol, I used to feel embarrassed when I’d be out with people. I don’t mind that people ask questions about why I don’t drink, but it’s when they would talk down about it. I’ve dealt with that a handful of times, and I’ve since learned to be more direct in my response.
Thankfully there isn’t even a question about it tonight.
