“Whatever, Aaron.” I sighed, desperate to get off the phone. “I need to go. We’re leaving soon.”
“Let me know where you go.”
“I don’t know yet. We’ll see.”
“I want to know,” he demanded, a little stronger this time. “I deserve to know.”
“Uh, no, you don’t. You aren’t in town and it’s none of your business. You aren’t being nice right now.”
“You’re my girlfriend, Greta. I can know where you’re going.”
“Or how about you trust me?” I left the words hanging, my heart clenching again. “I gotta go, Aaron.”
I hung up. Angry. Annoyed.Ugh.My phone pinged at the alert I’d set on his accounts and I scrolled at the notification. He’d posted a picture of me, one I’d sent him on Snapchat months ago. I’d used a dumbass filter to give myself dog ears. My heart shrank at his post.
Hilly_A: Look at my girl, have fun tonight xo
I shook my head in disgust. It was fake, fake, fake. “Let’s go, Cal. I need more tequila.”
“Girrrl. You and me both. I feel so loose. Like loose as a noodle. I want to sway to shitty music and have fun with my bestie.” She slurred her words. She didn’t drink as often as I did. But I did work in a bar. It made more sense. “What if some cute boys hit on us tonight?”
“Then we send them on their merry way, chica.” I put my arm around her. “Don’t worry your little head about that, Callie. I’ll take care of you.”
“I love you, G.”
“Love ya, too, Callie girl.”
* * * *
Music. Lights. Dancing. Hands. Repeat.That was how I found myself hours later, dancing to some house music with Callie grinding her little booty against me. I felt great. Free. Happy. And not at all worried about my life.
I took charge, being the more responsible between the two of us. I had more to lose. Well, she had Zade and I wasn’t worried about her messing that up. I didn’t trust myself. I was in a fake relationship with a guy who was a dick and had no feelings beyond friendship. I was horny, lonely and looking for a distraction.
I couldn’t afford to be drunk—I would do something stupid. So, I took the responsible friend role and watched after Callie.
“Grrrettaaaaaaa, I love dancing. I feel like I’m onDancing with the Stars. Am I awesome?” she yelled with a dumbass grin.
“Yeah. You are awesome.” I laughed and danced with her. I didn’t need alcohol to wiggle my jiggle. I could dance sober or drunk, in the rain or sunshine. I loved a good rhythm. “Did you answer Zade’s text?”
“Yup. Yup. Yup. An hour ago. Or ten minutes. I don’t remember when I told him. But I did. I think I did.” Her eyes widened, a whole lot of drunk. “I assured him I was dancing with you. That’s it. He’s the man for me.”
“Of course. He knows that,” I reassured her and pulled her off the floor. “Want a drink, or water?”
“Nahhh,” she slurred again and my neck tingled. It was midnight, from my guess, and I knew we should head back. “Let’s dance, Greta Michelle.”
“Okay, Callie girl.” I laughed and continued dancing. We danced again, for two more songs, then I made the big-girl decision to leave. It was almost one, and I wanted to not feel like total shit the next day. My gut told me it was time to go. And it was right.
Todd walked into the bar a minute later, bruising around his eye and everything. I gasped.What. The fuck.
“What is it, G?” Callie swung her arm around me. It was mainly for her support, but I appreciated the gesture. “Why are you as stiff as a board?”
“Todd’s here.”
“Biker bar dick Todd?” Her scary eyes narrowed. “I’ll kick his little ass. I swear it.”
“Calm down, boo boo.” I petted her head. “He won’t see us. Let’s head out.”
“I need to pee now. Now,” she begged and I obliged. I had been on that end of the line before. She had always waited for me. So, I would do it for her. “Gretaaaaa. I need to pee.”
