“You’re drunk,” I state.
“Yep.” She pops thePobnoxiously. “I started drinking more when you showed up.”
I exhale. “I’ll go. I just wanted to make sure you were?—”
“You don’t get it.” A tear slips down her cheek. She swipes it away angrily.
I stare in shock. I’ve never ever seen Wren cry. And I sure as hell don’t deserve her tears.
“I’m not mad you’re here.” She sniffs. “I’m madatyou. But I started drinking more when you arrived because I knew I could. Because I feel so safe around you, even when you’re being an absolute asshole.Youhurt me, but you’d never let anyone hurt me, so I can get wasted without worrying about anything except a hangover.” Another sniff. “So, don’t go, okay?”
“Okay,” I say hoarsely.
Wren nods once, then turns and heads back toward her friends.
“Closing Time” starts playing at one a.m.
Gus glances over at me. He and I are the only two left at our table. Wade wandered over to a group of girls about an hour ago and never returned, and everyone else headed home a while ago. Like Gus and me, they all have work in the morning.
“What’s your plan?”
“No clue,” I reply.
He nods like me sitting here all night and coming up with no strategy makes total sense. Or maybe he’s just accustomed to Wren’s and my dysfunction.
“You should head out, man,” I say. “You’ve got your big date tomorrow night.”
“You sure? I don’t mind staying.”
“I’m sure.”
Gus drains the rest of his water, stands, and claps me on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
“Night, Owen!” Gus calls, heading for the door.
“See ya, Gus!” the bartender calls back.
Wren glances at Gus’s retreating back, then over at me. Walks this way, ignoring the nearby table of guys checking her out. One guy’s hundred still sits on this table.
“Wanna take me home?” Wren asks when she reaches me.
“Sure,” I reply.
She smiles a little. “I’m kidding. I’ve just always wanted to use that line during this song.”
I stand. “Well, I was serious. You ready to go?”
“My friends called a car. Really, I’m good. Thank-thank you for staying.”
“We need to talk, Wren.”
“Now isn’t a great time. I wouldn’t be sure which one of you to talk to. Let’scatch upnext summer, ’kay?”
I exhale. “I didn’t mean any of that. I was shocked to see you, and?—”
“Are you the maybe baby daddy?”
