Wait.She spun and searched the room.Her eyes landed on Mercedes and the ASL instructor.The woman over there with the curls and gorgeous amber skin.That’s your girlfriend?
He nodded.
She’s hearing?Her expression showed her confusion.She signs like a Deaf person.
She’s been friends with the family since she was little.She was Carli’s roommate for years.
Sue narrowed her eyes as she examined others in the crowd.Huh.I wonder if there are other people at Deaf Night Out who aren’t Deaf.That doesn’t seem right.
Was she really that much of a snob?I thought the whole point of Deaf Night Out was to find other people who spoke our language.
Yes, people like us.She pivoted and stalked away.He wanted to be there when she found out that Brian was hearing.It would be a hoot.He wouldn’t be the one to break the news, though.
Adam handed him two more bottles, then disappeared without a word.Another thing that annoyed him about his ex-roommate.His lack of manners.
Over the next hour, Evan chatted with some of his friends and met several new people who had joined the group.Mercedes wandered back toward him every now and then but also sought out some of her work friends.He shouldn’t care.They’d always flitted around from person to person during Deaf Night Out, yet now that Mercedes was his official girlfriend, he wanted to spend time with her.Like he didn’t get any time with her at home.
He knew he was being ridiculous, so he didn’t follow her around when she socialized.Didn’t keep him from seeking her out as she had conversations with others.When she was with her work friends, she didn’t sign.Not that he’d expect her to.Obviously, they wouldn’t understand what she was saying.His jealousy hit him hard, though, that he couldn’t see what they were talking about, especially when they gazed in his direction, then laughed.Mostly the yacht boy.Wardell, if he remembered correctly.
The man couldn’t seem to keep his hands to himself.He was a touchy-feely person, always grasping Mercedes’ elbow or hand, patting her shoulder, or tugging on one of her curls.He understood the saying “seeing red” perfectly now.However, he trusted Mercedes and knew she wasn’t interested in Wardell.Her body language was quite clear as she took a step back or shook her head at what must have been a come on.That smile pasted on her face was as fake as a three-dollar bill.
Don’t you just want to throat punch him?Adam said from next to him.
They work together.She thinks he’s an ass.I’m not concerned.
Adam’s eyebrow rose.Really?You’re okay with them making fun of you.That guy’s been giving you the eye all night.Here, take this.You need it more than I do.He handed him his full beer, then staggered back to the bar.
Evan should cut himself off.He’d already had too many.Since they were taking the train back, he hadn’t counted what he’d been drinking.When he closed his eyes, the room tilted slightly.Maybe it was time to stop.
He wandered towards Mercedes and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.She gazed up at him with a sparkle in her gaze.“I haven’t seen you much tonight.Are you having fun?”
I’d have more fun if I was with you.He took another sip of his drink, despite his resolve to slow down.
She set her wine glass down on an empty table.“Let me use the ladies’ room, and we can hang out more.”
He watched as she walked away, then shifted his position to see her work friends.They’d only given him a cursory glance as he approached, but now Wardell smirked in his direction and said something to one of the others.
He couldn’t read exactly what was said, but he saw, “… poor deaf guy …” and “… can’t read.”Seriously?How had this man known about that?Or was he merely misinterpreting his lips?
Then, Wardell adjusted his stance so Evan could see his mouth clearly.“She’s been teaching him how to read, the idiot.Like tutoring a kid.”He laughed and gave Evan another glare.
Evan didn’t even check to see how the others were reacting.His gaze stayed on Wardell.“Maybe I’ll pretend I can’t read to get some hot chick to teach me.”He moved his hands in a ridiculous attempt at sign language, obviously making fun of the form of communication.Evan tipped his beer up and finished the entire bottle.
When something bumped him on the side, he jerked around to find Adam grinning.I say smack the guy around a bit.He’s a wimp.I bet he crumples in a ball and cries like a baby.
As much as he wanted to beat the man for making fun of him, the thing that bothered him more than anything was where he’d gotten the information from.It couldn’t be anyone other than Mercedes.No one else knew she’d been teaching him how to read.He couldn’t believe it.How could she share that with others?Especially the snotty people she worked with?
He stumbled to the bar and ordered another beer.What did it matter how much he had to drink tonight?He needed enough to dull the pain of betrayal.At the end of his next beer, he was almost there.He stood silently in the corner, staring at nothing.Until he saw Mercedes weaving through the crowd.She stopped to say something to her work friends, and Wendall laughed, then pointed his way.Evan hightailed it toward her, meeting her near the side of the bar, away from others.Good.He didn’t need any witnesses.
When she saw him, her face showed relief.So she could continue to make fun of him?Not tonight.
“Where have you been?I was looking for you.”
Why?You weren’t finished humiliating me?He kept his voice off.It was bad enough she’d told her friends about their lessons; he didn’t need more embarrassment in front of his.
She took a half step back and froze.What are you talking about?
The alcohol took over, and he didn’t care that he loved her.Obviously, she didn’t feel the same way about him.You didn’t share the darkest secret of someone you love.
