Another thing that sets us apart. I have a small gap between my front teeth. My mom always said it gave me character. I always suspected it was because she couldn’t afford braces for me. Over the years I’ve grown to love my imperfections, but sometimes those old doubts creep in.
When I met Alex, he loved all of my quirks. He thought my working at the animal shelter was admirable. Now I know his true opinion. He wore a mask from day one.
I won’t go into another relationship wearing those rose-colored glasses.
Maybe that is why I am so intrigued by Theo. He’s not pretending to be charming or even likable. He’s dangerous and a bit rude. But he’s honest about it. He’s not pretending to be something or someone he’s not.
“Hello.” Brookie waves her red manicured nails across my face.
“Sorry.” I blink and realize she’s waiting for me to exit the car.
“What has you so distracted?” She loops her arm through mine as she steers me toward the front of the bar. A perk of being besties with a goddess. No waiting in line at bars.
“Ladies,” the doorman greets us as he steps aside to let us through.
Despite being in a shit neighborhood, Enzo's is always crowded. It used to be a college bar but changed ownership a few years ago. The vibe is pretty much the same except the patrons tend to be more upper twenties to forty-year-olds. Upbeat music to shake your ass to and moderately priced drinks.
It isn’t really my scene, but Brookie has the hots for the bartender. He’s not good for her, but I try not to judge. I have zero room considering my only relationship has been with a narcissistic cheater. And my current crush is on a career criminal and literal killer. My bestie would string me up by my toes if she knew I’ve had many encounters with him today.
“Shots!” Brookie shouts, pulling me along with her as she weaves a path to the bar where her hot bartender should be but isn’t. There’s some chick in his place. My bestie’s expression sours. “About tonight being my treat,” she hedges.
“First round is on me,” I tell her.
“You’re the best.”
“I know. Besides, I’m sure you will find some poor unsuspecting fool to buy us a round or two.”
“You know me well.”
We order some shots, and Brookie is questioning the new bartender on the whereabouts of the normal one. The one she refers to as the hottie with a body.
“Girl, you know he fucks anything that moves.” She shakes her head. “He’s running late. Be careful you don’t go catching feelings for that one.”
I battle against the urge to say, ‘I told you so.’
“Bummer,” Brookie mutters, but I know my bestie. She is going to be on a quest now. To fix him. She does way too much charity work. “Let’s do a lap, shall we?”
I down a shot and nod. I’m definitely not drunk enough to be here yet. Brookie had it right when she started early. I do my second shot as we look for a table. The liquor burns down my throat and warms my belly. Strobe lights flash around us.
A chill slithers down my spine as a heat flares across the back of my neck.
The feeling of being watched washes over me. I glance around the bar, but I don’t see anyone openly staring at me. My stomachdrops, and I wonder if I’m just paranoid or if the shock of the past twenty-four hours is hitting me.
Maybe I should have eaten something. I didn’t get to enjoy my sub earlier, and I skipped lunch.
“I see Kelsey.” Brookie darts off and I lose her in the crowd.
Kelsey ugh.
Just what I want is to have drinks with one of the women Alex cheated on me with. I didn’t have the heart to tell Brookie. Not like it matters. She’s one of many, but she’s part of our friend group.
I don’t understand how she can smile to my face when she sees me while knowing she fucked my boyfriend behind my back. She thinks she got away with it, but I made Alex tell me who and when, and at that stage he had no reason to lie.
I spot Brookie and she waves me over to their table with the rest of our friend group, but there’s no way I can sit with that bitch with her smug look thinking she got one over on me. I don’t care about Alex at this point, but she isn’t a girl’s girl. That’s not someone I want in my life. If she’d been upfront about it when we broke up, then I would have respected her for owning up to it.
I return to the bar and down another shot of liquid courage.
I’m definitely not drunk enough for this.
