Who else has that kind of money around here?
The bars are buzzing despite it being early in the evening on a Friday. Usually, the rowdy crowd waits a bit later to come out but tonight, things seem to be getting wild already.
I sidestep a couple making out on the sidewalk and reach for the door to the bar. The thing swings open and slams into my shoulder.
"Shit, sorry," some college-aged kid blurts out and then continues to rush past me without any actual care that he could have caused any damage.
Pressing my hand to my shoulder, I make my way inside and take in the bustling crowd.
June waves me over from her spot at a high-top table near the billiards area.
"Hey," I say above the loud music and set my clutch on the table.
"Damn, Cora." June spots the expensive bag immediately, her taste having massively evolved since she got into a relationship with four very wealthy men. "Where did you get this?"
"Miller," I tell her, not holding back.
Her eyes widen and she bobs her head up and down. "Nice. I didn't know you two were..."
"Why?" I cut her off. "Because he'sgay?"
"I mean, no, I just..."
I pour myself a beer from the pitcher she has on the table. "Cut the shit, June. I know it's a lie." I can barely believe how the words are blurting out of my mouth. I'm not typically this crass with her but it's been a long week, and I don't exactly have the time or energy to sugarcoat things anymore.
"Cora..." June says but I put my hand out to stop her.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Is that why you've been avoiding me all week?" June pushes and I find myself getting more and more pissed off.
What doesn't she understand about me not wanting to talk about this?
I snatch my clutch and beer and say, "I want a shot. Do you want one? I'm going to go get one." I leave before she can say another word and head straight to the bar.
My sights skim the crowd and settle on Simon in the far corner, doing his creepy bodyguard thing he always does when June goes anywhere in public. If it's not him, it's one of the other guys, but usually, it's Simon.
He stares at me, a hint of concern lining his face, but I ignore him and continue on my way.
"Excuse me," I call out to the bartender who is clearly flirting with a patron instead of taking orders. "Hello?"
She rolls her eyes and mutters something to the dude in front of her and walks at the slowest fucking pace ever over to me. "Can I help you?"
"Two shots of tequila." I reach into my clutch only to realize I forgot to put cash in it from when I switched my bags over.
Miller had surprised me with another bag so I had been using that one all week to and from work. Tonight, I figured I'd go for something compact, opting for the bejeweled clutch I absolutely fell in love with.
"That'll be twelve dollars," she tells me as she pours the shots.
I thumb the black card tucked into the slim wallet he got me and slide it out. He told me I could use it, I'm sure he won't mind a twelve-dollar purchase.
The bartender throws her thumb toward a sign behind her. "Twenty dollar minimum for cards."
Shit.
"I'll take two more shots, make them doubles."
She takes my card and pauses to look at me. "Can I see some ID?"
