courage to reply. I blush with embarrassment, or
maybe rage. Or maybe both of those things.
She winks at me as if to say, “You got me,
right?” and I nod and remain in my confused
stupor, heading toward the counter where Patrick
and Rain are laughing at one of Ned’s jokes.
“Honey, are you okay? You don’t look…” Rain
says, studying me.
“I’m fine,” I say, unable to hide the
disappointment I feel in this moment. It’s a nice
mixture of jealousy and yearning, because that girl
is hot, she’s not pregnant and because tonight
she’ll be able to bring him back to her home and
sleep in his arms. Well, I don’t think they’ll sleep,
but if I think about what they’llreallydo, I’m sure
I wouldn’t be able to contain myself.
“Uh…” I blurt out, “that girl at table fifteen
asked for another round of rum-and-coke for her
and her friends.”
“Sure, I’ll get it ready for you right away,” Rain
says and I can feel Patrick’s eyes on me.
I swallow before finding the courage to look at
him, because for some dark reason, I want him to
see that I don’t approve.
“They want Patrick to bring it to them in
person,” I add, looking at him sideways.
Rain shoots him a look that would impale him
and Patrick turns every shade of red before being
able to articulate his response.
“Liam will bring it to them,” he says looking
