“The bouncer who let us in works at the club with me. The boss doesn’t like us hanging out at other clubs.” It’s part of the truth, so hopefully, she won’t know I’m fudging. I just don’t mention it’s only me he doesn’t like hanging out in other clubs.
“But he’s okay with that guy working at both. Why? Because he’s a guy? Fucking men,” Gwen sneers, apparently forming her own theory. I didn’t even think about having to explain why Masher was allowed to be there while I wasn’t. Apparently, my lie wasn’t very well thought out.
I have a strange urge to defend Winger. “He knows the guys can take care of themselves. He worries about us.”
She gives me the side-eye. “He your boyfriend or something?” I knew she would jump to that conclusion.
“No,” I state emphatically, not because I think there’s anything wrong with Wing. I’ve just never gotten that vibe from him, nor do I feel that way about him. “I’m telling you, he just looks out for us. He doesn’t even let the guys touch us at the club unless the girls want that.” I feel heat fill my face. I don’t want to talk about this with her, I don’t want to talk about it at all. The two halves of my life are merging way too often lately for my liking. “I don’t want to talk about work,” I blurt.
“Okay,” Gwen concedes softly. “But I just want you to know you can. I would never judge you, Lucy. Not for anything.” She looks over at me again, pushing the words home.
I just nod.
The car feels too quiet, so I ask, “That was Jay, huh?”
Gwen grins at just the mention of his name. “I know you didn’t get much of a chance to talk to him, but what did you think?”
“He seemed nice, older. Is he going to be around long if he’s only here on business?”
“He lives in Ohio, so it’s not far,” she replies, avoiding anything about his age. “What about that hottie who followed you off the dance floor? Did you get his number? I saw you had your phone out.”
“He didn’t follow me, and no. He barely even spoke to me.” I know she’s talking about the black shirt guy. Mike from the table would never be classified as a hottie, not that he wasn’t okay looking, but hottie requires a specific look, and Mike didn’t have it. The other guy, however, gave it off in spades. I don’t mention that I saw him standing outside the club. I wouldn’t have even noticed him if he hadn’t flicked a lighter near his face while sparking up just as we drove past, his eyes locked on mine as if he was waiting for me to see him.
“I don’t know. I spotted that guy straightaway, hard not to. He was looking around like he was searching for someone, then he shoved his way onto the dance floor like he found exactly what he was after.” She turns to glance at me. “A minute later, he’s standing over your shoulder looking like he already knew you or wanted to really badly.” She grins.
I roll my eyes. “You put way too much thought into that, Gwen. He was after that Mike guy, the one you sent tocheck on me.I think they had some kind of beef. I’m pretty sure he was at the table when we first got there.” Hewashard not to notice.
“I didn’t send that guy after you.” She snorts.
“Figures. That was what he said.” We chat the rest of the way home, but neither of us mentions the hottie or Jay again.
Gwen pulls up near my truck and puts the car in park. It’s barely one in the morning, but I know my mom is asleep, so I don’t invite her in. “Sorry again,” I tell her with my hand on the door.
“Don’t worry about it.” She waves her hand. “I should have told you instead of trying to surprise you, plus we barely got to hang out. Do over?”
“Do I get to pick what we’re doing this time?”
“Gah!” Gwen rolls her eyes and acts all dramatic. “I suppose, granny. I’m calling a hard pass on bingo though, just so you know.”
“No bingo,” I agree easily. “How about dinner and a movie?” It is kind of lame, but also exactly what I want.
“It’s a date,” she confirms. “I can’t tomorrow though. Sunday?”
“Perfect. I’ll call you. Thanks for driving.”
“Thanks for paying for parking and keeping us from showing up on the local news,” she jokes.
“Drive safe, text me when you get home.” I jog to the side door and unlock it while she makes a crazy turn to get back onto the driveway.
As usual, the house is quiet when I get home. I still make my rounds to check on Mom before grabbing a water and heading up to my room. I glance over at my closet, but I avoid it like I’m a little kid who thinks if I open it, the boogeyman will pop out.
Within ten minutes, I get a text from Gwen telling me she’s home. I shoot a smiley face back, then strip out of my jeans and top, not even feeling bad that I left them on the floor. I hop into bed after throwing on an old T-shirt and send another text, this one to Winger.
Me:Home.Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause trouble.
Winger:No more coming to the city.
I don’t respond,but I don’t think he expected me to.
