No matter how great that idea sounded to a poor chick that could drink a lot.
“Still, I want to get them a round. I’ll pay right now,” I persisted.
Snotty waitress stared at me for a beat, her eyes scanned down my body in the way women did when sizing you up as an intimidation tactic. It made me want to punch her in the face, which was probably the opposite of what she was going for.
Noticing I didn’t plan to back down, she turned to the bartender and rattled off an order. “You want anything?” She threw that question over her shoulder at me.
“A full round, yes. Please.” The bartender smirked and got to it.
I paid and wandered away, Randall again in tow.
“Why didn’t you grab the beers?” Randall whispered.
“She’ll take them. The guys will tip her, thereby making it so I don’t have to. She was a bitch.”
“Yeah.”
Back in our section, and back at our stools—Randall immediately headed in that direction—Adam once again found us.
“Hi ya, Jess. Hi Randall. It’s Randall, ain’t it?” Adam asked in a friendly way.
“Hey Adam,” I said happily.
“Yes, it’s Randall.” His voice was monotone as he looked back the way we’d come. I patted his knee, waiting for the shot to kick in. Hoping it kicked in. Soon.
Adam nodded and pretended not to notice. “How do you two know each other?”
“We work together,” I said. “He’s in I.T. and I am in Accounting.”
“Good stuff,” Adam said, still smiling.
I finished my drink and noticed the waitress was coming with her full tray.
Adam followed my look, then stood rapidly. “Y’all it’s my round. Who went and got this ‘un?”
The waitress was even with me when she said in a sultry voice, “The lady here got y’all the round.” She smiled and batted her eyes. I rolled mine.
“Now, what’d you go and do that for? Ladies don’t pay.” Adam had his hands on his h*ps like a mother scolding a naughty child.
“That is very 1950’s of you, Adam.”
“Hey.” A new guy joined our stool farm. His hair was a styled mess and his neck sported a necklace of white shells that looked Hawaiian. It made him look like a surfer boy. A nicely dressed one.
“Hello, I’m Brad,” he said. No accent. “I met you earlier, but I’m sorry, I forgot your names…”
Randall sunk further into himself. It was probably about time to go.
Trying to be friendly for the both of us, I gave a gleaming smile and gave our names. Then how we knew each other. Then said, “Adam, stop frowning, it’s rude.”
Adam snorted and took a sip of his beer.
“Please excuse me; I have to use the restroom,” Randall said, standing abruptly.
“Sure,” Brad said, nonplussed.
I watched Randall leave, my mouth hanging open.
“Davies says you’re living at the Peek place,” Brad continued, his attention back to me.
“Peek place?...Oh, Gladis Peek, yeah, I am in her pool house.”
He smiled and nodded. “I have been in that pool house. They used to have pool parties when I was a kid. That was when Mr. Peek was alive and the family got along.
Well, got along better. I don’t think they’ve ever been a close knit family.”
“It’s a pretty nice place.”
“Yeah, I always liked that place. Gladis is a hoot!”
I laughed. He knew Gladis all right. “She’s great. Treats me like her own daughter. Nice lady.”
“So, you’re from California?”
I nodded.
“How long have you been out here?”
“A couple months.”
“I’m from Nevada. Not too far from Reno.”
“I’m sorry,” I said in mock sympathy.
He laughed again. “Yeah, shit hole, right? I came out here for college, then grad school. My grandparents are from the area. That’s how I know the Peek’s. Knew the Peek’s, I guess.”
“When were you in Hawaii?”
He looked at me askew? “Who’s been talking?”
It was my turn to laugh. “Shells. They’ll give you away every time.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I do a couple trips a year to Hawaii.”
“You should talk to Randall when he gets back. He lived there for a while. Loved it!”
“I would move there but the work front isn’t the best. Surfing is great. I’ve been to L.A. and San Diego, too—to surf, I mean.”
That got us in a whole mess of conversation. Where each of us lived, what places we liked, things that were different, things we missed or didn’t. We could have kept going, but Randall finally returned in his customary slouch.
“Hey Randall. Brad has been to Hawaii,” I said, trying to immediately include him in the conversation.
“Oh.” He gave me a sour look. “Look, Jessica, I’m not really into this scene.”
“Oh.” I threw Brad an apologetic look and stood. “No problem. I’ll just go let Candace know.”
I glanced around at what I’d be leaving. William was over in the corner talking to some guy in a cowboy hat. As my eyes lingered on his face, his flitted up and met mine. A shock of electricity scrambled my stomach. He was all the way across the room, but that deep stare grabbed me and held on, pulling me in. I flushed and gasped at the same time, breaking out in a sweat with the effort of ripping my eyes away.
Maybe leaving was for the best. There would be other times I could dance. Now that I knew Ty’s crowd was in to this sort of thing, I just had to make sure Candace called me when they came here again—without William.
“Look, Jessica,” Randall said into my preparation to leave, “I had a really nice time tonight, and you are definitely fun, smart and engaging, but I’m not really into this scene. I’m not into this lifestyle. I’d love to keep the pretense of us fitting together, because I really like you, but I think we both know this couldn’t work.”
I was struck mute. He gave me a pat on the shoulder with a sympathetic gaze. “Do you want to walk me out?”
It was our first date and he dumped me. Maybe I should have been relieved, but…what the hell?
“Oh, okay,” I said through numb lips.
“You headed?” Candace whined when she noticed my wrap in my arms.
“Um…” I looked imploringly at Randall.
“I am." Randall answered. "Can you give her a ride home? She wants to stay but is too nice to say so.”
Candace did one of those brow furrows that had made worrying creases in her makeup. She was as perplexed as I was. “Sure…”
I followed him with a numb body. I could not believe what was happening. I could not believe he was planning to leave me here, without a car, in the care of other people, when we’d come together. On a date.
I was crushed, and not because I thought there was a future for us. There wasn’t, he was right. But I had never had this happen, and I had been with some real f**k-ups in my day.
He was supposed to be a nice guy! Is this why they finish last? I thought with colorful distain. My anger level was bubbling up to replace my hurt.
“Well, I’ll leave you here,” Randall said when we were in the bar. He had a pitying expression on his face. “I’m sure Mr. Davies will look after you. You know, since he has a vested interest.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked in a hollow voice.
He shook his head. “Money corrupts, Jessica. Even the pursuit of it. Anyway, I’ll see ya around.”
I almost wanted him to try for a kiss so I would have reason to slap him.
“Hey baby,” some idiot said on my right.
“Fuck off,” I snapped and turned to the bar.
I ordered a champagne cocktail, then stewed for a second. The numb of bewilderment was wearing off. It had literally come out of nowhere. People weren’t like that. They didn’t leave a date behind. “That was so f**ked up!”
The
guy next to me looked up, startled. A glance at my expression had him shimmying down the bar, giving me space.
I finished my drink much too quickly, and decided that maybe I should just get a cab home. Nothing good could come of drinking champagne with a bunch of single guys without someone to reign me in. Nothing good at all!
Half way through the bar I noticed Brad and William chatting up two girls.
He got down here quick.
William glanced up as my step faltered, noticing my wrap in my hands, but no date. His eyes darted away, back to some blond with black roots and huge, fake boobs less than half covered. My eyes were shadowed by my lowering eyebrows.
Next to the friend of Fake Boobies, Brad glanced up, then did a double-take as he recognized me. His smile made the bosom buddy he was talking to frown.
“Hey Brad,” I stepped forward when he opened his body to welcome me over.
“What, no drink?” He glanced down to my wrap filled hands.
“Oh, uh, no. I think I might head.”
“Nonsense, have one more.”
William glanced back over his shoulder, gave me a half-second flat stare, then returned to Boobie McGee.
Well, hell, screw you, man. I thought sourly.
“Okay.” I sighed, allowing a relieved smile. At least someone wanted me around.
Brad immediately dug for his wallet.
I rested my hand on his arm to stop his reach. “Relax, soldier, I got it.”
This time William looked at me fully. His face showed no expression. Ordinarily I would feel self-conscious that I was slightly cock-blocking, because Boobs-R-Us was pissed that I was stealing attention, but at present, I didn't care. Not one bit.
Also, I was feeling slightly vindictive. Being left at the bar will do that to a girl.
I dug in my arsenal. Oh, here’s a good weapon. Taunting. My favorite.
“Do you and your lady friends want a drink, Davies? I’m paying.” I was hamming it up, playing the sincere lamb. Based on what I knew of his dad, and how he’d probably been raised, he did not think a lady should pay for herself, or worse, for him. He’d be annoyed I offered.
A fantastic scowl replaced the blank face.
Ha!
Just as I was about to taunt him a second time a solid beat vibrated through the bar scene. The DJ was up and running, and he was spinning some good stuff!
“Brad, quick, dance!” I said excitedly, grabbing his hands.
“Wha—no, Jess, I don’t—“
“C’mon!” I tugged at him, mostly dragging him across the bar, not caring that William’s eyes were following our progress.
Chapter Twelve
Brad was right when he shook his head no to dancing. He was doing the white man shuffle. No beat, no rhythm, no clue as to what to do with his body. Shoulders bounced, arms flapped, and legs shuffled from side-to-side. It was cute and hilarious at the same time. The problem was, he was extremely intent on watching my body move, and happy to move up close.
He was cute and fun with an easy smile. But he was a stranger and I did not want to go home with him. I would consent to give my number, if he wanted it, but that was as far as it could go.
I needed to tell Candace to remind me of that when I was draped over him later.
Dance done, and Brad not needing to suffer through another, we headed upstairs to Candace.
“I thought you left!” she exclaimed.
“No. He wasn’t kidding when he asked you for a ride. For me.”
“What a douche. Which I knew, but…Well, I didn’t want to spoil your date. You’re better off!”
Perfect words. I smiled in relief. We weren’t from the same pod, but we were still a couple'a peas. She was a good friend.
“No more work dates." I nodded at her. "Hey, What is Brad’s story?”
“Girlfriend two towns away.”
Damn it! “Really?”
“Apparently they are not around each other much, but they are basically engaged. Why, you like him?”
“I was thinking about it. Not anymore.”
A flash of blond drew my eye. “He brought the boobs up.”
“What?”
I pointed. Candace noticed the girls and rolled her eyes. She shrugged, unconcerned. She had her man.
A cocktail later I was standing at the balcony, surveying the dancers below. The floor was half-full of people with a fairly good grasp as to how to move their bodies. Not great, but there were a lot of white guys that, in their youth, were too busy being taught to run the world and missed the lessons on rhythm.
“Drink.”
Startled, I noticed Adam with a drink thrust my direction.
I smiled and accepted. “Thanks. You seem to be following me around tonight. Not that I mind.”
He chuckled. “I can talk to these guys any ol’ time. Why do that when there’s a beauty to talk to instead?”
“What about those blond ones?”
“Beauty, I said.”
I laughed.
His soft brown eyes took me in. “You seem down in the mouth. What’s up?”
“Nada mucho, Senior.”
“In other words, you don’t need no never mind.”
“I have no idea what that means, Adam.”
“Leave ya the hell alone.”
“Yeah, that’s about it.” I laughed and settled on to the railing with drink in hand.
“So...” He leaned against the railing with me, sharing a moment.
“Adam, you’re not going to hit on me, are you?” I blurted without thinking. He let out a bark of a laughter and rubbed his chin. I immediately backpedaled in absolute horror. “I’m sorry! Oh my God, that was so rude! I’m so sorry! I’ve had a weird night with guys. You want to hit on me, take your best shot! I’m totally up for it!”
“Totally!” he mocked. He hadn’t straightened up in anger or embarrassment, somehow steering through my craziness with expertise. “I was half thinkin’ on it. But I reckon you’re too much woman.”
Ouch. But then, I’d just thrown water on his fire!
I took a moment to reflect while I took a sip. He was attractive and just as much a gentleman as William, but… I’d just never thought of him that way. He was good-looking, yes, but when you first meet someone during an attempted rape episode... For some reason he just fit snuggly in the “friend” category, and up until that second I’d thought he was on the same page.
But then, he had a penis. I should have seen it coming.
“Joking,” Adam said as he bumped shoulders. “No, I wasn’t hittin’ on ya. God knows there are enough men here to do that without me adding in, but I know there’s sum’in wrong.”
I relaxed. Definitely friend category.
“Just missing my girlfriends, is all. I need to liven up a little.”
“You swing that way?”
“Har har. I swear you boys have all the same jokes.”
“Ah now, that ain’t fair.”
“Adam?”
“Yup?”
“What is with the boobie twins?”
He hesitated, not looking over his shoulder where a few guys were chatting them up. “What do you mean?”
“Well, they aren’t beautiful. I mean... sorry, they are pretty, but a little store bought, you know?”
Adam shrugged. “Any girls’r better than a sausage fest.”
“Why not some cuter girls?”
“There’ll be others. Those girls’ll be taken down for a dance right quick. Then they’ll probably get left behind and new girls brought up. Same ol’ story.”
“Ah. That makes more sense.” It did, too. Boys will be boys, after all. And these boys were on the prowl. Best to steer clear of those interested in the blonds.
A lightning bolt struck. “Wait. Am I one of those girls? If I go down to dance, is that it for me?”
Adam nodded soberly, waited until I shriveled, then laughed and pulling me into a one-armed hug. “You’re a world’s fair ass, you know it? You are one o
f the boys. Prettiest one, but one in the same. Besides, if we left you down there, you’d just spit n’ yell and find your way back up.”
It was only funny ‘cause it was true. That, or Candace would freak out and drag Ty down to find me. I was happy that at least I had some backup.
We watched the dancers in silence for a second before I felt another presence. My intestines tightened up. Must be William.
“Adam, I think it’s about time to discuss the rules of the dance off.”
I took a step back, angry but unsure why. William’s eyes, filled with humor, followed. His elation melted. “You okay?”
My hands curled into fists. I suddenly wanted to take out my life’s troubles on someone, and he was enemy number one. He was the reason I was completely ass backwards. Happy, sad, aggressive, left by my date! It was all his fault, I was sure of it.
Blue eyes drifted over my face, then down to my tense arms. He held out his hands slowly, as if dealing with a rabid creature. “What’s the matter? What’d I do?”
Georgie’s coon hunting comment came back to me. In a whoosh, I let out the breath I was holding and sagged against the banister.
Except, it was farther away than I originally thought.
In the next second I was falling, arms flayed, worried I would crash through the railing and plummet to my death on the dance floor. I’d thought it millions of times in my life, but this one could actually be a reality.
William stepped forward gracefully, scooping me up before my shoulder and head hit the top of the railing. My champagne glass went flying.
“Oh shit!” I breathed, held by William.
We all watched the progress of the glass, flying end-over-end, to the hard ground below. It sparkled a second before it hit, waving good-bye, before it shattered, glass and liquid splattering the dirty carpet.
“Hide!” I shouted, trying to get out of William’s grasp.
“That could’ve been bad,” William said, not letting me go despite my efforts. He was being an adult about all this, watching to make sure no one stepped in the glass. He motioned for a security staff member on the ground to check into it.
Breene, K F - Jessica Brodie Diaries 01 Page 17
