“Did you know he was leaving?” Leslie asked.
“No.”
“Uh-oh.”
I waved my hand in the air. “We’re not dating. He doesn’t have to tell me anything.”
And he didn’t, but a small part of me couldn’t help wondering what was going to happen between Cal and me while he was gone. A big part of me didn’t even know what I wanted to happen.
I guessed I’d have to wait to find out. Until then, I wasn’t going to worry about it. Cal was one man in a city of over four million people. I certainly didn’t need him.
Twelve
Indy
Thursday was a normal day. On Friday, I went over to my parents’ for dinner along with my sister, who was also single. Then, Saturday, I had plans with Leslie, her boyfriend, and his friend.
Leslie had begged me to go on a food and brewery tour in downtown Minneapolis. She and Asher had wanted to go for a long time, but the place required a minimum of four people to be booked for the tour to operate. Supposedly, they had a good reason—they didn’t want to waste gas on a small party or something—but I couldn’t quite remember what it was now. I knew I was only getting dragged along so that Leslie and Asher could go on this tour.
The tour was a thing where we all got on a bus, drove around the city, and stopped at various bars to eat their food and drink their alcohol. I really couldn’t complain too much about being asked to go because I liked food and I liked drinks.
I was supposed to arrive fifteen minutes early, and I made it just in time.
I could see the worried expression on Leslie’s face as she scanned the room for me.
“Leslie,” I called out.
She spun around and grinned when she saw me. “You’re here.”
“I am.”
She hugged me when I reached her.
“Hey, Asher,” I said to Leslie’s tall, dark, and handsome boyfriend—or non-boyfriend, according to her.
He was about six-four, muscular with golden brown skin, and had almost black eyes that were warm and genuinely happy to see me. I really liked Asher, and I thought Leslie was nuts for denying him official boyfriend status.
“Hey, Indy,” he said as he gave me a one-armed hug. “How are you?”
“Oh, good. And you? When did you get back into town?”
“Wednesday.”
I smiled knowingly at Leslie. “So, that explains why I got two one-worded texts from you on Wednesday night.”
Leslie rolled her eyes. “No comment.”
Asher dropped his arm from me and put it around Leslie. “Aw … my girl is shy.”
I burst out laughing. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. She’s anything but shy.”
Leslie stuck her tongue out at me.
“Ash,” someone called from across the room, and the three of us looked up.
“Hey, Marcus,” Ash yelled back.
I looked at Leslie. “You didn’t tell me that Marcus was the friend coming. You wouldn’t have had to drag me here then.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t know or I would have told you.”
Marcus was probably my favorite friend of Asher’s. We got along great and always had fun together.
When Marcus reached us, he and Asher did their usual fancy handshake. Then, he hugged Leslie and me.
“Hey, ladies.” Marcus had short, dark hair, brown eyes, and tan skin. I had always thought he was hot, but he’d had a girlfriend since I’d known him.
I pushed my hip into Marcus’s. “Hey back. Long time no see.”
He held out his arms. “Now, we have the next three hours to make up for that.”
“I hope we get really drunk.” I looked around. “I mean, I hope I get really drunk.”
“Man trouble?” Asher asked.
“No, not really. I don’t know if Leslie told you about the guy I was seeing, but he gave me someone else’s phone number.” I gave a double thumbs-down sign.
“Ouch,” Asher said.
“Meh.” I shrugged. “I don’t think I liked him that much because when I blocked him, I didn’t feel anything. Except maybe disappointment at wasting my time.”
“He doesn’t know what he’s missing,” Leslie said.
“She’s right,” Marcus agreed.
“Thanks, guys.”
A colorful bus pulled up outside the building.
“I think that’s our ride,” Asher said.
I rubbed my hands together. “Let’s do this.”
By the time the tour was over, we all had full stomachs and a decent alcohol buzz.
“That was fun,” I admitted.
“It wasn’t too bad,” Marcus agreed. “Thanks for inviting me.”
Asher punched Marcus in the arm. “I hope it took your mind off Vanessa.”
“Oh no, what happened with Vanessa?” I asked.
“They’re on a break,” Leslie said.
Asher looked at his watch. “It’s only nine p.m. Do you guys want to do something else?”
Marcus shrugged. “I’m game.”
I checked my phone. I didn’t know what I had expected to see, but nothing was there. “Sure. I’m in.”
“We should pick somewhere we can walk,” Leslie suggested.
I hiccuped. “Excellent idea.”
Everyone laughed at me.
We walked to the nearest nightclub. We weren’t dressed up like most of the people there since we had dressed for riding around in a bus, but I didn’t really care. It was more comfortable to be in jeans rather than a short skirt anyway.
“Do you want something to drink?” Marcus asked me as Leslie and Asher took off somewhere.
“Yes, please.” I put my arm in his. “Don’t leave me, okay? Since it looks like our friends have ditched us.”
He patted my hand. “I’ve got you.”
“So, what happened with Vanessa?” I asked as we waited for drinks. Our bodies were close in the crowded area, and I could feel his body heat. I also noticed how good he smelled. “Or do you not want to talk about it?”
He shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. But Leslie’s wrong. We’re more than just on a break. Vanessa moved all her stuff out two weekends ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks, but I think it’s for the best. We’d been dating for nearly ten years.”
“Damn, you were almost married.”
The bartender brought our beverages, and Marcus took a long drink. “One would think, but she always said she wasn’t ready. Truth was, I wasn’t ready either. At least, not with her. It’s best we called it quits when we did instead of forcing marriage.”
I squeezed his upper arm, noting the muscles underneath my hand. “That sucks.”
“You’re right; it does.” He set his finished drink on the bar. “That’s why we should go and dance. We’re supposed to be having fun.”
I lifted my glass. “To exes.”
Marcus grinned and raised his empty tumbler. “To exes.”
I tilted my head back and finished my glass. “Let’s go and dance like we’re single.”
Marcus laughed and held out his arm. “Lead the way.”
Thirteen
Cal
“Callan, are you ready to get your ass to the bar? What is taking you so long?”
I popped my head out of my friend Jack’s bathroom. “I’m almost done. I have to finish getting pretty,” I joked.
“You were born pretty, dude. Hurry up. Everyone’s waiting for us.”
I walked out and down the hall. “Okay, okay. I’m coming.”
Jack raised a brown eyebrow. “I would hope so. This is your goodbye party.”
After being in Minnesota for almost two months, I was excited to see and say goodbye to all my New York friends. I didn’t regret moving, even with my complaints about my family, but I was going to miss my friends.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said.
I was staying at Jack’s apartment, and he had picked a bar that was close to h
is place, so we could walk there and home. When we strolled through the door, a bunch of people started cheering, and a grin broke across my face.
“Cal, Cal, Cal,” they started chanting, and I pushed my hands down in a motion to tell them to lower their voices.
After they all quieted, I said, “Thanks, everyone, for being here. I’m glad you could all come out.” I clapped my hands together. “Now, who’s buying me my first drink?”
Everyone laughed, and a hand shot up in the back. “I will.”
The crowd parted, and there stood my ex-girlfriend, Autumn. We’d dated for over four years, and we hadn’t had a pretty breakup. I was surprised to see she was there.
She sauntered over to me, her blue eyes bright. “Do you still drink whiskey?”
I grinned. “You know it.”
She nodded toward the bar. “Let’s go then.”
I walked with her to get drinks. “I didn’t think I’d see you here,” I told her honestly.
“I heard that you had moved, and I was a little sad you hadn’t said goodbye. So, when Jack invited me to your going-away party, I figured it was my chance.”
We were close, standing at the bar with people all around us.
“I didn’t think you cared if you ever saw me again.”
The bartender came over and leaned in to get each of our orders, and then he disappeared.
She arched up and spoke in my ear, “You should know better than that, Cal. We were together for years.”
The bar wasn’t so loud that she had to speak directly in my ear, and it didn’t take a genius to realize she was flirting with me. I did have my doubts since we’d had a less than amicable breakup, but when she pushed her breasts against my arm, I knew for sure she wanted me.
I leaned down to her ear this time. “What’s your game?” I asked.
She pulled back. “No game. I just want to give you a nice goodbye.”
I laughed. I just bet you do. “Where’s Victor?”
She shook her blonde hair out and looked away. “We broke up.”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you.” I wasn’t sure I had gotten that. I wanted her to say it again because Victor was the guy she’d left me for.
“We broke up,” she repeated, looking at me this time.
“That’s too bad.” And I meant it.
The bartender brought over our drinks, but I saw the surprised look on her face out of the corner of my eye. That just showed how much she didn’t know me. I wasn’t going to shove it in her face or gloat.
“Thanks,” she said.
I cocked my head toward some friends. “I’ll talk to you later. Thanks again for coming.”
“Later,” she said disappointedly as I walked away.
I found Jack and another friend of ours named Voss.
“Was that your ex you were talking to?” Voss asked.
I took a drink of my whiskey. “Yep. Autumn broke up with Victor.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “And now, she what? Wants a goodbye fuck?”
If I had to guess by the way she had been flirting, I’d have to say yes. “I don’t know. Or she wants to get back together.”
“Too bad for her, you live half a country away,” Jack said.
“More like, thank God,” Voss corrected. “She was not good for you. I’m glad you broke up.”
I had to agree with them. Autumn and I had fought a lot when we were together, and while I hadn’t seen it at the time, it was a good thing she’d broken up with me.
“I’m done talking about her though. I want to see who else is here.”
Indy
Marcus led me out to the dance floor. At first, we danced around each other, but with every song, we moved closer and closer until we were dirty-dancing so hard that we could be in the movie.
I was hot and sweaty and needed another drink, but I was having a lot of fun. It didn’t hurt that Marcus was sexy and a good dancer. His ex-girlfriend was crazy for breaking up with him.
His hand moved down my back and cupped my ass. He brought my lower body closer to his, and I sighed when I felt his erection.
“Too much?” he asked.
“No,” I said, but I wasn’t as happy as I should be.
He pulled me even closer, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I’d liked this guy for years, and now, he was giving me attention. I should be more excited, yet something was off.
I hoped I wasn’t broken.
A couple ran into us, breaking us apart. They were drunk and both apologized profusely. I wanted to tell them thank you because I had begun to feel awkward, being that close to Marcus.
Then, it hit me.
We’d been in the friend zone for way too long, and I couldn’t see him as anything other than that now. I bet he felt the same way; he just didn’t know it.
“Do you mind if we get off the floor?” I asked. “I think I might have twisted my ankle a tad,” I lied so we’d both have an out.
“Oh, yes. Are you okay? Do you need help?”
I smiled and shook my head. “No, it’s not that bad. I just don’t think I should keep dancing on it.”
“I understand.”
We walked toward the front door and ran into Leslie and Asher.
“You two are still alive?” I said.
“I’m sorry. I tried calling you.” Leslie waved her phone at us.
“We were dancing. I couldn’t hear anything.” I found my phone, and sure enough, I had some missed calls. “At least we found you now. I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Already?” Asher asked. “It’s only eleven.”
“Yeah, a couple people ran into us on the dance floor. Kind of ruined the mood.”
“I understand.” Leslie gave me a hug. “Are you going to be okay out there?”
“I’ll walk her,” Marcus offered.
“You don’t have to leave on account of me.”
He shrugged. “It’s fine.”
The two of us said goodbye to Leslie and Asher and headed back to where we’d parked our cars.
“You really didn’t have to leave, you know,” I said. “I have pepper spray in my purse.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t feel like being the third wheel to those two.”
I nodded. I understood that.
We walked in silence until we reached the bar where we’d met up at the beginning of the night.
“Here’s my car. Thanks for making sure I made it safely.”
“You’re welcome. You’re okay to drive?”
“Yes. I only had one drink at the club.” I didn’t even have a buzz because I had danced it off.
He smiled. “I just had to make sure.”
I unlocked my door, and Marcus took a step closer.
“Can I ask you a question?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“Is it okay if I ask you out sometime? We can start with coffee or go straight to dinner.”
I nodded. “I think I’d like that.”
He smiled at me. I hadn’t realized how nervous he’d been about asking me. I couldn’t help it; it made me feel good about myself.
“I’ll call you then.”
“Sounds good.” I got in my car and waved goodbye.
Hopefully, I’d feel less awkward on our date than I had tonight.
Fourteen
Cal
“You look drunk, Cal.”
I leaned back on the barstool and saw it was Autumn who had taken the seat next to mine. “That’s because I am drunk.”
“You also look sad. I don’t remember you being a sad drunk.”
“I’m not a sad drunk. I’m drunk and sad.” I looked around the half-empty bar. “This is the last time I might ever see some of these people.”
She put her hand on mine. “I suppose you’ve lived here a long time.”
“Over ten years.”
She chuckled. “I know how long you’ve lived here. We dated, remember?”
I pointed a finger at her. “Right.”
“Can I give you something that will make you feel better?”
I studied her. I was drunk, as in I couldn’t drive. I wasn’t falling-down, pissing-on-myself drunk.
“Autumn, we’re not doing this.”
“Not doing what?”
“We’re not having sex.”
“Who said anything about sex?”
I shrugged. “Okay then. Show me what you have for me.”
She stood and nodded her head toward the back hallway. “Come with me.”
I snorted but got off my own stool.
She grabbed my hand and drew me to the back of the bar.
“You’re not planning on jumping me, are you? Because I only have about ten bucks on me and no credit cards.”
“I’m not going to rob you,” she said over her shoulder.
We walked into the hall, passing the women’s restroom, the men’s restroom, and a door that said Employees Only.
She led me all the way to the back where it said Emergency Exit—Alarm Will Sound before she stopped, pushed me against the wall, and kissed me.
I kissed her back for a few seconds before I ripped my mouth away. “Autumn, I already said, we’re not doing this.”
She cupped my shaft through my pants. “That’s not what Mr. Happy says.”
“I never liked you calling my dick that name, even when we were dating.”
She kissed me again and stuck out her lower lip. “Please, Cal. You’re moving away, and I’ll probably never see you again.” She squeezed my cock. “And I miss this thing. I forgot how big you are.”
I pulled her hand away. “I said no, Autumn.”
“Why? Do you have a girlfriend?”
An image of Indy popped into my head. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend. But if you have to tell yourself I do, then by all means, go for it.”
“You used to be more fun.”
I shrugged. “I guess I did.” Why she thought that was an insult and might change my mind, I had no idea. “I don’t have a condom anyway.”
She smiled. “That’s okay. You can take me bare.”
I gently pushed her away. “And I’m out.”
I headed back to the bar, Autumn’s high heels clicking behind me.
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