I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t manage to stop thinking about the way that girl had her hands all over Nick Hawke. She looked so familiar with his body. It was disgusting how he was so obviously screwing her, yet he pursued me openly for her to see. Jessie was right about him. He was a full on Playah.
I was three songs in when Claire opened the passenger door and startled me. “Finally! I thought you’d never come on. I’m ready to blow this popsicle stand.”
“Anxious to get out of here, are we?” Jessie asked as he slid into my backseat and I heard the amusement in his voice. I bet Nick told him about the whole bet thing and how he tricked me.
I refused to look at either of them and didn’t respond to Jessie because I didn’t want to have that conversation. I pulled out of my parking place onto the road toward the only way out and turned the music up loudly as we fell into the line of traffic leading away from ‘The Strip.’
Tap. Tap. Tap. I was startled and jumped when I heard knuckles knocking on my driver’s side window. I turned to see Nick Hawke motioning for me to let my window down. My brain screamed for me to drive away but my insides pleaded for me to lower the window. I’m positive I chose wrong, but I sided with my guts and pushed the button to lower my window a few inches.
“What?” I rudely asked through the three inch crack in my window.
He motioned with his head toward the back door. “Unlock it. I’m riding with you.”
I did that forehead scrunching thing my mom always told me not to do because it would cause me premature wrinkles. “Riding where with me?”
“To the club in Franklin,” he answered.
How did he know where we were going? I looked from Claire to Jessie and gave him my What the Hell look. “What’s he talkin’ about, Kimosabe?”
“I invited Nick to meet us at Shenanigan’s.”
“Say it isn’t so,” I gritted through my teeth.
“Jessie hasn’t seen Nick in a while,” Claire explained. “They want to catch up.”
Yeah, right. I knew what he wanted to catch and it didn’t involve anything with his long lost pal. Against my better judgment, I unlocked the door and he smiled victoriously at me before getting into my backseat.
Nick and Jessie made small talk on the drive to the club and I listened as they laughed and talked about old times at Collinsville. I could hear the amusement in Nick’s voice as he recalled a particular stunt Jessie pulled on the librarian when they were in sixth grade. I knew I would be able to see his dimples again if only I lifted my eyes to look in my rearview mirror, but I forced myself to not do it because I refused to expose myself like that.
We entered the club and found a table near the dance floor. It only took a minute for my eyes to find ex-hole, Cooper, dancing with Allie Bumphis and I felt my heart speed like a rocket. Why had I agreed to come here with Jessie and Claire? I knew they would be here together.
Claire saw the happy couple on the dance floor and placed a supportive hand on my arm. “Do you want to leave?”
Yeah, I did but I wasn’t going to ruin Claire and Jessie’s good time because of my own stupidity. “No, I want to stay because I need to have a good time. I think it will take my mind off what happened.”
I looked up to see Cooper and Allie coming off of the dance floor in our direction. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to visit the ladies’ room for a minute.”
I pushed my way through the crowd and into the bathroom. I stood in front of a mirror and pulled my lip gloss from my bag and gave my lips a fresh coat of shine as I thought about the ultimatum Cooper had given me. It was humiliating and hurtful, but I’d never admit that to anyone but Jessie and Claire.
I perfected the gloss on my cupid’s bow with my finger and then stood a little taller. “I can do this,” I said to my reflection. I didn’t have a choice; I had to do it.
I returned to find Cooper and Allie sitting at our table. Cooper’s arm was resting possessively around the back of Allie’s chair and I wondered if that was something he did often or if it was because Mr. Sex on a Stick was sitting with us.
“You okay?” Jessie whispered when I sat next to him and Claire.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I lied as I gave him my best faux smile. It was weird how Jessie had fallen into the role of my protector. He was like a big brother to me, only much more. The guy I once regarded as a tatted up Collinsville skank was now my best friend too.
He leaned over so no one would hear him. “I don’t believe you.”
What was I supposed to do? “I have to get over them being together because they’re an item and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon. I can’t keep pretending I have to leave every time I see them somewhere.”
Claire leaned over to be part of the conversation. “Will you tell us if you change your mind and want to go?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Mother. Yes, Father. I’ll tell you.”
‘Single Ladies’ came on and a flock of girls headed for the dance floor. I usually begged Claire to dance with me, but tonight was different because I didn’t have my usual good mood or a drink in my hand.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s your turn to drive tonight. I don’t want you to worry about it because I’ve got it covered. I want you and Claire to have a good time,” Jessie offered. “What do y'all want to drink?”
I don’t know if it was the tats or what, but Jessie never got carded anywhere and he always got us as many drinks as we wanted. Claire ordered her usual Cosmopolitan and I thought for a second before I knew the only cure for what ailed me.
“I’ve got hers,” Nick announced from across the table as he stared at me. “I’ll get you anything you want.”
It felt more like a challenge than an offer. Was I imagining his underlying tone or was he simply offering to buy me a drink? I finally answered, “A Long Island.”
I didn’t mistake the big brother look Jessie shot me. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You know it doesn’t take much for those to put you on your ass.”
“I haven’t forgotten and that’s what I’m shooting for.” He didn’t give me any further argument, but I knew he would be watching me like a hawk the rest of the night.
The guys returned with our drinks and Nick chose to sit in the chair next to me instead of across the table. “Your drink, Milady.”