Chapter Fifteen
Letty
My heart races at the sound of Shades’ deep voice, the words I want to hear. Words I want to be true. But it quickly plummets as he slurs his words over the phone,
“Letty. I can’t stop thinking about you,” he manages to say, but it comes out like a gargle. It sounds like he’s about to fall, and then he lets out a slightly goofy laugh.
“You’re drunk,” I tell him, feeling frustration bubble up inside of me. He may be a badder bad boy than I think.
“No. I’ve been drinking, but I am not drunk.”
He’s drunk. That’s why he’s calling me, hoping to cash in on that kiss from earlier. “I’m not a booty call, Shades.”
“Never said you were,” he slurs again. “I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you that I can’t get you off my mind.”
“Same,” I whisper into the phone, confident that he’s not going to remember this conversation in the morning. “Where are you?”
“I’m at Joe’s Tavern. You know the place?”
“I know where it is. I’ve never been inside.”
“Of course not. You’re a good girl. Good girl, Letty.” He lets out a huff of laughter that I can’t figure out, especially with him being so drunk. “I just wanted you to know that.”
“You’re not driving, are you?” Even though I hate that he has to get drunk to tell me the truth, I don’t want him to get hurt.
“Not for a long time, nope.” He laughs again for no reason other than drunkenness.
“Stay where you are. I’ll come get you and take you home.”
Shades gasps. “I’m not that type of guy, Letty.”
His words tease a laugh out of me, and I shake my head. “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Stay put.”
He barks a laugh before the call ends.
I dress quickly, opting for a dress because it’s the first thing my eyes land on. I slip into a pair of blue gladiator sandals, grab my bag and head out.
“Going somewhere?” My mom’s voice sounds from the living room, and I know I can’t leave without letting her know. I know she’s up late waiting for my dad to get home. I step inside the living room and give her the time she needs to look over my outfit before I answer.
“A friend of mine is too drunk to drive, so I’m going to pick her up and drive her home.” Forgive me Lord, for the little white lie.
She smiles. “Such a good girl, Letty. I hope you know your father and I are incredibly proud of you.”
I smile in return, but I’m really starting to hate that title. Good girl. It’s what you say to an obedient child, not an adult woman who simply chooses to live her life a certain way.
“That’s me, Mother, a good girl.”
Every time someone says those words to me, a small part of me wants to break out of that stupid mold and be someone else. Anyone else. A bad girl, or even better, a naughty girl who does what and who she wants, no matter what anyone thinks. Except that’s not me either. I’m not some angelic little girl or a devilish woman. I’m just me, plain old Letty.
“Your friend is lucky to have you. Be safe.” With those words, she turns back to her television and her knitting.
I pull up to Joe’s Tavern, thankful Shades is right out front, and I don’t have to go inside. I’m not afraid of what I’ll face inside, but this is a biker bar, and I don’t think I’ll feel comfortable surrounded by drunk bikers. The one walking toward me gives me goosebumps, so dozens of them might give me a panic attack. Or worse.
Shades leans on the passenger’s door and sends me a smile that shoots through my whole body.
“Prettiest Uber driver in town,” he mumbles.
I roll my eyes even as heat fills my body. “Get in, you sweet talker.”