She’s right. He would do that. And I would get mad and then we’d start arguing. It sucked. I hated it.
I finish applying mascara, adding a few extra coats so my lashes are really long. Then I grab the cream blush Natalie gave me for Christmas last year and pull off the lid, applying bright color to my cheeks. I blend it in with my fingertips, Natalie watching me.
“He forced you to have a boring time at school while he got to have all the fun,” she reminds me. “He’s a complete dick.”
“No, Bryan is an asshole,” I announce, standing up straighter.
The proud smile on her face tells me I said the right thing. “Girl, you are preaching to the choir. I totally agree. Screw that guy.”
“Fuck that guy.” Our gazes lock in the mirror and she grabs hold of my shoulders, giving me a gentle shake.
“Yes,fuckthat guy. He’s the worst. You need to find yourself a new guy and make out with him tonight.” Natalie grins.
My confidence deflates, just like that. “I don’t want to make out with anyone, Nat. Not yet. It’s too soon.”
“Right, right. Okay, no making out. Just…talking with a hot guy. Maybe even exchanging numbers? Socials?
“Maybe,” I hedge.
“Baby steps, okay?”
“Yes, baby steps.” I pick up a highlighter stick that belongs to Natalie and uncap it, then dab my fingers in the shimmery cream and dab it on my cheekbones. “How does that look?”
“Oh, I love that color on you.” Natalie smiles, and I smile too.
Maybe tonight at Logan’s won’t be too awful after all.
* * *
We arriveat Logan’s an hour later, pushing our way inside through the clusters of people as we make our way to the bar. Natalie flirts with the bartender the second their gazes catch and he gets started on our drinks, causing the others who’ve been waiting to groan in protest.
“How did you make that happen?” I yell at her, in order to be heard over the music and loud conversations surrounding us.
She shrugs. “I come here way too much. He recognizes me.”
“And who exactly are you coming here with?” I know she has a far more active social life than I do, but how often is she going out to the bars?
“Friends. People from class.” She gently shoves my shoulder. “You should come with us more often.”
“I might.” I’m lying, and she probably knows it. The bar scene has never really been my thing. But maybe I never gave it a chance…
Glancing over my shoulder, I check out all of the people surrounding us, shocked by how packed it is. There seems to be an equal mix of females to males, the majority of them clutching glasses or beer bottles, locked in flirtatious conversations.
Logan’s is the premier hookup bar downtown. As in, you can easily find someone to get together with at Logan’s. Plus, you can’t beat their drink prices. They have some of the best in town, and the Monday night specials bring everyone out.
Clearly, judging from the crowd.
We’re still waiting for our drinks when the double doors at the entrance swing open, an entourage striding in that immediately earns approving shouts from the crowd. My gaze snags on them, on one in particular, and I realize it’s the football team.
Knox Maguire has made his appearance.
Women squeal his name like fan girls and they swarm the guys like bees to honey.
“Here you go.” I turn to find the bartender sliding my glass toward me across the counter, and I take it from him with a faint smile.
“Thank you.”
“We owe you one,” Natalie adds with a wink as she grabs my arm and steers me away.