Perfect. I’ll pick you up.
I laugh and poke fun at her.
Viola
Oh, now we’re going on a date?
Courtney
LOL! No. Not that you aren’t hot because you’re a ten, baby.
I can almost hear her voice as I read it over and burst out laughing.
I’m not sure how good my company will be, but it’ll be fun to dance and lose myself in the music. Without another thought, I go to the bathroom and turn on the shower without worry. I step into the warmth until the water goes cold and smile when I grab the towel from where I left it. I dry off, blow-dry my hair, and walk to Drew’s room with a towel wrapped around me, replaying the moment when I took the trek butt naked.
I go to the extra drawers Drew left for my clothes, and my mouth falls open.
“What the hell?TRAVIS!” I scream out in frustration.
My jeans and shirts are missing. The handful of things I brought for something unexpected or a girls’ night out is all I have, and that’s not much. I lock my jaw in anger. If he wants to continue with this little game, fine. Maybe I’ll pick up a date tonight after all, because he left me with skirts, cropped tops, and a tight-fitting dress. My brother would straight-up shit his pants if he saw me in any of this. I slip into a black dress that barely hits mid-thigh and has a revealing scoop neck. I huff in annoyance because I don’t have much to work with. I choose a pair of high heels that make me three inches taller and accentuate my ass. After I’m dressed, I halfway wished Travis would walk through the door and see me leaving like this. He’d probably give my T-shirt and jeans back and lock me in Drew’s room. But I won’t be held hostage by him tonight, or ever.
I check my phone and realize I don’t have much time, so I hurry and apply some smoky eyes and red lipstick. I’m pure sass and almost don’t recognize myself when I catch a glimpse in the hallway mirror. Who is this woman who’s taken my body and transformed it into a sex kitten? I’m almost unrecognizable, even to myself. I’m sure Travis thought this little joke would work, but I have a feeling wearing these clothes gives me the advantage, not him. Another minute passes and I hear the doorbell ring. Of course, Courtney is punctual—it’s actually one of her best qualities.
I grab my phone and stuff my credit card and ID into my clutch. I open the door, and Courtney’s mouth falls open. “Damn, woman. You took this date thing seriously!” She flashes a cheeky smile.
I give her one of my looks with narrowed eyes. She has no idea.
“Uh…where’s the T-shirt and blue jeans?” She laughs. “What have you done with my best friend?”
“This isn’t by choice,” I mutter, not even wanting to explain myself or admit the little tiff Travis and I have going on between us.
“You’re rocking it,” she says as we walk toward the Jeep and head to Good Times.
“I invited Marcus to join us!” Courtney says over the music. Marcus is one of her gay guy friends, and I actually like him a lot. He’s super friendly and hilarious. Once we get closer to the venue, I finally relax because there’s no turning around now. Courtney wouldn’t let me back out of a girls’ night out anyway.
We circle around the parking lot several times before finding a spot, and the crowd kind of surprises me.
“If you need me to scare off any weirdos, let me know,” Courtney says, giving me a wink with a big smile. She’s ready to drink and dance, and I’m ready to lose myself in the music, too.
I start laughing. “I’m sure I can do that myself.”
“Offer still stands.” She nudges me.
We step out of the Jeep and walk toward the entrance. Marcus pulls up in his BMW convertible and walks over to us with a big smile.
“Ladies, damn. If I weren’t gay…”
Courtney squeals and gives him a hug, then walks in first. Marcus and I get ID’d, and the bouncer makes some comment about my sexy legs. I turn around to laugh at him and wrap my arm around Marcus’s. The beat is hopping, and the dance floor is full.
“Come on.” Courtney grabs my hand.
“Drinks first,” I say to her and walk across Good Times with a little pep in my step. I order a martini because I’m dressed way too fancy for beer, and open a tab. Marcus follows me, and we chat while he scopes the place for someone who’s actually his type. It doesn’t take long.
I smile. “Go. He’s giving you the eyes,” I say, pushing him forward.
He turns and looks at me, and I nod my head and shoo him off. “Dude. I’m fine and can totally handle myself. I’ve got bark and bite.”
“You’re the whole package, Lola,” Marcus says and shakes his little butt across the dance floor.