Текст книги "Somewhere in Between"

Автор книги: Samatha Harris

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Chapter 5

 

 

Drew (Then)

Alex: Are you going to this Sigma Kai thing tomorrow?

 

I shot a quick text back to Red.

Drew: Yeah.

 

Alex: Thank God! Kerri is driving me crazy. She has been a nut case all week.

 

Drew: You know she broke up with Sean right?

 

Alex: Seriously? Well I guess that explains the frantic need to attend a frat party.

 

I shook my head. I couldn’t say I was sad about Sean and Kerri. That chick was a bitch. Sean seemed to be doing okay, but I still needed to warn him that she was going to be at the party.

I’ve been to the Sigma Kai house a few times with my brother before he graduated. I stayed cool with his fraternity brothers, so they kept me in the loop for the good parties.

When Sean and I made it to the house, the party was already crazy. Red plastic cups littered the front yard and the bass from the music was so loud, it made the house seem like it had a heartbeat. I heard a cheer from a group of guys on the porch who were standing in a circle around two girls making out. I just shook my head. I couldn’t believe the shit girls would do for attention. Sean stopped to watch and I grabbed ahold of his jacket and dragged him in the house.

Inside, the house was sensory overload. The music thumped so loud I could feel my heartbeat changing to keep up with it. The lights were dim except for the full assault of strobe and dance floor lighting. The air smelled of stale beer, pot, and desperation.

I looked around to see who was here as I felt a pair of arms snake around me from behind. I turned to see a tiny blonde locked onto my back. I smiled down at her. She was cute, but it was way too early in the night for me to settle. She looked up at me, her blue eyes glazed over. She was either already drunk, high, or both.

“Hey,” she said, blinking fast in an awkward attempt at batting her eyelashes.

“Hey,” I said, trying to pull her off of me.

She just tightened her grip around my waist. “Haven’t I seen you playing football in the quad by the science building?”

“Yeah.” I made another attempt to remove her.

“Let me guess. Tight end?” she asked, grabbing my ass to test her theory. She giggled at her lame attempt at a joke.

I could tell that getting rid of her wouldn’t be easy, so I had to switch tactics. I smiled down at her and her hopeful eyes widened. I ran my hands down her sides to her ass. “Yours is pretty tight too, babe.”

I bent down and lifted her up. She rested her legs on my hips and wrapped her arms around my neck, giggling into my face. I took two steps forward, deposited her on a bar stool, and ducked out of her arms, which were wrapped around my neck.

“Not tonight,” I said. I turned around to find Sean.

He was already hitting the keg pretty hard, so my guess was Kerri was here already. I looked around and caught sight of her surrounded by three guys from the lacrosse team, but no sign of Red. I went up behind Sean, dropping my hand on his shoulder as he poured another beer and handed it to me. He stared at Kerri as he downed the cup and went in for another refill. This was a bitch move, even for Kerri. It pissed me off. Sean was a good guy. He didn’t deserve this shit.

Just then, I saw Red standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She looked at Sean, then over to where Kerri was holding court. Red’s face twisted with disgust as she marched over to us. Before I even knew what was happening, she grabbed Sean by the back of the neck and kissed him, pulling him against her. Sean seemed surprised at first, then responded, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her back. I had no idea what the hell was happening. I just stood there, staring at them making out in the kitchen while people cheered and raised their glasses.

When Red finally broke the kiss, she asked, “Is she looking?”

Sean looked toward Kerri and nodded. Red took his hand and led him into the other room. I glanced at Kerri, who was fuming. You could practically see the steam coming off of her head.

I headed into the other room and saw Red smiling up at Sean. He leaned down to give her a hug as I walked up to them. “Okay, anyone want to tell me what the hell that was about?” I asked, hooking a thumb toward the kitchen.

Red shrugged. “She needed to be put in her place. I was not just going to stand there and let her rub it in Sean’s face. He didn’t deserve that.” She looked up at Sean, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good guy, Sean.”

“Thanks, babe,” he said with a smile. He slid an arm around her waist. “You know, I wouldn’t mind a little repeat.” He leaned in to kiss her again.

Red palmed his face, pushing him away. “Nice try.”

Sean just laughed. “Can’t blame me.” He took off into the other room with a bit more spring in his step.

I stared down at her, my mouth still hanging open. I was completely in awe of this girl.

“What?”

“I think I just fell a little bit in love with you,” I stammered.

She laughed. “As long as it is only a little bit.”

The rest of the night was pretty great, actually. Red kicked my ass at beer pong and even got up to sing a horribly off key version of “U Can’t Touch This” with Sean. I left the two of them on the dance floor and went to grab refills from the bar.

I stopped to talk to a hot little brunette in a red dress. After getting the brunette’s number and drinks for Red and Sean, I headed back to the dance floor, but Red was no longer alone. Sean was dancing with the clingy blonde from earlier and Red was dancing with some douche in cargo shorts and an Abercrombie t-shirt. The only thing missing from his typical douche uniform was the puka shell necklace. When Red wrapped her arms around his neck, I saw it. His douche uniform was complete.

I just stood there, watching him rest his hands on her hips as she swayed to the music. Her long red hair was pulled over one shoulder. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.

We had gotten pretty close over the last few weeks. We spent a lot of time together, watching movies, talking, studying, and really just getting to know each other. She was the only girl I had spent more than one night with in a long time. I had always been attracted to Alex, but she was becoming my best friend. I cared about her, what she thought, and if she was happy.

Watching this guy paw at her on the dance floor when I knew she had been drinking was making me crazy. It took every ounce of my self-control not to go over there and get between them. I knew she would be pissed if I intervened. I did my best to shake off my caveman protective instinct, but when that didn’t work, I grabbed a shot from the bar and went in search of a distraction.

I found what I was looking for in the form of a gorgeous sorority pledge. Her short white tennis skirt and her tight pink tank with her house letters stretched across her chest provided all the distraction I needed. I focused on tennis skirt, but kept Red in my line of sight at all times. Lucky for me, tennis skirt was so enamored with the little bit of attention that I was giving her that she didn’t seem to notice.

I saw Red heading toward me out of the corner of my eye, but pretended to be listening to tennis skirt ramble on about her big sister.

“Hey,” Red said.

“Hey there.”

“I just wanted to let you know I’m headed out.” She put her hands in her back pockets, looking between me and tennis skirt.

“Do you want me to take you?”

“No, it’s cool. I’m catching a ride with some girls from my dorm.”

“Okay, text me when you get in.”

“Okay, see ya.”

I watched the douchebag grab her arm. She smiled and talked to him for a minute before she turned and headed for the door. At least she wasn’t going home with him.

“Who was that?” tennis skirt asked.

“Don’t worry about it, babe,” I said, wrapping my arms around her waist. “What do you say we get out of here?” I leaned down and kissed her neck.

“Okay.” She giggled.

Now that Alex had left, I could focus on finding out what was beneath that tennis skirt.

Later that night, I put tennis skirt in a cab and headed back to my apartment. I grabbed my phone to see if Alex had gotten home. Nothing. I looked at the time.

Two forty-five in the morning. I knew it was late, but I had to make sure she was home and safe. I dialed her number and hit call. It rang a few times before she finally picked up.

“Hello.” Her voice was rough and sleepy.

“Hey, Red!”

“Drew? What are you doing? It’s,” she paused, “almost three.”

“You didn’t call. I wanted to make sure you made it home.”

“You were serious about that?”

“Of course I was. I wanted to be sure you were safe.”

“I figured you were with little miss tennis skirt. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“I was, but I still would have answered.”

She chuckled. “You would answer a call from another girl while fooling around with her?”

“You’re not just another girl”

She was quiet on the line for a minute. “Okay, I’ll text next time.”

“Good. Did you have a good time?” I asked as I lay on my bed.

“Yeah, actually. I think I really pissed off Kerri. She didn’t come back to the dorm, so I guess I will have to deal with that tomorrow.”

“You can always hide here if you want. I mean, Sean definitely owes you one for that little display.”

“Oh, trust me. I plan to collect eventually.”

“I hope you do. So, I saw you dancing with that guy earlier.”

“Yeah. He seemed nice. His name is Peter Russell. Do you know him?”

“No. I know some of the guys from Sigma Kai, but he must be new.”

“He asked me out.”

“Really. Are you going?” I was curious to see if she was really interested in this guy.

“I’m thinking about it. I’m not really into the frat guy type, but I’m supposed to be getting back out there, right?”

“Right.” I did my best to sound on board with the idea. I was going to have to check this guy out. “Well, I’ll let you go back to sleep. Sweet dreams, Red.”

“Night, Drew.”

***

The door to my room opened and I sat up just as Red slipped in. She was wearing my Zeppelin t-shirt, her long legs bare. She moved slowly toward me, stopping just beside my bed as I swung my feet to the floor.

“Red?”

She smiled and stepped between my legs, putting her hands on my shoulders. I looked up at her as she slowly brought her lips down to mine. The kiss caught me off guard, but I recovered quickly and kissed her back, my tongue parting her lips as I placed my hands on the smooth skin of her legs.

She stepped closer, breaking our kiss and bringing me closer to her fantastic breasts. She threaded her fingers through my hair as my hands slowly traveled up her thighs. I slipped my hands under the t-shirt and up her hips. She dropped her head back and sighed.

She was naked beneath the shirt, and even though she was still mostly covered, the thought of her in nothing but my t-shirt had me almost crawling out of my skin.

I met her eyes and she smiled, running a finger across my bottom lip. I grabbed her hand, pulling her down on top of me as I lay back on the bed. She kissed me again. I was lost in the taste of her. She tasted like mint and cherries.

She broke the kiss and sat up, her legs straddling me as she reached for the hem of the t-shirt she was wearing. She pulled it over her head, removing the last barrier standing between me and her naked body.

“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered as I ran my hand up the smooth skin of her thighs and up her stomach. She moaned when my fingers reached her breasts, and I brushed the tight bud of her nipple with my thumb. Her body was incredible. It was everything I’d imagined it to be, maybe more.

She scooted back a little and reached a hand in my boxers. When she wrapped her fingers around me, I almost lost control right then and there. She pulled my boxers down my legs and crawled back up my body. She pressed her lips to my stomach and up my chest. She felt so good, so soft and warm. I could feel how much she wanted me. I felt it radiating from her.

She sat up, straddling me again, and wrapped her fingers around me, guiding me through the slick folds of skin right to where she wanted. She positioned herself over me. Her grip on my cock was firm as she lowered herself down. Both of us hissed as the warm sensation of being inside her overwhelmed me.

“Fuck, Red,” I whispered as she shifted to take more of me in.

I looked up at her beautiful green eyes and she smiled as she began to rock her hips, grinding her body into mine. It felt so raw, so intense. I didn’t know how long I could last.

I pushed up into her as she ground her hips, our breathing getting heavier. I wanted her to get there, I wanted to feel her come around me, to feel her muscles grip me and contract as she came. I picked up my pace and she matched it, a moan escaping her throat as I felt her body begin to tighten.

“Do you want me?” she asked breathlessly.

“Yeah,” I answered, gripping her hips as they slammed down against mine

“Do you want me, Drew?” she repeated.

I was so close and so was she. I could feel it in her body and hear it in her breathing.

“Do you want me?” she moaned.

“I do. Fuck, do I want you, Alex,” I grunted.

She leaned down, pressing a kiss to my lips as she whispered, “Then tell me.”

 

My eyes flew open. I was covered in sweat, my breathing heavy, but I was alone in the dark. Fuck, it was a dream. A really intense dream. I ran a hand through my hair and down my face and exhaled. Shit!

Chapter 6

 

 

Alex (Now)

My alarm woke me. Damn fog horn. My head was killing me. I felt like Gwen was stomping all over my brain. I wouldn’t put it past her either.

I got out of bed, hoping a hot shower would help dull the throbbing ache between my eyes. I turned on the water, quickly pulled off last night’s clothes, and stepped in. I put my head under the hot spray and let it run down my face. The feel of his hand on the back of my thigh and images of Drew licking my wrist, then kissing my neck flashed through my mind. I remembered tasting salt and lime and honey. Oh God, that dream was…just wow. Note to self, tequila on a Monday night is a bad idea.

I quickly washed my hair and scrubbed my body. Too bad you can’t wash away a hangover. I turned off the water and stepped out. After wrapping a towel around me, I went straight to the sink to brush the taste of stale tequila from my mouth. I opened the medicine cabinet and grabbed the aspirin. I shook out two aspirins and tossed them in my mouth. I shut the cabinet door and cringed at my reflection. I looked awful. No amount of concealer was going to cover this up. I cupped my hands under the faucet to catch enough water in my hands to down the aspirin. Classy, I know.

I lumbered down the hallway to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee so it could brew while I got dressed. A note was taped to the top of the machine.

You fell asleep. Call you tomorrow.

-Drew

 

I couldn’t do shots like I used to. I guess I passed out on the couch during the movie and he must’ve put me to bed before he left. Sure as hell wasn’t the first time. I hope I wasn’t talking in my sleep. That could have been embarrassing, considering I was dreaming about him. I left the note on the counter and headed back to my room to get dressed.

When I got to the office, my hangover was in full force. Today was going to be rough. Bitchface plus hangover equals potential murder-suicide. I was going to do everything I could to avoid her today.

I went about my morning routine. I checked the messages from last night and sorted through my e-mails. I got one from Gwen saying she would be out today. Oh thank sweet baby Jesus. Maybe today wouldn’t end in bloodshed after all.

Madeline breezed into the office trailing Chanel, as usual.

“Ms. McCabe,” she called from her office. I grabbed my notebook and headed toward her voice.

“Good morning!” she said with a smile. “In Ms. Stevens’s absence, it looks like you will accompany me on the Jacobs walkthrough today. Please confirm with the project manager that all is set.”

“No problem,” I replied. I returned to my desk and saw Wiley coming through, carrying a huge stack of fabric samples. I set down my notebook and went to help her. I took half of the stack before she tripped and ate floor.

“Thanks,” Wiley said, trying to catch her breath.

“These need Madeline’s approval.” She gestured toward the samples. She exhaled and sat on the edge of my desk.

“So, how was dinner?” she said, wiggling her eyebrows at me. I let out a long breath as I walked past her to my chair.

“It was fine. Drank too much and apparently passed out early.” I dropped into my seat, leaning as far back as I could, and closed my eyes for just a second.

She spun around on the edge of my desk to face me.

“Getting drunk with a hotty like him?” Wiley pointed to the picture of Drew and me from New Year’s Eve last year that I kept on my desk. “That sounds like a great night.”

“I told you, Drew and I are just friends.”

“Yeah, if I had a friend who looked like that, there would definitely be benefits.” She winked at me.

“You’re awful!” I said, tossing a paper clip at her.

“Seriously, how are you not attracted to him?” She picked up the picture of us and thrust it toward me.

“I’m not blind. I know he’s attractive. I can see the way women look at him, but you don’t know him like I do. To me, he is just Drew. He’s family.” I shrugged and returned to my computer, typing up a quick e-mail.

“You sure about that?” Wiley asked, giving me an I-don’t-buy-it look.

I looked away and pursed my lips. “Well, actually, I did have a really intense dream about him last night.”

“Really?” She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Spill!”

I sat up and faced her. “I don’t remember all of it. Just pieces, like flashes of his hands and him kissing my neck. It was weird.”

She jumped off my desk, surprising me.

“I knew it!” she said, a little too loud. Slapping her hands over her mouth, she glanced at the door to Madeline’s office and leaned in to me, lowering her voice. “I knew you were into him.”

“What? No, I’m not.”

“You so are. I knew you wanted him. You don’t have sex dreams about people you don’t want to have sex with,” she whispered.

“It wasn’t a sex dream!” I said though clenched teeth. “There was no sex.”

“How do you know? You don’t remember it all.” Her face morphed into a haughty expression.

“Trust me, I know. At most, it was foreplay.”

“Ha!” She thrust a finger at me. “That qualifies. Admit it! You want Drew.”

I put my hands up in defense, looking at her from the corner of my eye. That’s what you do with crazy people. Show them you are unarmed and don’t make direct eye contact.

“Whoa, chill,” I said, trying to calm her down. I pulled my chair closer to my desk and farther away from Wiley. “I didn’t say anything about wanting him.”

I tried to distract myself by typing up another e-mail. Did I want Drew? Yeah, he’s sexy as hell, and I do remember checking him out last night, but was my subconscious really trying to tell me something? I doubt it. Besides, even if I did want Drew, it’s not like he would want me. He has a Barbie Bimbo fetish. I’m not even close to his type. This whole thing was ridiculous. Nothing happened. The dream was a product of too much tequila and not enough sex. What I really needed was to get laid.

“Tell you what. Tomorrow night is trivia night at The Den. Come with. You can meet Drew for yourself; see just how much we annoy each other. Then you can put this crazy idea to bed.” I ushered her away from my desk so I could get back to work. She rolled her eyes.

“You say annoyance, I say sexual tension.” She waved at me over her shoulder as she headed to her office. I shook my head and returned to my desk. God, I hope she doesn’t bring this up around Drew.

***

I was just walking through my front door when my phone rang. I dropped my keys on the hook by the door and set my bag on the barstool to rummage for my phone. My bag had this little pocket for my cell phone conveniently sewn into the lining to eliminate this whole little dance of frantically searching for it before you missed the call, but I’d be damned if I ever used it. Just one more genius invention that goes unused, like portable purse hooks.

I finally located the phone and slid my finger across it to answer.

“Hey,” I said, sounding a bit out of breath.

“You should get a smaller purse, then maybe you would be able to find your phone faster,” Drew replied. I could hear the smirk in his voice.

“No can do. I can’t fit everything I need in this one.”

“What do you need with all that stuff anyway? That bag is dangerous. It should be labeled a weapon of mass destruction.” He chuckled.

“Hey, I’ll remember that the next time you ask me to sneak candy into the movie theater for you.”

He took a breath and continued. “So, last night, you passed out on me.”

“Yeah, sorry. Guess I’m a cheaper drunk then I used to be. I woke up with the worst hangover. No more Tequila Mondays for me, okay?”

“Okay,” he said, sounding a little confused. “You don’t remember anything?”

“Not really. Why? Did I talk in my sleep? I didn’t say anything stupid, did I?”

“No,” he said, “you were fine.”

“Good.” I started to unload my bag, taking out the concept drawings I brought home. “Oh, I invited a friend from work to trivia tomorrow.”

“She hot?”

“No!”

“No, she’s not hot? That’s not very nice, Red,” he scolded.

“No. She’s great, but no screwing my work friends! It creates too much drama for me when you stop returning their calls. She is off limits, got it?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. I got it.”

“Good.” I nodded. “Well, I would love to shoot the shit with you, but I have some work to do. See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” He dragged the word out a bit. “Red?”

“Yeah.”

“You really don’t remember anything?”

I panicked. Shit! Did I say something about him in my sleep? Oh God, what did I say? Play dumb. He will let it go. “Nope.”

Drew stayed quiet and I started sweating. Dear God, please let him just let this go!

“Okay, I’ll see you at The Den.”

I let out a big sigh of relief and rushed to get off the phone before it got awkward. “Okay, see you then. Bye.”

I hung up and placed my phone on the counter, leaning against it for support. I didn’t know what was up with me, but I needed to get it under control, and fast.

***

The Den was only a few blocks down from my apartment. It was a tiny little English pub, owned by Drew’s dad, Jack. Our little group affectionately called him Papa Jack. Papa Jack was a broad, burly, bear of a man, but his eyes gave away his sweet and gentle demeanor. His mess of dark hair was just like Drew’s, but gray was beginning to pepper through the dark strands. A scruffy beard covered most of his face, making his expressions a little hard to read and slightly more intimidating. Those of us he loved always knew where we stood with Papa Jack. Once he claimed you as one of his own, he would always have your back.

Drew and his brother, David, got their looks from their mother. I only met her a few times in college before she passed, but she was kind, beautiful, and the most genuine person I have ever met. Drew is so much like her. His kindness, compassion, and thoughtful charm all came from her. His sarcastic nature, sharp wit, and sense of humor was all Papa Jack.

I asked his mom once how she handled being around so much testosterone. She smiled, wrapped her arm around my shoulder, and said, “I treasure every gray hair they gave me. You’ll understand when you have a Collins boy of your own.”

She was always convinced Drew and I belonged together. I wish I’d had more time to get to know her, but, then again, to know her was to know her boys.

The air in The Den was always heavy with the smell of beer and fried food, making my heart full and my mouth water. Papa Jack made the best fish and chips in the city. Of course I was a little biased.

I made my way through the bar and headed to our usual table in the back, smiling at Papa Jack as I passed him in his usual place behind the bar. I swear the man never leaves this place.

Papa Jack looked up at me from the sink where he was washing some glasses and said, “I’ll send Bridget with your usual, Alex.”

“Thanks, Pop!” I shouted to him over my shoulder as I dropped into my usual chair facing the door.

A few minutes later, Bridget dropped a Bud Light and a basket of fish and chips in front of me with a nod and took off to deliver some more drinks.

“Papa Jack! My man!”

I lifted my head as Sean came through the bar. He slapped his hand against Papa Jack’s and made his way to me. Sean, Drew, and I stayed close after college. Now, Sean and Drew work at the same graphic design firm downtown. Sean and I had our differences over the years, but he was someone I could always count on. The man was in a class all by himself. He’s larger than life and always the one to stand out, but he is fiercely loyal.

Sean dropped down in the chair across from me, grabbed a fry from my basket, and popped it in his mouth.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said with a wink. He pursed his lips in my direction. He always was a shameless flirt.

“Hey, Sean.” I giggled. “Where is your partner in crime?”

“On his way. He said something about picking up his tux for Friday.”

He reached to grab another fry. I swatted at his hand. Bridget came by and set a Sam Adam’s in front of him. He looked up at her with a thousand-watt smile. She rolled her eyes and hurried past him. I covered my mouth to stifle the laugh. Poor Sean. He’s been trying to get Bridget to go out with him for years with absolutely no success. You had to admire his blind determination.

Don’t get me wrong, Sean is a good-looking guy. Tall, with a lean but muscular build and short blond hair styled into a faux hawk. He wore thick rimmed, black hipster glasses, and his smile was completely infectious. You couldn’t help but have fun when he was around.

Drew came in a little while later, followed closely by his brother, David. “Hey, Pops,” Drew said, throwing his hand up to Papa Jack.

Papa Jack nodded at him and turned to David. “Where’s my beautiful daughter-in-law?”

“She’s at the store. She wanted to take care of inventory before the baby comes.” David sighed and made his way back to our table.

“You don’t deserve that girl,” Papa Jack called back to him.

“I know, Dad.” David grinned. “I know.”

David kissed my cheek and said a quick hello before moving to the other side of the table, slipping off his suit jacket, and taking his seat next to Sean. Drew slid into the chair next to me with his back to the wall. He leaned over and plucked a fry from my basket.

“Hey, get your own.” I smacked the back of his hand. Completely un-phased, he just smiled and plucked another fry.

Bridget came back with her tray and set two pints of Guinness down for Drew and David and a basket of fish and chips for each of the boys. She set an extra basket of fries in front of me with a wink. I made a mental note to add a little extra to her tip tonight.

I picked up the malt vinegar and handed it to David. We’ve all been friends for such a long time that we had each other’s likes and dislikes down to a science. When I met Drew back in college, this motley group of misfits came along with him. They accepted me immediately and made me feel like a member of the family, something I will be eternally grateful for.

“Should Millie still be working this hard? The baby is coming really soon,” I said, starting to worry about Millie.

David twisted the lid off the vinegar, dumping a generous amount on his food. “You try telling her to take it easy.” He grumbled. “I’ve been trying to get her to slow down for weeks. She is determined to work right up until the delivery.”

“Pfft. Women,” Sean said.

I chucked a fry at him. He just grinned, his mouth full of fried fish.

The door opened and I saw Wiley searching the crowd. I stood up and waved to get her attention. She moved quickly though the bar toward us.

“Lexie!” She called, using that dreaded nickname. Drew lifted an eyebrow at me and mouthed, “Lexie?”

“Shut it,” I told him.

I loathed the name Lexie. I am so not a Lexie. Wiley knows it bugs me, but she uses it with such affection, I let it go. Sean stood when she reached the table and offered her his seat. He went to grab a spare chair from the hallway leading to the restrooms.

My boys are such gentlemen. He set the chair at the end of the table, straddling it and folding his arms on the back of the chair. His eyes roamed up and down Wiley as he thoroughly checked her out, and he wasn’t being at all subtle. I just shook my head. I guess I should have had the no-screwing-my-work-friends talk with Sean too.

“This is Sean, David, and Drew.” I pointed to each guy as I said his name. “Papa Jack is behind the bar.” I gestured toward him and he nodded a response.

“Guys, this is Wiley,” I said as she gave an enthusiastic wave.

“As in Wile E. Coyote?” Sean piped up.

Drew almost choked on his beer. I bit my lip to stifle a laugh. I didn’t want to embarrass Wiley. I elbowed Sean in the ribs, causing him to wince at the contact.

“Not exactly.” Wiley giggled. “I had the misfortune of my parents naming me Willimina. I shortened it to something more me.” She shrugged her shoulders, not seeming bothered at all.

Bridget stopped by our table, standing silently next to Wiley, waiting not so patiently for her order. Bridget was a strange bird. She didn’t say much, but we regulars didn’t notice much anymore. Bridget knows what we like and makes sure our beers are never empty, so no one complains.

Wiley looked up at her with a bright smile and Bridget raised an eyebrow. David leaned toward Wiley, offering her a quick lesson in reading Bridget’s facial expressions. “What do you want to drink?”

“Oh!” she said. “Black and Tan, please.”

Bridget moved on, and Wiley turned her attention to us. She looked around the table, appraising the guys. She glanced at David, then back at me. “He’s hot,” she mouthed. I sipped my beer and wiggled my ring finger at her. Her smile faltered and she nodded her head when she got my point.

I never really thought of David as hot. He’s good-looking, of course. Clean-cut and polished, whereas Drew is usually a little rougher around the edges. David just always felt more grown up, like we were all pretending to be adults but he really was one.