Page 31 of Tempt Me

“What’s this about the drink?” Ruby leans over Emily’s shoulder and points to the passage that has me freaked out.

“I know.” I glance around the bar, looking for him. “I’m not going to lie. I drove around the parking lot four times before coming in to make sure his vehicle wasn’t in the parking lot. I think he spiked my drink the other day. I remember when I shoved it to the end of the table that bubbles rose to the top. I think he was hoping to drug me, and then drive me home.”

“That’s repulsive.” Emily drops the letter on the table like it burned her hand.

“You should take it to the police.” Ruby leans back into the cushions, holding her aqua-blue drink with a death grip.

“And tell them what?” I wave my hand dismissively toward the letter. “He didn’t say anything incriminating. He’s too smart to do that.”

“You’re right.” Ruby shakes her head and takes a drink. “We need to stay on high alert so that he doesn’t get close to you.”

“And we all need to watch your drinks.” Emily motions for the waitress to bring us a round. “Starting, right now.”

“I’m not going to let him ruin our night. I’m not getting back together with him, and the sooner he figures that out, the better off he’ll be.” I scan the bar again, keeping an eye out for him as the bartender fills our drink order, and the waitress returns to our table.

“Did you tell them?” Ruby retrieves her drink from the waitress as I pay her for the order.

“No, I’ve not talked with anyone else about the letter until now.”

Ruby taps her fingertips on the table. “Did you tell your parents about school?”

“No.” Fuck. With all the drama about the letter, I forgot that I chickened out about school. Here goes another lecture. “I’m going to wait.” I fill then in on my dad freaking out before I got the chance to tell them about my plans.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Ruby glares over the top of her glass. “You were all set to start classes, and now you’re putting it off? Indefinitely? And all because your dad lost his shit? You know better. You should’ve gone to your mom in private and explained it to her. You know that.” She slaps herhand on the table, causing the aqua-blue liquid to splash over the top, and crosses her arms over her chest. “You did that on purpose. You were self-sabotaging.”

“No, I wasn’t.” I jerk upright in my seat as the band takes the stage. It’s a new group I haven’t heard before, and I was looking forward to hearing them, but not now.

“Ruby, don’t be so hard on her. This is a big adjustment.” Emily pats my hand. Great. It’s good cop/bad cop.

I lift my drink and suck down the icy slush, gulping until my brain screams from brain freeze. Son of a bitch. I close my eyes and brace against the pain.

“Yes, you did. You knew your dad would flip the second you said you needed to talk. He always does. He did when you asked him to go to your first dance. Your first concert. Hell, he probably did the first time you asked to ride a tricycle.”

Words. Her words are as annoying as the brain freeze. I inhale and slowly exhale as the pain ebbs.

“Are you going to do it?” Emily tilts her head. “Are you going to keep putting off your dreams to make other people happy? I realize it’s a big deal to drop out of some of your classes or to drop out altogether, but if you wait until you get your degree before starting Cosmo, it’ll be four years or more before you’re licensed. Maybe you won’t even do it by then.”

Okay. It’s bad cop/bad cop. I slowly open my eyes and glare at them.

Their eyes flash with a mixture of anger and concern. I don’t have to see Ruby’s foot under the table to know she’stapping it. While Emily drums her fingertips on the scarred wooden table.

Fine. I sag into the cushion with a woosh. “You’re both right. I know how to deal with my parents.” I shrug as smoke from the cigarette of the guy behind them swirls above our heads. “Maybe I’m scared to give up my safety net and jump into another career. What if I don’t like it? What if I’m not good at it?” I throw my hands into the air. “What if I can’t support myself?”

“Thank you.” Ruby smiles and waves the waitress over. “Now we’re at the real issue. You don’t believe in yourself, and I do. You’ll do amazing.”

“Less ice. And double the vodka.” The waitress takes our order for another round of Blue Bayous.

When we’re alone again, I ask, “Do you think so?”

“Yes, I do,” Ruby says while keeping an eye on the bartender.

“We both do,” Emily pipes up. “You’ve been doing makeovers since we were ten.”

“Your father means well, but he’s made you question yourself with his overprotectiveness.” Ruby lifts her drink to finish the remnants before our next round arrives. “You need to move forward with your plan. Talk to your mom to get her on your side and take charge of your life.” Her eyes gleam. “And I know just the perfect elixir.”

“And what’s that?”

“Oh, here we go.” Emily laughs as her cheeks pinken with amusement. “We all know where this is going.”

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