Page 3 of Drunk Dialing My Enemy

“You think about how funny it was, playing that prank on me,” I say. “You knew that I was in love with you. You thought it was funny, right? Just like you think it’s funny to buy my building out from under me.”

“I didn’t think it was funny, I just -”

“But the joke is on you,” I continue, emboldened by Reba’s scarlet, sassy smile. “Because one day I’m going to live happily ever after.And I’m going to buy a different building. A better one with a better bridge. And then I’m going to find my husband and lose my virginity and have a million babies and probably some cats and dogs, too.”

“Katie, you’re slurring your words,” Darren says sternly. “Where are you?”

Click.

CHAPTER 2

DARREN

It takesno time at all to find out where Katie is. She and my little sister, Dot, have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. All I had to do was call Dot and learn that they’re both at some dive bar in Southeast Austin, a little over an hour away.

Dot assured me that all was fine, and that Katie had a bit too much to drink. Their hotel is nearby and they’ll call an Uber when they’re ready to go home.

This informationshouldhave placated me.

Ishouldhave been able to go back to bed, falling asleep quickly after a long day of exhausting physical labor.

But no. Unable to distract myself from the thought of Katie and now my little sister getting drunk in an unfamiliar place so late at night, I had to get out of bed.

Then I got dressed, grabbed the keys to my truck, and headed out the door.

On the drive over there, I replayed my conversation with Katie again and again. I can’t stop thinking about it. Since I kissed her all those years ago, nothing has ever compared. I’ve tried to get her out of my head but there’s no use. She’s always been everything to me, and any connection I’ve tried to makewith another woman — the few women I’ve been with since the night we kissed — has felt empty and dull.

No kiss ever measured up to the one we shared. I remember it vividly. The taste of birthday cake icing on her lips, the way her long eyelashes fluttered against my cheek. The involuntary sigh of pleasure that escaped her mouth as mine met hers.

It was her first.

And I selfishly claimed it, knowing I couldn’t give her everything she wanted.

Tonight, I think she just told me that she still has another first waiting to be claimed. How the hell is it possible that she’s still a virgin? She went away to college and then came back, she’s had years to meet someone or even multiple someones. And don’t tell me there wouldn’t be a line of suitors willing to rid her of her virginity. I don’t understand how a woman who looks like sin on two legs, curves as far as the eye can see, makes it to her current age without having sex.

But I know that the thought of it is driving me insane with need. Just like any thought of Katie being with other men has always driven me insane with jealousy.

Before she hung up, Katie also told me another thing. Something I hope is true and not just a drunken fabrication.

She told me that she used to be in love with me.

And if that’s the truth, then it means she’s capable of loving me. She used to love me. Which means that maybe she could love me again.

That gives me hope. Crazy, foolish hope.

I wasn’t ready for the things Katie made me feel back then. I was a scared kid.

But I’m ready now.

When I get to the bar, at first I’m worried that they’ve already left. Then I see Dot, who is currently dancingon the tablewith a beer in one hand while men whoop and cheer.

Only the fact that I’m still looking for Katie could prevent me from going into big brother mode and yanking Dot down from the table. I feel a jolt of brotherly protectiveness for a moment but then my eyes go back to scanning the nearby people, looking for Katie’s signature red hair.

I find it next to the jukebox. The beautiful girl that haunts my dreams is currently leaning against the wall, her eyes closed as though she’s in pain.

“Katie!”

I rush forward, reaching for her. Her eyes open and she frowns at me.

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