Page 77 of Prove Me Wrong
My eyes roll again as I shove him harder. Nathan laughs at my unimpressed grin.
MIA
“Should we get something?”Lila asks. I grip her hand tightly, not daring to let go in this seaof people.
This is not what I expected when she said that we should go out. Of course, we weren’t going to sit with Gran and Jade all night—although I wouldn’t have minded—but I never imagined the local pub would be this busy.
Lila drove from Sydney last night to visit me for the weekend. I have missed living with her. We were roommates all through university, and when I fled to Sinnett’s after Ryan’s assault, she helped us find another apartment closer to my brother where I’d feel a lot more comfortable. As much as I’d have liked to stay with Sinnett and Khai, I also couldn’t live long term with those two. So, Lila was the next best option, since I couldn’t face my parents properly after everything.
Despite our differences in how we see men, Lila has been there for me when I needed a friend. She’s also never shy around them like I am, and she did try to get me back into the dating game, even though it’s the last thing I’ve wanted since running from my ex.
Taller than me and does anything to show off her busty body, Lila always dresses in revealing clothing that hugs her figure. She pulls me behind her, light blonde hair tied in a ponytail, tanned skin, amber eyes and a small mole on her cheekbone. Her flared pants show off her curves, and the tight short sleeve shirt highlights her chest while giving away a lot of skin.
I, on the other hand, am dressed in my usual body hiding clothing. I slipped on a free-flowing brown dress, and Lila told me to wear these matching brown boots that look like they belong to cowgirls. They’re not my typical style, but maybe I do need to change a few things in my life, and shoes just seem like an easier option. I have to start somewhere I suppose… Besides, they’re really comfy.
We stop at the timber bar and Lila leans against it, her chest pushing against the edge, lifting her cleavage up for the bartender to see. I just rollmy eyes at the sight, knowing that this is one of her many games to score free drinks.
“What do you want?”
I glance at the board before settling on a cola. I have never been a drinker, and I think my anxiety would thrive off alcohol.
Nodding, she grabs the attention of a male bartender who is quite attractive. His mouth widens at the sight of my friend, and he leans in, placing his elbows on the bench, long-sleeved button up rolled up. Tawny hair swept to one side, his gaze lingers on Lila’s chest before lifting to her golden eyes. “What can I get you, sweetheart?”
Lila grins, flicking her ponytail—her signature flirting move. “I’ll have a gin and tonic, and my friend just wants cola.”
“Coming right up.” He winks at her and pushes off the bench to make our order.
Lila glances at me, her grin still wide as I stare with parted lips. “He seems nice.”
“He seems interested in your boobs, Lila,” I deadpan. She giggles unabashedly.
Peering down, Lila presses them together with her hands. “They are amazing. The one thing I’m happy I inherited from my mum.”
Snorting, my breath catches when I’m knocked into. I hate strangers touching me and being in a place this crowded is making my anxiety bold. The pounding of my heart is one unsteady beat away from tearing me into panicking pieces.
Leaning into my friend to avoid the elbow in my back, the bartender returns and hands us two glasses filled to the brim. “Come back soon, sweetheart.” He winks at Lila before tending to another customer.
I take my glass and follow her towards a quieter corner of the room where the pool table is. Three guys stand around it, one lining up the cue while his buddies stand around him waiting. I stop far enough away from them to not be completely overwhelmed; although with the noise and packed space, I’m already feeling suffocated.
A set of dark eyes meet mine and a smirk pulls in his stubbled cheek. Tattoos cover one arm, spreading up his neck, and a sliver piercing slots through one eyebrow with another in his lip. My heart rate picks up even more, fuelling my anxiety as our eyes lock. Nerves trickle down my back uneasily.
Flicking my gaze away, I focus on Lila who is downing her drink faster than people throw back pills. She wipes her stained lips and glances sideways at me, eyes full of deviousness. “Should we play pool with them?” she asks with a cheeky smirk.
I shake my head hastily. “No. I really don’t?—”
“Hi, ladies.” A smooth voice melts into the air behind me.
I didn’t realise he came over, but his closeness makes me flinch.
Lila grins widely. “Hi. I’m Lila, and this is Mia.”
“Scott,” the tattooed, piercing man grunts, devouring me with his intense stare of charcoal irises bleeding into his thin pupils like a snake.
Bile tickles the back of my throat, and I move to stand behind my friend, not wanting to inhale more of his bitter cologne, or maybe it’s spirits?
“You two should join us. We can always use extra players.”
My lips tense as Lila glances my way. I already know what she’s thinking. “Sure, we’d love to, Scott.” She winks up at him.
