Page 12 of Stroked
“The community? Like do I live around here?” she asked.
I took another swig before I replied, “I meant the LGBTQ+ community. But yeah, I guess it’s polite to ask if you live around here.”
She grinned and looked down at her beer as she played with the label. “I suppose I am. Nobody has ever asked me that.” God, her accent was so sensual. “So, you are in thiscommunity?”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, very much so. You didn’t answer my other question.”
“Oh, I live closer to downtown. At least, for now. I enjoy this area very much, though. I am looking at different areas. I travel for work very often, so it seems wasteful to spend so much on rent for downtown. Do you not live nearby?” Shit. I opened that up for her.
“Fairly close. I work downtown, though.” I took another swig.
Lucy came bouncing back and hopped on her stool. Valentina and I straightened on our stools, and both took a big swig.
“Thanks for the beer. The line was nuts. There was a line for the ladies’ room. Can you believe that?” She was grinning from ear to ear as she grabbed her Blue Moon and took a long sip.
We all sat together a while, knocking back beers, and asked Valentina loads of questions about music and how she started her work. We discovered she also had two brothers and a sister, but they had all moved away and started families. The conversation was fun and easy, but the whole time, I felt very reserved. It was enchanting, though, to listen to her speak and watch the way her lips moved as she enunciated every word so clearly.
“Val, anyone special in your life?” Leave it to Lucy, in her gross relationship state, to wish it on everyone.
Valentina shook her head. “Not right now. I have not found anyone special, but that could change anytime.”
My pulse was racing again, but I found myself holding my breath. She looked over at me when she said that.
Lucy immediately replied, “You are so right. I never thought I would want, much less find, someone, but Jason swooped in and bam. Everything changed in an instant.”
“It wasn’t in an instant.” Why did I even say that?
“Well, I knew him as a bartender, sure, but we went from barely knowing each other, and only exchanging money and booze, to being engaged in a matter of months. But when you know, you know. Cynical bitch.” Lucy was grinning, even though I could feel her aggravation.
“What about you, Amy, do you have anyone special in your life?” I nearly choked on my beer when the words left Valentina’s mouth.
“Oh, not Amy,” Luce chuckled as she answered. “She is the lady equivalent of a player. Breaking all the girls’ hearts.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call myself a player. I don’t lie to anyone.” Why was I defensive? It was normal Lucy banter.
Lucy grabbed my shoulder. “Oh my God, I didn’t mean to call you out.” She laughed at herself. “But c’mon, you haven’t had a relationship since college.”
“Well, maybe I haven’t found anyone special,” I answered dryly.
Luce stopped laughing and looked over at me. “Hey, I’m sorry. For real. Are you okay?”
I forced a small smile and nodded. It was clear Lucy didn’t notice the tension that had built between Valentina and me, and she also had no idea she was gay.
It got uncomfortably quiet for several minutes as we all sipped our Blue Moons. Jason eventually came over to collect Lucy.
“Hey, ladies, hate to break it up, but she has work in the morning and I gotta be back early. Plus, I’ll be bankrupt if I don’t end this little party. Should we just tap a keg for you ladies next time?” Jason asked as Lucy hopped down from her stool. The sad thing was, Jaz had done a great job of clearing off the bar all night, and what sat in front of us wasn’t even close to what we actually consumed.
“Ha! You want to finish what was started earlier,” I blurted out. Jason’s face was blank, which usually wasn’t good, but Lucy started giggling. She leaned over and hugged me tight, kissing my cheek as she did.
“Hey, if I don’t see you before then, we’ll see you Thursday for sure.” Lucy was stumbling as Jason led her out.
I drank the rest of my beer, put the bottle down, and hopped off my stool as I pulled some cash out for Jaz. I was a little wobbly, but I don’t think anyone noticed.
“I guess I need to get going, too. I didn’t realize how late it was. Busy week ahead. It was good seeing you again.” That was all I could come up with. Why was I off my game? What the hell was the issue with my heartbeat and the clammy hands all of a sudden?
“You are leaving so soon?” Valentina asked with a bit of emphasis. Or was that her accent?
Normally, I would run for the hills when a woman uttered those words, but hearing them drip from her full lips stopped me in my tracks.No, Amy, get yourself together.
