Page 65 of Unrest
Iloved being in the lobby with its high roof and cabinesque feel. The windows and doors had all been shaded with the same metal as our rooms, but it still had a wide-open sensation that made me breathe deeply.
The room was already filled with people milling about and sitting in the soft chairs around the unlit, oversized rock fireplace that rose to the ceiling where wooden beams lined. Tater and the other guys stood in one of the corners, but Rylen wasn’t with them. I looked around. He wasn’t here yet. Most everyone held cups, and I noticed a makeshift bar had been set up at the old check-in desk. Devon and Shavonta were behind the counter, laughing about something.
“They’re cute together,” Remy said. Yeah, they were. She was short and curvy to his tall and muscled.
We approached and Shavonta took out two cups. I stared at the line of liquor bottles and cans of sodas. Sodas!
“Are you really allowed to use all of that?” I asked.
Devon nodded and Shavonta said, “Top said all this is considered non-essential, so no need to ration. He expects it to be all gone tonight.” She winked at me.
“So, I can have a Coke?” Remy asked.
“Yeah, girl,” Devon told her. “Whatchu want in it?”
“Ice if you have it.” She smiled, and both of them laughed.
“Just ice?” Shavonta asked.
“You’re not going to have a drink with me?” I asked. “Just one?” Wow, it was like we’d switched roles.
Remy gave a shy shake of her head. “Just a Coke.” The drinking thing probably went hand-in-hand with the no-hooking-up thing.
“Well, I’ll have a rum and Coke,” I offered.
“Yeah, baby.” Devon chuckled and held out his fist for me to bump.
Shavonta handed us our drinks and Remy and I clinked the plastic together before sipping.
“Oh, my gosh, so sweet!” Remy winced. “I can’t believe I used to drink this!”
I took a sip, and she was right. It was like syrup followed by a severe burn. I coughed and gave Shavonta a bug-eyed glance, which made her bend over laughing.
“You can handle it,” she said, waving us off. “Go have fun.”
I would have to take this one slowly.
We made our way over to the guys, who loudly held up their cups at our approach.
“Where’s the music?” I asked Matt.
“Dog Balls wants to speak first and then we’ll turn it on.” His cheeks were mottled with pink as he smiled. I wondered how many drinks he’d had already.
Mark came between Remy and I and put his arms around us, pulling us to him. I could smell the bourbon from his half-full cup.
“I thought you weren’t drinking,” I said.
“Got someone to switch shifts with me. Sucka!” He took a swig. “How were your peanut butter delights, ladies?”
Remy and I both moaned at the memory, making the guys laugh. Mark tapped his cup to mine and we drank.
For the first time in a long time I felt . . . light. Not completely unburdened—there would always be a lingering sensation of loss and danger—but it wasn’t as heavy on me at this moment, and I let myself bask in it. If only Texas Harry could be here. And Rylen. Where was he? I looked around again. I wanted to ask the others, but I didn’t want to be obvious.
“Look,” Remy said. I followed her gaze to where Sean and J.D. stood talking in the corner. They looked like they were arguing. Sean reached out and ran a finger along J.D.’s hand, making the other guy stop talking long enough to peer at him through those dark lashes. Then J.D. slapped Sean’s shoulder and crossed his arms.
Remy giggled. “He’s playing hard to get.”
“He still thinks Thomas will show up any day,” I said.
