Page 17 of Wrecked
Logan started showing up less and less shortly after Harper had moved to town; he'd spent all his nights pining after her until he finally broke through all her walls. With little Flynn thrown into the mix, nights out were in short supply. Since the girls could drink for half the price on Mondays, it kind of just made sense that we chose that day to all hang out together. Eli's daughter, Molly, and Flynn usually spent the night with Logan's parents, which gave the adults the chance to let loose for a bit.
Not that Logan and Harper took the opportunity to drink; they usually left after about two rounds. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were up to.
That thought brought my mind straight back to another person.
The exchange between Kenzie and me had weighed heavy on me for the remainder of the day. I couldn't even blink without seeing the hurt in her eyes or feeling my own anger bubble through my veins. That girl—no, she was all woman now—twisted my wires in the worst way. One moment I wanted to never see her again and in the next I needed to take all her pain away.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Tonight, more than ever, I needed the comfort my circle of friends provided. Even though Logan and I had shared some words earlier that day, I knew that my friends would still welcome me to the table without hesitancy.
That's what family did.
Raking a hand through my hair, I tugged at the door with the other. As expected, the place was packed. Our local haunt might've been named Joe's, but it was not owned by aJoe.Well, not anymore. Caleb, the current owner, had inherited the place from his uncle and didn't bother with changing the name.
My eyes did a lazy sweep across the crowded room. To a stranger, this place would look sketchy and run-down. The off-white floors sported more than a few scuff marks, and the lightwood bar that ran the length of the building needed a good polishing. Bullhorns along with rodeo pictures adorned the open-faced brick walls.
Yeah, this place didn't look it, but it certainly was one of the best places to take a load off.
I spotted my friends gathered around one of the tables next to the old jukebox. Before I headed to them, I made my way to the bar, ducking behind a customer when I caught sight of Lola serving a patron. The action was nothing less than cowardly; I just didn't have the strength to face her now—even though she might be exactly what I needed to get my mind off of Kenzie.
When she moved to the other end of the bar, I slipped to the side and patiently waited for Caleb to serve me.
"The usual?" He asked while he pushed a red wine toward the woman standing next to me.
"Yeah and tequila for the table," I jerked my head in the direction of my friends.
"Comin' right up." When Caleb moved to fix my drink order, I turned around. With my elbows resting on the wooden surface behind me, I scanned the crowd, my gaze landed on the table next to the jukebox.
As usual, Logan and Harper were huddled as close together as they could get; his arm protectively draped over her shoulders. Behind his beer, Eli was brooding, and it looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. Chase was stealing glances at Lizzy who was surveying the crowd—possibly looking for her next roll in the hay.
I shook my head and silently chuckled to myself. I couldn't wait for those two to finally realize what the rest of us had known for years.
"Look what the cat dragged in."
At the sound of Lola's voice, the smile slipped from my lips. Slowly, I slid my arms off the bar and turned around. With her hand planted on her jutted out hip, she gave me a glare that told me she was not impressed with me one bit.
"Meeting up with the gang," I remarked.
Her gaze traveled to my friends' table, and for a minute I thought I saw longing flash over her features. With a knitted brow she looked at me again. Tapping the bar twice, she mumbled, "You have fun now," before she moved away to help a newcomer.
"Hey, Lo!"
The hopeful look in her eyes when she glanced over her shoulder just cemented my decision. I heard Logan's words ring in my ears loud and clear.'I know this thing with her is casual for you, but does she see it that way?'I need to man-up and end whatever this was.
She fluttered her lashes, "Yeah?"
"You and me—" I waved my finger between us, "—need to talk later."
Lola sauntered back to me, "Later as in at your cabin later, mmm?"
I shook my head, "No, as in before I leave."
For a second I thought I saw sadness flit across her face, but it was gone so soon it might've been my imagination. "I'll come find you when I have a few minutes to spare."
I was still figuring out where I'd crossed the line with Lola when Caleb placed my order in front of me.
"Are ya startin' a tab?"
