Page 29 of One More Chance
“Wow,” Megan replied. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
“I wouldn’t be too worried about it,” Freddie smiled at Charlotte. “Stacy has turned into the town drunk. What you saw tonight was mild.”
“It’s like we just went back in time fifteen years,” Charlotte replied.
“Don’t let her ruin your night.” Josh came up behind Megan. “We’ve asked her and her friends to leave. They’re always getting kicked out of the Last Chance, so they were ready to go.”
“I think I’m ready to go,” Charlotte replied.
“Oh, come on. Please stay. I haven’t had the chance to hang out with you at all,” Megan pleaded.
“I feel like everyone is looking at me.” She could feel the stares, the sideways glances from everyone in the bar, including the band.
“They are,” Megan smiled. “But it’s because you’re the most glamorous woman to ever step foot in this bar. Now, pull up your socks, put on that million-dollar smile, and don’t let that piece of trash ruin your night.”
Just last year, Charlotte had given Megan a similar kick in the pants speech when she was having her own pity party. She hugged her friend then stood up tall and strong with her shoulders back. The band counted in and started into a very convincing cover of an AC/DC song.
Freddie howled and jumped onto the dance floor in a fury of air guitar and frantic kicking that Charlotte supposed was dancing.
Charlotte squeezed her hands open and closed, trying to rid the tension from her body. “Let’s go dance, or whatever it is that Freddie is doing.” She grabbed Lauren’s hand and joined Freddie on the dance floor and Megan and Josh followed behind them. Charlotte and everyone else in the bar seemed much more relaxed now that the toxic blonde had left. More and more people crammed onto the dance floor, the air alive with raucous music and drunken Rapidians.
She hooked her elbow around Megan’s neck, pulling her ear a fraction away from her lips. “Do you think Logan went home with Stacy?”
Megan pulled back from the half nelson arm hook and shook her head. “Not a chance in hell,” she replied and then turned her to face the door. “See?”
Logan had stepped back into the bar and his eyes were trained on the dance floor.
On her.
Charlotte felt a hot rush surge through her body.
“One of us has to be the grown-up,” Charlotte muttered. She strode toward the door and smiled at Logan. He looked behind him before smiling back, as if to ensure that someone else wasn’t the intended recipient.
“Hi,” she shouted and extended her hand.
“Hi.” He engulfed her hand with his catcher’s mitt fingers.
Charlotte glanced at the door, half expecting Stacy to walk in and fly off the handle.
“She won’t be back. At least, not tonight.” Logan followed her gaze without releasing her hand. “Did you recognize her?”
“I didn’t at first,” Charlotte replied. “It has been a long time.” She realized her hand was still in his and pulled her fingers from his grip.
“Yeah, everyone looks a little different now, I guess.”
“You don’t,” Charlotte blurted out.
Logan’s lips pressed together as if holding in a smile.
“It’s nice to see you back in town, Billie Jo.”
Charlotte’s body stiffened. “Charlotte. It’s Charlotte now.”
“Right. I heard about that.”
Charlotte didn’t know what to say and they seemed at a silent impasse. “Well, I’ll see you around, Logan.” She turned to walk away, but Logan grabbed onto her elbow.
“Wait.”
