Page 50 of Hunt for the Roses
Once I place the phone down, I look in the full-length mirror to tousle my long beach waves, and I’m adjusting my yellow crop tank top and high-rise denim shorts. Once I feel pleased with my look, I grab my crossbody, then head out the front door to meet up with Dane.
* * *
Dane
“Single Bull, let’s go!” I yell as my last dart hits the outer ring of the bullseye on the dart board.
Trent is removing the darts from the board as he says, “What did you have, Wheaties for breakfast this morning?”
I lift my backwards snapback and run a hand through my hair as I respond. “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”
When Trent comes back to where I’m standing, he throws me a smile. “We’re gonna get cocky over darts now?”
“Since it’s the highlight of my week, yes.”
After Trent throws his first dart at the board, he glances my way. “That shitty, huh?”
I lean my lower back against the table where our two beers are sitting, my palms gripping the edge of the tabletop. “Yep. My boss has been riding my ass to get two projects completed this week, both of which were set to be completed in the next month. So I worked through my lunch most days, while getting yelled at by these entitled assholes I have to call ‘clients.’”
“Sorry to hear that. At least you know next week will be a lighter load.”
I look behind me to grab my beer to take a sip. “Let’s not jinx it just yet,” I say. “So how’s everything with you?”
Trent shrugs. “Not much, honestly. Work hasn’t been as eventful or fun as your job, and my personal life still consists of just me.” Then Trent throws his third dart, which lands on one of the far outer layers of the board. “Did you wind up going out with Aria the other night?”
“Yeah, I wound up connecting my fist with some guy’s face. Good times.”
Trent gasps in a laugh. “What?”
I shrug nonchalantly. “Some guy was being a complete douchebag to Ari, so I stepped in.”
“Wow, are you having a midlife crisis living out your early twenties again?” Trent jokes.
“Okay, I definitely wasn’t in that many brawls in my early twenties. And if I was, the receiving end always had it coming.”
Trent chuckles as he faces the circular board again to throw his last dart. “Just try to keep it civil tonight, Rocky.”
I step toward the dart board and gather the four darts Trent just threw. “I’ll behave. Besides, my knuckles stung for a good day. What is that?”
“Old age,” Trent jokes.
I adjust my backwards snapback on my head as I walk back to where Trent is standing. “Guess so. Damn.”
“Did Aria have a good time at least?” Trent asks.
“I think so. Looked like she did,” I respond as I throw the first dart at the board.
“Looks like she’s having a good time right now too,” Trent says as he gestures his chin in the direction of Kate and Aria.
When I turn to take a look, I see Kate and Aria both laughing with some preppy blond-haired kid by the bar, who might as well star in a remake ofGossip Girlwith how clean cut he is. I notice Aria’s big smile and how her eyes are lit up from the conversation they’re having. I swallow as I continue observing, a little disappointed that I’m not the only one who can make her smile like that. The other night, I felt separated from the rest. Like I was the only person who could bring laughter back into her world, and genuine happiness. But now? Now I feel like any other person who’s entered her world. I feel ordinary, and it sucks.
I inwardly roll my eyes and focus back on the board as I whip the next dart harder than usual.
“Easy there killer,” Trent chimes in.
“Maybe someone should call his fraternity. I’m sure they’ve sent out a ‘missing persons’ report,” I quip.
“Oh, come on, you remember being young and loving the attention of older girls.”
