Page 35 of Summer Shot
Looking at the photo of Nick and me on my side table, tears sting my eyes as I whisper, “You’d be so proud of me, big brother. Thank you for forcing me into this program.” A small chuckle slips out, thinking about how he truly did force me by applying on my behalf. But I will always be grateful. It brought me to West. It brought me to start healing after his loss and after an abusive relationship. It brought me Lucas.
Wiping a stray fallen tear from my eye, I breathe in deeply. The sound of the front door opening, pulling me out of my trance.
“I’m home!” Libby screeches, coming up the stairs and into her new decorated room.
Since Libby took over, the room has morphed from Bren’s bright pink to purple. I wonder if it will transition to blue after Libby, it only seems fitting.
Bursting into my room, she declares, “Our home is officially the same home!”
“I know!” I respond as enthusiastically as I can, thoughts of Nick still heavy on my soul.
“You okay?” Libby asks, concern paints her face.
“I’m okay,” I reply. “Just a lot going on this week, but thankfully I get a break today.”
“Yes! You deserve a break.” Libby practically leaps onto my bed, sitting next to me. “Can we celebrate taking the next step in our friendship?”
Cocking an eyebrow at her in confusion, she reads the confusion on my face. “From best friends to roommates, obviously,” Libby explains.
“Ah, right. Of course, what did you have in mind?” I ask, but I already know her obvious answer is the only bar we go to. “Hae’s?”
“I was thinking something different.” Libby has a wicked grin on her face. “What about Howdy’s?”
“The line dancing bar?” My face twists in confusion once more. We’ve never gone there. Hae’s is our spot.
“New beginnings, new spot.” Libby shrugs casually.
A laugh bursts out of me. “If it’s just the girls. Good luck getting the guys to go to a line dancing bar.”
Libby dramatically rolls her eyes, “There’s alcohol and girls in daisy dukes, they’ll be more than fine.” She pulls out her phone, a small smile spreading on her face. “Tyler just agreed, so I’m sure more of the guys will come.”
“Cool, I’ll tell Lucas we’ll meet them there.” A mischievous grin slides across my face thinking about Lucas attempting to line dance. Tonight is going to be very entertaining.
The sound of boots stomping blends perfectly with the blaring country music as we enter the bar. Our hockey players stick out like sore thumbs amongst the cowboy hats. My eyes widen taking in that every guy from our typical group joined—even Blaine.
Walking up to Lucas, he instantly hands me my favorite light beer from the bucket on the table.
“Thanks.” A grin overtakes my face. Lucas always proves time and time again that chivalry is, in fact, not dead. “Where’s your cowboy hat, Captain?”
“Damn.” He smiles back. “I knew I was forgetting something.”
“Hey, Lib.” Blaine warmly greets Libby. Her eyes trail him up and down, but she turns towards the rest of the group, not responding to him.
“Did you know this place used to be calledSecond Cousins?” Blaine tries to get Libby’s attention again but gets no response.
Ryder chimes in with a loud snicker. “That’s hilarious.”
I take a sip of my beer, then mutter, “Good thing they changed the name.”
“They should have kept it,” Ryder replies. “It could make for a good story.”
Before Ryder can elaborate, Libby breaks her silence. “Blaine,” she snaps, “why the hell would you wear sandals to a line dancing bar?”
Lucas chuckles, shaking his head baffled. “You’re going to stub a toe.”
“See, dude, I told you,” Ryder says, swatting Blaine on the arm. “You don’t wear sandals to a bar where you’re supposed to spend half the night stomping on the ground.”
Blaine shrugs. “Tyler’s wearing them too. Why am I being bullied?”
