Page 2 of Truth
“I mean, sorry…uh…I’m a meat eater.” Fuck. This is embarrassing. Why can’t I make the words stop. “What I mean is, I would love the steak, but I’m not sure if I can fit that much meat in me.” Death would be welcomed.What is wrong with me!This is all Gretchen’s fault.
Pushing back off the bar, he nods his head. “Okay, so I’ll give you a minute to look over the menu?” Smiling awkwardly, he walks away.
If I could disappear, that would be perfect.
Gretchen walks back to the bar and grabs her purse. “Hey, so, let’s hit another spot—nobody cute here, and now that you annihilated any chance of either of us sleeping with the hot bartender, we can’t stay.” Her giggle is joined by my own as I grab my clutch to follow her fast getaway.
“Yes, please.” I put my hands over my face to as we exit the bar. “I’m embarrassed of myself…I couldn’t stop it from coming out! And I kept making it worse!”
She grabs my hands, pulling them down, her face serious. “You think it was bad being in the moment? Try watching it, Drew…I almost peed my pants! You were like, ‘I like meat.’” We both double over with laughter, not caring what we look like on the sidewalk.
“It’s your fault—you put the idea of dicks in my head, and that’s what popped out.” My laughter increases.
“Don’t blame me. I told you, it’s like riding a bike; you’ll be fine with some more practice. But maybe let me do the ordering this time?” Calming down, she points to a bar across the street that looks crowded. “There.”
“Done.”
The place is packed full of people, some talking, all drinking. We have to wait for a minute at the bar, but Gretchen puts in our orders. When the bartender brings the drinks back, I take a long swig of my cool bourbon rocks. The feel of the burn and the spread of warmth is a welcome relaxant. I’m going to need some liquid courage for this night. I’ve been chasing my dreams instead of guys, but tonight I’m going to jump back on the saddle. Who says a girl can’t have it all?
Gretchen has already jumped into the deep end with the new bartender while I pretend not to eavesdrop on their banter. A tap on my shoulder has me turning to look in the direction it came from, although I wish I hadn’t because this guy has sleazeball written all over him. Everything from his cheap suit to the cigarette smell turns me off.
“Hey, beautiful, can I get you a drink?” He wags his eyebrows to complement his offer.
Lifting my drink, I shake my head no and turn back around to Gretchen, who rolls her eyes to me but continues her conversation with her bartender hottie, who is decidedly hotter than the first one.
Tap, tap, tap.No way. I turn back again to face my Beetlejuice caller.
“Sorry, I’m not interested in a drink or anything else.” I’m polite, but there’s no mistaking my message.
“You a lesbian?”
I hate guys like this. Amazed at his audacity and arrogance, my voice fills with my disdain. “Seriously? I’m starting to see the draw. However, I wouldn’t want you to think it’s not you. So, no…I like dick, just not yours.” Smiling sweetly, I start to turn away when he reaches out for my arm, knocking my elbow and causing my drink to spill on the guy to my right.
“What the hell!”
Pivoting immediately, I reach to the bar for napkins to hand to the now-wet guy next to me. I blush with embarrassment as I look apologetically to my new bourbon soaked friend. “I’m so sorry.”
He smiles down at me with the most perfect set of white teeth and winks. “No worries. I was just about to tell that guy to back off, but you seemed to handle yourself just fine.” His baby blues crinkling just a little as he smiles causes my hand to slow as I wipe at his shirt…his rock-hard shirt…shit, those are abs.
Jerking my hand away before my wiping becomes indecent, I extend my hand. “Thanks, and thanks for almost stepping in. Drew—my name is Drew.” My cheeks feel flushed with the heat I’m feeling.
“I’m Nick.”
Well hello, Nick.
He takes the wet napkin from my hand to add to the pile in his own and we both step closer to the bar. “Happy to almost help, but now that your drink is empty, can I buy you another one?”
Yes, please.
“Sure.” I smile, happy about his offer. “But I should really buy you one since I spilled mine all over you.” Tucking my hair behind my ears, I give my best flirty smile.
“Oh, come on, let me do one gentlemanly thing? Plus, if he comes back, I’ll be here to show you how to really handle it.” Smirking, he leans his arm on the bar and faces me, blocking the jerk who made me spill my drink in the first place.
“Oh, will you now? Here’s your chance—he’s still behind you.” I bite my lip to stifle my laugh.
Turning, Nick looks at him and leans in and whispers something close to his ear. Creepo nods and lifts his drink to cheers me as he takes his leave.
“What did you say to him?” I don’t want to admit it, but that was a pretty smooth move and my curiosity is piqued, but I’m only met with a devilish grin. A grin that only serves to highlight his adorable arrogance.
