Page 17 of The Player
“I think I’ll stay here and finish my drink,” I said quietly to myself, lifting my glass to take another sip.
I became aware of someone standing a little too close to me, and I sidestepped to give myself more space at the bar, but then a gentle voice asked, “Hey. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you and Will together?”
I glanced to the side to see a pretty blonde girl standing next to me, dressed as schoolgirl Britney and sipping a cocktail through a straw.
“Why?” I asked, my eyes narrowing with distrust.
“I don’t want to step on any toes,” she said sweetly, and then, looking over at the dance floor, she sighed and started to blush. “I knew Will from high school. I’ve always liked him. He makes me laugh.” She gave a nervous giggle that made me feel like I was listening to nails on a chalkboard, and I tensed.
I felt my back go up, and jealousy I didn’t want to admit to surfaced as I replied, “Yes, actually. We’re together.” And then, giving her a fake smile and tilting my head, I said, “I’m so sorry.”
“That’s okay.” Her shoulders sagged despite her smile. I could tell she was deflated. “It was worth asking,” she stated. Then she turned on her heels and walked away.
“Jesus.” Another familiar female voice came from behind. “I never had you down as a cock blocker.”
I spun around to face my sister, Shelley, dressed in her skin-tight green dress with ivy twisting around it, and a red wig covering her curly dark hair.
“I’m not,” I snapped.
Shelley nodded to the girl retreating through the crowd with her head down. If she’d had a tail, it’d be between her legs right now.
“That could be the love of Will’s life, his soulmate, and you just cock blocked him. You’re not together.” She glared at me with her eyes wide to prove her point. “Not unless something changed between this morning, when you said something about hell freezing over, and tonight.”
“Maybe sheishis soulmate.” I tried not to let that thought get to me. “And if it’s meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other.” I bit my lip, staring blankly at the dance floor, pretending I didn’t care. “She seemed like a lovely girl.”
“I call bullshit,” Shelley bit back.
I frowned, waiting for her to elaborate.
“If you like him, admit it. You basically did just that when you warned that poor girl off.” She took a breath then tilted her head towards mine. “You know, a wise woman once told me to live for the moment. Have fun. I think she needs to start taking some of her own advice.”
I always gave my sisters the kind of advice I’d never take on board myself. Didn’t everyone do that?
“I didn’t warn her off,” I replied defensively. “And anyway, you needed that extra push when it came to Colton. I said it how it was. But for Will, it’s not the same. He’s a different creature altogether. Totally different species.”
“He really isn’t.” Shelley fixed me with a pointed stare. “And youarea cock blocker, you’re cock blocking yourself.” She nodded to my drink. “Down that, have another, then go and find him. Life’s for living, after all. Isn’t that what you always say?”
I wrinkled my nose, giving her a friendly snarl as I berated her for throwing my words back at me. Then I downed my drink and turned to face the barman, asking him for a double. I felt like I needed the extra shot for courage.
“That’s my girl,” Shelley said, patting my arm.
“What are you drinking?” I asked her, but she shook her head.
“I’ve already got a drink over there.” She nodded to where Colton stood across the room, and said, “You should come and join us. I don’t like you standing here drinking on your own.”
“Maybe later,” I replied, picking up my drink and taking a large sip. “I need a little me time right now.”
She frowned, not liking my answer, but she didn’t argue.
“Okay. Well, you know where we are.”
I smiled and watched her walk away.
* * *
Half an hour later, and still standing in the same place, propping up the bar, I felt the buzz from my mobile phone in my pocket. I took it out, tapped on the screen, and saw a text from Will. I glanced up and looked around before reading it, half expecting to see him standing watching me with that stupid grin on his face. But he wasn’t here. Not that I could see, anyway.
Meet me outside, down by the duck pond.
