Page 32 of Until Next Time
I smile at that.
“Do you like the wine?” I inquire, knowing exactly where it came from.
She let’s out a little groan, “Oh my gosh, it’s so good. If I’m not careful I’m gonna drink a whole bottle’s worth.”
“I’ll bring you bottle tomorrow. Which one did you go with?”
She stares at me for a beat. “Is this one of yours?”
“Yeah, Southbound is the supplier for Echo.”
She looks from me down to the red liquid in her glass and pauses for a beat.
“I don’t know actually—It’s a cab. I just asked for something red and delicious and then this appeared. Isn’t that funny? I love wine that is red and delicious, but I think red delicious apples are the worst.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “Oh yeah, well what did Red Delicious ever do to you?” I ask her like I’m insulted by her apple hatred.
Before she can answer, Max sidles up right beside her and I don’t miss the way his arm snakes around her waist, almost like he’s signaling to me that she’s not here alone. Like I wasn’t already well aware.Asshole. He puts his fist out to meet mine, and I oblige.
“Hey man.” Is all I offer
“I almost sent out a search party looking for you.” Max says to Birdie, while he’s all too close for my liking. I can’t help but notice her flinch at his touch. I’m probably imagining it, but she seems like she’s a little uncomfortable, which makes my blood start to feel hot.
“Oh yeah, sorry—I got lost on my way back from the bathroom.” She says as she brushes her hair behind one of her ears.
The bartender slides the tumbler of Titos on the rocks across the bar. I grab the pen, tip and sign and slide it back. I turn back towards Birdie and Max, and give a tight lipped smile, and hold the glass up as if to signal that I’m going to head back to the group.
“Better get this to Stephanie… See you guys back at the tables.” I tip my chin up at the two of them and make my way through the crowd, mentally berating myself for ever befriending Max.
* * *
This has got to be the longest concert in the history of concerts. I feel like I need to get out of here before my head explodes. Between the constant nagging awareness of Birdie and Max being on a date while Stephanie drunkenly throws herself between River and I. I swear—this woman needs some help by way of some tough love and maybe a Sunday morning church revival.
The concert has actually been pretty incredible. I’ve always loved Matt Schuster and his live performance is top notch, and bonus—our seats are within spitting distance, so it’s actually the most ideal concert situation if it was under completely differentcircumstances rather than my absolute worst nightmare. But, here we are.
The only thing that’s keeping me somewhat sane as I watch Max put his hands all over Birdie is knowing full well that tomorrow she’ll be with me. Yeah, it’s strictly for business purposes but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s going to be riding shotgun in my truck for a couple hours.
“Hey man, I’m gonna head out. You all good?” I lean towards River and whisper shout into his ear so he can hear me over the music. I know the show will be over in the next 20 minutes, but I don’t feel like sticking around at this point. I need to get a head start on not being able to sleep tonight.
“Ahh you leaving?” He leans in for a very classic bro hug. “Yeah, Long day. Gonna hit the sack. Drive safe, man.” I say, giving him one last pat on his shoulder. He gives me a somber and knowing look and just nods.
I give the group a little wave off and head out. I make eye contact with Birdie and just give her a tight lipped smile. For some reason it’s painful seeing her right now, and I just need this day to be done. I spin on my heel and head for the door, and out into the crisp air.
The cold leather of my truck seat squeaks as I slide in and start her up. I rest my hands on the steering wheel as I stare out my windshield, waiting for the engine to warm up.
I don’t know how I managed to compartmentalize my feelings for Birdie so well for years while she was living in the city, but now that she’s in such close quarters, I’ve never felt so weak. I need to be careful. I need to get my shit together.
Fuck.
23
Birdie
Why do I always feel like I got hit by a truck or like I have just awoken from a coma when I wake up? Okay, the bottle of wine I drank last night at the concert is probably partially to blame. Yesterday me was very selfish and not looking out for future me whatsoever. That bitch.
I groggily drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom. I reach into the shower and turn the handle all the way to the left, because if this shower isn’t scalding, I don’t want it. I pick up my phone to look at the time and make a mental note that I’m probably going to be later than usual to the winery today, but that’s fine because there’s not a whole lot left to work on without that scaffolding, which is today’s mission. Dawsen told me he had a few things to do today before we head out of town though, so I’m just going to take my time and try not to get overly excitedand simultaneously anxious about a mini road trip with Dawsen Jones. Shit. Maybe I should take a cold shower.
I hop in the shower and let the water relax my muscles and soothe the tension from this unfortunate hangover. The concert last night was amazing. Matt Schuster is so good live, and Max was a perfect gentleman as well. I really cannot rightfully be critical of him, and poor guy has put on Oscar winning performances every time I can sense that he wants to lean in for a kiss and I fumble my way around avoiding it, leaving him to pretend like his ego isn’t taking a hit every time. I’m not usually someone who overthinks a kiss. I’ve kissed plenty of guys, and I’ve even kissed guys casually before, not in a slutty type of way, just in a mutual understanding that this is a one time thing kind of way. But with Max it’s different because I can tell he really likes me, and I like him too… I think. But I also have a much larger, more prominent part of my brain that is absolutely thinking about someone else, and it just feels all wrong. But maybe I should just kiss him and then maybe I’d be cured from this stupid, relentless crush that will absolutely not leave me alone. Maybe it would distract me and I’d realize that this crush is merely just infatuation and some dumb fantasy that I’ve been trapped in since my youth. Because how cliche is this anyways? Being in love with my brother’s best friend? Pathetic, Birdie. I finish my shower and put a stop to my runaway thoughts on the matter.
