Page 69 of Until Next Time
He taps my shoulder and picks up two glasses from the cart, pops the top off one of the bourbon bottles and pours the liquid into both glasses. He hands one to me, and lifts his, tapping his glass to mine. A silent toast. An understanding.
I finish pouring Birdie’s wine and make my way across the room to where she and Casey are sitting on the couch talking about Stephanie of all people.Lovely.
“Oh, here he is now. Maybe he can give us some insight to the inner bitch workings ofStephanie Smith.” Her annunciation of her name makes me laugh. These girls are not fans. That is for certain.
I hand Birdie her glass and lean against the wall, making myself comfortable. I take a sip of the bourbon and say, “I don’t think anyone understands the inner workings of Stephanie Smith. Why do you ask?”
“River is being a fucking idiot and traipsing her around the ranch, and people are talking. It’s just stirring up a lot of drama and to be honest, it’s unprofessional.” Casey spits out. There’s fire in her voice. And if I didn’t know any better, it sounds a lot like jealousy to me.
“Yeah, that sounds like her. To be honest, I don’t know her all that well. She’s from part of my past that I’m not super proud of and don’t like revisiting, especially with present company.” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck.
Birdie almost spits out her wine from laughing so hard.
“What are you laughing at? You cried yourself to sleep that one night you thought Dawsen booty called her while you were working on the mural.”
“Woah, woah.” I interject.
“I know, I’m laughing because I hate her so much and I’m trying to remain calm, but I feel a red mist coming over me.” Birdie says, rubbing her temples dramatically now.
I chuckle and realize I need to stop the runaway train that is these two girls on the topic of Stephanie.
“Ladies, can we not re-hash the past that I’m not particularly proud of?” I throw my hands up in defense.
They both cross their arms and almost in unison say, “Fine.” As they sip their drinks and continue giggling.
River saunters up beside me, “what are you guys talking about?”
“Your girlfriend.” Casey says without skipping a beat.
River, with the golden retriever energy, “Are you jealous, Casey?” He’s got a gleam in his eye, and I can tell he gets his rocks off by messing with Casey. It’s their thing. She hates him, he loves messing with her.
“Ew, absolutely not, stable boy.” Casey fires back at him, and they start their game of back and forth. I look over at Birdie, nod towards the entry way, signaling for her to follow me.
I’m waiting by the bottom of the staircase when Birdie rounds the corner. Her arms still crossed, and a pout is still on her face.
I’d be lying to say I didn’t find it sexy how jealous she is, especially because Birdie never has a reason to be jealous as far as I’m concerned.
I pull her close to me, and tip her chin up so that I can see into those big beautiful brown eyes.
“Birdie. I need you to know that you’re the only woman I want. Everyone before you was simply my way of killing time. I know that’s shitty sounding, but you’re it for me.”
She sighs, almost looking embarrassed by her reaction. “I’m sorry, I hate the jealous side of me. I wish I could control it better.”
I huff out a bit of laughter, because I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Here, I want to show you something.” I grab the gift off the foyer table and lead her up the stairs, down the hall and straight to her bedroom. I’ve actually only been in her bedroom one time when we were in high school and River was convinced she had stolen his All Time Low CD, and he made me go with him to search for it when she wasn’t home.
Once we’re inside, I can’t help but laugh. Nothing is changed. Boy band posters plastered like wallpaper, makeup, nail polish and jewelry scattered across her vanity, and a huge pile of clothes draped over the chair in the corner.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting company.” She smirks and waves her hand across her room like she’s presenting it to me.
“It looks the exact same as it did all those years ago.” I say, taking it all in. I can feel her eyes on me, like she’s confused.
“You’ve been in here before?! When?” She asks defensively, like she’s horrified.
“In high school. River thought you took one of his albums. We basically tore your room apart but luckily it was already torn apart so you didn’t notice.” I wink at her and she laughs.
“Sooo, what is that?” She bites her lip and eagerly points to the brown wrapped package I’m holding.
