Page 7 of Just for Fun
I put an arm up, hoping that he’ll grab me and help me up. Instead, he stares at me for the longest time without saying a word.
“I swear to God that I was joking,” I repeat. “I would never go out with a friend’s ex, no matter how hot she was.”
Alex continues staring, his jaw tight and murder in his eyes. But then, he visibly relaxes. He stands up and grabs me by the outstretched arm before pulling me back up to my feet.
“You guys are just too much fun.” That’s Ray’s future stepmother talking. “It’s like watching a TV show,” she gushes. “I absolutely love it. Who is this girl anyway?” she asks as she leans over the table to address Hayden.
Everyone starts talking at the same time, with all of them trying to add more to the story while they share details of Alex’s love life.
I turn to look at my friend, suddenly ashamed of myself.
“I’m sorry, man,” I tell him. “I didn’t mean to talk like that about Mona. I was only teasing you, and…” I take a deep breath in while running my fingers through my hair. “I took it too far.”
He pats me on the back in a friendly move, which doesn’t feel like forgiveness at all. I wait for him to say something, and when he doesn’t, I feel really bad about the whole situation. I feel like I ruined the night, at least for him. Everyone else around the table is having a great time gossiping about Alex and Mona.
“I should go.” He pretends to check on the time, acting all rushed, like he’s late for something. “I have some things going on in the Japanese market. This is a good time for me to take care of it.”
“Don’t go, man,” I beg. “Let’s have another drink…”
Alex pulls out a hundred-dollar bill and drops it on the table.
“Here you go, buddy,” he says. “It’s on me. It should also cover the drink I spilled.”
With that, he walks around the table, shaking all the guys’ hands and giving a quick hug to all the ladies. He gives me another quick wave before walking away.
I sit back down at the table, but I’m not in a partying mood anymore. I suddenly feel out of place since I am the only person at the table who is not part of a couple. This truly blows.
“We need to find Kyle a girlfriend,” I hear one of the girls saying. That gets them going, with everyone having an opinion on the type of girl I should be dating. Before long, things are out of control, and I worry that if I don’t intervene, they’ll talk me into walking down the aisle at the first date with some unknown person.
“I don’t need help finding a girlfriend,” I finally speak up. “I have plenty of choices.”
Hayden, not one to ever miss anything, rests her chin on her hand and gives me a sly smile.
“Do tell us, Kyle. What are these choices you speak of? I would like to know if whoever you’re bringing will need to be photoshopped out of my wedding pictures.”
I open my mouth to respond, but my mind goes completely blank. I can’t think of one woman I could bring to Ray and Hayden’s wedding, who would be an appropriate option. All the girls I’ve dated, for lack of a better term, have been loud and on the obnoxious side. But I never cared because they could blow my mind in bed, and not like I was looking for something serious anyway.
However, now that I am being put on the spot, I am a bit embarrassed. What can I say though, I’ve never been interested in having anything meaningful. I figured I’d play until I’m ready to settle down.
The next thought popping into my head sobers me all the way. I am going to be thirty years old next year. That’s a bit too old for me to act like life is one long frat party.
I let out a long sigh, looking around the table. Everyone is coupled up and happy. And then, there’s me. Well, me and Alex, too, although, there’s the sticky situation with Mona. So, I guess there’s just me then.
“I will bring someone appropriate to the wedding,” I hear myself say. “And I can’t believe you would even doubt me.”
Hayden’s eyes widen in surprise. “I would like to meet this girl before my big day.”
“Me, too,” everyone else says in unison.
I swallow hard, wondering where in the hell I am going to find an appropriate date on such short notice. And then, it’s like a lightbulb goes off in my head. I can sign up for theHolidateapp. After all, my friends have all used it so they shouldn’t judge. But I don’t plan on telling them about it.
“I will make the arrangements,” I tell them, referring to them meeting this imaginary girl I plan to introduce to them.
I’ll have to get right on this. Stat.
THREE
Zara
