Page 12 of Savage in the Sheets
It doesn’t matter what you think. This is about her. What she wants.
But I know Jenna, and I know she’s not looking for a one night stand, which is all Barry will be. He’s just come out of a ten-year marriage, and just last week, he had me acting as his wingman.
I return my gaze to my coworkers, but my thoughts remain with Jenna.
For the life of me, I can’t understand how she’s gotten so tangled in my head. It’s not like I have hidden feelings for her.
Or at least, it wasn’t like that before.
Maybe this isn’t a romantic inclination that has me so on edge then. Maybe it’s trust.
Barry isn’t going to know what she needs, and if things don’t work out, who’s to say he’s going to treat her with respect when it’s over? The last thing I want is another Rosie Jetson situation where I get hauled off to jail for smashing my coworker’s face in.
It makes perfect sense. I’m not falling for Jenna—I’m looking out for her best interests, and Barry from engineering is most certainlynotin her best interest.
There is no smooth way to do this, but I have to get Jenna out of here and away from Barry, who is showing far more ambition than I’m comfortable with.
Deciding I don’t care what my coworkers think, I make my way over to the group playing darts without a clear plan in mind. All I know is that I have to show up Barry without looking desperate.
And then it comes to me.
I walk up and sandwich myself between them. “Best score out of three gets to buy the pretty lady’s drinks,” I say with a sly smile.
Fear lights Barry’s eyes. This isn’t the first time we’ve gone to this dive, and I am not ashamed to admit that I’m taking full advantage of his subpar dart throwing capabilities.
“Here, you lead.” I hand him a dart.
He chuckles uncomfortably as a small crowd gathers.
I feel bad. Barry doesn’t deserve this, but I can’t let him get away with his forwardness towards my best friend.
Barry brings a shaky hand up and throws the dart at the board. It hits the wall.
“Tough luck, Bare,” I say, then throw my own, which nets me 18 points.
Barry grunts, throws another dart, landing it on the board and gaining himself 6 points.
I whistle, like a dick, and throw a second time, landing 36 points.
Barry’s shoulders slump, and I can’t help but feel a tinge of guilt. It’s not like I’m some dart playing maverick, but Barry is exceptionally bad at anything that requires coordination.
With a look of defeat, Barry throws his last dart, landing himself 50 points.
“Woo hoo!” Jenna cheers.
My stomach twists in knots, but I keep my composure.
He only has fifty-six points. Just get the dart on the board. That’s all you need to do.
I suck in a breath, aim, and let loose the last dart.
“Yes!” Barry shouts, pumping his fist in the air.
I blink three times, making extra sure I’m not imagining my dart sitting in the 1 spot, netting me a total of 55 points.
I give Barry a hearty pat on the back. “Good job, Bare. I always believed in you.”
Without waiting for a reply or even giving a glance in Jenna’s direction, I make my way to the bartender, settle my bill, and leave.
