Page 85 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

“I thought you’d spent the night with Grey,” he says after a long moment of silence.

“Really? Even though I said I wasn’t seeing him?”

“I had hoped so,” he says. “I thought maybe that’s why he missed work.”

I almost throw my phone at him. I had hoped to go out with him, too, I had hoped for many stupid things but it’s not working out because my stupid masterplan didn’t have any loopholes.

Ronin is frowning at me and I wonder if I said any of that out loud.

Then he says, “And have you seen Casey?”

“No. Must be in his room, working.”

“He’s not answering the door.”

“Then he’s busy.”

“Gigi… Seriously, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing!”

He nods at my outfit. “You’re going out.”

“Good guess. Yeah.”

His gaze shutters. “I see.”

Does he, though? I’m not sure I see, either. The entire plan ahead of me right now is go out, drink, tell Ronald we’re not meant to be, and come back. Also, somewhere in there is finding Travis—or rather, having Travis come back, at peace with himself and the world.

And some flying pigs, please. I mean, anything else, Gigi? As if all the wishful thinking in the world will help. As if wishing you could have Ronin and Casey and Zayne and Grey will help.

My brother is going down the same hole to hell my father went. And I’m making a mess of my own life, even as I’m trying to walk the tightrope that is my socially accepted path.

Not sure I can make it across.

Or that I want to.

* * *

Ronald is all smiles when I meet him inside the bar. His short dark hair is combed back with shiny gel, his light blue shirt very stylish and formal.

“You made it,” he says and pulls a second stool for me to sit. He obviously kept it free for me. “Let me order you a drink.”

He’s so… proper. So polite and thoughtful.

I’ll take that drink because I need some liquid courage for this.

Can you apply the liquid courage retroactively, too? It has been a day.

“A cocktail?” he asks and when I nod, he says, “The beta cocktail, I’ll bet?”

“Sure, I’ll get one of those,” I say, and damn, I hate that he got me so well. “But I’m planning on the alpha cocktail, next. And I’ll chase it down with an omega shot.”

Sounds very symbolic in my mind.

His brows go up. But he doesn’t comment on my suddenly-revealed alcoholic tendencies. He probably thinks I’m joking anyway.

The first cocktail slides down my throat fast. I hardly feel it. I’m thirsty. I’m disoriented. I know I have to talk to Ronald but I’m not ready yet.

---