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“Oh, I just said we’re here.” He glances out the side window toward the quarry. This time of night, the big gaping hole looks more like a lake. The snow has melted and run down, leaving a fair amount of water inside. It’s actually kind of pretty. Pine trees reflect against the water and there’s a silence out here that can’t be beat. I can’t figure out why Clive would say this place is dangerous. It seems pretty peaceful so far.
Bobby flips the center console up between us and turns the radio to low. His arm is outstretched, and he’s motioning for me to come toward him. We are here together on a date, so I guess the logical conclusion is for us to be close, but I’m not feeling it. Honestly, I’m surprised Bobby is. So far, everything we’ve talked about we’ve been on opposite sides of the spectrum on. Why would he be feeling the urge to get closer? I only want to pull further away.
Thankfully a truck pulls up next to us. Unthankfully it’s filled with assholes.
Bobby leans forward and rolls down my window. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Brought some beers. You want some?”
“Yeah.” He doesn’t even glance toward me. What happened to the sweet boy I knew a second ago? I mean, I get it… I wasn’t leaning in, but I didn’t think beers with dudes we went to high school with was on the list of things to do.
The guys from the truck beside us hop out and pull down their tailgate, yanking a cooler full of local beer toward them. I don’t know these guys well, but I remember their faces from high school, mostly because of the heckling. What is it about bullies? No matter how many years go by, seeing them is like a trigger to the nervous system.
The older of the three nods toward me. “I remember you.”
Bobby grabs a beer from the cooler and stretches it toward me.
I bite back a nervous Joker-like grin and look away, taking the beer with no intention to drink it. I’m pretty sure my face is dark red. I’ve never been good with people. In fact, I’m not a fan at all. If I could stay inside all day reading books and playing with my dog, I would. That said, there’s nothing worse than last minute social interactions. I need time to prepare for things like this.
The oldest bully laughs hysterically. “Yeah, you’re the girl that pissed her pants in like seventh grade, right?”
My stomach turns to knots. I don’t know why I expect Bobby to stick up for me, but he doesn’t.
“I didn’t piss my pants. I had my period, asshole.” I roll my eyes and hop back up into the truck.
The guys make some comment about how I can’t take a joke and Bobby laughs along with them. He doesn’t seem to pay any mind to the fact that I’m hurt, angry, and want to leave… now! Maybe this is the fake I was seeing in him. He’s one way to me and another in front of the boys.
Why did I agree to this?
I stare down at my phone and scroll through my contacts. Dolly is either asleep or still buzzed from yesterday. My parents aren’t an option because I’m pretty sure everyone in town would talk about me forever if I got picked up by my parents from a date. Before I know it, the list of possibilities is empty.
Maybe this is why people socialize. There are more people to call when you need help.
The truck shakes as two of the guys sit on Bobby’s tailgate.
“Hey, you okay?” He knocks on the side door and leans into the window.
“Not really. I thought it was just gonna be us.”
“Yeah, me too. Does this bother you?”
Clearly it bothers me. The fact that he’s asking is only because he’s seeking permission to enjoy the night without worrying about me. Quite honestly, this wasn’t going to work, regardless.
“I want to go home.”
“Really? We just got here.”
“Really.” My tone is flat, and my face is straight.
“Okay, well… let me have a couple of drinks and we’ll head out.”
Clearly, I’m not leaving anytime soon.
I stare out at the quarry, watching as a few meteors shoot overhead. They’re not as impressive as I’d hoped they’d be. Then again, maybe it’s my mood right now.
I contemplate biting the bullet and calling my mom. I could tell her to park down the road. Sure it’s dark, the corners are all blind, and who knows what kind of wild animals are up here this late at night, but I’m desperate to leave. Maybe I could scare a grizzly off with my grin.
I’m nearly convinced this is my only option when my phone buzzes.
