They kept me alive. Gave me a home. A family. They also used me, got me into trouble, and put me in prison. I don't say any of that, though. I don't have the words for any of it. And if a sweet, innocent girl like her knew even half the truth, shewouldbe afraid.
A burly, blond, bearded man wearing a flat cap taps a microphone. "Welcome to Trivia Night at The Cellar, everyone!" A chorus of hoots, hollers, and applause greet this. “You all know the rules by now, but I’ll review for those who might be new. One person answers for the team. The first team to ten points wins the round, and the first team to win three rounds gets a two-hundred-and-fifty dollar gift card redeemable here at The Cellar. Remember, no googling! Now, is everyone ready? Our first category is pop culture."
Over the next three hours, Noelle and her friends win two rounds, battling another table for the third round. Oddly enough, I end up contributing answers twice and find myself enjoying the evening. Mainly because Noelle stays close to me the whole time, some part of her touching me at all times—a hand, a knee, a thigh against mine.
It's intoxicating—she’sintoxicating. Hypnotic. Always laughing, joking with her friends, always with a smile. And even though I rarely speak, she never pushes me and never seems to think it's awkward.
Even her friends seem comfortable with me. Colin is almost as quiet as I am, and Thomas obviously adores him.
The other team ends up winning since none of us knew the name of a famous fountain in Rome. Our team groans when the other team comes up with the correct answer and the win, but no one seems especially upset.
Colin is the first to stand up. "I have to work early, guys. Can we go, Tommy?"
Thomas rolls his eyes. "Fine, be all responsible and shit." He stands up with his boyfriend and blows kisses to the group—including me. "Love you all. See you next week!"
Thomas playfully shoves Colin through the crowd, goosing his ass a few times along the way, which Colin plays along with, acting primly outraged.
"C'mon, girls, we might as well go, too," Ashlynn says. “If I have another Cosmo, I’ll need a ride home, and god knows the ride-share options in this town are few and far between."
"No shit," Raina says, examining the long receipt and digging cash out of her purse. "The last time I got drunk on Trivia night, I waited for my Uber for over an hour. I could have walked home faster than that."
I follow the girls out of the bar, accompanying them across the parking lot.
Kyle glances at me over her shoulder as we reach the far side of the lot and a cluster of cars all parked together. "Nice to have a bodyguard no one will fuck with. I've never liked this parking lot at night."
Noelle grins up at me. "I'm glad you came, Bear."
I nod. "I had fun. Thank you for inviting me."
I wait as she chats with her friends for a few minutes, and the other three get in their cars and drive off, leaving Noelle and me alone in the lot under a wide pool of amber light from a street lamp.
"Did you really have fun?" she asks.
I nod. "Yes. Never been to a trivia night."
She grins, shrugging. "It's just a fun excuse to get together and hang out every week."
"Almost won tonight," I say.
"Almost." She looks up at me. "So. When will I see you again?"
I swallow hard. "Dunno. Next Friday?"
"When do you volunteer at the rescue?"
"Most nights after work. I help Gloria clean up and feed everyone before she closes up for the night. Wash the dogs. Walk ‘em around play with ‘em.”
"Maybe I'll stop by and help one night this week." She looks hopeful.
It's hard not to read anything into the way she's acting toward me. Hard not to let the little seed of hope germinate.
"I'd like that."
She smiles at me, and my heart pounds. "See you soon?"
"Sure will. Drive safe."
She squeezes my hand. "Where's your car?" She looks around the now empty lot.
