The instant our performance is over, I bolt to the men’s restroom to expel the copious amount of whiskey I downed too quickly. It takes several long stomach-cramping heaves for my body to rid itself of the alcohol, and by the time I head back to the bar, my bandmates are nowhere to be seen.
“Are you okay?” Megan nearly makes me scream like a girl. I hadn’t noticed her standing to the side of me.
I’m not eager to admit I just threw up half a bottle of whiskey. “Yeah, I must have a stomach bug or something.”
When I find myself comparing Megan’s lackluster hazel eyes to Jenni’s dazzling icy blue gaze, I stumble toward the bar. A bottle of whiskey couldn’t erase Jenni from my thoughts, so how about I give beer a shot?
The band is granted unlimited free beer every Friday night at Mavericks. I plan to take advantage of the situation.
* * *
The next morning, I wake up with the worst headache you could imagine. You’d think with how much whiskey I vomited the night before, I’d have no alcohol left in my system. But nope, I still feel drunk.
When I attempt to rub the sleep out of my eyes, I freeze. There’s a warm body lying on my chest. With my heart in my throat, I lower my frightful eyes. Light brown hair is fanned across my chest.
Oh, fuck.
I must have been so drunk last night, I forgot to sneak out once my companion fell asleep.
As my blurry gaze bounces around the unfamiliar environment, I struggle to gather my bearings. I appear to be at a cheap motel. The alarm clock shows it's 11:14 AM. No wonder my head is thumping. The last time I peered at the clock it was a little after 4 AM.
“Good morning,” is breathed heavily on my chest before a set of lips land on mine.
Shocked, I peel her off me by her shoulders. When she is far enough back, I scan her face, hoping her features will register as familiar.
I’m drawing a blank. I swear I’ve never seen her before.
“Morning. . .babe.”
Over the small talk, I jump out of the double bed, grab my jeans off the floor, then yank them up to cover the cotton boxer shorts I’m wearing.
The nameless brunette watches me in silence as I gather her clothes in haste before handing them to her. “You get dressed, then I’ll meet you in the hall.” I keep my tone friendly, not liking the tears welling in her eyes.
When she nods, I dart into the corridor where I spend the next several minutes biting out a string of curse words.
I’m still pacing the stained concrete floor when she opens the motel door and heads my way. The closer she gets to me, the more she fiddles with her floral dress. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Umm. . . no. . . not at all. . . I just. . . umm. . . have to go to work.” I catch my eyeroll halfway. This is the exact reason why I leave while they’re sleeping—to avoid the awkward next morning conversation.
“Okay.” Her lips quiver against mine when she presses a kiss on my straight-lined mouth. Not picking up the signals I’m throwing out, she inches back and says, “See you next week?”
I nod. It’s stupid of me to do, but I’ll say anything if it gets her out of here a little quicker.In silence, I usher her down the hall of a Motel Six on the outskirts of town.
“Bye.” She waves before pacing to a yellow car in the middle of the empty parking lot.
The instant her car exits the lot, I circle my throbbing temples. I’m never drinking whiskey ever again.
After taking a few seconds to settle my sky-high heart rate, my bleary eyes scan the parking lot, seeking my truck. My nose crinkles when I fail to locate it. My confusion doesn’t linger for long. I may have the worst hangover I’ve ever had, but I’m reasonably sure I left it at Isaac’s club last night.
Exhaling, I yank my cell phone out of my pocket to call a taxi. When I peer down at the screen, I notice I have a text message from Jenni.
Jenni:Did you want to go out tonight?
Fuck yes!After four months of chasing, it’s time for me to collect my reward.
I call a cab before returning Jenni’s call. Although she only sent me a text, I’d rather talk to her in person.
“Hello.” I can’t see her, but her breathless greeting has me imagining her smile.
