The laughter dies down, we get Monty up and over to the side of the arena, so we aren’t blocking other people from enjoying their time. Monty is sitting at the table with a napkin up his nose.
Guilt turns in my stomach, I get up from the table and head towards the concession stand. I’m looking over what they have to offer on the menu. Finally when I find what I’m looking for I go to the counter and order. I only have to wait a minute before my order is ready and I head back to where we were sitting.
Shiloh is off on the trampoline obstacle course again with Xavier. So it’s only the girls with Monty at the table.
I take the seat across from him and slide the plate of cheesy nachos over to him. He raises one eyebrow in question.
I shrug my shoulders, “Consolation prize.” I say matter of factly. The nerves that are turning in my stomach quickly disappear when the deep belly laugh comes from Monty.
When his laughter dies down, he tosses a chip that’s slathered with the cheesy nacho sauce and does a little shimmy. “You won fair and square,” He says with a mouthful of tortilla chips, “I accept the consolation prize.”
“I am sorry though. You know,” I wiggle my finger in the general area of his nose, "for making you bleed.”
“Don’t sweat it, isn’t the first time I’ve bled, and won’t be the last.” He tells me before popping another couple chips in his mouth.
The rest of the afternoon goes by injury free, and before we know it we are heading home. Monty’s parents are at the main rental when we get back, and we all head our separate ways to get ready for dinner.
My body is thrumming with anticipation of what’s going to happen tonight. Harper’s sitting on my bed as I pull my sheer top over my tank. She quickly ran over and grabbed her outfit and came back to get ready with me. My hair is pulled back in a slick high ponytail with a money piece framing my face. Make up is minimal, but I make sure to throw on my favorite gloss as the finishing piece.
Turning around I take in my best friend, her dark hair is curled with little gem clips. Her smoky eyes highlight the color of her emerald eyes.With matching dark washed jeans that hug her curvy form, she compliments it with a loose silk beige tank. The straps of her tank are so thin she's either wearing a strapless bra or nothing under it.
“Are you wearing a bra with that top?” I ask her, curiosity winning.
Harper looks down, her brow furrowing slightly before she answers. “Yeah, I thought about going braless. Then the thought of that, and dancing seemed like a sweaty uncomfortable disaster with these boobs, you know?” She shrugs her shoulders, and I hum in agreement.
“Makes sense.” I pause and look down at my outfit once more. “Does this look okay?” I pull the sheer fabric of my top, unsure if this is what’s making me feel uneasy.
“You look hot, babe.” Harper reassures me, she tilts her head as she looks at me. “Are you… nervous?” A smirk slowly forms on her face.
“What? Me? Nervous?” I scoff. “I don’t get nervous babes. I’m the furthest from it.” Reaching up I adjust my pony, then grab my dark leather hand bag and head for the door. Harper chuckles behind me but I hear her footsteps behind me.
She’s right, though. I am nervous, but I refuse for anyone to know that. On the inside though, I’ve thrown up and already canceled the plans in exchange for a night curled up in my bed escaping from the world with my newest romance book.
Entering the main area of the house, Shiloh is sitting at the coffee table coloring something. His face is full of concentration at the task. A popular kids show playing on the TV as background noise.
Monty’s mom is in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. Monty and Xavier are at the table with a beer in their hands. Monty talking animatedly about something by the way his other hand is being thrown around. Scanning the area, I see that Josie isn’t there yet.
Harper walks past and joins the guys at the table, but I need a drink, something to try and cool the nerves that have started to tingle across my skin. Opening the fridge, I spot a premixed piña colada. Grabbing it I quickly crack the can and take a long pull. Once the fridge is closed I head toward the table to join everyone else there.
Footsteps sound from down the hall, before Josie appears in the entry way. Slowly I take her in, her chocolate hair is curled, head tilted to the side so she can put in her dangle earring. A deep red sheer lace top covers her arms, matched with a deep V tank dress overtop. The dress hugs every delicious curve of her body, the length ending at her midthigh. I feel my body heat as I imagine what it would be like to be dancing up against her.
The restaurant is busy when we arrive. Music and conversation litter the little restaurant, causing a sense of ease and enjoyment.
“Sorry guys. We’re currently full but I can, like, put you guys on the waiting list for when a table frees up?” The hostess, whose name tag reads Betty says, popping her gum.
“Do you know how long the wait is?” Josie asks. Monty steps up behind her, wrapping an arm around her front.
“Uh, probably like thirty minutes?” Betty replies while she looks at the seating chart on her stand. “I’d just need your name and number to put on the list. You’re welcome to go to the bar if you, like, want to have some drinks while you wait.”
“The bar sounds good.” Monty gives Betty his name and number as Betty points us in the direction of the bar. We all file up at the bar top, Monty opens a tab for us and we each put in our order. One by one the bartender brings us our drinks. When my margarita is placed in front me, I lean forward and give the bartender my most alluring smile.
“Can you also set up a stoplight shot for me?” The bartender grimaces at my request but pulls up three glasses. I watch as he fills one shot glass with clamato juice, the next with tequila, and the third with pickle juice. With the shots lined up perfectly, I turn my body toward the group. A sinister smile spreads on my face. Harper’s eyes are wide as she notices the disgusting shot order I have beside me.
“Oh no.” She states, then starts laughing. She nudges Xavier who’s standing beside her, taking a drink of his beer. Lowering his glass his eyes travel from my face to the bar top and his lips pull back in disgusted.
“Oh you’re fucked tonight Monty.” He surmises to his friend.
“As my first act as controller of your night,” I begin, gaining everyone’s attention. Josie is standing in front of Monty, straw to her red painted lips. “You must take this line of shots.”
