We’re interrupted by the hostess, her name tag reads Rosaline, “Hey y’all! Sorry to interrupt but your table’s ready for you girls.” She tells us, a soft southern twang flows with each word.
Evie and I grab our drinks and say our goodbyes to our new friends. We’re put over by the windows in the front. Allowing me to watch people outside as they walk through the city. I love to people watch, I remember I used to go to the park to get out of my old apartment and sit on a bench with my kindle. Between reading, I would take some time to watch what was going on around me. I’d wonder what those people's lives would be like, and sometimes I would make up a whole back story to a person.
Over the next hour we indulge ourselves with so much food. Sharing the pulled pork wontons and sweet chili brisket egg rolls. We decide to try new drinks from their signature menu. I pick the Spicy Peach. Which had the perfect combo of spice with the sweetness of peach. You couldn’t even taste the alcohol, which is dangerous.
Harper decides on the Smoke Show. She drank it, but quickly reverted back to her usual drink. I give her points for trying, because I know she doesn’t always try new things with the fear of not liking it.
“Should we try some dessert?” I ask Harper, as I sip back the last of my third Spicy Peach.
Leaning back in her chair, Harper blows out a breath before she replies. “I think if I try to eat anything more I just might explode.”
“Fair enough, our eyes were drunker than our stomachs.” I remark, then laugh. I’m feeling good, the buzz of alcohol washing over me. Not too much where I’m sloppy, but just enough to relax me and have a good time.
A shadow covers our table and I look up to some big brute standing there with two drinks in his hand. They look like the drinks that we’ve had throughout the night. He places them on the table with this cocky smirk on his face as he straightens up.
“I saw that you beautiful ladies were all by yourself, and I thought it would be such a crime if you didn’t have some drinks bought for you.” He says with assured confidence that I do not appreciate it. “My name’s Trent.”
My nose scrunches up as I look this guy up and down. He’s average height, shaggy brown hair, with some five o’clock shadow appearing on his jaw line. He’s wearing jeans and a shirt that looks like it was picked up off the floor because it’s wrinkly and there appears to be… a stain on his chest.
“Hi.” I indulge him, “I’m Evie, that’s Harper.” I point my finger at the girl in question. Not taking my eyes off this guy because he gives me an uneasy feeling.
“Nice to meet you.” He says, grabbing a chair from the next table over and placing it backward before straddling it.
Oh, great. He’s staying. I internally cringe and hope he doesn’t stay long.
“So what brings you beautiful ladies out here to Westroth?” He asks, that cocky smile coming back to life.
“What makes you think that we aren’t from here?” Harper asks, no malintent in her tone, just a genuine question. That doesn’t stop Trent from glaring at her.
“I didn’t say that.” He grunts, “But I would recognize you if youdidlive here. I’ve been here my whole life. Besides, I’d have remembered your friend if she was from here.”
This mother fucker.
I watch as his eyes trail over my best friend, not with interest, but with distaste. I watch Harper fall into herself, arms wrapping around her midsection and I’ll have none of that shit.
“Is that so?” I start, Trent’s eyes fly to mine, and he puffs his chest, like he just gave me the best compliment ever.
“Well yeah, a gorgeous girl like you. I would havedefinitelyremembered you.” He leans on the chair, locking his stare on me. “How come you’re here all by yourself tonight?”
“I’m not.” I state. “I’m here with my best friend and we’re trying to have a nice night out. Just the two of us. Without our partners, so that we can talk about how good we’re both getting fucked. Instead, we’re sitting here listening to you try to hit on me after you just insulted my person.”
Trent's face flushes slightly and I see the anger in his eyes, but I’m not done yet.
“Now, if you don’t mind. We were enjoying our nights, waiting for her boyfriend to come pick us up.” I wave my hand in dismissal, hoping he just gets up and leaves.
When does it ever go that way though? Our table rattles, the drinks Trent brought over here spilling over the table top as his fist slams down on the table.
I feel my body freeze, heart rate sky rocketing as I watch this guy throw a fit. Maybe I took things too far, but he made Harper feel self conscious and I don’t put up with that shit. Iexpectedto be called a bitch or a tease.
Trent chose violence.
“You fuckingbitch.” He seethes. “I come over here offering you drinks and conversation and you dismiss me? Who the fuck do you think you are?”
I bring my hands into my lap to hide the shake in them. Memories of broken dishes, screaming and belittling spiral forward but I quickly shove them away.
“I’m someone who doesn’t need your company.Especiallyafter you insulted my best friend.” I can hear my blood pumping in my ears, so I don’t hear what he says next. I watch in horror as things escalate and he stands up, while sweeping his hand across our table sending whatever’s in his wake in my direction. My arms fly up to my face, and I hear Harperscream. I’m up and in his face before he can even think and I’m shoving him back.
“You need toleave.” I demand, but he gets back up in my face and grabs my elbow in an iron clad grip. I try to pull out of his grasp but it's futile.
