“She’s something else,” I said, staring at Karla with a little smirk. “I really like her, Luke.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I’ve never heard you say those words before.”
“I never felt them before. Not like this. I think I’m in love with her.”
Luke’s grin spread across his whole face as he hit my chest. “Fuck yeah you are!”
Adrian overheard Luke’s excitement. He turned to face us. “What’s happening?”
“Ash’s in love with Karla,” Luke stated.
Adrian’s eyes widened with glee. “Hell yeah you are, brother!” he shouted, hopping up and down with his hands on my shoulders.
“What’s going on?” Shawn asked as he walked over with two glasses of whiskey. He handed me one. I downed it.
“Ash’s in love with Karla!” Adrian said like a schoolgirl with the latest gossip.
“Oh shit!” Shawn exclaimed, tapping his glass with mine. “Cheers to that!”
“Cheers to what?” Karla and Chase asked as they walked up together.
“Nothing!” we all said in unison.
Karla and Chase stared at us for a moment, confused, before shrugging it off.
“You guys are weird. I’m going to the bathroom,” Karla said, turning to leave.
The moment she was gone, Chase picked up a bucket on the table filled with darts. “Anyone up for a game?”
“Ash’s in love with Karla!” the other three guys shouted as they jumped up and down with the purest of joy.
Chase’s eyes widened with so much excitement. He then joined in on the jumping around.
We played a round of darts, and I kept glancing over my shoulder to see if Karla was on her way back from the restroom.
“You’re up!” Chase said, tossing a dart into my hand. I could’ve sworn I’d just gone, though. Regardless, I threw the dart.
“Hey! Great toss!” Chase commented as he patted me on the back. “Here’s a shot!” He put one in my hand and I took it. I then glanced over toward the bathroom again.
“Where’s Karla? I thought she said she was going to the bathroom. It’s been a while.”
“Oh, I saw her step outside. She ran into a girl she knew, and they were catching up.”
Oh.
Well, all right then.
I wasn’t going to be an extra boyfriend and go introduce myself. Karla was allowed to have her alone time with her friends. If she wanted to introduce me to whoever she was talking to, she would’ve made that clear.
I kept playing darts, and I didn’t start to truly worry until ten more minutes passed and I didn’t see Karla come back inside. I pulled out my phone, and right as I was about to dial Karla’s number, a text message popped up on my screen.
Karla:I headed back to my apartment.
Karla:Join me?
That was an easy request. I was surprised to hear she left without me, though. I knew her apartment was within walking distance, but I didn’t like the idea of her walking home alone. After taking a last round of nonbirthday shots with the guys, I said my good-nights and headed back home to my girl.
My girl.
