“What happened?” I ask again, squeezing her a little tighter. She had been having so much fun just a short time ago.
Clearing her throat, she says, “Braden’s here somewhere.”
Looking up over her head, I scan the room. There are so many people scattered around the bar I’m not sure I could findhim if I tried. Quickly glancing down at her, I ask, “How do you know? Did you see him?” I ask, pulling her closer.
“He texted me. He knew what I was wearing, so he’s here somewhere.”
“What did he say?”
Her palms fall to my chest, and her eyes drop to the floor.
“Don’t do that.” Using my knuckles, I raise her chin. “Please talk to me.”
“It’s the same old shit,” she says with a quick grin before raising herself on her tiptoes and placing a gentle kiss on my lips. “Let’s not let him wreck our night, okay?”
When I say nothing, she kisses me again and whispers, “Please,” against my lips before dropping her heels back to the floor.
“Okay,” I concede, brushing my lips across her forehead. “We will talk about it later.”
“After I kick your ass at trivia?” Her eyes dance as she steps away.
“Then we may never talk,” I deadpan, reaching for her again.
“You think you’re funny,” she says as I pull her back to my side.
“I know I’m funny.”
Glancing up, I see Dillon return, search the crowd, then walk our way.
“Hey. I thought you were leaving,” I say when he comes to stand with us.
He looks between us with his jaw set and crosses his arms. “Yeah, I am,” he says hoarsely, then clears his throat. “When I was in the parking lot, I noticed you had a flat tire.”
“That’s weird. I thought the tire sensors were supposed to pick up if the tire has a leak.”
“Dunno.” He takes off his ball cap, pushes back his hair, and places it back on his head. “But since I’m still here, I thought Icould give you a hand. Uhhh, you don’t want to let it sit on the rim too long, ya know?”
“Will Harold be okay?”
“Yep.” He rolls his lips and looks to the door.
“Okay, sure.” I check the time on my watch and then say to Beck, “Do you mind if I go out with Dillon and check it out? I won’t be long.”
“You’re trying to get out of the game, aren’t you?” Turning to Dillon, she says, “Did he put you up to this? Is he so afraid of losing that he asked you to make up a story and rescue him?”
His eyes go round and he shakes his head quickly. “What? No, I was leaving and saw the flat.”
“I’m just kidding.” She laughs and pats his shoulder. Looking at me, she asks, “Do you want me to come out with you?”
“No,” Dillon hollers. “I mean, it’s getting cold. You should stay inside with your friends.”
“Okay…” She glances at me, then back to Dillon. “Are you alright?”
“Yep. All good. I’ll wait over there,” he says, walking towards the exit.
“Is he always this uptight?” she asks, puzzled as she watches him weave through the tables.
“Sometimes.” I grab my jacket from the back of my chair. “I won’t be long.”
