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“It’s over on Sixth Avenue. It’s called Shattered. Ever heard of it?” he asked.
“Yep,” I replied with a smile. Finally, a place I could go where I didn’t have to worry about fitting in, because the crew at work weren’t high class members of social clubs or country clubs. I wouldn’t be judged on my class or up-bringing. “I’ll meet you there,” I said and got in my car.
“Sounds good.” He smiled and hopped off the trunk of his car, putting out the cigarette with his shoe.
I had to stop at home and change my clothes before heading to the bar. By the time I got home, it was eleven, and all the lights were out. Quietly I made my way up to my room, grabbed my silver off-the-shoulder top, a pair of boot-cut black leather pants and my black ankle boots then left.
When I got to the bar, I walked up to the bouncer, and he acknowledged me with a nod. I slipped past him through the door he held open for me. The place was dark, apart from the disco lights on the dance floor. The bartender looked me over, smiled, then took my drink order. I looked around for Mike and the others. Then I heard someone whistle, followed by an arm waving. Everyone was over by the pool tables.
“Hey ,” I said, walking up.
“New girl, this is Sam, Kelly and Jennifer,” Mike introduced. “Lauren.” I waved.
“Hey.” Everyone smiled and waved back.
“Are you any good?” Kelly asked.
“I’m all right, I guess.” I shrugged.
“You’ll play the winner of this round,” Jennifer said. I nodded and sat on the bar stool, watching. It felt good sitting
here with a group of new friends at a new bar, playing pool, joking around. It reminded me of my college days, when things were easy and stress-free.
Their game ended, and I had to play against Sam and Mike, with Jennifer as my partner.
“New girl breaks,” Mike said, chalking his cue.
I rolled my eyes and wondered if he was going to call me by my real name anytime soon. I lined up the cue to take my shot and bent over the table. I hit the balls on an angle, knocking two in and scattering the rest.
“Nice.” Mike gave me a nod of approval. “You knocked in a solid and a stripe. What are you taking?” I walked around the table, looking for my next shot and chose the red-striped ball.
“Side pocket,” I said and took the shot. It went in swiftly. I glanced up at Mike, who was smirking, lined up my next shot and called the corner pocket.
“I like her.” Jennifer laughed. “I don’t even have to play.” I missed the next shot on purpose. I didn’t want to appear as a show- off on my first night out with them. Randomly, throughout the night, patrons from the bar would walk up to Mike, taking him aside. He then would excuse himself, returning fifteen to twenty minutes later. I wasn’t sure what he was doing, but I figured it couldn’t be anything good.
Then the DJ announced it was last call.
“This round is on me, new girl. Want anything?” Sam asked, walking away.
“No, I’m good. Thanks,” I replied.
“You should come out with us again,” Jennifer said as she took a seat next to me.
“Yeah, you are real good. Next time we are partners.” Kelly giggled.
“Sure.” I smiled.
I walked out with them after closing time. Mike waved a cab over, and then turned to face me.
“You should come out with us tomorrow,” he said, taking Jennifer’s hand.
“I—I have prior engagements,” I replied.
“Bummer.” Sam faked a pout. “See you at work.”
“Yeah, have a good night,” I said, waving them off, then walked down the plaza. When I got in the car, I pulled out my phone, noticing I had missed four calls, all from Cassie. I checked the text messages first.
11:45 p.m. Cassie: I am so excited for tomorrow!
