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“Giving you my number,” she says, her tone matter-of-fact. I catch the phone as she tosses it back to me. “In case you change your mind, or if you need me to talk you off the ledge of a ten-story building.”
She’s gone before I can respond, which I’m glad about, because I have no idea what the fuck to say to that. Does she really think I’m on the verge of doing something stupid? Am I? Maybe she can see something I can’t. I watch her as she hangs up her apron and grabs her bag from under the bar. She says something to the other girl serving and struts towards the door, leaving me to try and figure her the fuck out. Maybe that was just her way of hitting on me?
Lacey would love this. She’s always joking that women throw themselves at me, and maybe I do get more than my fair share of attention, but this is a first. Even I’m not used to women being this forward. I shake my head and examine my empty glass. I should be getting home.
Getting up, I make my way to the bar and fix up my tab. I’m a little shaky on my feet, so I decide to walk it off. Even I’m not stupid enough to drive.
**
The light nearly blinds me as I crack my eyes open. Groaning, I roll over, nearly falling off the couch in the process. The phone vibrates under me. I fish around for it, realizing that’s probably what woke me up in the first place. I eventually grasp hold of it. Pulling it up to my ear, I press answer.
“Hello?” I mumble, my voice barely audible.
“Are you serious? You’re still in bed?” Lacey’s voice screeches through the line.
I wince and sit up, cradling my throbbing head in my hands. “I’m not in bed,” I mutter. At least I’m being honest.
“You were supposed to pick us up half hour ago.”
Oh shit. I jump to my feet and grab my jeans off the floor, shuffling myself into them.
“This whole thing was your idea, Lucas. I honestly can’t think of a worse way to spend my day than at this stupid festival. What is it with you and wasting my time lately?”
“Sorry, I’ll be there in five, I promise.” I slam the phone down before she can reply. My head pounds, making me regret drinking so much the night before. All I really want is to spend the day in bed, nursing my hangover, but I can’t. I tell myself that it’s because when I make a promise, I keep it, but even I know that’s bullshit. The real reason is I don’t want to pass up an opportunity to spend the day with Lacey.
Lace arches her eyebrow and glares at me when she opens the passenger door.
“What?” I ask, defensive. Do I look that bad?
Ariel slides into the back and lets out a loud snort.
“Jesus, did you bathe in whiskey this morning?”
Oh fuck. I lift my hand to my mouth and breathe. I didn’t even consider that I might still be over the limit. Lacey sighs and motions for me to get out. I don’t argue, but then I remember she can’t drive manual.
“No, but she can,” Lace says, nodding towards Ariel.
Ariel rolls her eyes and climbs over the back seat into the front, muttering under her breath something about staying in bed. I get into the back and slam the door, annoyed at how shit the day has begun. I hope this isn’t an indication of the rest of it.
“Where did you go last night?” asks Lace. Her blue eyes study me as I avoid her gaze. I can’t tell her the truth, but lying and saying I got drunk at home doesn’t sound much better. “You must have been really tired,” she adds when I don’t answer.
“A friend called as I was leaving your place, begging me to go out for a drink.” I shrug, as if it was no big deal. “So I did.” I close my eyes and hunch down in the seat, hoping she takes the hint that the conversation has ended. She does, and as we drive along I listen to her chatter with Ariel.
My head is still pounding when we pull into the parking lot of the bar half an hour later. I fumble under the front seat for a half-empty bottle of water that is God knows how old and pop a few Advil in my mouth. My throat feels like sandpaper as I force the pills down. I’m never drinking again. But even I know that’s a lie.
I follow the girls into the bar. We wade through the crowd of people and find a booth near the back. I’m shocked at the number of people that have turned up, considering it’s a Tuesday. But then again, they’ve been advertising this thing all over the community boards at the university. What student is going to pass up cheap booze and good music?
Speaking of which, I wince. The music is too loud and I’m fucking cold. I’m feeling more and more like going home as the seconds pass. I all but collapse into the booth and rest my head in my hands. I fumble in my pocket for my phone and realise I’ve left it at home.
Fuck.
“Are you okay?” Lace asks. She leans over and touches my hand, the action making me jump. Her touch feels electric.
I force myself to sit up, because I know if I don’t at least try to act normal there will be a shitload of questions being fired at me.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “Last night just turned into a much later night than I was anticipating. I’m still waking up.”
“Yeah, well I hope you feel better than you look.” She hesitates. “You’d tell me if there was something wrong, right? You can tell me anything.” Before I can answer, Ariel is back with her arms full of drinks, chatting about some guy she met at the bar who is in one of the bands. Lacey giggles and swoons with her, but glances over at me, her eyes full of concern. I wink, letting her know I’m okay, even if I’m not really.
