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Then I spotted Dream.
She stood with her back against the brick wall of the bar, her eyes on the sky above. If she noticed that I was there, she didn’t say anything.
“You forgot something,” I said as I approached with the shots.
“Huh?” Dream snapped back into the moment, her eyes going to me, then the shots in my hands. When she realized what was going on, a smile took hold. “Oh, hey Jay. Sorry, just a little jumpy right now.”
“Whatever it is,” I said, handing one of the shots to her, “I bet it’s nothing a little…” I leaned in and sniffed the drink. “Fireball?” I laughed.
“What?” she asked. “You too good for a shot of Fireball?”
“Nah. Just reminds me of back when I first joined up. I’d go out with the guys when we were on leave, and they all wanted to drink Fireball. I guess it’s the booze of choice for under-twenty fivers who want to get drunk as quick as they can.”
“Well, good – because that’s what I need.”
“Right,” I said. “Now, let’s find something to toast to, and—”
I didn’t get a chance to finish before she raised the shot then brought it to her lips. Dream tilted her head back and the booze was gone in the blink of an eye.
“Now,” she said. “You’d better hurry and finish that before I steal it.”
Something was definitely wrong, but I wasn’t about to press yet. Instead, I leaned back against the wall.
“Then I’ll do the toast – to our… reunion.”
That got a small smile out of her. With that, I threw the drink back, the cinnamon whiskey burning on the way down. I let out a satisfied ahh as the booze settled, knowing it was bringing me to just the right amount of tipsy. For a few moments, neither of us said a word as we watched the stars above.
I was soon ready to break the silence.
“So,” I said. “You want to talk about what happened in there?”
“Huh?” There was genuine confusion in her voice.
“I saw you on the dance floor. You got a text or something on your phone and then you rushed out of there like your ass was on fire. What happened?”
She pursed her lips, as if having a quick internal debate.
“And don’t even think of lying to me,” I said, raising my finger. “You’ve never been good at it. Remember the time you took my car to go to Taco Bell and tried to lie to me about it? And even when I found a clump of their shredded lettuce on the driver’s side floor you still stuck to your story?”
She laughed, which was my goal. “I know, I know. What can I say? I was starving and needed some study fuel.” But the smile didn’t stay on her face for long. “It’s Adam.”
Just the mention of that prick sent my blood into a hot boil.
“Fucking prick,” I snarled.
She didn’t respond. I realized right away that my words weren’t helping.
“Just that…I know he didn’t treat you right. Hard to keep myself measured when I know that.”
She frowned and nodded, accepting the point but not adding to it.
“Anyway, it was nothing, really. Just a text from him talking about some stuff that I’d left at the apartment. I can tell he’s trying to pick a fight with me about it, but I’m smart enough to not take the bait. It’s just that, I don’t know, I’m out here trying to have fun, to put all that behind me. But all it takes is a message from that asshole to put me in a sour mood.” She shook her head, as if frustrated with herself. “Sorry to lay all this on you.”
“Wouldn’t have come out here if I didn’t think there might be some venting involved. And I don’t mind it one bit. Always been more of a listener than a talker.”
That got a smile out of her. “Well, I’ve got more stuff that you can listen to. Not sure what you heard, but Adam and I are done, as I’m sure you’ve guessed. And I’m moving back for good.”
My heart did a little jump at this bit of information.
