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J. R.’s hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and he’d shed his plaid shirt. He smelled good, too. Like lavender and cedarwood. I think he must have freshened up a little before coming back out to join us.
“So, how was the band?” he asked me with a smile on his face. He leaned into the table, resting his forearms on the tabletop.
“It was all right,” I said jokingly. “And the birthday song? Embarrassing.”
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you. But how cool that you had an entire room of people you don’t even know singing to you on your special day.”
“That part was cool. Embarrassing, but cool. Thanks.”
“So, what’s your drink of choice?” he asked me.
“She’s a vodka girl. All the way,” Kelley interjected.
“Vodka?” He looked surprised. Most girls went for the soft stuff. Not me. Vodka is the only thing that didn’t make me sick.
“Yep.”
"Alright. I’ll be right back.” J.R. disappeared to the bar.
“Oh, Rach, he likes you,” Kelley sounded surprised. “Likelikesyou.”
“No, he doesn’t,” I replied dismissively. “He’s in a band. He probably buys girls drinks all the time. Plus, we just met like an hour or so ago.”
“Rachel, don’t be dumb,” Chels chimed in. “Just go with it.”
I rolled my eyes at her, and then I tried to relax in my chair. I felt uptight, but I didn’t want to be. Why couldn’t I be one of those girls who were so at ease with themselves? Like Kelley.
J.R. returned with a vodka tonic. It had a sweet, little lime slice on the side. He set the glass on the table and then pulled a chair up next to me. “I didn’t even ask which birthday you’re celebrating.”
“Are you asking how old I am?” I smirked.
“Yep.”
“Twenty-one,” I replied. “And it’s not even a big deal, so don’t say it is.”
J.R. laughed. “Fine.”
I did feel oddly comfortable around him, which also caught me off guard. As an introvert, it always took at least six months before I got comfortable with anyone. Kelley and I had known each other for years, but it took half of those years as friends before I could fully warm up to her. In my defense, shewasa little forward.
“These are my friends,” I said, pointing at my two baffled counterparts. “Chels and Kelley.”
“I hear you two are responsible for bringing Rachel here tonight,” he replied.
“Yep. If she had it her way, she would be in bed right now. Sleeping,” Kelley said.
I checked my watch. It was after midnight. I would definitely have been about two hours into a deep sleep. I also noticed that it was no longer my birthday.
“Where are you and the band headed next?” Chels asked J.R.
“We’re actually here for a few more days.”
I felt a little leap in my heart, and I wondered if I’d see him again after. I hoped so.
Kelley kicked me from under the table. I promptly glared at her, annoyed by the ache in my shin. She tilted her head toward the exit, asking silently if she and Chels should leave. At first, I thought yes. It was hard to get to know anyone with chatty Chels nearby, but then I thought about the possibility that J.R. may actually turn out to be a serial killer. Maybe he preyed on girls like me. Short and defenseless… I had probably seen too many movies.
I looked at J.R., though, and I found it hard to believe that he could be anything but harmless. He may have been in a rock band, but he had the kindest eyes I had ever seen. Still, I didn’t think they should leave the building, so I tilted my head toward the dance floor instead. Kelley rolled her eyes at me, and I wondered if she would ever tire of doing that. I figured one day, she’d roll her eyes right out of their sockets.
“Come on, Chels; let’s go dance,” Kelley demanded, sliding off her chair.
