AllFreeNovel
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Pause.
Danny:R u all right?
Me:Imfreee
If I wanted to be completely free, I should have a designated driver. On that thought, I looked for my chain of texts with Mia and typed.
Can u get to AIO? I might neef a drivrr home.
I dropped my phone on the counter with a loud thud and downed some more of my drink, not even feeling the burn anymore.
“Poor thing. You look so sad.” I turned to the voice by my side. “Are you here for the trivia? I’d say I could use a partner, but you don’t look like you’ll be much help.” I’ve seen this guy before, I think. Dressed in a bright yellow shirt, with a flowery wristband, red tight pants, and complete with a colorful purple scarf, he presented himself as way too joyful for my miserable self. “I’m Jimmy,” he volunteered, helping me place him.
Right. The teller from the local bank. He was a nice and good-looking guy, always chirpy, if not a little bit on the superstitious side. “I could. Help you.”Hiccup. “I mean. With thetrrivia.” I’d say yes to any activity if it helped me quiet my head.
“Oh, honey. You’re in no frame of mind to help anyone. Look at you, you can barely stand straight. What happened?”
I stared at him for a long time until I could focus on one of the three Jimmies staring back at me. “I should c-call her.”
“I knew there would be a ‘her.’” He clicked his tongue. “Rule number one: never contact an ex while drunk,” he admonished me.
“Do youthhinkshe’s an exallready?” Why did that thought hurt so much? “And I’m not drunk. I’m...relaxed.” I leaned back to show him my laid-back state, almost falling back from the stool.
“Whoa.” Jimmy grabbed me by one arm, helping me balance myself. “Of course you’re not drunk.” He took his phone to text someone.Great, I’m boring him already. He soon placed his phone back into his pocket. “But I still think it’s a bad idea to contact her like that. You need to clear your mind first; otherwise, you’ll make it worse. I’m taking it you were the one to screw things up?”
My silence was enough of an answer, and he just nodded in understanding. If he judged me in any way, he didn’t show. “Whenever I’m in a jam, I take three deep breaths to calm myself, take three sips of water, and tell myself three times, ‘I am my best ally.’”
I gazed at him with my best suspicious expression, making him chuckle. “Does it work?”Hiccup.
“For me, it does. The deep breaths are to calm me down and slow my heart rate. The sips of water—or any other drink...non-alcoholic drink,” he stressed, “are meant to keep me occupied and not make any rash decisions. The declarations are to remember I can be my own friend or my enemy. I choose to be my best ally and make the decision that helps and not defeats me.”
“Whythhreetimes?”
“I think it’s a good number.” He shrugged simply. “Any less would be pointless, any more could be tiring. Why don’t you give it a try?” He placed the palm of his hand on the brim of my glass and stated, “With water.”
“But I don’t wanna drink water,” I whined.
“That’s the only drink you’ll get from now on.” Mia’s hard voice sounded behind me. She kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Jimmy.”
“Hey, girl, hey. He’s all yours, baby. Which is a shame.” He pouted, and I gave him my best smile. Maybe it wasn’t my best, if the horror on Mia’s face was anything to go by.
I still beamed at his flirting and felt somewhat good that one person found me attractive when I was feeling anything but. “I could be yours.”
Mia peered at me with what looked like condolence on her features. “Oh, Benny. In your state, you could never handle him.”
Jimmy snorted behind her. “Good luck with the hunk.” He cheered and sauntered away, leaving me envious at seeing him so happy.
She waved at Jimmy and took his place on the stool next to me. She watched me from her glasses and scrunched her nose. “Why do you reek of alcohol? You stink so much, it’s a miracle they didn’t throw you out. On that note,” she looked around, seemingly in search of someone, “why didn’t they?”
“I’m a p-paying customer, and I’ll drinkazmuchazI want.”
“How much did you drink?”
“Yes.”Hiccup.
She sighed.
“I’m not asthinkas youdrunkI am.” I tried to prove my sobriety by righting my stance, almost falling from the chair again.
