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CHAPTER 5
Samuel
I spotted her the moment I walked into the bar. It was as if I were the moth to her flame. It was hard not to have noticed her table, which was filled with other women when I walked by, heading towards the bar. I had not expected it to be as busy as it was.
The whole new concept of bars having ‘quiet’ areas as well as game sections and dancing sections had hit mainstream Vancouver a year or so ago. And this was the first time I had stepped into a bar like this. I normally did my best to avoid them.
After the phone call I had with my manager this evening demanding I get out and socialize, I now found myself sitting at the bar with my Vancouver Devils cap on, hoping no one would recognize who I am.
Of course, after a few minutes some guy and his buddies made their way over to me. They asked if I was really Samuel Jones and why I had not played in last night’s game. Giving them the PR crap my team had given me, it seemed to satisfy them, thankfully. I didn’t want a PR issue.
We took a few selfies and a shot of whiskey together before they were shooed away by the bartender. Grateful for him telling them to piss off, I made a mental note to remember to tip him very well.
Kimberly seemed to be having fun with her girlfriends. It was nice to see considering what had happened at the rink today. I would have liked to stay with her earlier, asked if she was alright, but it felt like it wasn’t my place after she had skated off.
The salty taste of beer hit my lips and I just sit in silence. Oddly enjoying the noises of everyone around me as they laughed, joked, and danced with friends. It was a Friday night and people were not only playing darts and pool, but also board games.
Looking up again, I saw one of Kimberly’s friends was staring at me then she caught my eye. Shit. I didn’t want her thinking I was looking at her. I was not being a creepy guy, but now I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
She was wearing a low-cut black top that showed off her collarbones and the tightest pair of jeans I had ever seen her in, paired with some sexy as hell heels. Shaking my head, I looked away and took a sip of my drink. I had suddenly developed a dry mouth.
“I thought you didn’t like people.”
She took me by surprise as she leaned against the bar beside me, waving the bartender over.
“The same again, for me and my ladies, please, Josh?”
She smiled sweetly, but I knew she was trying to keep herself from breaking. I knew Kim better than anyone, well I used to know her better than everyone, now I wasn't so sure. So much had changed.
“I sometimes like to come out of my cave and besides, the beer is better here than the crap I bought at the market.”
“Ah, yes, Josh does have the best on tap. Well, enjoy your evening.”
She paid for her drinks then proceeded to carry the tray over to the table. For a split second I thought about getting up to offer her a hand, but I had to stop myself. I didn’t want to insert myself too much into her life. After what I did, I didn’t speak to her and well, I ignored her like the asshole I was.
“Say,” she paused, turning back to me, “would you like to join us? It would save you from getting cornered by all the men in here who are dying to speak to you and all the single ladies from trying to hook up with you, unless that’s what you want?”
She was asking me to join her. That was quite an unexpected surprise, as I was starting to think the only reason she spoke to me was because we had been stuck at the rink together.
“Won’t I be disturbing your girls-night?” I asked, wondering if she was joking.
“It was Jasmine’s suggestion, she said you were looking pretty lonely over here.”
“Well, in that case, sure.”
Taking hold of the tray of drinks and putting mine on there, I followed her over to the table and placed the tray down. I felt a bit surprised that they even suggested I come and sit with them. That’s when I sensed it. This might have been a bad idea.
“Everyone, this is Samuel. Sam, this is Jasmine, Megan, Lacy, and I believe you’ve already met Crystal.”
“Eh – Nice to meet you all.”
I was feeling a little sheepish as I took my seat next to Kimberly, the only space that appeared to be free. It was a bit snugged as the booth was pretty full by the other four ladies. Crystal, and I believed her name was Lacy, went back to their conversation. The girl with short brown hair, sitting opposite of me, was playing with a deck of tarot cards and the one next to her, the tallest, was smiling at me a little too happily.
“Kim says you went to school together?” The smiling one asked me.
“Oh, eh yeah, she was in the year below me. If it wasn’t for Kim I would have failed science.”
“And math.” Kim took a sip of her drink smiling at me.
