We drive the familiar path in five minutes. A million thoughts about what I’m about to walk into stream through my mind. When we pull up outside the dingy college bar, Sadie climbs out of the car, pulling her seat forward to allow me access to exit. “We’ll wait,” Brady says, but I wave him off.
“Don’t bother. Not sure I’ll make it to Trey’s parents’.”
“We’ll wait,” he repeats, and Sadie smiles. Damn happy ass couple.
The second I enter the bar, I spot her. Two booths to the right, sipping a glass of golden beer. My body hyper-aware of hers instantly responds with a warm current that travels from my stomach to my feet. She’s still gorgeous with her blonde hair highlighted from the lone stream of light through the back door that’s propped open.
Taking the two steps, I give a wave at Pete, which makes Chrissy’s eyes tear from mine to veer his way. Sliding into the bench across from her, our eyes lock for a brief moment. Neither of us speaks a word while we take each other in for the first time in years. “How are you? It’s been a while.” I break the awkwardness, and she twirls her straw around her glass.
“Okay.” Her shoulders rise and fall. “Just got back into town a few weeks ago.” She never looks up, and I can feel her leg anxiously bouncing up and down under the table.
“Where were you?” I ask, and her eyes dart to mine. They’re distant and far away from me. Clearly something’s wrong.
“Indiana. Away from here. Not sure why I decided to come back.” Her body shifts, and she gives me the fakest smile to appease me.
“Well, I’m heading out of town. Do you want to join us?” Not sure why I ask, other than I’m thinking getting out of town is exactly what she may need.
“Okay.” The fact she doesn’t ask normal questions, like why, where, and who with explains the whole phone call. Something is going down, and I need to figure out what the fuck it is.
“Let’s go.” I slide out and stand up. She grabs her purse, wrapping it around her body and slides out of the booth. Digging in her purse she reaches for money, but I quickly throw down a five to cover her drink.
“I’ve got it,” she says, picking it up and handing it back to me, replacing it with her own five. Rolling my eyes, I half chuckle that she hasn’t changed a bit. So, I allow her take the independence of buying her own drink.
She follows me out, and when I find Brady and Sadie practically making out in the front seat, I shake my head at what has become my life. Clearing my throat, Sadie quickly backs away from Brady, her cheeks turning pink.
Brady chuckles. “Ready?” he asks me through the open window. Then his eyes flick to Chrissy behind me. “Hi,” he says, greeting her like the polite guy he is.
“Um … hi,” she responds. Sadie immediately opens her door and steps out.
“I’m Sadie.” She beats me at the introductions. “This is Brady.” She takes the task for everyone I guess.
“I’m—”
“Chrissy.” I finish the meet and greet. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Sadie narrows her eyes and tilts her head my way. “Chrissy and I can take the backseat. You take the front,” Sadie dictates and climbs in the back before I have a chance to argue.
Chrissy glances at me and then to the car and back to me before following Sadie. A slow stream of air leaves my mouth as I climb in next to Brady. Anger at Sadie brews because, although I appreciate her being nice to Chrissy, I really wanted to just be near her again. Starting the ignition, he looks my way, raises his eyebrows, and then focuses his attention on the road in front of him.
Thankfully, Sadie can talk about her wedding enough to divert the conversation away from Chrissy, me—or the worst—Chrissy and me together. Another saving grace happens when we pull up to Grant and Jessa’s. Jessa informs everyone we’re splitting up. Girls and guys. Chrissy bites her lip, anxious to separate, which makes me fear she’ll leave again before I can get the answers I need.
Surprisingly, she gets out of the car without a look back to me. Grant scrunches his forehead and looks back and forth between the two of us, just as confused as everyone else. The questions swirl above his head as to who this girl is. Jessa introduces herself and squeezes Chrissy into a hug while Chrissy smiles back to her and slides into the back seat.
WHAT THE HELL am I doing? I’m so out of my element. I have nothing in common with any of these people, let alone the two girls chatting in the front seat. Although, hearing about weddings and pregnancies is a lot better than hunger and eviction.
“So, Chrissy.” Jessa’s eye finds mine through the rearview mirror, “how do you know Dex?”
My teeth find my lip, because I’m not quite sure how he would want me to answer this. What do these people know about the Dex Prescott I know? I heard someone call him Hulk earlier when the only nickname I’ve ever known is Edge. Would these girls understand the meaning of that nickname? “Our dads are friends,” I say, keeping it as simple as I’m able.
“Oh, Ted’s great.” Sadie turns around, giving me that paid for smile. Seriously, could her teeth be more perfect and white? I doubt it.
I don’t correct them that it’s actually Theo that bonds Dex and I together, just showing again how different of a life Dex lives than I do. To these two perfect girls, with perfect men, living the perfect life, I probably resemble their worst nightmare.
The two attempt to engage me in more conversation, and I’m certain they think I’m a bitch from my one word answers or non-verbal nods. But what am I supposed to say, ‘Hi, I know you guys live in this perfect bubble of love and forever. You go to college, get a degree, and marry your perfect guy. As for me, though, I go to the few community college classes I can afford, work at a clothing store for barely more than minimum wage, and, oh yeah, my dad recently wagered me to some sleazebag for a one night lay.’ I’d like to see their cute and innocent jaws fall.
Two nights ago, my dad hit an all time low. I returned from Indiana, where I had been making a new life for myself before getting laid off. I come back home only to find the apartment completely unlivable. There was a month’s worth of dirty dishes, garbage overflowing, and nothing edible in the fridge. Lucky enough my key worked in the lock, but I was there for three days before my dad even made his appearance. And when he did, I wish he hadn’t.
His clothes were filthy, his hair unkempt and I’m surprised he was even able to afford the rent from appearances alone. He hugged me and for a brief second I thought he missed me. Until the next day I went to do a little grocery shopping and came home to find him searching through my belongings. I knew there was no way I could stay, it was a damn pipe dream to think things would be different.
My one problem was, either I stay there, save some money in order to leave again, or I live in my car. Unfortunately, the decision was decided for me when Nico showed up at the door that evening.
I had been finishing preparing dinner, packaging up a meal for my dad to eat whenever he returned from wherever he was. Now a days, I had no idea where he ventured to lose his money. The knock on the door was soft and courteous, so, I had thought it could be Mrs. Heinz from next door or one of her three kids. But when I opened the door, surprise found me in the form of Nico.
He hasn’t changed in four years, the same gold chain hangs from his thicker neck. The slick gel still keeps his hair back. That damn over abundance of chest hair peeks through his silk shirt that has one too many buttons undone. I try to shut the door, but he shoves his foot in the small opening and his palm smacks the door to push it open.