Laurel

 

Dan strolls to the table where my library coworkers are talking and drinking. The three guys and two girls smile at him, and one of them is Candice.

“I should go see my friends from work,” I say to Chloe. She’s on her fourth vodka cranberry, which is a lot considering she was drinking before we arrived.

She waves a hand at me while struggling to hold her glass to her mouth. The fifth guy of the night approaches and gives me a half-smile before he shifts his attention to Chloe.

My friend’s one of those breathtaking people, which poses a problem at bars. Men can’t stay away from her. This one boasts a flirty grin, and she tries to focus on his face.

Reaching out, she clutches the middle of his shirt and smiles back with her bedroom eyes. Oh, hell no. She’s too drunk for a hookup, so I pull her hand off him.

“You need to move on. It’s not happening with her.”

He scowls. “I think she’s the one who should be making that decision.”

“Not when she’s too drunk to make the right one. She’d never talk to you if she was sober. Trust me; I know her type, and you’re not it.”

“And you’re a fucking bitch.”

From out of nowhere, a hand shoves the guy in front of me. I turn my head, and Jason Nichols is standing at my side, glaring at the asshole he pushed.

As the guy tries to regain his footing, Jason says, “You’ll walk away if you know what’s best for you.”

They have a staring contest, and I can see that the asshole’s lit brain is weighing whether or not he can win this fight, but I doubt he could.

This guy’s short, scrawny and intoxicated, whereas Jason is well over six feet tall and solid muscle.

He’s not burly like the bouncer at the door, but it’s obvious from his build that he’s toned and strong. He looks sober and determined, too. Damn.

Grimacing, the loser finally walks away, and Chloe diverts her bedroom eyes to Jason.

“Who are you?” Seduction is the undertone in her sweet voice, and for some reason, it bugs me.

“I’m Jason, Laurel’s friend.”

I roll my eyes. “Um, no, but thanks for running off the loser.” Instead of Jason gawking at Chloe, like I expect, he stares at me.

I’m surprised he’s not flashing my friend one of his mega-watt grins while experiencing the tunnel vision he was talking about last night.

“I see you didn’t listen to what I said at the library,” he says loudly over the noise.

“About what?”

He nods toward the table where my coworkers are seated. My heart sinks when I spot Candice sidled up to Dan as they stand next to it.

He has his arm around her waist, and his hand resting on her ass, while he chats it up with our friends.

Shit.

“I already knew he was taken.” That’s a lie, but I’ll say about anything at this point to feel less humiliated. I look at Chloe, who now has only one ass cheek on the barstool. “Come on.” I take hold of her arm. “I need to talk to my friends from the library.”

I help Chloe down, and she starts to fall. Jason grabs her before I have a chance to, so I swipe the drink from her hand, which is spilling over the rim of the glass.

“Thanks,” I say as I set the drink on the bar.

“She’ll never make it over to the table. Why don’t I wait here with her while you talk to your friends?”

I shake my head at Jason. “I should’ve known what you were up to. Look, she’s not sleeping with you tonight, either.”

“I’m not trying to hook up with her.” He frowns, and gazing up at him, Chloe pats his cheek.

“Well, that’s a first and also disappointing. I mean, you are my knight in shining armor.” She giggles, and I don’t know what to make of the feelings I’m experiencing.

For the first time tonight, I’m not dying to be near Dan. I want to stay right here to keep an eye on these two.

“Go, I’ve got her, and I promise I’ll be a gentleman.”

“Why don’t you like me?” Chloe asks him with her full, pouty lips.

“Sorry, babe. I’ve got my eyes set on someone else.”

Oh, please. What he’s failing to tell her is how he already got some today from two women. Although, I doubt that would stop him.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t move.” I point my finger at them before I stride off. Weaving my way through the crowd, I squeeze between tables until I approach my friends.

“Laurel,” Dan says with wide eyes and an even broader smile. Releasing Candice, he gives me a hug, and I inhale his musky scent of sweat and aftershave. “I’m glad you made it. What did you think?”

After he releases me, I glance around the table and give a short wave to my coworkers.

“I thought your singing was amazing. Your band was great, too.”

“Cool, thanks.”

“Damn, girl, your curls are gorgeous.” Reaching across Dan, Candice picks up a chunk of my long locks. “You should wear your hair down more often.”

“Thanks. It’s a pain to fix it like this.”

“Well, it’s really pretty.” Her dark hair is straight but silky, and sometimes I wish I had smooth strands like hers.

Dan glances around. “Maybe we could find some extra seats in this place.” I feel like the loser in a game of musical chairs as his eyes roam the crowded room.

“That’s OK. My friend at the bar is trashed, so I should probably get her home. It was nice seeing y’all, and Dan, your voice is really great.”

“Thanks for coming out to watch,” he replies before he pulls Candice close to his side again. The others at the table say bye–I think. It’s too noisy to say for sure.

Giving one last wave, I eagerly head back to the bar. Jason has Chloe leaning against the stool, but his eyes are glued to mine.

I grab my friend’s arm. “OK, chick. Let’s get you out of here.”

“I’ll help,” Jason chimes in.

“No, I’ve got her.”

“Where are you parked?”

“In the garage down the street.”

“There’s no way you can get her to the car by yourself. Wait here a second.”

Jason leaves before I can protest, so I huff and use my hip as a prop for Chloe’s weight. I watch Jason approach a guy I’ve seen on campus before. A real country boy.

They exchange a few words before his friend flashes me a smile and strolls toward the exit. Jason comes back, and what kind of scheme is he orchestrating?

“All right. I’m ready.”

“For what?”

“I’m going to help you get your friend home, and then you can drop me off at my place. You two don’t need to be walking to the garage alone.”

“I did not agree to this.”

He shrugs. “So, agree to it. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“Fine, but I meant what I said; no hooking up with my friend.”

“And I meant what I said; I’m not trying to get with her.” He glowers, so I drop my gaze as I put more of Chloe’s weight on me.

Due to the slew of people, it takes us about ten minutes to exit the bar. It’s even colder now, probably in the forties, as we start our walk to the car. Chloe’s too quiet by the time we reach the Civic, and she better not puke inside it.

“Let’s put her in the backseat. I’d rather her get sick there than in the front.”

I hold the back passenger door open, and Jason helps Chloe inside. She falls over, and I’m surprised when he pulls down her skirt that’s ridden up.

Maybe he’s not a total jerk.

“Do you need me to drive?” he asks.

“No, I only drank one beer.” I get behind the wheel, and for some reason, I’m nervous. “Oh, watch the drink,” I blurt out after he opens the passenger door.

He picks Chloe’s drink up from the floorboard and pours it on the ground outside the car before he gets in and sets the empty cup in the back.

Jason buckles up, and it’s weird having him in my car. I turn on the heat, and I have to steady my trembling hand as I put my Honda in reverse.

“Thank you for helping me with Chloe. I think I should take her back to my place to keep an eye on her, so I’ll drop you off first.”

“No, I should help get her inside your apartment. I’ll take a taxi home from there.”

I glance over at him. “What are you up to? If you’re trying to see Angie and Sabrina again, you’re going to the wrong place. I imagine they’re crashing at the sorority house tonight.”

“Wow, you really think the worst of me.” Our eyes meet, and he smiles, but it’s not the charming one I usually see. He seems nervous, too. Or, disappointed, maybe?

“No offense, but you haven’t exactly given me reasons to think differently of you. I mean, you insulted me this afternoon after having a threesome in my living room. For over three years, I’ve watched you flirt with almost every girl on campus.”

“You’ve been watching me, huh? Three years is a long time.”

I glance over again, and there it is... His cocky grin and white teeth are lighting up the inside of my car.

“Well, we’ve had some classes together, and somehow we end up at the same places. I mean, I’m going to notice you.”

“You can admit you’re into me.”

“I’m not into you.”

“Oh, right. You prefer someone like Dan the Douche.”

I snicker. “Dan’s not a douche. He’s kind and considerate. Did you know he had the same girlfriend for five years? They were high school sweethearts and continued dating in college, but she got accepted for an internship in Japan, so they decided to break it off.”

“I don’t see what’s so special about them dating for years. It still didn’t work out. Whether two people are only fucking or are in a relationship, honesty is what truly matters.

“I’m clear with my intentions from the start. Women know they’re only getting a good time with me. If they choose to hang around after being told that, then it’s their problem. I’m holding out on a relationship until I’m certain it’s with the right person and has the potential to last.”

“I guess you have a point. I feel that way, too. I mean, the part about waiting for the right person.” I glance over my shoulder to look back at Chloe. “Why did you tell my friend you had your eyes set on someone else if you’re all about casual sex?”

He turns his head to stare out the passenger window.

“I was trying to be nice. Figured she’d rather hear that than the fact that I didn’t want to hook up with a chick who’d likely vomit on me. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced that a time or two.”

“Good point. Chloe is definitely one who vomits after drinking. She pushes the limit with everything she does.” I turn on the street where my apartment is located.

“And you’re the one who always plays it safe.”

“Yes, but I have no choice. There’s no one else for me to count on … no one who’ll watch out for me if I let my guard down.”

“That sucks.”

“It’s my reality.” I shift my car in park. “OK, help me get her inside, and I’ll drive you home. You shouldn’t have to pay for a taxi.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“I sure couldn’t afford one,” I mumble.

We get Chloe into the apartment, and covering her stomach, she groans. “Shit, girl, please don’t puke.”

“Bathroom,” she mutters.

Giving each other a quick glance, Jason and I walk fast to get Chloe to the toilet. She drops to her knees and hurls before I can even pull her hair back.

“There you go. Get it all out of your system.” Gathering up her blond hair, I hold it as she pukes again. “Gross.” I turn my head away as the pungent smell makes its presence known.

Looking around, Jason opens the linen closet and grabs a washcloth. The old white paint is chipping off the door, and he struggles to close it since the crooked hinges cause part of the door to scrape the yellowed linoleum below it.

I have a feeling from Jason’s appearance that he comes from money, so I can’t help but wonder if I should be embarrassed over my apartment.

Most college students live in cheap, old places, though, so maybe he understands. Once he’s run cold water over the washcloth, he hands it to me, and I pat Chloe’s face with it.

She dry-heaves next, and damn, that always feels worse. I look up at Jason. “I’m sorry, but I can’t leave her alone. Do you think you could take that taxi after all?”

“Yeah, it’s no problem. Give me your phone.”

“Why?”

He sighs. “Just give me your phone.”

Curiosity getting the best of me, I fish it out of my jeans pocket and hand it over. He types something before laying it on the vanity countertop.

“I put my number in your contacts. She’ll probably sleep this off, but if something happens and you need help, don’t hesitate to call me.”

Shaking my head, I look back at Chloe.

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

“You said you have no one to count on. From here on out, you do. Call if you need me. OK?”

“Sure,” I reply. He turns to leave, and when he reaches the door, I say, “Wait. Thank you for helping me with Chloe. It would’ve been a bitch getting her home without you.”

Looking over his shoulder, he smiles back at me.

“No problem, Laurel the Librarian.” His blue eyes sparkle with mischief before he winks and leaves Chloe and me alone.

What’s with his sudden kindness? It’s not like he has to work at getting laid, so I don’t believe he’s trying to impress me to get me into bed. That’d be too much effort for an attractive guy like him.

“He likes you,” Chloe croaks.

“You’re drunker than I thought.”

Wiping her mouth, she leans back, forcing me to move out of her way. I hand her the washcloth, and she sits against the wall next to the toilet.

“I’m serious, and if anyone would know a guy’s motives, it’s me.”

“Well, you’re wrong this time. I think he’s only trying to clear his guilty conscience. I caught him having a threesome today in this very apartment.”

Holding her head back, she groans and closes her eyes.

“That’s a distraction to take his mind off you.”

“Right. Let’s get you to bed before you become any more delusional.”