I Love You, I Hate You: Part 2

“Let’s play a game,” Danika says a little too enthusiastically. She holds her hand up, signaling one of the waiters who swiftly crosses the room to us. “I need…” She whisper-counts how many people are at the table then says, “Twelve. No. Wait, ten. Never mind, make it twelve shots, please.”

“Shots of what?” the waiter asks.

“Don’t care. Just shots.”

I drape my arm on the back of Danika’s chair and lean closer. It’s been hard keeping my hands to myself since dancing with her a few hours ago. Having her in my arms awoke something I wasn’t prepared to deal with.

Longing.

This almost painful feeling that’s only satisfied when my skin touches hers. Only, Danika is like heroin, each touch makes me crave the next and always leaves me wanting more. I carried her in my arms last night and was fine, but swaying to the music, her body pressed against mine, her heart or perhaps mine thundering against my chest, changed everything. The more I think about my plan of fucking her into next Tuesday and walking away, the more flawed I realize it is.

Sure, she may end up thinking about me after this weekend and if I’m lucky I’ll make a lasting impression. But I can already tell, I’m going to be the one fucked over again.

It’s inevitable.

I won’t be able to let her go.

I’m still going to do it.

However, I can’t bring myself to sleep with Danika if she’s shit faced. From the way she handled her liquor last night and her horrible plan to play a drinking game, tonight may already be a lost cause.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Trust me,” she giggles, her brown eyes bright and heavy all at once.

“Hun,” Piper says with a motherly-smile, the kind that’s going to rock her kid’s world because it says I-love-you-but you’re-an-idiot at the same time. “I’m not in the mood for shots.”

The waiter sets a tray of what looks like clear vodka in front of Danika. He doesn’t bother to remove the shot glasses and set them on the table. He just leaves them on the white platter and walks away.

Danika hands each of us two, bypassing Piper, and keeps the extras near the center of the table. “I wasn’t planning on giving you any.” She shakes her head, giggling again, and I have a feeling these shots are going to send her over the edge.

“Never have I ever slept with someone and regretted it.” Danika looks around the table, waiting for someone to pick up their tiny glass. When no one makes a move, she arches her brows expectantly at Sarah.

“Oh, fine.” Sarah tosses her shot back grimaces. “That tastes like hell.”

Cooper drinks his shot and so Piper doesn’t start naming off people I should regret sleeping with, I drink mine, too.

“Never have I ever kept a secret others should know,” Sarah says then silently curses and takes her other shot. “Shit. I’m out.”

I take my last one too because I should have spoken up sooner about what happened with Dr. Shaffer, although I don't think anyone is shocked to see me drink. I am surprised to see Danika take her shot. “Care to enlighten us on what your big secret is?”

Danika shakes her head. “No, sir-E, Bob. My lips are sealed.”

I chuckle and slide her last shot towards the center of the table. Sex is probably out of the cards tonight but maybe I can keep her from puking. “Let’s call it a night, beautiful. You’re wasted.”

“Am not,” Danika pouts. “But I am a little wobbly. Walk me to my room?”

“Sure.” I stand and pull back her chair. She attempts to rise to her feet and loses her balance almost immediately. I grasp onto her waist, steadying her as she reaches for the table. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I will be.” Danika bends over and reaches down to her foot. “As soon as I get these wretched heels off.”

14

Danika

I’m not drunk. Okay. That might be a lie, but I’m not wasted. I know what I’m doing. I think.

Logan pushes the elevator button, the tiny circle lights up red as we wait. Each second that ticks by is a lifetime. My heart thuds in my ears, drowning out my ragged breaths.