A busty blonde walks to his side and pouts out her bottom lip. “Travis, baby. Is it my turn yet?” Travis turns and looks at her, but not in a lustfilled way. He’s annoyed she’s interrupted. However, I take that as my cue and snatch my only chance toward freedom, stepping back and allowing her to take my spot.
As I walk toward the bar for another drink, I look over my shoulder and see Travis’ eyes glued to me. I look away, needing to clear my head, which means I order another drink; a bigger, stronger one that can help me make sense of what the hell just happened out there.
Courtney walks up with a huge smile on her face. “Uh, did you just practically fuck your brother’s roommate, or rather, your arch nemesis, on the dance floor or was I imagining that? Seriously Lola, every dude in this place wants to take you home right now.”
I scoff. “That would never happen.” I take one big gulp of a double vodka and cranberry as my skin tingles from the remnants of Travis’ touch. “You must’ve been imagining it.”
“Oh, right, okay,” she agrees, sarcasm thick in her voice. “Hey, I think I’m going to head out if that’s okay. I thought I was in the mood to dance, but without Toby, it kind of sucks.” She has those sad puppy dog eyes, and as much as I want her to stay, I can’t beg her when she gives me that look.
“Do you want me to go with you?” I ask.
“No, you stay! Marcus isn’t leaving so you guys can Uber together if you want.”
I take another sip. “Okay, well text me if you need anything.” I flash her a giddy smile, the alcohol running through my veins.
“I will.” She gives me a quick hug and walks toward the exit.
I glance across the bar area for Marcus and finally spot him cozying up to a dark-skinned hottie. I smile and turn back to my drink.
When I check my phone, I realize it’s been almost three hours since we arrived. The club will be open for another two hours, but I’m not sure I’m going to make it that much longer. Travis is still on the dance floor with blonde bimbo, and I don’t want to stick around to watch it unfold.
I finish my drink and just when I’m about to close my tab out, Patrick, a guy I tutored last semester, sits down next to me.
“Are you here alone?” he asks.
I shrug, sparing the details. “My friend left, so I guess I am.”
“Some friend.” He chuckles.
“Nah, it’s fine. I was just about to head out anyway.”
“Well, wait. Let me get you a shot or something first.”
I look at him, trying to read his motives. “Why? Because I don’t look drunk enough?” I chuckle and he laughs with me.
“No, you look like you need some cheering up. C’mon, I don’t bite.”
“All right, fine. I can’t deny free liquor.”
Patrick lets me pick and so I order us two Jelly Bean shots.
“This is such a pussy drink.” He groans and slams it down, pursing his lips together as the sour flavor fills his mouth.
“It’s dangerous, is what it is.” I lick my lips. “It taste like candy, which means you end up taking more shots than you can handle and end up puking in your roommate’s bed.”
His eyes widen and his lips turn up into an impressed grin. “Speaking from experience.”
“Yes.” I deadpan, remembering the night it happened. “It was my bed.”
His head falls back with laughter. “Sounds like the true college experience then.” He motions for the bartender and orders another round of shots. “Okay, my turn to pick. You ready?”
I cringe when I see the bartender reaching for the hard stuff.
This goes on and on until I’ve shared more embarrassing stories about myself. Apparently, alcohol frees the humiliation file. I don’t normally drink much or go out, really, but this is what Travis has done to me. He’s flustered me to the point that I need to numb all memories with booze.
“Now that you know my bra size and my first kiss’s name, I think it’s time for me to go.” He’s just a tipsy as I am, so I don’t worry too much about him remembering any of what I said. “I need to schedule an Uber.”
“Yeah, me too. Future Patrick is going to be kicking my ass in the morning.” I snort at the way he talks about himself. “We can do the carpool one if you want.”
We stand up from the barstools and my head begins to spin. “Whoa,” I say, grabbing the back of the chair.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, just stood up too fast.” I blink my eyes a few times. “And drank way too much.”
“Yeah, I guess you were right about those Jelly Bean shots.”