The Playbook

At just before one, I'm sitting in a booth at the back of Thrive, armed with my laptop, waiting for Sandy. It’s the first time I’ve been here since it opened last month. I survey the hip, modern décor and decide that I like it. If I actually went out anywhere, this would be my kind of place.

I glance at the door, hoping to see someone who fits Sandy’s description, but all I see is Adam.

“Shit!” I curse, my voice louder than I was expecting.

I pick up a menu and shove it in front of me. I wait a few seconds before deciding to peek over the top of the menu. Adam stands across from my table, grinning at me. My face turns bright red. Why is it every time I see him I’m acting like a tool? At least I’m not armed with coffee today.

“Hey, I didn’t see you there,” I fib.

He brushes his hand through his thick dark curly hair. “Ah, really? See, I thought you saw me walk in, panicked and hid behind your menu. My bad.” A smile creeps onto his lips as I cringe. He totally caught me out.

I toss the menu onto the table, the jig up.

“You got me. Truth is, I didn’t want to risk throwing any more coffee on you,” I joke, with a grimace. He laughs, and places his hand on his chest.

“I guess it is nice to see you without wearing your coffee. I was beginning to think I needed to start carrying a spare shirt with me, just in case I ran into you.” He grins, his smile making me tingle all over. “So, can I join you? He gestures to the empty chair in front of me. I’m about to say yes when I see a petite blonde girl approaching the table. Shit. Talk about bad timing.

“Actually I’m meeting someone. It’s a work thing,” I add, just in case he thinks I’m meeting a guy. “Here she is now.” I gesture to who I think is Sandy and her smile confirms it.

“No worries, I guess I’ll leave you alone.” He turns around and heads to the bar. As much as I want to watch him, I turn my attention to Sandy.

“Hi, Macie?” Sandy asks uncertainly, her hand extended. I nod and shake her hand, motioning for her to join me. “Please, sit down. Unless you want to go somewhere more quiet?”

She looks around. While this place is probably pumping at night, in the middle of the day on a Wednesday it’s dead. She shrugs and slips into the seat, dropping her bag beside her.

“No, it’s fine here.”

“Whenever you’re ready,” I coax her with a smile. I don’t want to rush her. “Just tell me whatever you want me to know.” At the very least, this is taking my mind off Adam, even if this doesn’t end in a story. I glance back over at the bar to see he’s gone. Disappointment stabs at me.

“Right,” Sandy nods. She grabs hold of the wine I’ve ordered for her and gulps down half of it. “I was out with some friends at Revive when I met Matt.”

I already feel sorry for the girl “Another?” I ask, nodding at her now empty glass.

“Maybe just a soda,” she responds. I signal to the waiter, who comes to take our order and I carry on talking to Sandy.

“So, you were saying you met him at Revive? Did he instigate the meeting or did you?”

“He did,” she says. “I was talking to friends and he came over. He ignored my friends and poured the charm on me,” she says. “Of course, I knew who he was, so I felt special that he was signaling me out. I glance at her, knowing why. She’s exactly what footballers go for, naturally pretty face, long blonde hair that falls over her shoulders, piercing blue eyes, and a perfect figure. The exact opposite of me.

“Ok, so he singled you out. Did he have any chat up lines?” I ask, jotting down notes on my laptop.

She smiles wistfully. “Yeah, he said that an angel like me needs to be taken to heaven and he was the perfect guy to do it.” She stares into the distance, her eyes glazed.

“Geez, and that worked?” Her face goes red and I realize I just said that aloud.

“I wasn’t thinking straight, and you didn’t see the way he was looking at me,” she says defensively. “Anyway, he took me downstairs to another bar, and kept buying me glasses of champagne. I was so drunk. He wanted to make out with me and feel me up in the club, but there were so many people there and everyone was watching us. I turned him down. That’s when his friends showed up. He got really moody and angry with me. He called me a cock-tease and got up to leave, but as he was sliding past me, out of nowhere he leaned over me and kissed me.” She stops and takes a drink.

“Wow he sounds like an asshole,” I mutter. Who does that? I glance back at Sandy. And there is that dreamy smile again. This chick is as bad as Mel.

“Well, that’s the thing. The kiss was freaking amazing. He asked me to go home with him and I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t even stand up without his help. I’m not usually a big drinker, so I guess I overindulged.” She shakes her head. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I’m not even sure he did anything wrong. It was probably nothing.”

“Could he have slipped you something?” I ask suddenly. She looks shocked, like she’d never considered it. I lean into the table, my tone serious and low.

“Oh no—no, I mean to suggest that. I didn’t see him do anything, other than be an arse. I mean, even Jake Tanner showed up at one point but he was with a redhead. Matt bought me a screaming orgasm and then the next thing I knew I’m in his bed.” She blushes, tears in her eyes. “I can’t remember much, I’m sorry. After we…I’m pretty positive I could hear the click of a camera, but by then I was nearly passed out.” She wipes her eyes and takes a mouthful of her drink. “My parents are pretty religious. I don’t know what I’d do if any of this came out. I swear I’m not usually the kind of girl who does this.”

“This is bad,” I say, really feeling for her. “He could have put anything in your drink.” I want to shake her for being so stupid. Rule one of going out and drinking is never accept a drink from a stranger—even a famous one—and don’t leave your drink unattended. I’m willing to bet Sandy did both.

“It’s possible, but like I said, I didn’t see him do that. I was really drunk and can't remember much.”