Bitter

I turn to do just that, but he grabs my arm and spins me back around. “No! No, you don’t get to walk away right now.”

I don’t speak, so he continues. “You’re taking this personally, and I need to know why.”

“No I’m not,” I try to deny it.

He doesn’t let me get away with it. “Yes you are, dammit!” His voice raises as the music around us gets louder. “Why are you acting like I’m choosing her over you?” he shouts angrily. “You aren’t even a fucking option!”

My breath catches in my throat, and he stares back at me. His chest moves up and down as he takes big, angry breaths. His words hover in the air between us. Not an option? What if I were an option? Would that change things?

I involuntarily wet my lips with my tongue, and his eyes fall down to my mouth where they linger. I don’t mind. I don’t want him to look away because then he’d notice that I’m doing the same thing. God, I want him to kiss me.

Someone clears their throat beside us. “There you are.”

I glance to my left and see Katie standing there. I give both her and Reed a fake smile, and then I turn before he can stop me again. I walk over to the table where Jason is. He raises his eyebrows at me. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. “Absolutely not.”

He laughs. “Be careful, Wren,” he says more seriously like he knows all my thoughts.

I smile back even though I’m obviously not happy. “At least things can’t really get much worse for me than they are now,” I say sarcastically.

He glances over to Reed and Katie where my eyes are focused. She’s trying to convince him to dance, but he looks like he’s trying to get out of it. Jason gives a small laugh. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

Andy walks back into the bar, and he gives me an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that.”

I smile back. “Everything okay?”

He nods. “Yeah, all good now. The closing cashier didn’t show up for her shift, but it’s taken care of now.” We stand awkwardly for a moment. He smiles. “Do you want another drink?”

I shrug. “I have wine at my house?” I say more as a question.

His eyes light up. “Oh yeah?”

“And snacks.” I lean closer.

He smirks down at me. “I’d love to find out what other things the perfect host has planned.”

I pretend I don’t know exactly what he’s talking about. “I have no idea what you could possibly mean.” I run my finger lightly against his arm and give him a flirty smile.

I turn to Jason. “Can you let Reed know we took off?”

He opens his eyes wide. “Absolutely not.”

I pout. “Why not?”

He lowers his eyebrows like I’m dumb. “If you think I’m about to be the one to tell him that you left with some guy we barely know.” He pauses and nods towards Andy. “No offense dude.”

Andy laughs. “None taken.”

I don’t laugh or smile. “C’mon, Jason! Please just tell him.”

“Tell him what?” Reed asks from behind me.

I close my eyes for a moment and take a big breath before turning around. “Oh, there you are. Uh...we’re taking off.”

Reed glances over to Andy and frowns as he crosses his arms over his chest. His eyes shoot over to Jason’s, and they must have some telepathic communication going on because Jason steps forward. “I think we’re all taking off soon actually. You guys might as well leave now too so you can take one car.”

I glare at him, and he gives me a half smile to say sorry. Katie agrees. “Home sounds good to me,” she tries to flirt as she cozies up next to Reed.

She is getting on my last nerve. Fucking bitch, don’t call my house your home. I’m blaming my boldness on the alcohol, but I really can’t take any more. “Oh? Do you live far from here? We can probably drop you off on the way.”

She gives me a funny look, and Reed steps in before she can respond. “I’ll order us a car.”

I turn back to Andy. “Want to wait outside?”

He nods, and we quickly say goodbye to everyone. We walk out to the front of the bar to get some fresh air. “Wow! It’s so nice out tonight,” I say as we walk out into the cool night air.

He smiles, but then his face looks more concerned. “Everything okay with you guys? I know I promised to come over, but if you need me to take you back to my place instead, just say the word.”

The thought of going back to his place scares me. I need to be in control of the situation, so I shrug it off. “Oh yeah, we’re good. We fight all the time. That’s what happens when you’ve known someone for so long.”

He’s about to say something else when Reed and Katie walk out. “Car’s here,” Reed says.