Comfort Zone (Awkward Love 4)

“How is Jake, by the way?” Laura asks.

“If I was actually allowed to speak to him, I’d tell you.”

“What happened?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I did something to offend her. For a change. Anyway, I need to do this for Jake.”

“Isn’t your parent’s sex ceremony this weekend?” Laura asks. Her eyes shine. “Your mother will kill you if you miss it. Hey, maybe you can take Grammy with you? It sounds like just the kind of thing she’d be into.”

“It’s a reconnection ceremony, and there’s no way in hell that’s going to happen.” I shake my head adamantly. “Both she and Liam will be staying in their rooms. I’ll lock them in there if I have to.”

“You invite your professor and then you’re not going to let him go?” Laura teases. “That’s not very nice.”

“He’s lucky I’m helping him out at all,” I reply. I know she’s baiting me, but I’m getting annoyed all the same. “I’ve got enough to handle with my mother at the moment, without adding Liam into the mix. The only positive out of this is that maybe spending all this time with Liam will trigger my memory.”

“So, you still don’t remember anything about the bachelor party?” she asks sympathetically.

“Nope.” I shake my head sadly, my anxiety levels kicking up a notch just thinking about it. “Not a single fucking thing. Well, beyond the point where I threw myself in his lap and kissed him.”

“Are you sure you really remember that, or was it just something your mind has pieced together from the photos?” Annie queries.

I frown. I hadn’t thought about it like that. The memory is hazy enough that it could’ve been influenced by the photo.

“Could you walk straight the next day?”

I whip my head sideways to glare at Annie.

“What? That’s how I always tell.”

“Seriously?” Laura snaps, screwing up her nose.

Annie shrugs innocently, but her eyes are shining. She winks at me, which pisses me off more. I know she’s trying to wind me up, and I hate that it’s working. I want nothing more than to shut her down with a retort, but she might have a point. The panic must be obvious in my eyes, because she claps her hands and laughs so hard she nearly falls off her seat.

“You little slut! That’s it, isn’t it? That sexy professor so dipped his stinger in your honey.”

I groan and fall back on the bed, smothering myself with the pillow. My heart races. I’d remember if we had sex…wouldn’t I?

Unless he was really fucking bad at it.

No. I can’t imagine that being true.

But how do I explain the fact that Liam made the same comment about my ability to walk? I sigh, feeling defeated. This is one of the rare moments where I feel like shit has gotten the better of me.

“Hey, it’s okay, we’ll work this out.” Laura grabs my hand and gives it a comforting squeeze when she sees me getting worked up.

“Yeah? How?” I challenge her. My eyes sting.

God, I’m about to cry.

“You didn’t see the way he smirked at me when I walked into that class, Loz. I’m fucked.”

She frowns and looks at Annie for help. Annie jumps off her seat, her eyes wide with excitement. I’m almost afraid to ask her what the problem is, but then my curiosity gets the better of me.

“I just had the best idea. We’ll go back there!”

“Go back where?” If she’s saying what I think she is, then it’s the worst fucking idea I’ve ever heard. “Go back to the strip club?”

“Yes,” she says, nodding furiously. “Come on, it’s perfect. Once you’re there, it will all come back. You’ll remember everything.”

“You’re just fishing for a night off from the kids,” Laura accuses her.

“Oh, like you’d knock back a child free night and some free booze,” Annie scoffs. Laura grins, knowing that Annie has a point. Annie clasps her hands together and squeals. “Then it’s settled. This is going to be so much fun!”

“Hold up, free booze?” I frown suspiciously at them.

Annie shrugs innocently. “It’s only fair. We are helping you, after all…”

“Uh, who’s helping who, here?” I snort. “And you do realize it’s a strip club, right? We’re talking more boobs than a breastfeeding convention.”

“Honey, I haven’t had a kid free night in four freaking months,” Annie growls at me. “I’d suck someone’s tit if it means I get to let my hair down and drink. Work with me on this, Becca. I’m begging you.”

I laugh and shake my head. It’s not like it can make things any worse, right?

“Fine, but not tonight,” I groan. “I’ve had enough drama for today.”

“Well, I have choir practice at the church tomorrow, so that rules that out,” Annie murmurs thoughtfully. Both Laura and I turn to gape at her. She glares back at us. “What? It’s relaxing. Stop judging me.”