Comfort Zone (Awkward Love 4)

Huh?

“Just Google Right Said Fred and Sombrero. I’m pretty sure it’s still the top hit.” She grins at me. “I think the owner of the club was looking for you, too.”

Oh Fuck.

“Don’t stress, you’re not in trouble, or anything. It’s just we’ve had so many people come in here looking for Sombrero Girl, that I think he wants is to see if you’re interested in doing a few shows. You’re a social media sensation,” she adds.

“If she doesn’t, then I will.” Amy grins. “Throw a sombrero on me and they won’t be able to tell the difference.”

I cringe, imagining Mom stumbling across that video. If anyone is going to find it, she will. Then again, it would serve her right if she did find it, after some of things I stumbled across during my teenage years…I whimper, remembering why I blocked those memories out in the first place.

“Oh my God. Look at you go, Becca. You rock that bar,” Amy exclaims.

She laughs hysterically and then holds up her phone, so I can see—not that I want to. Despite the situation, I fight back a smile as I watch myself strut along the bar to the beat of the song. Right before the end, I unzip the back of my dress and tease the crowd, but before I show any skin, Liam appears and yanks me off the bar. It’s only a brief cameo, but enough for him to be identified.

Amy’s eyes widen. “Does he know he’s in it too?” she whispers.

I shrug, ignoring the pit in my stomach. “I didn’t even know I was in it until five minutes ago.”

“You’re so crazy, Becs.” She stares at her phone and giggles. “I wonder how many hits you’ve had?”

“Close to half a million,” Mandi pipes up. “We’ve been tracking your progress.”

Oh lord. My progress?

My stomach churns. How has nobody said anything to me until now? I groan and place my head face down on the bar. Is it desperate of me to beg Mandi to tell me everything? Because I’m almost at that point.

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. Really.” Mandi studies me for a moment, before her mouth twists into a sympathetic smile. “You don’t remember much at all about that night, do you? I guess I don’t blame you. They say your mind goes into survival mode following a traumatic situation.”

Is that what this was?

“Um, does your friend need…help?”

For a moment I think she’s talking about Amy, but then I see she’s looking past both of us. I turn around, confronted by the sight of Annie hanging upside down on the stripper pole, letting it all hang out. She giggles when she loses her grip and tumbles down to the floor, much to the delight of the small group of men who have gathered to watch her.

Laura walks over to me, her eyes dancing. I can tell by her expression she’s fighting the same battle I am; do we watch Annie crash and burn, or stop her from making an idiot of herself? Then again, I’m probably not the person to be giving that kind of advice.

“Best fucking night ever,” Laura hisses, her eyes shining.

“Maybe you should put a leash on your sister-in-law?”

Laura grins at me. “I could, but it’s so much more fun taking pics and sending them to Matt.” She giggles, referring to her brother and Annie’s husband. “He’s freaking the fuck out.”

I shake my head. “You guys are messed up.”

“Me? They’ve got a bet going on. I’m just the impartial referee”. She shrugs.

“I don’t even want to know what that’s all about.”

“Says the girl who bet her neighbor that too much licorice was worse than laxatives.”

“What?” I frown. “That was a legitimate experiment.”

“Yeah, but you were ten.” She giggles. “And stuck on the toilet for a week straight.”

“Sure, it was a shitty job, but I was right, wasn’t I?”

“For once,” she retorts. “And I’m ignoring your crappy joke.”

“Yeah? Well I’m ignoring your poor attempt at toilet humor.” I grin, wrapping my arm around my friend. “This is why I love you, Loz.”

“So, how is it going?” she asks, her tone turning serious. “Has anything sparked your memory, yet?”

“Not exactly…”

“Becca,” Laura says sternly. “Don’t hold out on me.”

“Sombrero and Right Said Fred,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes. “Google it.”

Alarm fills her eyes. “I’m not sure I want to…”

“Oh, you do. Trust me.”

I walk back over to the bar, determined to get more information out of Mandi, but she’s gone. I look around, but I can’t see her anywhere. Seriously? I get that close to answers only to have it taken away from me? This whole night has been a waste of my time. I’m beginning to think I’m never going to know what happened.

Maybe that’s a sign that I should just move on?

“Sombrero Girl! Hey, I thought you were going to call me?”