“What? He is. Makes total sense why your dude hangs out at The Shack with us.”
Now I was the one that had stiffened. Had Jesse been going there again? Without me? He swept a hand down my back as if sensing my concerns and murmured in my ear, “Only once when you weren’t talking to me. I got drunk with these guys that night.”
The drummer spoke up, laughing, “And we met his new girlfriend. She’s a piece.”
“Braden, you’re drunk.”
“Whatever, Luke. You said he was a dick too.”
“And you’re talking to his son. We don’t want to piss him off.”
“You said Jesse was cool.”
“It’s fine, Luke.” Jesse’s voice rumbled from deep in his chest. “And you’re right. My dad is a dick. I hope he wasn’t too much of a douchebag to you guys.”
“Nah.” Luke sounded relieved. “His girlfriend’s a fan and when he found out I knew you, he was really nice. Not that he’s going to be mean to us, you know. We’re doing the theme song for his movie.”
“Hey, man.” I heard Jamie interrupt. He sounded like a gushing schoolgirl. “Can I get your autograph? I’ve been trying to hint to Jesse to get it, but he’s not taking the hint.”
“On purpose.”
“Yeah, whatever. So how about it? My girlfriend would really love it.”
“I’m sitting right here,” Tiffany chimed in. She sounded annoyed but also dazed at the same time.
My giggles had stopped so I turned around, more in control of myself. But when I saw the same glazed look in the drummer’s eyes and he still wasn’t wearing a shirt, a fresh batch of laughter bubbled up. I doubled over. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Uh.” Kara got up from her chair and came over to us. She took my arm. “I’ll take care of her. Excuse us.”
She pulled me to the bathroom and into a stall. There was only one empty, the rest were full, and she darted in front of the line. Ignoring the curses and yells, she locked the door and then said loudly, “I have explosive diarrhea. Back off.”
That set me off and I was wiping tears as more giggles rippled from me.
“Kara? Alex?”
Tiffany pounded on the door. It was unlocked again and she hurried inside. As the door swung open, I saw the line had moved down a foot. They were now only waiting on the other two stalls. Ours was ignored.
More chuckles came from me. I shook my head. I couldn’t stop them.
Tiffany wrinkled her nose up as she smoothed out her dress. “What’s wrong with her?” She ran her fingers through her hair before tossing it back over her shoulders. “Did you hear Jamie out there? Autograph my ass. He wanted that autograph. Although, I wouldn’t mind more than an autograph from those two. Holy shit. I can’t believe Jesse knows them. Alex, how’d they meet again?”
“Tiffany.” Kara took a deep breath. “Be nice.”
“I am. Aren’t I?”
Kara gestured to me. I was now sniffling, trying to muffle my laughter into a roll of toilet paper. “She’s been like this since she got drunk.”
“So. Hannah gets horny when she’s drunk. Alex will be fine.” She swung her gaze to me. “Right? You’ll be fine. She’ll go to bed, make sweet, sweet love to that fine man of hers and tomorrow she’ll act like none of this happened.”
“Tiffany!”
“What?” She shrugged. “That’s what she does. I mean, my god, it’s been a month since that fiasco with her parents and she hasn’t broken stride. The chick is a survivor. She can handle worse.”
Kara pressed her lips together. “You’re not being supportive.”
“Yes I am. I’m here.” Then she frowned. “Scoot over. Since we’re here, I need to pee.”
We shuffled to the side and Tiffany took a squat. As she peed, she looked up. I caught a little glaze in her eyes as well and chuckled, “You’re drunk too.”
“Yeah.” The corners of her lips curved up. “I’m like Hannah. I get horny too.”
Kara burst out laughing alongside of me.
Tiffany scowled. “When I’m drunk. When I’m drunk! My sister’s always horny.” Then she grew somber. “That’s how she copes. It’s not good. Not me. I cope by being a bitch.”
More laughter boiled up in me. I couldn’t stand upright and I started sliding the wall. Kara gasped and grabbed for me. “You can’t sit on the floor. That’s disgusting.”
“Yeah.” Tiffany was still so somber. “That is disgusting. Oh gawd. I’m drunk.”
Kara sighed. She had a firm hold on my arm. When Tiffany was done, she steered both of us out of the stall. I meant to ask what had been the point, but I couldn’t get the words out. We were ordered to wash our hands and then we shuffled back to the table. Cord and his date were gone. Derek was frowning at Jamie, who had a worshipful expression on his face. He was listening to the conversation between Jesse and the drummer. His head was even propped on his hands. He looked ready to propose marriage.
Kara went over to Jesse. Her hand was still firm on my arm. “Your girlfriend needs to go home. She tried sitting on the floor in there.”
Jesse grinned and scooped me into his lap. “She’s fine. She’s just letting off steam.”
“Yeah, well.” She sighed. “Derek, I think I’m ready to go?”
Jesse turned to him. “Take Jamie and Tiffany.”
“What?” Jamie protested. “No way, man. The night’s just starting.”
Tiffany swayed on her feet, giving him a sultry grin. That was all it took. He stood up. “Never mind, I recognize that look. I’m going to get lucky with my girlfriend. It’s been a damn while.”
She giggled when he pulled her close and the four of them left. As Jesse held me on his lap, he rubbed a hand up and down my back. The giggles eventually faded and my eyelids grew heavy. I must’ve fallen asleep because when I woke, he was carrying me outside. When he buckled me into the seat, I asked, “What time is it?”
“It’s late. Bar closed an hour ago.”
“Where are we?”
“Leaving the bar.”
“That makes no sense,” I mumbled, but I didn’t care. I fell back asleep. When I woke again, Jesse was carrying me into the house. My arm curved around his neck and I pressed a kiss there. “I had fun tonight.”
“Good.” He kissed me back.
“Kara called me your girlfriend,” I whispered. It was important, but I was so damn tired. I wanted to go back to sleep. I loved when he held me. I felt safe.
“Because you are. And you are safe.”
I frowned. I hadn’t meant to say that last bit out loud.
“It’s fine.” Jesse kicked open his door and set me on the bed. As he did, my eyes opened further. I was still struggling to keep them focused. He didn’t turn the light on. I was so thankful for that. I could hear him moving around before he moved me underneath the sheets and crawled in beside me. I was too tired to do anything except snuggle into him. But as he skimmed a hand down my arm and went to my waist, he started to lift my shirt up.
I was suddenly wide-awake. Desire built in me and I moved to help the shirt off.
Then we were kissing. I pulled Jesse on top of me and it wasn’t long until he was sliding inside of me. Arching my back,
I closed my eyes and gave into the sensations. I loved him. Everything would