“Okay.” I try to be as nice as possible and not let my disappointment show. I’m not disappointed that I won’t see him. I’m disappointed that he’s running away from me already, because I’m sure that’s what this is.
Thankfully, Caroline doesn’t bring up Tucker again. I think she hopes he was just a bad dream instigated by her hangover.
After my phone call, Caroline is eager to get out of the apartment. I’m sure she’s figured out what it was about. “Let’s do something tonight.”
“Like what?” My defenses are up. I can already tell it will probably be something out of my comfort zone.
“Let’s go dancing.”
“I don’t dance.”
“What happened to your trying new things?”
“Look how well that’s worked out for me,” I say dryly.
Caroline scowls. “Just because you had one bad experience doesn’t mean you should give up.” I’m not sure if she’s referring to Daniel, Tucker, or both.
Before I know it, Tina is involved and the two of them nag me mercilessly until I agree. This is a terrible idea. First of all, the crowd will be too much for me to handle. I’ll have to drink to be able to stay. Second, I know I’m attractive enough when I put some effort into my hair, makeup, and clothing. I’ll attract attention, and I really don’t feel like dancing with other guys and fending off their advances. Tucker and I have made no commitment. We haven’t discussed being exclusive, but I can’t go from what we experienced during the last twenty-four hours to seeking the attention of other guys.
We decide to splurge and actually go out to dinner before we go dancing, but I’m distracted while we eat, and Tina orders us drinks from a bartender she knows working in the bar. She hands one to me. “Here. You’re making me jumpy.”
I take the tall glass full of brown liquid. “What is it?”
“Does it matter? It’s alcohol. Drink.”
I take a sip, surprised I can’t taste much alcohol. “You could have left me at home.”
“Nope.” Caroline shakes her head, sipping her drink. “No staying home and pouting for you. I left you home pouting last night, and found Tucker Price in your bed. Again.”
Tina spurts her drink over the table. “What?”
My stomach knots, and I shoot Caroline a glare. What happened with Tucker isn’t what she thinks, but then I understand her reasoning. Tucker sleeps around. Why would she assume my experience was anything different?
Then again, why would I assume our experience was anything different?
Several hours have elapsed since this morning, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m fooling myself into believing there was more there than a hookup. While I know I have to be prepared for it, I can’t face that possibility tonight. Maybe tomorrow, but not tonight.
I sigh as Tina waits for an explanation. “The first time was that night I took him home from the party a couple of weeks ago, he passed out in my bed after I brought him to my apartment to clean up his hands. Nothing happened.”
Her eyebrows rise as a grin spreads across her face. “And last night?”
I blush.
Her eyes widen with excitement, and she leans forward. “Was he good?”
I don’t feel like discussing Tucker’s sexual proficiency, or whether it was a one-night fling or something more.
Caroline grimaces. “From what I heard in my room this morning, it was pretty damn hot.”
My mouth drops open in horror. “You heard us?”
She rolls her eyes in disgust. “Our walls are paper-thin. Of course I heard you.”
Tina picks up my glass and hands it to me. “Drink this.”
I grab the glass with shaky fingers and drink several generous gulps.
Tina turns to Caroline. “Now what did you hear?”
I gasp. “Are you insane? Why would you ask that?”
“Because Tucker’s not the least bit interested in me so I’ll have to live vicariously through you.” I start to put my glass down but she makes me lift it back up. “Drink some more. You’ll be less mortified.”
Against my better judgment, I obey her order. I’m already nervous, and we haven’t even gotten to the club yet. I’m seriously regretting this decision.
Tina waves her hand to the bartender and points to me, waggling her eyebrows, then turns to Caroline. “Details.”
Caroline scowls and shakes her head. “No freaking way. I’m trying my best to purge it from my mind.”
The waitress brings another drink and sets it in front of me.
Tina turns her attention on me. “You’re nervous, right? I want you to have fun tonight. You’re too worked up most of the time. Now the fact that you fucked Tucker Price—”