I give her a smile. “I know.”
We stand at the table and finish our drinks, then Caroline grabs my wrist and tugs me toward the dance floor. We descend the stairs and stop close to the edge. Since I’m not used to wearing heels, and I’m on my way to being drunk, it takes me a second to regain my balance. Caroline begins to dance, watching me. I close my eyes, and let my body move to the music. The anxiety-ridden me, currently drowning in alcohol, claws to get out of this loud, crowded place. But I stuff her deeper while the newly liberated me basks in her freedom.
Someone stumbles into me, and I totter on my heels, but a hand grabs my elbow and helps me find my balance. My eyes fly open, and I see it’s a guy I don’t know, but he smiles and shouts. “Sorry.”
In my fuzzy head, I recognize that I should be horrified and mortified, but this new me smiles.
I like the new me.
The guy stays next to me and dances, keeping his gaze on my body and my face.
An undercurrent of anxiousness prickles my nerves, but I decide to ignore him and dance. When the song ends, he leans close to my ear. “Want to get a drink?”
I’m still sober enough to question if this is good idea, but the liberated part of me shouts that he’s asked me to get a drink, not sleep with him. I need to loosen up. “Sure.”
We make our way to the bar, and I lean my elbow on the counter to steady myself. The loud noise is starting to make me restless, adding to the unease over the situation I find myself in now. My shoulders tense, and I tell myself this is not a big deal. Men buy women drinks all the time.
“I’m Ben,” he says as he waves to the bartender halfway down the counter.
I force a small smile. “Scarlett.”
The bartender stands in front of us, and Ben glances at me with a raised eyebrow.
I realize I need to slow down and be in control of the situation, contrary to Tina’s plan, so I ask for a Diet Coke.
Ben orders a drink and speaks into my ear. “You come here often?”
It’s a ridiculous pickup line, and I start to giggle. Some of my tension slides down my back, unknotting my shoulders in the process.
He gives me an odd look, but thankfully doesn’t look offended.
I shake my head. “Nope. First time. What about you?”
“Every week.”
I may be slightly drunk, but that tells me all I need to know. Not that I’m interested in him anyway. I’m here to appease Caroline and Tina. I have no idea what’s going on with Tucker and me, but even if it’s over before it’s begun, I’m not ready to go out with someone else. My eyes scan the room looking for the girls. Caroline is still dancing, but Tina is at our table talking to a guy.
I look up at Ben, and he’s handing me a glass with an expectant look. I realize he’s asked me something. When I start to answer, I see Tucker behind Ben.
Tucker?
He’s at the bar in the midst of a rowdy group of guys. I guess his mandatory team meeting included hanging out with his friends at a dance club. It’s further confirmation that he’s run away from me. From us. I’m not totally surprised, yet it still hurts, a dull ache that spreads throughout my body. He turns in my direction, and his eyes widen when he realizes I’m here, and he’s been caught.
I give a little shake of my head to clear it. Tucker can do whatever the fuck he wants, even if that means giving up on us. I ignore the well of dismay bubbling deep in my gut and look up at Ben. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked what you do.”
“I’m a student at Southern. You?”
Before Ben can answer, Tucker is next to us, his face expressionless. “Scarlett. I’m surprised to see you here.”
I suppose me being here looks just as bad as him showing up. He told me he was spending the evening with his team, and look where I headed. But he has to know while it’s part of his normal lifestyle, this isn’t usual for me. He of all people knows me well enough to know Caroline has probably dragged me here. “I’m sure you are.” I give him a tight smile and take a sip of my drink. “I’m here with Caroline and Tina. What about you?”
“I’m out with the team. I told you that.” He frowns. “So where are your friends?”
“Around.”
I take a drink so I don’t fidget in front of him. Ben looks uncomfortable. I’m not really sure how to handle this. I’m not going to beg Tucker to be with me, but I’m also not going to sit around and wait for him to decide he wants me. Still, I’m not good at games. With the help of alcohol-induced courage, I decide to be honest. “Did you come over for a reason, Tucker?”