Breaking Even(14)

Her hair is down and shoulder-length. It's a light brown that I don't normally care for, but I can play nice for a night.

“Wren had something to do,” Ash says to the girl as the club DJ prepares to play music and kill the silence. “But Rye is cool.”

I'm cool. Wow. That's like saying they see no hope in this going anywhere. Not that I'm looking for a relationship, but I'd like for Ash to build me up a little better than that.

Tag walks over and hands me a Corona, and I take a long sip, reaching for the ability to bite my tongue.

“Rye,” Ash says with a smile.

The girl beside her turns around, and my beer spews from my lips, soaking Tag who curses me. You've got to be fucking kidding me.

***

BRIN

Ah, hell. What did I do in a past life for karma to punish me so brutally?

Staring at Mr. Sexy who is just as shocked as I am, I almost cry. I should have known better than to think someone like Wren Prize wanted to go out on a date with me. But I had no idea he'd be affiliated with someone like Mr. Sexy—er, I mean, Rye.

Rye? What the hell kind of name is that? Is this the same Rye I’ve heard them talking about?

Of course it is. It’s highly unlikely this group knows two guys named Rye.

“You two look... shocked,” Tag says, smiling with mild amusement. “Do you know each other?”

Rye wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, still somewhat coughing on the drink that strangled him when he saw my face.

“Yeah,” he says dryly. “She's my neighbor.”

Tag looks from me to him several times, and then suddenly his laughter pours out just before Dane Sterling joins in, his laughter roaring out as well.

“The guy who put a spider in your room?” Ash asks, her lips curled in amusement, at the same time that Dane asks, “The girl who left you the ketchup bomb?”

“Yes,” Rye and I say in unison, glaring at each other like the war is about to take place here and now.

“Fucking unbelievable.” Tag laughs harder, doubling over. “So the girl who turned you into Tinker Bell is Brin? Sweet little Brin Waters?”

It's doubtful Mr. Sexy even knew my name. I didn't know he was Rye Clanton. Hell, I've heard them talk about him numerous times, and never had a clue it was the same guy who lived across the street from me.

“She's not sweet,” Rye growls, his eyes narrowing on me as everyone else joins in on the heckling.

Apparently they think I'm this sweet little girl who couldn't possibly break into a guy's house, steal his keys, and blow glitter through a hose and into his air vents. That took hours to do, by the way, and I still have glitter tickling the back of my throat when I inhaled by accident.

It looks like he got rid of most of it, but every so often the light hits his hair just right to show a few shimmers are still in there.

“Need a drink?” Rain asks me, moving her perfect blonde hair out of her face.

“I need a really strong drink,” I mumble, moving past her to get it myself.

I feel so stupid. It was bad enough before he showed up. Now Rye knows Wren didn't want to go on a date with me. The last thing I need is my enemy knowing I can't even get a date when it's set up for me.

“Vodka. Straight up,” I say to the bartender, hoping I'm saying it right.

I never drink liquor very often, so I have no idea what to order. The guy works quickly, considering there are a slew of people calling out orders. He hands me mine, and I reach for my purse.

“Put it on my tab,” a deep, familiar voice says over my shoulder.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Clanton,” the bartender says with a nod.

I turn to see Rye just as I take a sip of my vodka. Oh wow. This is the good stuff. I still make a face, but usually I spit alcohol back out.

“I can pay for my own drinks,” I say to the man who is studying me too hard.

“You're supposed to be my date,” he replies with a shrug.

He motions for me to walk in front of him, and I take another sip, praying it drowns out the humiliation. I need less attractive and less rich friends. Maybe then something like this wouldn't happen because I'd be on my own playing field.

“I'm supposed to be Wren Prize's date. I guess he sent you to deal with the riffraff.”

I aim for casual, but I sound wounded. Shit. Show no weakness, Brin.

“Wren had shit to take care of. Though he didn't feel as though he could confide in me. I'm here because he didn't want you to feel stood up. How the hell do you know everybody?”

He continues studying me, and I take a deep breath. I got as dressed up as I felt comfortable with for this date, trying to look like I belonged in this crowd. I wish I had my jeans and T-shirt on right now. He looks so casual and at ease, and I'm wearing a black dress I borrowed from Maggie.