Justin looks to Caleb, then to Liz and Matt, his eyebrows pulling together. “Owen? Did we go to sch—” Realization sparks in his eyes, and they widen. “Wait…not…” He takes a step back and reads my expression. “Owen? As in, Mr. Cavanaugh?”
I bite my lower lip gently and nod.
He smiles even wider and pulls me back to the table where we sit. “How did that even happen?” he inquires excitedly.
Relieved that he took the news so well, I relax and tell him the whole story. He hangs on every word and his expression reflects my own happiness. It’s nice to know I didn’t have to be so scared earlier. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, and I really have to work on it.
Just as I finish telling the story to Justin and Caleb, my phone vibrates on the table in front of me. The picture of Owen and me in bed lights up my screen, making me smile…the message, however, does not.
Hey Sweetheart. I’m still stuck at
the office. Not sure when I’ll be
able to make it.
I exhale a sad sigh as I try to think of a response. Am I mad? Meh. Not really. Disappointed? Yeah, a little. I had been hoping that introducing him into my circle of friends—even if he’d met them all at some point or another when I was in high school with them all—would help cement our status as a couple. Now that Dad is on board with this whole thing, I just want our lives to mesh seamlessly, and this had felt like a natural next step.
Justin taps me on the shoulder. I glance up into his eyes and can instantly tell that he knows what’s going on with me. “I think you should come with me to the bar. We need to order a round of shots for the table.”
I look behind me to where the waitress is standing two tables away. Justin sees her too, but takes my hand and hooks it into the crook of his elbow. “Come on,” he coaxes, and I comply.
Justin weaves us through the crowd and we find a spot at the bar. The bartender is down at the end, working his way toward us slowly. Instead of being annoyed, Justin sees this as an opportunity to talk. “He’s not coming, is he?”
I look down at my phone, still in my hand. “He says he’s stuck at the office and isn’t sure if he’ll make it,” I reply sadly. “It’s not a confirmed no.” Even I don’t believe myself. “I don’t know why I’m so upset. It’s not like I thought he’d feel comfortable around a bunch of twenty-somethings.”
Almost like he understands, Justin nods his head to one side. “Maybe not, but you want him to be a part of your life, and that includes seeing how he is around your friends…” He pauses, and a devilish smirk crosses his face. “In a way that’s not him chaperoning or babysitting us.”
I appreciate Justin’s attempt to cheer me up, and I’m so glad it’s working. My phone buzzes in my hand again, and I look down at it.
Babe? I really did try to get out of
here earlier. I know how important
tonight is to you. Please don’t be
upset with me.
I know how important Owen’s job is to him, so I decide not to hold this against him. We have all the time in the world for him to meet my friends and be a part of my life in this way. Telling myself this helps as I tap out a quick message.
I know. I’m not mad. Will you keep
trying? We’ll be here a while.
His response is quick, and it’s just what I need to hear.
Absolutely. I’ll keep you posted,
all right? I love you.
I tell Owen I love him too before tucking my phone into the pocket on the inside of my leather boots.
“Better?” Justin asks just as the bartender arrives.
Smiling, I nod. “You bet. He’s going to keep trying. He’s busy, and I understand that, so I’m not going to dwell on it. If he shows, great. If not, that’s okay too. We can always hang out another time.”
“What can I get you guys?” the bartender asks as I lean on the bar counter.
Justin flashes a toothy grin at the attractive male bartender. “Blow jobs,” he says, voice steady. “Five of them.”
Without missing a beat, the bartender lines up five shot glasses and starts pouring the alcohol before he tops them with whipped cream. I help Justin carry the shooters back to our table where the four of us down them before hitting the dance floor.
As the time passes, songs change seamlessly. We drink, we laugh, we get lost in the celebration. I manage to forget about my disappointment that Owen hasn’t shown up, and I have a blast. It’s been so long since the five of us had partied together, and I’d forgotten just how much fun we all have. Several guys come over and offer to buy me drinks. I kindly refuse, explaining that I’m in a relationship. Some are more persistent than others, but I stand my ground.