Benji motioned for us to hurry up. “Let’s go! It’s almost ten thirty. Thank God tomorrow is Saturday and we get to sleep in.”
I located my purse and double-checked that my phone was in it. Minutes later, we all piled into the gray Lexus Coupe Benji’s parents had bought him the year before. It was his baby, and he would ream anyone if they left trash in it. He flipped on the SiriusXM radio, and we sang at the top of our lungs to “Say Something” by Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton. Their harmony was insane, and I could listen to the song on repeat for hours.
As Benji located an open spot in the parking lot of the bar, I leaned forward from the back seat. “Wow, it’s packed!”
Barney’s was the most popular college hangout. It was overall safe and clean, and the service was excellent. They had a dance floor in the middle of the room as well, and on occasion, I was coaxed into joining my friends in a drunken display. It was one of the few places I was comfortable going to alone, but normally Avery or Benji was with me.
Benji rubbed his hands together. “It’s the big track meet tomorrow. Well, I’m guessing that’s why it’s so packed. Several other teams are in Spokane, and I bet we’ll find lots of hunky men inside.” An impish smile eased across his face.
“Oh, that’s right. Maybe we won’t be going home alone tonight,” Avery piped in, turning toward me. “Right?”
I rolled my eyes at their constant attempts to get me laid. “Um, no. My cobwebbed twat and I are just fine, but thanks for thinking of me.”
We got out of the car and walked to the front door of the bar. When Benji opened the door for us, the music and noise nearly knocked me backward. Packed wasn’t even the word for it. It was standing room only.
A large group of rowdy drunk guys shouldered their way through the crowd toward us, and I quickly moved as they barreled through the exit.
“A table!” Avery yelled over the thumping tunes, pointing at a spot near the bar.
I grabbed Benji’s hand and pulled him behind me as I followed Avery.
After making it through the mass of people, Benji eased down into a chair. “Perfect.”
Avery pointed at the bartender. “I’ll order drinks!” Then she disappeared into the throng of students.
“This is insane!” I said. “This track meet must be something special.”
Benji’s blue eyes drifted over the room and stopped on a guy in a burgundy-and-white baseball hat. I nudged him and nodded to the hottie he’d spotted. The guy’s closely trimmed beard accentuated his angular jaw, and a few dark curls peeked out from the rim of his cap.
“He’s dreamy, Tensley!” Benji chewed on his bottom lip as he continued to assess the stranger.
Benji was right. The guy was tasty. His smile lit up his face, reaching his deep-brown eyes, and his muscular biceps flexed as he reached up and placed his hands behind his head.
Benji sighed, his shoulders sagging forward. “I’d love to take him home, but …”
“Wait, did you and Thomas make up?” I secretly hoped Benji was going to tell me he’d finally kicked the D-bag to the curb, but I’d never admitted that I hated how Thomas treated him.
“Yeah. I told him I’d give it another try. Well, I’ll give him one last chance.” Sadness flickered across his face. “He’s cheated on me twice.”
I reached across the small, circular table and squeezed his hand. “Honey, you don’t have to put up with that bullshit. You’re better than that.”
Before he could comment, Avery showed up with a Sex on the Beach, Cape Cod, and a margarita. She placed them on the table in front of us, and I took a long pull of my vodka cranberry through the straw, then sank back into the seat.
“I’ll get the next round,” Benji said as Avery settled in.
She grabbed her chair and scooted over next to me. “Oh, so much better. I can see the eye candy from here.” She winked at me as she sipped her margarita.
We fell into a comfortable silence as the music blared and a group of approximately twenty people danced. I loved people watching. When I was younger and had been placed in my first foster home at age twelve, I would walk to the neighborhood park, sit on the bench under a giant oak tree, and observe families. I would make up stories about them in my mind while they played or picnicked. It was easier than approaching some kid and asking them to play. I’d learned the hard way after I’d been laughed at because of my Goodwill clothes or ratty hair. I had been incredibly shy, and no one could make fun of me creating make-believe friends if they didn’t know what I was thinking.
“Let’s dance, bitches!” Benji hopped up and grabbed my hand.
“Now? I’m not drunk enough,” I argued.
Avery pulled on my arm until I stood. “Yes, now.”
I knew when to argue with them and when it was a moot point. I followed them through the slightly thinned-out crowd until Benji found a spot for us at the corner of the floor.
The heavy vibration of “The Devil You Know” by the X Ambassadors traveled through my body. My skin hummed with excitement as I allowed the music to consume every part of me.
Benji slipped an arm around my waist and gave me a bump with his butt. “Look up on stage!” He nodded in the direction where the band typically set up. But that night, the platform was nearly empty except a few drums the bar owner had left there … for me.
A slow grin spread across my face.
Avery danced around us, her hips swaying to the music as she tossed her hands up in the air and laughed.
“I definitely need more alcohol for that, sweet cheeks!” I yelled.
“I’ll be right back.” Benji kissed my cheek and disappeared into the crowd.
Avery grasped my hand and twirled me around. “Let’s give the boys something to talk about.” She winked at me, and I giggled. She closed the small gap between us, and our boobs brushed against each other. Her hands slid down my back and patted my ass. I wasn’t gay, but if I were ever to experiment, it would be with Avery. She was my best friend, and if I ever grew curious, I would trust her. But I wasn’t interested. It was fun to watch all the guys walk around with rock-hard dicks, constantly shifting in order to regain some kind of comfort, but that was all it was—us being silly. Normally, Avery would have her pick of hot men after we gave them a show anyway. Turning around, she nestled against me as she guided my hands over her stomach.
“You two, break it up already.” Benji stood in front of me with two shots of rum and a mixed drink.
Avery continued to dance as he handed me the first one.
“Oh hell, are you going to …” Avery’s voice trailed off as she watched me slam the drink.
I reached for the second. “Next.”
“You’re all set up.” Benji took my empty glasses and handed me the rum and coke.
I took a few gulps and shook my head, releasing a soft hiss as the alcohol burned the back of my throat. “Woohoo!” I threw my arms up over my head and released a loud whoop. The drinks quickly numbed my brain enough to help me loosen up.
Avery cupped her hands around her mouth and hollered at the top of her lungs. “Get ’em, Tensley!”
Benji walked me up to the stage and winked at me as he took several steps back.