“Drink!” my best friend, Shelby, screams over the music. I nod my agreement, link hands with her, and follow her through the throng of people on the dance floor. “This place is on fire tonight,” she says once we reach the bar.
“That it is,” I agree.
“Two waters.” She holds up two fingers when the bartender finally reaches us.
“I can’t believe I convinced you to come out with me,” she states, pulling me into a sweaty hug, making me laugh.
“You act like I never go out.” She gives me a look that says “you never go out,” and she’s right.
“You were the most dedicated student I know.”
I nod. She’s not wrong. I put everything into studying—no time for partying or skipping class. I needed to know that I was on the right track to a career where I would always be able to take care of myself financially. Luckily, my nose-to-the-grindstone determination in high school landed me scholarships. Add in my part-time job at the coffee shop, and I’m not only a college graduate, but I’m also debt-free. That’s almost unheard of—especially someone with my background. Hell, few in the foster care system make it to college. At least not the ones that I know. I, however, was determined. I am determined to make something of myself and my life.
“Now, if I could just convince you to find you a hottie to go home with, I’d call this night a success.” She wiggles her eyebrows, handing me a bottle of water.
“You know casual isn’t my thing.”
“You don’t have a thing,” she counters. “Besides, look around you, Cadence. You can have your pick. You’ve got the eye of every man in this room.”
“Uh, that would be you, my friend. Guilty by association.” Shelby is what most men, even most women, refer to as a blonde bombshell. She and I are the same height at five foot six, but my hair is dark to her light. Her eyes are an exotic brown, with gold hues, and her skin flawless. Whereas my eyes are a light blue, and my complexion fair.
“Don’t even,” she warns me. A slow smile crosses her face, and it’s one of mischief. I know it all too well. We’ve been roommates since our freshman year of college, and that look, that smile tells me she’s up to no good.
“Excuse me.” She places her manicured hand on the shoulder of the guy next to her. “I was hoping you could help me with something,” she coos. Yes, coos. The sound of her voice alone could have him eating out of the palm of her hand. “My friend here, she’s just gone through a bad breakup.” Lies. “He told her, well, let’s just say she’s feeling down about herself. What do you think? She’s beautiful, right?” she asks him.
His eyes rake over me from head to toe, stopping a little longer at my chest, making me regret the spaghetti strap form-fitting tank top I decided to wear tonight. I knew this place would be packed, and if Shelby and I agree on anything, it’s hitting the dance floor.
“She’s a fucking knockout,” the guy slurs.
“Thanks, sugar.” She winks at him, drops her hand, and focuses her attention on me. “Told you.”
“He’s drunk.”
“Drunk or sober, I’d take you home with me,” he chimes in, still listening to our conversation.
I give him a kind smile, grab Shelby’s arm, and pull her away from the bar, and to a small table that surprisingly is vacant next to the dance floor. “So, where’s Matt?”
“Who knows.” She rolls her eyes.
“Are you guys broken up again?” Shelby and Matt have a long history of on-again, off-again. It started our freshman year, and they’re still doing… whatever it is they do. One day they’re happy and moving forward. The next, they hate each other, and it’s over. I live with her, and I have a hard time keeping up.
Her shoulders slump, and the look in her eyes is defeated. “I don’t know, Cadence. I love him, but we’re toxic for one another. I want us to work, but I just don’t know if we’re able to get through all the bullshit and make it happen.”
“Maybe letting him go, I mean, really walking away for longer than a few days is what you guys need?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “I wish I had the answer. I know he’s struggling with football being over, and he’s not going on to the pros like a few of his friends on the team. That was never his plan, but it’s a huge part of his life that he’s going to miss.”
“Yeah, I get that. However, what about the last four years? He’s always put you second. That’s still going on now. There always seems to be something or some kind of excuse.”
“I know. Now that we’re graduated, I don’t know where we’re going.”
Reaching over the table, I place my hand over hers. “You two will figure it out. Just don’t hold out too long. I want to see you happy. Sometimes letting go is what it takes to make that happen.”
“Yeah,” she agrees when a shadow falls over our table.
Glancing up, Matt is standing there, hands shoved in his pockets, and a look more serious than I’ve ever seen from him on his face. “Hi.” His eyes are locked on Shelby. From the look of surprise on her face, she had no idea that he was going to be here.
“Hi.” The DJ slows things down a bit, and when he reaches his hand out to her, I know what he’s asking. From the way her eyes soften, she does too. Matt never dances with her. Never. She loves it, and it’s not something he ever takes part in.
“Will you dance with me?” he asks, his voice so soft I can barely hear him.
I watch as tears well in my best friend’s eyes and nods her agreement. She takes his hand and stands before turning to me. “Cad—” she starts, but I smile and shake my head.
“Go. I’ll be fine right here. This might be your moment,” I tell her. The smile she gives me lights up her face before she turns and allows the love of her life to lead her out on the dance floor. Regardless of how distant he’s always been, she loves him. Deep down I know he loves her too. I wish more than anything that they could get it figured out and be happy.
Not wanting to look like the loser sitting at a table all alone, I pull out my phone and begin to scroll through my emails. Shelby and I are moving to a new apartment, a bigger, better apartment, and we’re waiting for our move-in date. After scrolling as long as I can, I head back to the bar for a drink, this time of the alcoholic variety. I am celebrating after all.
Moving up to the bar, I raise my hand half a dozen times and still get ignored by the bartender. Shelby never has that problem.
“Allow me,” a deep husky voice says from behind me. Turning to look over my shoulder, I see a man with the most gorgeous hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. “What are you drinking?”
“Beer is fine, anything,” I tell him.
He nods before leaning in and placing one hand on the small of my back while raising the other to get the bartender's attention. His touch is like a jolt of electricity to my system, and even though my back is the only place he’s touching me, I feel him everywhere.
“Two beers,” he says, placing our order. “So, you come here often?” he asks with a smile as he slides onto the now vacant stool beside me.