That’s when she suggested we go have a drink, which leads us to now. The bartender sets our pitcher of margaritas in front of us. Nicole carries the pitcher, and I follow her out onto the patio with our salt rimmed glasses.
She pours each of us a glass, and I grab it and take a healthy sip. “Thanks for suggesting this. I knew it was risky going home because she was already clingy last night, but I missed her.”
“Of course you did. I just can’t wait for her to come stay with us while your parents are out of town. She loves her Coco.”
As we sip our drinks and switch to lighter conversations, the bar gets busier and people are filtering outside. I finish my glass and excuse myself and head inside to use the bathroom.
When I finish, I wash my hands and check myself in the mirror. I tuck some loose strands of hair behind my ear. My summer tan is still dark enough that I don’t need to wear much makeup. I fish my ChapStick out of my pocket and quickly swipe some on before stepping out of the bathroom.
I weave my way through the throng of people that have suddenly shown up. I head outside and see we have company at our table. Chance Bateman and another guy sit in the two vacant seats at our table.
“Hey, short stuff,” he says with a smile. “I saw you get up from the table, and we decided to crash your little margarita party.”
I take my seat. “How are you, Chance?”
“I’m good, better now.” I roll my eyes because he’s so full of shit. “This is my best friend, Trey.”
I reach out to shake Trey’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. So I hear you and Chance met because he stole your parking spot.” I smile because I like this guy.
“He sure did, and he showed no remorse too.”
Nicole and Trey start talking because apparently they have a couple of classes together. They’re both majoring in kinesiology. While they chat, I watch Chance from the corner of my eye.
He’s such a good looking guy, and he knows it, but he seems nice.
“Tell me how things are going? How are your classes?” Chance grabs his bottle of beer and takes a drink.
“They’re good, but hard. What about you?” Why am I terrible at small talk? Can he tell I’m nervous?
He gives me a smirk. “They’re good. This next weekend we have a home soccer game; you should come watch us play.”
I shrug. “Sure. Are you any good?”
“Oh Jesus,” Trey says. “Nicole, do you want to head inside? Someone’s ego is going to take up all the space out here.”
Nicole gets up and follows Trey inside, leaving Chance and I alone. “Don’t listen to Trey. He’s an asshole,” he says with a laugh. “To answer your question, I’m really good.”
“Have you always played?”
He nods and takes a drink of his beer. I find myself watching his Adam’s apple bob while he swallows it. I look away before he catches me watching him. “I’ve played as long as I can remember. I honestly just have a natural talent for it. My dad played, and he coached me through junior high.”
“Cross country was my thing, and honestly I only run now for exercise or to clear my head.” I grab my glass and swallow the rest of my drink down.
“Well, if you ever want…”
“Chance, oh my God. What are you doing here?” A blonde girl in a skimpy sundress flops right down on Chance’s lap, and I don’t miss that his hand goes right to her thigh. “Come over tonight?” She completely ignores that fact that we’re sitting together and talking. Of course I’m no competition.
I get up from my chair. Clearly I’ve been replaced, and why does that sting? It’s not like I’m interested in him, or am I? When I step inside, I find Nicole and Trey sitting at the bar looking like they’re in a deep conversation. I shoot her a quick text.
Laken: Hey, I’m heading home. I’m beat. Thank you for getting my mind off of stuff. Please don’t tell Trey about Ava.
It’s not that I’m ashamed or embarrassed that I’m a mom, but sometimes people ask questions I don’t want to answer.
The bar is only a few blocks from our apartment, so we walk. Halfway home my phone dings.
Nicole: I won’t say anything, but FYI—Chance was just in here looking for you.
I ignore that last part because he was probably going to say goodbye to me before he went off with that girl, but of course he has every right to. We’re not a couple; we weren’t on a date.
Once I get back to our apartment I let myself in. I want to see my girl, but after the meltdown she had earlier, FaceTiming with her could be real bad, so I opt to call my mom instead.
“Hey, honey, what are you doing?”
“Nothing. I was just out with Nicole for a little bit. I want to FaceTime Ava, but after earlier I don’t think it’s a good idea. Is she okay?” I kick my shoes off in my room and sit on the end of my mattress with my legs crossed.
“She’s sitting with Uncle Jay watching Moana. I promise she’s fine. After you left, she laid down with Papa and took a nap. When she woke up, she was in much better spirits.”
That makes me feel better—just a little bit. “Give her a kiss for me. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Laken. I say it all the time, but I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished.”
We hang up, and I decide I need to go to bed and forget all about this sucky day.
Chapter Five
Chance
I spot her up ahead. I haven't seen Laken since we bumped into each other last week at the bar. We’d been talking, and she was starting to relax around me. It was all ruined when Margot showed up and plopped her ass right on my lap.
By the time I got her off of me Laken was gone. I’d asked her friend Nicole where she was, and she told me that she’d gone home. Margot only interrupted us because she was pissed that I didn’t go over to her place the day we’d ran into each other.
Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to, bad, but there was something that kept me from walking out my door. Instead I watched porn and jerked off.
I jog to catch up to her. “Laken!” She stops and turns, watching me as I approach her. “Hey, how are you?”
“I’m good, Chance. How are you?”
I hate this awkwardness. Normally girls just fall all over me, and I have to do no work whatsoever. “I’m good. I wanted to apologize for the other night. We were having a nice conversation and were rudely interrupted.”
Laken looks down at her feet and shrugs. “No need to apologize.” She looks up me. “I have to go grab some lunch before class.” She turns and walks away, but I’m not ready to be done with her yet.
“Laken, wait up.” Again, she stops and turns, waiting for me to catch up. For a shorty she’s sure fast. “Let me buy you lunch?”
“That’s seriously not necessary.”
I nod. “I know it’s not, but I want to … please?” I stick out my lower lip and give her puppy dog eyes.