Author: Teresa Mummert

Are you coming over?

She asked and I knew she wanted me to calm Collin down, but I could not.

I really should study. I haven t been keeping up with my work lately.

I bit my lip and waited for her to say something.

Okay

she sighed and hung up the phone. I grabbed my shower kit and headed down to the bathroom. I needed to think over the whole situation. I knew that if I spent another night lying next to Collin, things would get out of hand and I would lose him forever, because I could not have anything more with him. He was not the type to settle down and I was not looking for a relationship with someone who was incapable of giving me what I needed.

Chapter Seven

Weeks passed and I had become so good at making excuses to why I could not go out that my friends barely ever called anymore. Collin would text me when he was drunk letting me know how good of a time he was having without me. Eventually I stopped replying all together and the texts quit coming.

I had gotten my grades back up to what they were before I had started hanging out with them and it was as if none of it had ever happened. I even met a guy who had taken me out on a few dates. His hair was dark like Collin s but his eyes were a deep brown and he always had a smile on his face. Another major difference between John and Collin was I had never seen John raise a hand to anyone. He was the most caring and gentleperson I had ever met. He was everything I had ever wanted, but after spending so much time with Collin, I found myself growing bored with our game nights.

Let s go out. I m in the mood to have some fun.

I whined and John rubbed my cheek with his fingers.

I have a final to study for.

He shook his head.

Come on

I whined, sticking out my bottom lip for added effect.

How about we go out to dinner?

He put his pen down on his notebook.

Fine. How about Smokey s?

I perked up at the thought of getting out. He made a face and I knew he was going to shoot down my idea.

You call that food?

He asked.

Whatever

I got up from the floor and began pulling clothes out of my closet, trying to find something nice to wear to whatever fancy restaurant he had in mind. He followed behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I m sorry, Sinthia.

He apologized and kissed my cheek.

We can go to your burger joint, if that s what you want to do.

I felt guilty for throwing a temper tantrum. I liked John, I really did, but sometimes he came across as being better than I am.

It s fine. We can go wherever you want.

I sighed heavily, tugging at a silk blouse in my closet. He turned me around and cupped my face in his hands.

Come on. Let s go to Smokey s.

He smiled, looking into my eyes. I leaned in to kiss him and he pecked me on the lips, pulling away quickly.

The parking lot at Smokey s was packed. We parked along the road and John complained the entire walk to the door about leaving his car out on the main street. I tried desperately not to roll my eyes at him. If I had a car as expensive as his, I would be worried about something happening to it too.

We sat in the far corner of the restaurant because John could not stand the smoke that lingered around the other tables. When the server arrived to take our orders John ordered us two sodas and a Stromboli, not giving me the chance to speak.

Actually &

I spoke up and the server turned back around to face me.

I ll have a beer.

She smiled and wrote down my drink order. I looked over at John who was making a face.

That sounds fun. I will have a beer as well. What do you have that s imported?

he asked.

Umm &

She looked at me for help.

We will have two Buds.

I chimed in and she walked away quickly.

This should be fun.

He said as he looked around the room. Just then, the door opened and Collin s green eyes locked on to mine. I sat up straighter, wishing I had listened to John about going somewhere else. He had a brunette under his arm and she placed her hand on his chest. Taylor, Beef and Jake followed behind.

What is it?

John asked, reaching over and placing his hand on mine. I pulled back, putting my hands on my lap.

Just some old friends of mine

He followed my eyes and caught site of who I was staring at.

Quite a colorful past you have Synthia.

He teased. I knew he was uncomfortable as he stared at Collins tattoos.

Invite them to join us.

He said, smiling.

No &no

I waved away the idea as the server set our drinks in front of us. I grabbed my beer and immediately drank half of it down in one sip.

Woah, Synthia. You are never going to be able to study tonight if you drink like that.

He pulled the beer from my hand. My cheeks burned red and I glanced over to my old friends who were talking quietly and glancing over in my direction. Taylor sat her purse on the table and walked in towards us.

Sin, where the fuck have you been?

John nearly fell out of his chair at her language.

Around

I replied, tucking my hair behind my ear. John cleared his throat.

Taylor this is John. John this is my friend Taylor.

Pleasure to meet you John said holding out his hand. Taylor looked at him sideways and took his hand to shake it.

Umm &Sin, we were wondering if you would like to hit Filly s with us tonight. You know &catch up a little?

I looked over at John biting my lip. It had taken everything to get him to come here and I knew he would never do it again.

Looks like Collin is doing good without his wingman.

I said, glancing over at the brunette on his arm. He was whispering in her ear and she was giggling.

Yea &She s been hanging around a lot.

Her eyes looked down at her feet. My heart sank in my stomach.

That s great.

I lied.

What the heck. Let s go out.

John smiled. Taylor looked at me as if I was visiting from another planet.

Great. I guess we will see you both around nine?

Sure

I sighed, smiling over at John. Taylor made her way back across the room as everyone stared at her expectantly. She told them the news and they all yelled and cheered, everyone except for Collin. He glanced my way then squeezed his date tighter to him.

I had practically emptied my closet on my bed. I could not find anything suitable to wear out drinking that John would approve of. It was times like these I really missed Taylor. I settled on an old pair of tight torn up jeans and a small t-shirt that hugged my body in all the right places.

Well, this is fun.

He said, eyeing up my outfit.

Perhaps I should change.

He was wearing a button up shirt and khaki pants.

You look great!

I leaned in to kiss him. He gave me his cheek.

Chapter Eight

Filly s was packed as usual and the crowd spilled out into the parking lot. John took the long way around them as we made our way to the front door.

We can leave whenever you want.

I assured him as I pulled open the door. The music pounded through my chest and I held John s hand as we made our way across the dance floor. Taylor and the guys were already at the bar doing a round of shots.

Taylor

I yelled, tapping her on the shoulder. She spun around and wrapped her arms around my neck.

It s been so long!

Let s get you a shot!

She smiled and I glanced back at John.

I m just going to go use the restroom.

He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before leaving. I turned back to Taylor who was looking at me through narrowed eyes.

What?

I asked as she grabbed two shots from the bar and handed me one.

What the fuck is with that guy?

She asked, slamming back her drink. I drank mine and it burned more than I remembered.

He s a nice guy.

I said flatly.

Exactly!

She laughed and I smacked her playfully on the arm. A pair of large arms wrapped around my waist from behind and lifted me into the air in a bear hug.

Sin!

Beef yelled and I squealed as he squeezed me tighter.

Beef!

I giggled and he set me back down. I spun around and gave him a hug. Jake followed suit and hugged me. We all drank another shot as I looked around the room.

Where s Collin?

I asked.

He s &

Beef began but Collin s face appeared behind him.

I m right here.

He grinned.

Hey, Sin.

He nodded. I looked beside him at the brunette that still clung to him.

This is Sam.

He pulled her closer to his body.

Nice to meet you.

I smiled.

Another shot?

I asked and everyone erupted around me. We slammed back two as I finally saw John coming back across the floor. I realized I may have had a little too much too quickly.

John!

I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pushed me back, looking at my face in confusion.

How much have you had already?

He asked. Beef walked up beside me and put his arm over my shoulder.

She can handle it, trust me.

He smiled.

John this is Beef.

I giggled at his name. Beef rolled his eyes and squeezed my neck slightly harder.

I m sorry, did you say &

john began. Beef stuck out his hand in front of him.

Beef. It s a &family name.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and I laughed again. John took his hand.

Enough of this. Let s dance!

Taylor called from behind me. Everyone headed over to the dance floor leaving John and I standing awkwardly alone. I gestured my head towards the dance floor but he politely declined.

I think I d like to sit down for a bit.

He yelled in my ear over the music. I began to sit next to him on a bar stool but Taylor grabbed my arm.

Oh, no you don t! I need a dance partner!

She smiled and pulled me away. I shrugged my shoulders at John and he nodded and smiled. We made our way through the crowd as a new song began. I shook my hips with her and it had felt just like old times. That was until I spotted Collin out of the corner of my eye. Sam had her hands wrapped around his neck and they grinded their hips together as the full on made out in the middle of the floor. Taylor caught me staring and grabbed my hand, twirling me around in front of her.

He looks happy.

I yelled in her ear. She shrugged and kept dancing.

She s been around a lot lately.

She yelled back in my ear.

At the house?

I quit moving and was just waiting for answers. She nodded, gauging my reaction.

He never takes girls to the house.

I frowned. She shrugged her shoulders and grabbed my waist, making me dance with her again.

What s with that John guy?

She made a face and I could not help but laugh.

He s a good guy.

I shrugged.

You said that already.

I turned around and looked at John as he sat talking on his cell phone.

I can trust him.

I nodded. Jake moved up beside us, dancing along as we swayed our hips.

What up Sin? Finally settle down?

He joked, nodding in John s direction. I smiled and nodded my head.

He s a good guy.

I yelled over the music. Jake made a sour face.

Sounds boring!

I smacked his arm and rolled my eyes.

Come on guys! I thought you wanted me to get with someone?

I looked back and forth between them and they just stared at each other.

I m going to get us some shots. You aren t laughing nearly hard enough at Beef.

He smiled and made his way to the bar next to John. I could see them talking and I became worried he would make John feel out of place. Jake had always been overprotective of me like a brother.

After another song had finished Jake and Beef came over carrying shots for all of us. I glanced over at John who was busy typing away on his phone.

He didn t want one. Fucking lightweight.

Beef said, rolling his eyes. I smacked him on the arm causing some alcohol to spill out of one of the shots.

Woah! Party foul!

He teased. Collin walked up behind me and reached around my waist, grabbing a shot and slamming it back. He looked at me, his face inches from mine and I looked ahead. The smell of his soap took me back to the nights I used to cuddle with him in his bed. His hard chest rubbed against my back and I stiffened, not wanting to relax against him. I grabbed a shot from Beef s hands and slammed it back without blinking an eye.