Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(73)

He grabbed a hold of me and reeled me in, holding me firm against his body so I couldn’t get away. Giggling profusely, I tried to wiggle out of his grasp, but he had me with solid arms. He reached secured me with one solid arm, then pulled the other away. A second later a wet finger entered my ear.

“Eeeewwwwwwww!” I yelled, wiggling harder, laughing uncontrollably.

I was slipping sideways, knowing he wouldn’t let me fall. He used his other hand to right me, and stepped away quickly. I straightened up, made sure I was still in my dress, and looked for him.

He was two paces away and holding up his hands in surrender. I tossed my hair, still laughing. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard.

“Okay, okay. I give,” I said. “You got me.”

Adam’s smile stretched from one ear to the other. He looked like a little boy that just played a trick.

Ty and Candace showed up with beers as Adam put his arm around my shoulders and hugged me to him. I noticed that his body was as hard as William’s. That thought made me excited, but not for Adam. Directly after it made me sad.

“Crazy Californian girls!” Adam said to Ty, who handed me a beer.

They tried to get me to sit down, but my dress was uncomfortable to stand in—I didn’t have much hope for sitting. I also didn’t know if it would stay in one piece; the fabric might split down the side. That would be a titch awkward.

Three beers in and I needed to use the ladies room. In this dress. Oh, this should be fun.

“Wait, Jess, I’ll go, too!” Candace yelled, shimmying out of the booth.

I waited, feeling alive again. Happy. I’d forgotten how much fun these guys were. I forgot how much fun going out with anyone my own age was.

After toilets, Candace and I were at the bar, waiting for our drinks, when she put her hand on my arm.

“Don’t turn around,” she whispered violently.

I stayed stock still, but still looked natural. The classic blunder was to immediately turn and gawk. I knew better.

Candace pressed closer, putting up a female defense.

“What’s going on?” I asked as quietly as I could, still looking at the bartender.

“Hey girls,” Ty said with forced calm as he leaned next to me.

I chanced a look at him. “Ty. Nice to see you. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“I was going to be helpful and carry some beers. I was also going to order one more.”

“Oh?”

“For Willie,” Candace whispered so low I barely heard.

My belly rolled. It was like in a cartoon when the dog swallows a stick of dy***ite and his stomach goes down really low, then up really high, then explodes. I was that dog.

“Candace,” I said hoarsely, “I have to get out of here.”

“How?” she whispered back.

“You girls don’t have to whisper. He is back with Moose and Adam.”

I turned and grabbed Candace, willing her to give me strength. I was a breath away from continuing my meltdown from the car ride over. I felt Ty’s hand rubbing my back, and realized that somewhere along the way, I had made it obvious I didn’t want to see William again. Everyone knew I had been rejected.

I was unwanted goods, but I didn’t have to act the victim. I could choose how they would remember me after I left. And I wouldn’t choose the coward’s way out. I would not sneak away.

Until I had a damn good excuse to leave, at least.

Chapter Sixteen

Candace and I let Ty walk ahead of us.

“Okay,” she said conspiratorially, “I don’t know what happened between y’all, but you look really good tonight. So, I’ll go in front of you so he can’t see you until the last minute. Then I’ll just step away and he can see you all at once.”

“Candace, just...let’s walk together. Tell me a funny story and keep me entertained so I don’t have to notice him until the last minute, okay?”

“Oh, okay. Got it.” She looked toward the sky, shuffling through the stories in her head. “Did I ever tell you about when Juniper was trying to get the stuck cookie from the vending machine?”

“No.” I was already smiling.

“Well,” we started walking, “she put in for the chocolate chip cookie, right? The thing stuck—I mean, they always do. Everyone knows that! But she got all pissed off—”

“Excuse me, ma’am?”

A man about my age and fairly attractive was trying to get my attention. Perfect timing.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“I just noticed you at the bar, there. You with anyone?”

“Candace, I’ll meet up with you,” I said as I turned toward the almost handsome stranger.

“Okay,” Candace said with a smirk as she walked off.

“I’m Phillip.” He stuck out his hand.

“Hi. Jessica.” I shook his hand. It was soft and thin. He probably worked on computers or something. I hated that that bothered me.

We chatted long enough for me to find out that he was about as interesting as a children’s book about worms. I kept at it for a another few minutes, though, just to keep up appearance. Plus, it felt good, being wanted.

I wrapped up my chat, avoided the number exchange, and headed to our corner with a hop in my step, feeling indestructible.Which was me lying to myself. I hoped it was working for the sake of my facial expression.