Hanging On (Jessica Brodie Diaries #2)(47)

“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, slapping his arm.

He laughed and hugged my shoulders. “Nah, you know I’m kidding. But yeah, it worked out like it shoulda. You and Willie fit like a glove. I was just admiring the real estate.”

“Cool.” I nodded with finality. It was like I’d thought. I wasn’t what he wanted. Granted, he didn’t seem to know what he wanted, but he was right—while he was strong and tough and manly, he was a pushover at heart. I would walk all over him then feel badly about it. William at least made me work to get what I wanted, which made it all the sweeter when I eventually did.

“I wanted to clear the air,” I said, watching the bartender make our drinks. “You are a good guy, Charlie Brown. And besides, now you got even prettier girls you can hook up with. Lump makes me look like a street corner girl.”

He shook his head. “I mean, yeah, all you girls is pretty! But that girl...Lump? Queer names y’all got. Lump is damn pretty, sure. Not denyin’ that. But she ain’t any prettier‘n you if you wanna know the truth. Don’t mean nothin’ by it. Just callin’ it like I see it. You are just as beautiful, each of you in your own way.”

I scoffed at him.

“I think a lot of that happened when you started gettin’ close to Willie, though,” he said, contemplative. “Seems like he lit some kinda spark in you‘r somethin’. Him, too. Spark I mean, not beauty.” He waved his hand in front of his face. “Listen to me! I sound like a g*y from San Francisco with all this feelings ‘n crap.” He shook his head.

“Wow, that was not very P.C. of you, Adam. But thanks.” I leaned on my tiptoes to give him a kiss on the check. I grabbed three drinks in a pyramid so I could carry them. “Shall we?”

He nodded, slightly relieved and definitely embarrassed.

When he was grabbing drinks I looked at him again. If it wasn’t for William, I would have counted myself lucky to get Adam. He was all kinds of good. Tall, handsome, hardworking, a gentleman, a lot of fun to be around, and someone you could count on. Yes, I might walk all over him, but I was a head-strong jackass. If he got a more even-tempered girl with a dose of patience, she’d get a great guy in him. I really hoped he’d find it.

Back with everyone, we toasted and drank. More men joined us, since the girls were starting to get their flirt on, but the dance floor was starting to fill up and dancing was necessary. I grabbed Flem by the wrist and pulled. She grabbed Claire who pushed Lump who glared at Jane who in turn glared at me.

“Dance!” I yelled.

“Hot men!” Jane yelled back.

Steve—I think that was his name—beamed. He thought he was getting some.

He was wrong.

I pulled harder, noticing Moose nudge Adam and point. They were no doubt pleased I was getting my aggression out on the girls rather than them. Little did they know, I was just getting practice. I’d be back annoying them soon enough, with more force!

With a little more pull, I got the ladies, one and all, on our way to the dance floor. We left our area with a trail of boys in our wake. We walked along the railing to the stairs, looking down at what we would encounter, or back at what was left behind.

“Some serious lookers in that group!” Flem yelled over the music.

“Would it be uncomfortable for you if there was a one-night-stand?” Jane yelled from behind me somewhere.

We congregated at the stairs. Across the large expanse of space in from of me I could see William watching me with a smile, talking to the guys around him. We were still, easily, the prettiest girls in the club. Easily. More lookers would definitely come, but they didn’t have what we did—mayhem! Hot and exciting, watch out!

“Don’t touch anyone with a girlfriend. Don’t do more than one in the group. Don’t put yourself on display. Other than that, good hunting.”

“Should we call dibs now, or later?” Lump asked.

“Adam!” Flem and Claire shouted at once.

“Moose,” Lump said with a smile.

“He’s too nice for you, one,” I noted, looking down the steps. “And two, he’s got a girl. Okay, everyone grab banister. These steps hold no prisoners.”

I led with the first sure-footed step, looking for all the world like it was the easiest thing to do, ever.

I continued the conversation, “I would’ve gone for Brad in the beginning if he didn’t have a girlfriend.”

“Ah crap, he’s got a girlfriend?” Jane asked. She must have been last in the progression judging by the slightly distant voice.

“Not anymore. Go for him. He’s cute and nice.”

“Yeah, I need to get laid. I haven’t been out, I haven’t been seeing anyone, and I haven’t had any fun. Seriously, school is kicking my ass. But if I get through, I will probably make bank!”

“Money is nice.” I made it to the bottom with a sigh.

“William’s got loads, huh?” Claire asked, next down and looking around the half-full dance floor.

“Yeah. It’s nice, but kind of awkward. I mean, I’ve got not a lot, so he doesn’t really understand life without money. Plus, his mom thinks I’m dating him for his wallet.”

“Eh, mothers!” Lump rolled her eyes.

“Okay, enough talking. I am ready to wipe the floor with your asses,” I declared, grabbing Claire and heading into the fray.