Page 49 of From Now On

Sometimes, I think it’s too solid.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EVE

I’m drunk.

I realized I was drunk two drinks ago, and I did another round of tequila shots with Finn and Hurley anyway. Now Finn has his arm slung around my shoulders as the bartender—one of their buddies, Julian—shows off his signature shaking technique.

Far as I can tell, it’s identical to every other bartender’s back-and-forth.

I’m having fun. Finn’s arm is a warm, comforting weight, and he smells good. Like the ocean—saltwater and seaweed. Having three shaggy-haired surfers hit on me simultaneously is a new experience, and it’s doing wonders for my ego. But it’s also a little…weird. The easy group dynamic makes me think this isn’t their first time sweet-talking a tourist.

Does one of them call dibs at some point, or are they hoping for some sort ofménage à quatresituation? I may be attempting to try new things, but there’s no way I’m feelingthree guys at onceadventurous. I don’t think I’d be able to get past the weirdness of multiple partners to enjoy the experience. I addedsex in (semi public)to my fuck-it list because my rather boringsex life has always taken place in a bedroom and I thought hooking up in a car or in a frat house bathroom might make it a bit more exciting, but who knows if that’ll ever happen either.

Finn’s fingers continue stroking my shoulder. I down another shot. Not because I’m uncomfortable, but because more alcohol should keep me from overanalyzing the situation. I have…I’ll-do-the-math-when-I’m-soberdays left before real adulthood kicks in. When I’m feeling claustrophobic in my cramped apartment, eating ramen for the fourth time that week, I’ll be able to think back to the time I drank tequila in a bar with three strangers. YOLO, and all that jazz. Do people still say YOLO?

Since the amount of alcohol in my system has significantly affected my filter, I ask, “Do people still say YOLO?”

Finn, Hurley, and Julian all burst out laughing.

“Well, do they?” I press.

They laugh harder. I’m not sure if that’s a yes or a no.

“Eve?”

I spin toward the sound of my name. Finn’s arm manages to stay on my shoulders. It only falls away when I throw both of mine around Harlow.

“Harlow! Guys, this is my bestest friend in the entire world, Harlow. Harlow, this is Finn, Hurley, and Julian.” I point to each guy as I introduce them, except I mix up Hurley and Julian because focusing on one spot is harder than it was a little while ago.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Julian greets. “Can I get you a drink?”

“She has a boyfriend,” I tell Julian. “He plays hockey and he’s sitting right over there.” I gesture vaguely toward where I remember the table I came from being, except my fingers end up aimed at the ceiling. Goodbye, equilibrium.

“All good,” Julian says. “God and I have an agreement.”

Hurley snickers.

“It’s nice to meet you guys,” Harlow tells the group around us. “Can I get a water, please?”

“Coming right up,” Julian replies.

At the other end of the bar, a guy with a beard shouts, “I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes, Julian!”

“Calm your tits, Taj,” Julian bellows back. “You’re next.”

Julian returns with a glass of ice water, then moseys down to the opposite end.

Harlow picks up the glass and holds it out to me. “Drink this.”

I roll my eyes. She came over to mother me? I’m grateful, though. No way I would have let go and drunk so much tonight if Harlow weren’t at this bar too. She’s my safety net.

“Are you good?” Harlow asks me in a lower tone.

I beam at her. “I’m ah-mazing.”

“Okay.” Harlow mutters something else under her breath. All I catch istomorrow morning, but that’s a long time away. She smiles at Julian and Hurley, then retreats.

---