Page 17 of Count On Me

“Woo hoo.” I cheer as another girl—dressed in cowgirl boots, a tiny pair of denim shorts, and a shirt tied at her belly button—gets on top of the bar. This bar is amazing. Tucked away in a corner of Camden, and already heaving. Angie grins next to me and shouts our order to the girl behind the bar.

My eyes haven’t left the dancing girl. She looks amazing. Her confidence is soaring and she looks like she hasn’t a care in the world. I want to be her.

Angie places a shot under my nose and I take it without even looking to see what it is. I wince as the liquid burns my throat and warms my chest as it flows through my body. The songchanges and Angie grabs my hand when Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like A Woman” blares around us. We sing at the top of our voices and dance in our spots.

A hand from above taps me on the shoulder and I turn around to see the dancing girl on top of the bar. She offers me her hand with a wink and I start to shake my head, but then stop myself. That’s something boring, moping Edie would do. Tonight, for one night only, I’m the new and improved, fun Edie.

I grab her hand, step onto the bar stool, and pull myself onto the bar. Angie whoops loudly and starts to film me as I sway my hips, shake my tits, and sing my heart out to the song. This is what I needed. A night out with my girl, not worrying about a certain footballer and what—or who—he might be doing.

12

GROUP CHATS BETWEEN JAMESON, JENSON, PENNY AND EDIE

Jenson

Edie, girl, you can move!

Jameson

You definitely shook what your mama gave ya.

Penny

When I visit you, you’re taking me to that bar and we’re dancing on it together.

Edie

Stop! I’m so embarrassed.

Jenson

Don’t be. It was epic. And the title… Booktokker gone wild! Brilliant.

Edie

You can blame Angie for that. She posted it without me knowing.

Edie

I’m going to kill her.

Jenson

Don’t kill her. That sure would be a waste. Besides, I loved it.

Penny

I did too.

Jameson

And me. I commented a few times.

Edie

I saw lol. You told that one guy to stop touching himself.

Jameson

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