Page 23 of I Blame the Alcohol

Did someone say déjà vu because it feels like I’ve been here before.

I snuggle closer to the warmth radiating from Cody’s body as he gently carries me to a nearby booth. My body feels disjointed as he sets me down, my head spinning while my body sags against the leather seat. A wave of motion sickness hits me, and I turn my attention to keeping the rising nausea at bay.

“You okay, Stel?” Worried brown eyes pierce my disoriented mind, the low brim of Cody’s hat drawing out the shadows of his jawline.

I give him an easy smile, stomping the sickness down, “Never better. Could have given me a heads up I was partnered with the country version of Derek Hough, though.”

Cody’s wry grin draws my eyes down to his lips and suddenly my stomach is clenching for an entirely different reason.

“I’m going to pretend I know who that is and say thank you.”

I huff out a laugh then groan as another wave hits me. Clamping my lips together to keep from spewing my dinner all over the booth, I go back to deep breathing.

“If I’d known you get motion sick, I wouldn’t have added that extra spin.” Concern etches itself across Cody’s face and I sigh in acknowledgement.

The O’Brien genes leave a lot to be desired in that particular department.

“Worth it. We definitely won.” I whisper the words, trying to keep my lips pressed as tightly together as possible. Nothing kills the mood faster than stomach compost.

Cody chuckles and shakes his head, “Always a competition with you, isn’t it?”

I shrug, not bothering to deny it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my brother, it’s how to be the best. And sometimes that means going for the kill even when there’s nothing at stake.

The moment you let yourself off the hook is the moment your opponent will steal the spot.

You’re only as good as your biggest failure, Stella.

“I’m going to get you some water. I’ll be right back.” I blink and suddenly Cody is gone from the booth, his jean-clad ass disappearing into the throng of cowboys mingling around Taber’s paper-thin western saloon.

I take the second to look around, noting the printed out wanted posters of ancient convicts decorating the walls. My lips tug into a smile as I catch sight of the far corner closest to the bar, where drunks can pay a dollar to use a makeshift lasso to rope in the two-dimensional cattle lining the back wall. Based on the rowdy shouts coming from that section, I’d say the student body has some work to do in terms of eye-hand coordination.

“Mind if we join you?” The couple from earlier, aka our biggest competitors, casually gesture to the empty seat across from me.

Nausea momentarily forgotten, I straighten up and wave for them to sit down. “Of course! Please make yourselves comfortable.”

“Thank you so much.” Breathing a sigh of relief, the pretty redhead slides smoothly into the booth and her partner takes the spot beside her. The handsome black man passes his dance partner a handkerchief from his pocket, and she accepts it with a smile of thanks.

I watch the exchange with a drop of envy, the couple’s cuteness reminding me of my own, sad single status.

“How did you two meet?” The question comes out instinctively, the gaping hole in my love life driving me to fill the void.

“Well, it’s sort of a long story…” The girl breaks off with a shy laugh and the guy raises an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me like that, Jamar. You tell the story if it’s not that long.”

Jamar shakes his head at me, “You would think it was this complicated journey the way Keegan tells it.”

Keegan rolls her eyes, “Go on then, Romeo. Show me how its done.”

Jamar throws her a wink before turning his attention back to me. The chemistry between the pair reminds me of Wes and Lou, two forces of nature driven together by some inexplicable destiny.

“It all began back in sixth grade, when this girl with beautiful red hair walked into the lunch room and stole my favourite snack.”

Keegan lets out a groan, “When will those Dino gummies stop coming back to haunt me.”

I laugh while Jamar shoots her a look for the interruption.

“Sorry, sorry, please continue.” Toying with the end of her braids, Keegan returns the look with a sheepish smile.

Jamar sighs, “That is the first of many interruptions, I’m afraid.” Taking a moment to fix his cowboy hat, Jamar shoots me an apologetic glance.

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