Page 18 of Between Hate and Desire

Every Valentine’s Day is “singles night,” and it’ll be the perfect distraction. I’m going to try to walk into the place with an open mind, and whatever happens, happens.

After my shower, I read their responses, and then we decide to meet up at five to pre-game. I’ll more than likely make myself disappear sooner because I don’t want to get in the way of whatever the hell Brandon has planned.

I go to my room with a towel wrapped around my waist, and Lennon stops walking toward the bedroom when she sees me. I notice the way her eyes linger on my body and trail across my tattoos and abs, just as they did that night at the bar, but the fantasy vanishes as soon as she rolls her eyes.Perfect. Glad I can get that kind of reaction from her. Makes being around and living with her that much easier.

Shutting my bedroom door, I change into some jeans and a nice shirt. Once I’m dressed, I walk into the hallway and hear Lennon and Brandon laughing in the living room. Instinctively, I groan.

“I’m heading out,” I tell them, grabbing my keys and not looking in their direction.

“Got a hot date tonight?” Brandon sounds hopeful, considering I haven’t dated anyone in years. At least not anything serious.

I nod with a grin and feel Lennon’s eyes boring into me, but I don’t give her any attention.

“Don’t wait up for me,” I tell him with a forced laugh as I walk out of the apartment and head toward my truck. The downtown bar sits in a heavily trafficked area on a strip surrounded by restaurants and nightclubs. Considering it’s a Saturday and a fake holiday, I decide to drive over early and look for parking. It’s usually a clusterfuck, and tonight will be worse than normal.

I park on the street a few blocks away and walk to the sports bar where I’m meeting Liam and Mason in a couple of hours. I’ll have to pace myself even though all I want to do is lose control. Instead of texting the guys and letting them know I’m here, I go inside and sit at the bar. Since I didn’t eat earlier, I order food and a beer. Bernie, the bartender on duty, has been working here for as long as I can remember.

“Can’t believe you’re here alone on this special holiday,” he says, his sarcasm not lost as he wipes down the countertop. He’s in his mid-thirties and is as single as I am. When I worked at the club a few buildings down, I’d often come over here and hang out before my shifts.

I let out a small laugh. “Surprised you’re surprised, honestly.”

“With a track record like yours, though?” He smirks.

I roll my eyes, wanting to change the subject. “Can I get another beer?”

Bernie pops the top of the bottle and slides it across the bar. He picks up my empty plate and carries it to the back. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and when I grab it, I find a text from Liam.

Liam

I’m gonna head that way. Want to meet up early?

I grin and send him a picture of the current situation. Me with my second beer.

Liam

You bastard. Shoulda texted me.

Hunter

I had to get out of the house so Brandon and Lennon could bang on every flat surface we have.

Liam

The visual…gross. I’ll be there in fifteen.

By the time I finish my beer, Liam walks through the door wearing a shit-eating grin. He sits on the stool next to me, and Bernie comes around the corner carrying a tub of margarita mix. Three more bartenders arrive to help prep for the busy shift they’re about to endure. I don’t envy them whatsoever. Though my job can be stressful, I’d rather do it over bartending any day.

“Hey, man. Two shots of whiskey,” Liam says.

I glance at him, noticing he’s starting with straight liquor. “Tonight’s gonna be interesting, isn’t it?”

Sometimes when he and Mason drink, they go wild and crazy. We’re supposed to be mature adults now that we’ve graduated from college and have real jobs, but I don’t see that happening for a long time. At least not until we’re all settled down, and even then, I’m not so sure.

When the shots appear in front of us, Liam slides one over to me. “It’s always interesting when the three of us are together. I texted Mason, and he’ll be here within the hour.” Liam and I take our shots, and it burns going down. Considering I was a bartender at one of the hottest clubs on this side of the state, I know how stupid it is to mix my alcohol, but I can’t find it in me to care.

I check the time on my phone. It’s barely four in the afternoon, and in just a short few hours, we’re gonna be a trio of hot fucking messes.

“So,” Liam says, “how’s living with the happy couple these days?”

---