Page 34 of Never To Forever

When I heard that Garrett was going out with his friend, I couldn’t help myself. It wasn’t fair that he could just move on as if our fight meant nothing…as if I meant nothing. If he could go out and have a good time, then I could too! I called up Maggie, knowing she’d be up for a night out. I’d known there was a chance he’d be atCarson’s, because it’s not like this town is crawling with bars, but I’d hoped he’d end up somewhere else so I could just enjoy my night out in relative peace.

I should’ve just stayed home and not risked it.

As he stares at me, slack jawed, a pretty brunette comes up beside him and grabs his arm, pulling him back to the table Mason is sitting at with a blonde.

Fuck, this was what I was afraid of. I remembered all the stories I’d heard about Garrett and Mason’s antics when they were in high school, especially the stories about all the girls they’d pursued. Looks like I was right to worry. It seems the guys are really revisiting their glory days, just like Mason said they would back in the library.

Part of me wants to turn around and leave, but Garrett’s seen me. It’ll be obvious that I’m running away because of him, and that would be so humiliating. Still, I don’t know if I can stay and watch him flirt with other women. I’m frozen in place, uncertain whether I should move forward or back.

Maggie slips her arm through mine, and smiles up at me.

“Come on, let’s get a drink,” she says, winking.

Relief and gratitude wash through me at her willingness to step up and take charge right now.

“All right.”

She gives my arm a squeeze and leads me through the crowd toward the bar. I do my best to ignore Garrett, but his eyes follow me from across the room.

When we reach the bar, Maggie waves the bartender over.

“Can we get a vodka soda, and… what do you want, Marie?”

“Oh, um, just a ginger ale.”

She raises her brows in surprise. “You sure? It’s on me.”

Truth be told, I’d love a good strong drink, but I don’t think my stomach can handle it. Just thinking about liquor has it twisting and the nausea I’ve been experiencing the last couple days bubbling back up.

I wince, but then smile and nod. “I’m sure, really.”

Maggie shrugs. “All righty, one ginger ale it is.”

The bartender brings out drinks and Maggie hands me mine.

“Cheers,” I say, clinking my glass with hers.

She gives me a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply. “I’ve just had a bit of a stomach bug the last few days, so drinking probably isn’t a good idea.”

“That’s not what I meant.” She glances behind me, right at Garrett. It’s no secret my feelings for him, but I didn’t know it was so obvious. “If you want, we can dip out after this drink. It won’t be weird that way.”

I chuckle and give her an appreciative hand pat. “It’s okay. We can stay here. I just want to relax and have some fun.”

“We can do that, no problem,” Maggie assures me.

We sip our drinks and chat and laugh, and I pretend I don’t feel Garrett’s gaze boring into me. Maggie has a few more vodka sodas and I have another ginger ale before she grabs my hand and tugs me off my stool.

“Let’s dance!” she exclaims.

She drags me out to the crowded dance floor. She twirls me and I laugh, and as we dance, my stress and anxiety melts away. This is what I’ve needed. To just let loose and not think about anything, or anyone. Garrett’s still there—I can sense him even if I do my best not to look in his direction—but I’m not letting his presence and those girls he’s with keep me from enjoying myself.

A tall man in jeans and a button up black shirt slips through the crowd toward me. He’s not bad-looking, with dark hair and brown eyes and he seems decently in shape. When he reaches me, he looks me up and down with an appreciative smile.

“Hey, beautiful,” he says loud enough that I can hear him over the music. “Wanna dance?”

I’m not super interested, but maybe this is what I need. Attention from other men to help me finally get over my obsession with Garrett.

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