Page 44 of Pitcher Us
Lucie
You always have to act like you're the main character anyway. So, what are you going to do?
I don’t know yet.
Reagan
Well you better figure it out soon!
Lucie
Might I suggest the grand gesture?
Fuck this night.
Chapter 21
Callie
Fuck this night. Oh my goodness, this was a horrible idea. I wanted to change my mind immediately after closing the door on Will. Seeing him made it perfectly clear that I’m not ready to move on. So now, instead of sitting at home in comfy clothes and wallowing, I’m now sitting at the bar wallowing in non-comfy clothes and heeled boots that are pinching my toes. And the worst part—this tool won’t leave me alone.
“So, I’m just saying when Prez tells you to go long, you go fucking long even when it’s a beer can,” Kyle drones on. The moment my butt hit the bar stool he appeared in the empty seat next to me and hasn’t stopped talking about his glory days in his fraternity.
Kyle continues to go on despite the many times I’ve told him I’d rather finish my glass of Merlot alone. I look down at my glass—there’s at least half left—but I need to get out of here or I’m going to lose my mind.
“Right.” I fake laugh and slide out of my chair. “Kyle, if you’ll excuse me?—”
“Where do you think you’re running off to?” he snaps as looks me up and down. “I thought our night was just getting started.”
Shit, I don’t like his tone at all. I know I owe this asshole nothing and I should tell him to fuck off, but this guy screams “I have roofies in my wallet.” I need to play this smart.
“I just have to use the bathroom, that's all.” I smile but then he clocks my purse in my hand. “I need lady things in there.” Oh yes, let’s confuse him with lady business because I need to take my coat too. “And actually, I think I put my tamp?—”
“Just take whatever you need, dollface. I don’t need the details.”
I smile, what a pussy. But as I step toward the door, he stops me. “I think the bathrooms are back there.”
Fuckity, fuck, fuck.
“Thanks,” I mumble and I make my way through the crowd. I don't know if there's a back exit, but I’ll sneak out the bathroom window if I have to.
Searching for my escape I don’t even see the waitress coming. With a small bump I’m knocked to the side, and I see a girl who looks about my age with long black hair. “What the—” I start but she cuts me off.
“Hi, I’m sorry, that was a little harder than I intended. I am one of the bartenders, and I couldn’t help but notice you seemed uncomfortable, so I just wanted to check in, but I didn’t want to raise suspicion by outright stopping you.”
Thank God. I exhale. “Your girl-dar was right, I’m very uncomfortable. Is there another way out of here by chance? He caught me when I tried to sneak out the front and I don’t want to deal with any confrontation.”
“For customers, technically no, but this qualifies as an emergency. Come on.” She motions for me to follow her backthrough the kitchen and I try to stay as close as possible so I’m not in the way of any of the other staff.
“Listen, I really appreciate this. What's your name?”
She laughs. “It’s Jensen. I know, it’s an odd one for a girl.”
“Ha! Try having the name Calliope.”
As she opens a black door she turns back to me. “Ah, are we weird name twins?”
Oh, I like her. “Calliope and Jensen? We sound like an old crime duo.”
