Page 20 of All In
I have read and re-read her letter so many times that I will always hate that name.
Ricky returns and breaks up my thoughts. “There you are!” He takes the now empty stool next to mine. “I had to park in no-man’s-land. This place is jamming tonight.”
He raises his hand to get Big C’s attention, then looks over at me. I sit motionless, my brows furrowed, disgusted The clinking of glasses, blaring country music, and chatter are all around me, but my eyes stay fixed straight ahead on the rows of liquor behind the bar. “What happened to you? I thought you were excited to come here tonight. Why does your face look like that?”
Right then, Big C comes over with a Budweiser for Ricky. He notices my change in mood as well, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. “You okay, man?”
I turn the beer in my hand, no longer wanting it because of the nauseous feeling that has bubbled up in my gut. “Maria’s here,” I reply, emotionless.
Both Ricky’s and Big C’s mouths drop open. They both know the story and what she meant to me.
Meansto me.
“You’re kidding me!” Ricky exclaims. “Where?” His eyes scan the room, searching for her.
I take a small swig, savoring the taste, and motion with a subtle flick of my head. “Over on the far side wall.” Ricky and Big C turn their heads in unison.
“Dang! She looks hot!” Leave it to Ricky to point out the obvious. I shoot him a sharp sideways glare.
“Dude, come on,” Big C says, tilting his head in exasperation.
“What? She does.” Ricky shrugs as he turns back around. I’m too thrown off kilter by seeing her to care that Ricky checked out my ex, who I’m still in love with.
Big C chimes in. “The guy she’s with is a complete jerk. Do you think they are a thing?”
This catches my attention. I snap my head in his direction. “I’m assuming, since he just shoved his tongue down her throat. Why is he a jerk?” My heart speeds up, waiting for his answer.
“They came in about an hour ago. He had his arm around her shoulders, as if she was a piece of property. She looked uncomfortable. I’m pretty sure him and his buddies were already lit.” He points in their direction. “He demanded we scrub that table before they sat there and had the nerve to check and make sure it passed some sort of inspection. Then he threw his gold card at us and said, ‘Money is no object. Run this when we leave.’” He lets out a puff ofair and shakes his head as he wipes down the bar. “He’s running poor Maggie ragged. And seriously, who dresses like that at a bar like this?”
I take another quick look. Preppy has on white chinos, a pink collared shirt, and penny loafers. I pinch my lips together.
“So basically, an entitled rich brat, spending Daddy’s money,” Ricky proclaims.
“Would appear so.” With that, Big C is called over to another paying customer.
I glance over my shoulder again. “Do you think I should go over there?” I squeak out.
“And do what exactly?” Ricky asks. “You would piss off her boyfriend, and I’m not in the mood to break up a fight tonight. It will only end badly, you know that.”
I abruptly pivot, choosing not to answer his question because I know he’s right.
We both sit in silence for a few minutes, the eager energy of the room not doing much for my mood.
Ricky tries to knock some sense into me. “Seriously, man, what purpose would it serve to talk to her? That was two years ago, and you were horrible to be around after that day. I don’t think I could endure that again.” He shakes his head as he finishes his beer and slams it down on the bar.
“Gee, thanks.” He’s not wrong. I was a bear that day. And every day after for months. But Ricky was there for me, like best friends should be.
Big C hands him another beer as Ricky continues. “Look, we are here tonight to let off some steam and have some fun.” He lifts his beer to the table of women I noticed earlier. One of them wiggles her pinky at Ricky. An evil grin crosses his lips. “You can sit here and sulk all you want, but I’m going over there to talk to that redhead in the black dress.”
And with that, I’ve lost my wingman. He cuts his way through the crowd and is standing next to the fiery redhead within seconds. He’s already making her laugh with one of his cheesy pickup lines, while she rests her hand on his chest.
I don’t have Ricky’s charisma, charm, or bravery with women. In the past, I didn’t need it, since I had the one person I could ever need or want. The beautiful blonde that is sitting only fifty feet away from me. It’s the closest I have been to her in two years.
This is what small towns do to you. They force you to run into people you least expect to see at the exact moment you don’t want, or need, to see them.
But I can’t stop staring at her.
So many questions are swirling around in my head that I’m feeling dizzy.
