Page 82 of Operation Annulment
A younger me would’ve mouthed off and told the old man to go tohell, but the look in his eyes? I didn’t doubt that he’d kill me slowly and somehow make it look like an accident.
“Jesus Christ, Nate. You’re shaking. I didn’t hold a gun to your head…yet.”He’d thrown his arm around my shoulder and walked me back down the stairs, laughing like we were old friends.
I snap out of it and take a long drink of beer. Garrett is enlightening everyone at our table and several surrounding ones about what happened with Kate.
“And now he’s pouting in his beer because he had a fantastic woman, and he fucked it up.”
I down the rest of my beer. “Thanks, Garrett. Super helpful of you to let everyone know.”
Mitch suddenly turns to me, and I jump. “You need a grand gesture. That’s what they do in the movies.”
Clayton nods. “He’s right. You fucked up epically.”
Garrett slams his pint glass down on the table, earning us some curious looks. “Mitch, you’re a goddamn genius. Nate, what was your plan for this weekend?”
I point to the window. “Snowboard?—”
Garrett shakes his head. “No. You’re just going to bring the group down with your sadness. And I can’t have you killing my good snow vibes. You need to go home.”
I roll my eyes and answer with as much sarcasm as possible. “Okay, sure. I just paid for the fucking trip; let me catch a flight home before I’ve even gotten the chance to step foot on the slopes.”
Mitch holds his fork in his hand like a microphone. “Hey, Nate. You should go home.”
I nod slowly. “Okay, Mitch. Good talk.”
Garrett stands up. “Patrons ofSnowcliff Brewing Co., should my asshole brother go back to Texas so that he can grovel at the feet of one Mary Katherine Quinn in a grand gesture made for the big screen?”
Several people raise their drinks while the grand majority ignore him. I bury my face in my hands. “Are youfinished?”
He continues, “No. Her Christmas party is tomorrow night. If you quit dicking around here, you might make it back in time.”
I frown. “And you know this how?”
“Nate, I had coffee with her last week. What Kate and I have is something special, and I’m not going to throw that away because you had confusing feelings toward a woman who thought she was a soap opera character.”
I kick my chair back and stand up, fists clenched.
I’m going to beat the shit out of him.
Eleven hours and four Red Bulls later, I pulled into town. No available flights would get me back to Lubbock in time, so I took my car and left Garrett to find another ride back.
Driving has got to be one of the most monotonous things ever; I found myself drifting off several times. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve pulled plenty of all-nighters, but the adrenaline kept me going strong. Most of the drive was spent with the windows down and Rage Against the Machine blaring through the speakers.
I made it home just after noon, and as much as I wanted a few hours of sleep, I needed a tux. The invitation said coat and tie, but I was going for a grand gesture—not the bare minimum. So, I spent more than I should have, but it was do or die at this point.
I manage a quick nap before jumping in the shower. My beard has gotten a little unruly after being up in the mountains, so I take my time cleaning it up with the razor.
I’ve got hair gel holding my hair in place.
I’m wearing a black tux.
Fuck, I even went as far asmanscaping—it doesn’t get any grander than that.
The doorbell rings just as I’m adjusting my bowtie. I open it to some college kid I’ve never seen before.
“Nathaniel Davis?”
“I’m Nate?—”
