Page 49 of Enemies with my Bestie’s Brother
I shrug and smile.
“Just back for a small visit. Can we have two whiskeys on the rocks?” I shout to be heard over the increasing volume of the music.
Mickey says something back that I think might be “coming right up” but in all honesty, I can’t tell.
“This place is interesting,” Grayson says as he leans into me so that I can hear.
“Isn’t it? I used to be a regular here.”
“You used to be a regular here?” He scrunches his face as he looks around.
I wonder what he’s thinking. Is he picturing me sitting alone at the bar, or out on the dance floor having fun? Does he know which vision is accurate? Mickey places two whiskeys on the counter in front of me. I drop some cash into his hand before grabbing the drinks and leading Grayson to a secluded table in the corner. He quickly downs his drink as I take a swig of mine.
“Thirsty?” I ask, chuckling.
“I needed it to get used to the noise level. It’s like being at a concert for an artist that I don’t know.”
I chug the rest of my own drink as an idea runs through me. The whiskey leaves a trail of warmth down my throat that ends in my stomach. I grab Grayson’s hand and lead him through the crowded dance floor, weaving in and out of peoples’ way.
When we’re finally in the center, I turn to face him and start shimmying to the music. He throws his head back in a laugh before joining me, snapping his fingers along to the beat. The mood loosens up as our dance moves get wilder.
“Are you having fun?” I ask as the music changes to something slower.
He takes my hand and pulls me close to him. I look into his eyes, admiring their deep blue color.
“I always have fun when I’m with you.” He smiles softly.
His face is getting closer to mine when I’m suddenly bumped from behind, my forehead smacking straight into Grayson’s chin. I whirl around as I cradle my forehead.
Standing behind me is my ex, Jared, and an unfamiliar woman, though not the one he cheated on me with. Jared smirks as he looks me up and down.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, Whitney,” he says.
He looks up at Grayson behind me before sneering, “Well, it didn’t take you long to move on, did it?”
“At least I waited until the relationship was over before I moved on,” I shoot back.
He rolls his eyes and the woman with him crinkles her nose at him.
“What’s she talking about?” the woman asks.
“Oh, he didn’t tell you that he’s a serial cheater? We were together for almost a year and he was unfaithful the entire time. I hope you don’t travel for work a lot.”
Maybe I should feel bad for telling her, but she deserves to know. She gasps and storms off. Jared narrows his eyes at me.
“Seriously? You’re such a bitter bitch that you have to ruin my new relationship. Honestly, Whitney, if I hadn’t been unfaithful, being with you would have bored me to death because you have no personality. Being with you is like dating a sheet of paper.”
I blink, caught off guard by the venom in his voice. Grayson steps in front of me, squaring up to Jared.
“Don’t ever talk about Whitney like that. She’s the most incredible woman that I’ve ever met, and it’s charity work that she ever gave a person like you the time of day. You should be begging for her forgiveness and kissing her feet, you sniveling little worm.”
Jared rolls his eyes before walking off after his girlfriend. Grayson turns around and brings me into his arms.
“Come on, let’s go home. I’ve had enough excitement for the night.”
Icomeoutofthe bathroom to Grayson already laying in my bed. I slide under the sheet next to him, snuggling in close. He kisses my forehead and I wince, the spot still tender from where it bumped his chin.
“I think it might bruise,” he whispers, rubbing his thumb gently over the spot.
