Page 111 of In For a Penny
Great. A drunk and belligerent Austin. My favorite.
I sighed and dropped his coat on a nearby chair. “Fine,” I said. “Say your piece and get out.”
Austin looked around the party and winced at the sight of both my brothers standing in a corner, staring at us from right across the room. Simón was average height and build, but Alejandro, my oldest brother, was six-five and built like a linebacker. Austin was a big guy, but he wasn’t drunk enough to forget how easily my brothers could kick him out of here on his ass.
“Can we go to your room and talk?” he asked in cowardice.
I laughed once at the notion of ever having him near any bedroom of mine again. “Just say what you have to say before those guys over there kick you out.”
He sighed and ran both his hands through his messy hair. “Okay, okay, but you gotta hear me out.” He raised his hands as if to protect himself from an attack. “Promise.”
“Jesus, Austin, calm down. I’m not going to shoot you.” I rolled my eyes. “Just say what you need to say.”
“Right. So, I wanted to say that…uh…first, you look really hot in that dress. Like, your ass is just…” He whistled. I felt my face redden in anger. I was used to being told things like that by Oliver, butJesus, he never sounded so crude. “Wait, no.” He shook his head from side to side. “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. Hold on.”
Austin closed his eyes and leaned against the wall for balance while he held his head with his right hand. “Fuck, I’m so drunk. This is not coming out the way I wanted it to.”
My annoyance was growing exponentially by the second. How was I ever in love with this guy?
“Okay, I got it.” He took a deep breath, and I tilted my head toward him, waiting for him to say whatever he needed to say and leave. “I love you, and I fucked up. I should never have dated Claire, but, like,dude.” He scoffed. “You were justso much fucking work, you know what I mean? And then she was justthereonce you were gone. And I thought, ‘You know what would be cool? If I dated a regular chick for once.’ But baby,” he said, reaching out for my hands, “it’s always been you. I need someone crazy like you. You’re the only girl that’s my equal. That I can respect. That I want to be with. We belong together, baby.”
I stared back at him, mouth gaping. I could hear my brothers behind me, laughing their asses off. Did he even hear the words that came out of his mouth just now?
You’re the only girl that’s my equal. That I can respect?
Who the hellwasthis guy? And what exactly did it say about me that I had dated him? Dear God, was he always such an idiot? It seemed like he had meant to be romantic, but his words lacked substance and were unintentionally insulting to women everywhere. I felt pure joy at the fact that I was able to clearly see Austin for who he really was: a fucking tool.
Despite his arrogance and ineptitude, I felt a little bit sorry for him. He was definitely going to regret coming here tonight once he woke up tomorrow morning.
“Austin,” I started to say. “I’m sure that was meant to be very sweet, but I’ve moved on, and it’s time for you to go.”
“But I came all the way up here and did the whole big-gesture thing like in those stupid movies you always made me watch,” he whined. “Come on, you can’t say no now.” He reached out for me, and I panicked. My throat started closing up, and I froze.
No, no, no, no.
I pulled away from him as fast as I could. I tried to keep my breathing even, tried to keep anyone from noticing the fact that I had completely freaked out at his touch.
But Simón noticed. He noticed, and he practically flew to my side, grabbing Austin by the arm and pulling him in the direction of the elevator.
“Okay, you’re done here, buddy. Goodbye.” Alejandro pushed the elevator call button. Between the two of them, they managed to take him down to the main lobby and out the front door. I reported him to the building, and now Austin had been banned for life.
Well, at least there was that.
-
“Don’t you have a date to get ready for?” he asks. “You’re not going looking likethat, are you?” He peers at me through the camera with disgust.
I glare at him and groan. “You’re an asshole. Bye.” I hang up.
I look at myself up and down in the mirror and take stock of myself. My cheeks are flushed, my hair’s a mess, and there are dark circles under my eyes. I look like crap.
“Calm down,” I tell myself out loud. “It’s Josh.Josh. Not some scary rando or a crazy ex-boyfriend.”
I bite my lip.
Exactly. It’s not just anyone. It’shim.
I realize it’s a lot of pressure to put on just one date, but what I told my brother is true. Everythingcanandwillchange after tonight. This date will show us once and for all if we’re compatible, if we can have a romantic relationship, if I’m brave enough to overcome everything that’s happened.
