Page 33 of Hide and Sneak
“Louise is going to get some tonight,” I announce, and she smiles at me.
“Not tonight. I won’t be victim to another whiskey dick. But he’s on my to do list now.”
When I see Colleen Morgan enter, I wave and go to talk to her. I haven’t heard from her since Ms. Trunchbull—god, I hate that bitch and I’m so glad I don’t have to go back for another week—called child protection authorities on her. “Hey, how are you?”
“Good. The kids are with their dad for the weekend so my friend dragged me out for a drink.” We chat for a few minutes before she mentions that she’s looking for a new daycare since she doesn’t want to take Freddie back. Who could blame her? “If you know a trustworthy sitter who doesn’t charge more than Little Hearts, please let me know.”
“Actually I might. Let me get back to you.”
I slide in beside Freda at her table. She only works with the parents in our trailer park—often for free if the parents are too hard up—but after I explain what happened and that Colleen can pay, she asks me to introduce them. They talk for a few minutes, then she returns to tell me she’ll be watching Freddie.
A euphoria fills me as I finish my drink. I can’t remember the last time I felt so good. Everything is working out. For me and my friends. Even Amos is doing well.
“Oh shit,” Sutton curses, tilting his body away. He’s sitting next to me and looks like he’s ready to duck under the table. “It’s Fiona.”
“Who’s Fiona?” Cara asks.
“An ex who does not need to start stalking me again. Redhead who just walked in. Is she at least here with a guy?”
We aren’t the most inconspicuous bunch staring at them. “Nope. Two girls,” Jarrett reports.
“I need a girlfriend. Like someone to pretend to be with me. Just until we leave or she does.”
“Are you serious?” Cara asks, chuckling.
“Yes. Dead serious. Lila, I’ll give you fifty bucks.”
“No way,” I snort, draining my drink.
“Holly?”
“Sorry, I would but I’m in the middle of something.” Her something is a cute, dark headed guy who approaches our table to take her back to the dance floor.
When he glances around, Louise pipes up, “Sorry, you had your chance, beefcake. I found someone else.”
Giggles spill out of me, but he isn’t laughing. “Come on, Lila. She spotted me.”
“Aw, help the man out, girl,” Cara says.
Maren joins in. “Just put your arm around him or something.”
The little traitors are loving this. “Fine,” I concede, and stand up to scoot my chair closer to his. I don’t get the chance.
He wraps a long arm around my waist and pulls me into his lap. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“You could’ve just held my hand or something.”
“You can’t half ass these things, sweetheart.”
“You’re all going to pay for this,” I grumble, making them laugh.
We go back to talking and laughing over other things as if nothing is out of the ordinary. Part of me thought he was full of it and trying to mess with me, but every time I look up, Fiona is staring at him so this might not have been a crazy request.
“You know, someone watching us wouldn’t think you like me at all,” he says a few minutes later. It’s true. I’m perched on his knee, leaning over the table to talk to Louise. He’s barely more than a bar stool for me.
“That’s because I don’t.” The lightness of my voice makes him grin as he tugs me back until I’m leaning against his chest. I’m too buzzed to be subjected to these muscles right now. Too aware of his hard chest and strong arm tucked securely around me.
This is ridiculous. I was thinking that I might meet someone for some nice, dirty, stress relief sex, and instead, I’m stuck being teased by the one guy I don’t want. Louise wanders off and we have the table to ourselves for a moment.
