Page 19 of The Fake
“Good.” I shrug and step in front of her to stop someone from plowing into her. The party is just getting started, and people are already beyond drunk. First week of school parties are crazy.
“Where’s your drink?” she asks, finally noticing I don’t have one. Aside from the night with Chloe, I’d been doing a good job of keeping the partying under control. Before I can answer, she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the kitchen.
Datson swoops in just as we near the liquor bottles on the counter. He holds out a red cup. “Need a cup or are you drinking straight from the bottle tonight?”
I take a cup without answering him and head to the keg and pour a beer.
“Now you’re ready,” she says and links her arm through mine. I’m not sure if I should be insulted or not that no one has noticed how much I’ve cut back.
“Ready for what?” I ask, noticing the huge grin on her face that is a dead giveaway that she’s up to no good.
“Operation girlfriend.”
Both brows lift under the hair falling into my eyes. I brush it away and go to tuck it behind my ears. It’s a habit that makes me miss my long hair. I cut it a few months ago, and I’m still not used to my once chin-length hair being cropped short.
“I don’t think I’m exactly in the place right now for a girlfriend. I couldn’t even buy her a drink at the bar.”
I know she heard me, but Gabby ignores me and pulls me around the room. “Alright, what’s your type? Blonde, brunette, redhead? Ooh, how about that girl over there with the pink hair?”
Shaking my head, I indulge her. “What if her natural color is awful, and she goes back to it a month after we’re dating?”
“That is strangely insightful.” Gabby stops and glances around the room. I do a quick perusal and drop my eyes. Having my best friend shop for girls for me isn’t awkward at all. She huffs something about my being picky. “How about the girl in the yellow dress by the window?”
Gabby moves toward her before I can respond. I’ve never seen her and she looks nervous. Yellow dress, blonde hair, tall and tan—athletic build. I can’t place which sport, but I’m banking on her being a student-athlete. Ten bucks she’s a freshman. Or, I guess, ten high fives because that’s all I’m fucking good for.
“Hi!” Gabby startles the poor girl, and I do my best to hang back and not make this situation any more painful than it already is.
I love Gabby, I do. She’s full of life and has nothing but good intentions but I don’t want to be set up. I think dating and relationships should happen naturally when you least expect it. Just walking along minding your own business and BAM, hot girl drops in front of you. Sort of like how Chloe and I met, but with less alcohol and exactly zero of the shame and regret in the girl’s eyes the next morning.
Speaking of, I glance around the room in hopes she came, but even before my eyes finish a once over of the room, I know she’s not here. When Chloe is around, I can feel it.
Gabby pulls me closer as she introduces herself. “I’m Gabby. Are you new?”
The girl nods and looks like she’s about to pass out from nerves. “Maureen.”
When I don’t speak up for myself, Gabby continues, “This is Nathan. So, Maureen, are you single? Do you think my friend here is cute?”
I take a sip of my beer and it goes down all wrong, making my throat burn and my eyes water. When I can speak, I say, “Excuse her, too much time sniffing glue as a kid melted her brain.”
“Whaaat?” Gabby asks innocently.
“You can’t ask people things like that,” I mutter and offer Maureen an apologetic smile.
She giggles, and I know she’s not for me. It’s not a sound I can imagine hearing every day. Probably petty, but shouldn’t a guy want to hear his girl laugh?
“At least she didn’t eat it,” Maureen says.
“I like her,” Gabby proclaims, her eyes not leaving Maureen. My best girl may have visions of braiding hair and naked pillow fights, but I have no such fantasies. I mean, well, okay, that’s a damn good visual regardless of my disinterest.
“And I’m single,” Maureen adds, interrupting me from mentally undressing her, except the naked vision of her isn’t her at all.
I can’t get Chloe off the brain no matter how hard I try. But she isn’t here and Maureen is, so the least I can do is be a gentleman and make a little small talk. “Where are you living?”
Before Maureen can answer, Gabby pulls away. “I’m going to get a drink.” She winks at me and then turns to Maureen. “Nice to meet you.”
“I live in Freddy. What about you?”
“I live here.”
