Page 56 of Xactly What She Needs

“That I am. Go on. Have fun with the boys. I’ll finish up here andhopefully the girls will agree that a low key night in would be best,” she states.

I snort and give her a smirk. “Good luck with that.”

Her pout tells me that we both know her trying is pointless.

16

Being told that I’m going out for a drink with the girls makes me feel sick and excited at the same time.

On the one hand, I need a night out. It’ll help me to get to know the others, and it’ll give me time to relax. On the other hand, can I relax knowing that myex has been seen around the area? Will going out and getting drunk lighten the stress, or make it worse?

I call Dani.

“Hey, have you heard that we’re going for drinks tonight?”

“Yes. Are you ready yet?”

“How can I be? I only just found out!”

I can picture Dani on the phone intheapartment Edge is letting her use, her mouth making a small ‘o’ as she remembers that one needs to be told about things like this in order to know that they’re even invited.

“Right, well, obviously that was a flaw I hadn’t considered. Whatever. I’m about to pull up outside the garage. Get your ass out here. Let’s goooooo!”

I hang up the phone as she reachesear splittingdecibels. If I wanted to be deaf, I’d have listened to death-metal on the loudest setting. I didn’t need her assistance. I take her advice,packup my bag and head out to the curb, where she’s already waiting for me.

“Get in loser, we’re going drinking.”

****

Dani takes me to her place, and I hear the shouts and laughs of all the women I’ve become acquainted with recently. Kealy, Cadie, Jenny and Dani.

“Is she drinkingwine?”

“Mom said I could have one glass!” Jenny shouts, immediately on the defensive.

“She did, so calm down,” Cadie warns.

“I wasn’t judging,” I promise, throwing my hands up.

Jenny doesn’t verbalize a response. She simply picks up herglass and takes a pointed sip, eyes never leaving mine. Teenagers can be so insolent sometimes. I just roll my eyes and take a seat.

“I’ll do your hair,” Jenny says cheerily.

Did I also mention that teenagers can’t hold onto the same mood for more than five seconds? She tackles my hair with a straighter while Kealy fixes me a drink.

“I just cannot believe that there’s no good boys in your class, Jen.”

“I’m telling you that there is,” Jenny insists.

“Then why aren’t you dating them?” Kealy asks, swirling the wine around her glass and then taking a sip.

“You know why. Every time I try, Jax and Xander and Edge and everyone else sends him running away. And then they’ll say ‘if they’re so easily scared, they’re not worth your time’, but who wouldn’t be scared? They’re big-ass bikers. I’d be worried if theyweren’tscared!”

“Please don’t antagonize the girl currently holding a hot iron to my head, thank you.” I say while side-eyeing said girl. The last thing I need is a huge burn to the side of my face.

Jenny finishes up her task just as I’m emptying my glass, and then the next thing I know, Dani is dragging me into what used to be my bedroom, but now bears all the signs of her inhabitation.

“Aren’t you a little old to have posters on your wall?” I ask.

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