Page 17 of A Minute More

I stare down at my screen, the words blurring slightly. Yeah, swimming is more like it. Whatever. I need to get this off my chest before I explode.

Me:

Should I leaving you alone?

Surprisingly, Simon responds right away, and I squint at the screen, trying to make out what he’s said.

Simon:

Are you drunk?

Me:

Pfft. I never drunk.

I wobble to the bathroom and take a long piss, feeling amazing afterward and ten pounds lighter as I wash my hands.

When I pull out my phone again, I see Simon texted me again. My heart flutters in my chest, not having expected him to do this and yet loving that he did. Fuck, now I’m excited.

Simon:

Are you driving? Where are you?

Me:

Ummm, a pub downtown. Want to come meet us?

Simon:

Are you driving?

I mean, I don’t plan on it, but before I can reply my phone pings again.

Simon:

Pub’s name please.

I stop a woman who’s walking past and ask her where I am. She bats her eyelashes at me and touches my arm for a little too long. And to be honest, I kind of flirt back, my inhibitions a little lacking. She’s a bit older than me, but like Jude says…no ageism here.

It’s a little while later when I realize I never told Simon where I was. Quickly, I text him the name of the pub, having to delete it and rewrite it several times before I actually get it right, and then wander back into the crowd, wondering if he’s gonna show up.

Probably not. He’s probably not even awake anymore.

But a few minutes, a third beer, and one more shot later, Simon appears before me, slightly rumpled, his eyes a little bloodshot.

“Hey, man!” I say excitedly, moving toward him, a wide smile on my face. I grab on to his upper arms and squeeze gently.

He does not look as enthused as I am. His eyes swivel around the crowded bar as I grab his wrist, trying to lead him toward my friends. They’re gonna be so surprised to see him here. So fucking shocked. I’m gonna confuse the shit out of them. It makes a laugh bubble up inside of me.

“No, we’re going home, Wesley,” he says sternly, and I turn to see him digging his heels in. “I’m not staying. I’m going to drive you home.”

My eyebrows scrunch, and I shake my head. “Nah, come on. Let me get you a drink…”

“No. No, I don’t drink.”

Goddamn, but I’m even more confused. Why the hell did he show up only to leave? Why else would he be here?

“I don’t get it…why you here then?”

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