Page 18 of Savage

I’ll be there.

Just let me know when and where.

Skylar:

Yay!

I can’t wait to see you.

Me:

You too!

See ya Friday!

I collapsed on the bed and immediately dialed Jackson’s number. It rang a couple of times and then he answered, “Hello there, Tinkerbell. How you making it over there in the big city?”

“I’m making it.”

“That didn’t sound very convincing.”

“Skylar just messaged me about going out Friday night.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“Not exactly.” I let out an exaggerated sigh, then explained, “I want to see her, but I’m not exactly thrilled about catching up with her in a crowded bar with a bunch of our old high school friends.”

“It might do you some good to get out and have a little fun. Lord knows you never have any fun around here.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I replied with a shrug.

“Who knows... you might actually meet someone.”

“Like that will ever happen.”

“You never know.”

“When was the last time I met someone at a bar?”

“When was the last time you actually went to a bar?” he scoffed. “You’re always too busy working or writing or whatever to actually get out and meet people.”

“I have a son, Jackson.”

“Yeah, but there are these things called babysitters. You might try it once and a while.”

“I know. It’s just...”

“It’s just what?”

“The last time I was in a bar I was with Malcomb.”

I closed my eyes and smiled as I thought back on that night. It was the night of my senior prom, and I was itching to get into a little trouble, so I suggested sneaking into the Fury bar for a couple of drinks. To my surprise, Malcomb agreed, and the whole crew snuck in. I had no doubt that Cotton and the brothers knew we were there, but they didn’t say a word. They trusted Malcomb to make sure that we didn’t get too carried away and let us have our good time.

And that we did.

We spent the entire night dancing and drinking like there was no tomorrow. I couldn’t remember ever having so much fun.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Jackson asked, “Is that the night you puked on his dad?”