Page 16 of Straight to Me

The bartender looks at me before looking back to the smiler and says, “You sure?” Uh hello, the man said he’d buy me more wine barkeep, let him.

“I’m sure,” he says with a look down to me. He smiles again and I swear I know him. I just can’t place his face in my current state.

I leave the bar and sit back at my table. The smiler follows and sits across from me. I don’t need the company but, considering he’s just bought me another glass of wine I should at least chat with him for a little while.

“Thanks for the drink,” I say, taking a sip.

“You’re welcome, darling.”

Oh no. He didn’t just call me darling. I internally cringe. I sip my wine smiling curtly, not saying anything that might give him the wrong idea. “Why are you in here binge drinking, sweetheart?” Another advance, this time it makes me almost retch. Or maybe it’s the alcohol?

“No reason.”

“There’s got to be a reason. What happened, you fall out with a boyfriend, perhaps?” Right, let’s end this now. I didn’t come here to pick up, and I certainly didn’t come here to tell some random my love life woes.

“No. Look, I’m grateful for the wine but I’m not interested, thanks.” I look at my phone to distract myself and hopefully give him the hint I want to drink alone. It vibrates in my hand showing a text from VP. Totally forgetting the smiler sat opposite me, I try to hold my phone steadily in front of my face to unlock my screen.

“You’re a cock tease aren’t you,” the smiler snaps. He gets up and walks away clearly angry. I wait for my phone to unlock a little stunned at his outburst. My phone brightens in my hand as I read the message.

VP: Are you home?

Am I home? Why? Isheat my home? My brain goes into overdrive trying to mentally work out what’s going on. It’s hard to think after a whole bottle of wine.

Me: No

VP: You’re not at the house I dropped you off at the other night?

Me: Nope

VP: Mads?

Me: VP, or is it Dean?

I watch the dots wiggle, stop, then wiggle again. It feels like it takes an eternity for his reply to come through.

VP: I’m sorry. I didn’t use you. It was a misunderstanding. Where are you, I’ll come and get you?

I pause before replying.

Me: Why do you care VP? Let me drown my sorrows in peace

VP: Don’t drink too much, I’ll get you. Where are you?

Me: Out

I’m purposely being vague now. I’m not sure I can handle any more drama to add to my weekend.

VP: I gathered that. Where?

Bollocks, I don’t even know the name of the bar I’m in. I just sauntered in to the first place I saw.

Me: I don’t know

VP: Mads! Share your location with me

Why I keep doing what he tells me to do is beyond me, but I do it, or at least try my best to. My screen appears blurry, and I can’t quite hold my phone in front of my face properly. Eventually getting it, I share my live location.

Me: Did I do it?

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