Page 18 of Thirteen Years
Chapter 11
This bar was incredibly crowded. I was slightly panicked. Sweat was trickling down my back and my palms were clammy. Trying to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, my eyes moved over the entire bar. I wasn’t sure how Monica had talked me into this. Nat and Lexi were content and Lacey was watching them back at their house, with Paul’s supervision. I’d actually gotten to talk to him for a bit and he seemed like a very nice man. I just hadn’t been conditioned to expect that out of the male population.
I’d watched almost entranced as Paul had shaken his head at Monica’s antics and kissed her forehead, just stating to call him if we needed a ride. I wanted something like that. I should’ve called Lucas to set up our standing date, but this was so sudden and Monica had been so excited. Not to mention, Nat had been bouncing around watching me get dressed.
Monica turned around from the bar, thrusting a drink into my hand with a contagious smile on her face. “Oh come on. Smile! You look absolutely stunning, Becks. This is your first night out in how long?”
I forced a smile, “I know, I know. I’m trying.”
Her eyes softened as she looked at me, “All you have to do is say the word and we’ll leave. We can go see a movie or something.”
My heart warmed. I knew I wouldn’t, if only because of the look on Nat’s face when she’d seen me. She was nearly as excited over me settling down and finding friends as she was finding Lexi for herself. She’d be disappointed in me if we came right back home or she found out I hadn’t danced a couple of hours away.
“It’s fine.” I assured Monica. I tugged down the dress she’d convinced me to wear over our video call earlier. I hadn’t worn it in ages and it was this side of snug. It displayed more of my curves than I was typically comfortable with. When I’d shown up at Monica’s house she’d promptly grabbed my arm and dragged me to her bathroom.
Removing my sleek ponytail, she’d immediately began brushing my hair and heating up a curling iron. I now had soft waves down my back and kept shivering at the tickling sensation. I never wore my hair down and it was going to take some getting used to. She’d also created a light “going out” look with her makeup and I’d hardly recognized myself when looking in the mirror. I hadn’t seen this girl since high school, maybe my early twenties. She was curvier and older, but it was kind of a relief to see she still existed.
Monica squealed excitedly and led the way to a table in a corner. We’d just sat down and gotten halfway through our drinks when we were approached by a man. Monica smiled and took charge.
“I’m sorry but I’m married and she’s seeing someone,” she responded when he requested a dance and a drink with one of us.
He zeroed in on me, sending a chill down my spine.
“No ring, you’re still available ” he said. I’m sure he was trying to be teasingly charming, but there was something behind his eyes that turned my stomach.
“No, thank you,” I replied, clenching my glass nervously. “I’m stopping at one drink tonight, I’m driving.”
He scowled this time. He apparently wasn’t used to being told no.
“Fine,” he said tersely, giving me a creepy once-over again. I felt like he was undressing me with his eyes before he turned and walked away.
“Good riddance, asshole!” Monica hollered across the bar, lifting her glass.
I snort laughed and shushed her, “He could still hear you.”
“That's the idea. Like I’m worried about some skeezy bum in a bar,” she cackled.
I rolled my eyes, but still worried internally. It was really loud in here, maybe he hadn’t heard her?
“So tell me more about this run in with Lucas. AND about how he called you,” she demanded animatedly.
I sighed, “Yes, he called me. And asked me out. And I agreed.” I hid my face in my hands. “I still can’t believe it all happened and I agreed. I told him I would set our date up the next time you could handle Nat. But here I am instead.”
“WHAT??” she squealed.
“You were so excited, and Nat wanted me to have fun too.”
“Um, girls’ night could happen any time.” Monica scolded. “When a man like Lucas Marshall asks you out, you lock that shit down. I can watch Natasha any time. I know that it seems like she’s already been around a lot, but what’s one more girl in the house? Lexi loves her and Lacey was even warm to her, even though she’s in her pissy teenager stage! I don’t mind having her for an evening, or overnight,” she continued coyly.
“Monica,” I scolded. “I’m not going to sleep with the man on the first date. Good grief.”
“I mean, no one would blame you if you did, have you seen Lucas Marshall?”
I took a deep breath. Yes, yes I had. That tattooed, tall, dark, and handsome man took my breath away. I was a bigger girl but he made me feel small. The thought of him up against me was enough to get my heart pounding. I lifted my glass and took a big drink.
“Hah! You’re totally thinking about doing him.” Monica jested.
“Monica.”
