Shallow (3 page)

She dropped her face, but I watched it closely as she thought about her answer. I saw a hint of a smile and then she lifted her eyes to mine. Just as she opened her mouth to give me her verdict, I felt Samantha’s arms slide around my waist again.

“Hey, Hawke. You ready to go so I can give you your grand prize?” Samantha blurted out and then not so innocently added, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. Who’s your friend here?”

I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut tightly. I might not know Payton Archer well, but that wasn’t a requirement for me to predict that Samantha had just blown this deal for me.

“Hello, my name is Justa Leavin’ so feel free to put your grand prize up on Poppycock here.” She shook her head in disgust and I watched her back as she walked away.

It was probably useless to attempt any kind of damage control after what Samantha just pulled, but I couldn’t help myself. Payton Archer wouldn’t be swayed easily so I had my work cut out for me, but I was prepared to do it because I was going to have my night with this girl.

3 Long Nights and Long Islands

Payton

Ugh! How humiliating was that? I was about to tell that jerk that I would keep my end of the bargain and go out with him and then that ‘ho’ started haunching on him all up in my face. I adamantly reminded myself that it was a stupid bet he tricked me into, so technically I didn’t owe him anything, right?

Jessie and Claire were busy talking to some of Jessie’s old classmates and I wanted to be alone, so I took the opportunity to hide out in my car and lick my wounds. I sat in my car and looked toward the direction of the finish line but all I could see was a crowd of people looking to collect their earnings and I definitely didn’t fall into that category.

I reached for my iPod and turned on “All The Same To Me” by Anya Marina and then rolled my windows down because it was a little stuffy in my car. I shut my eyes after I leaned my head back against the seat and I tapped my index and middle fingernails against the armrest to the beat of the music as I waited for Jessie and Claire.

I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t manage to stop thinking about the way that girl had her hands all over Nick Hawke. She looked so familiar with his body. It was disgusting how he was so obviously screwing her, yet he pursued me openly for her to see. Jessie was right about him. He was a full on
Playah
.

I was three songs in when Claire opened the passenger door and startled me. “Finally! I thought you’d never come on. I’m ready to blow this popsicle stand.”

“Anxious to get out of here, are we?” Jessie asked as he slid into my backseat and I heard the amusement in his voice. I bet Nick told him about the whole bet thing and how he tricked me.

I refused to look at either of them and didn’t respond to Jessie because I didn’t want to have that conversation. I pulled out of my parking place onto the road toward the only way out and turned the music up loudly as we fell into the line of traffic leading away from ‘The Strip.’

Tap. Tap. Tap.
I was startled and jumped when I heard knuckles knocking on my driver’s side window. I turned to see Nick Hawke motioning for me to let my window down. My brain screamed for me to drive away but my insides pleaded for me to lower the window. I’m positive I chose wrong, but I sided with my guts and pushed the button to lower my window a few inches.

“What?” I rudely asked through the three inch crack in my window.

He motioned with his head toward the back door. “Unlock it. I’m riding with you.”

I did that forehead scrunching thing my mom always told me not to do because it would cause me premature wrinkles. “Riding where with me?”

“To the club in Franklin,” he answered.

How did he know where we were going? I looked from Claire to Jessie and gave him my
What the Hell
look. “What’s he talkin’ about, Kimosabe?”

“I invited Nick to meet us at Shenanigan’s.”

“Say it isn’t so,” I gritted through my teeth.

“Jessie hasn’t seen Nick in a while,” Claire explained. “They want to catch up.”

Yeah, right. I knew what he wanted to catch and it didn’t involve anything with his long lost pal. Against my better judgment, I unlocked the door and he smiled victoriously at me before getting into my backseat.

Nick and Jessie made small talk on the drive to the club and I listened as they laughed and talked about old times at Collinsville. I could hear the amusement in Nick’s voice as he recalled a particular stunt Jessie pulled on the librarian when they were in sixth grade. I knew I would be able to see his dimples again if only I lifted my eyes to look in my rearview mirror, but I forced myself to not do it because I refused to expose myself like that.

We entered the club and found a table near the dance floor. It only took a minute for my eyes to find ex-hole, Cooper, dancing with Allie Bumphis and I felt my heart speed like a rocket. Why had I agreed to come here with Jessie and Claire? I knew they would be here together.

Claire saw the happy couple on the dance floor and placed a supportive hand on my arm. “Do you want to leave?”

Yeah, I did but I wasn’t going to ruin Claire and Jessie’s good time because of my own stupidity. “No, I want to stay because I need to have a good time. I think it will take my mind off what happened.”

I looked up to see Cooper and Allie coming off of the dance floor in our direction. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to visit the ladies’ room for a minute.”

I pushed my way through the crowd and into the bathroom. I stood in front of a mirror and pulled my lip gloss from my bag and gave my lips a fresh coat of shine as I thought about the ultimatum Cooper had given me. It was humiliating and hurtful, but I’d never admit that to anyone but Jessie and Claire.

I perfected the gloss on my cupid’s bow with my finger and then stood a little taller. “I can do this,” I said to my reflection. I didn’t have a choice; I had to do it.

I returned to find Cooper and Allie sitting at our table. Cooper’s arm was resting possessively around the back of Allie’s chair and I wondered if that was something he did often or if it was because Mr. Sex on a Stick was sitting with us.

“You okay?” Jessie whispered when I sat next to him and Claire.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I lied as I gave him my best faux smile. It was weird how Jessie had fallen into the role of my protector. He was like a big brother to me, only much more. The guy I once regarded as a tatted up Collinsville skank was now my best friend too.

He leaned over so no one would hear him. “I don’t believe you.”

What was I supposed to do? “I have to get over them being together because they’re an item and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon. I can’t keep pretending I have to leave every time I see them somewhere.”

Claire leaned over to be part of the conversation. “Will you tell us if you change your mind and want to go?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Mother. Yes, Father. I’ll tell you.”

‘Single Ladies’ came on and a flock of girls headed for the dance floor. I usually begged Claire to dance with me, but tonight was different because I didn’t have my usual good mood or a drink in my hand.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s your turn to drive tonight. I don’t want you to worry about it because I’ve got it covered. I want you and Claire to have a good time,” Jessie offered. “What do y'all want to drink?”

I don’t know if it was the tats or what, but Jessie never got carded anywhere and he always got us as many drinks as we wanted. Claire ordered her usual Cosmopolitan and I thought for a second before I knew the only cure for what ailed me.

“I’ve got hers,” Nick announced from across the table as he stared at me. “I’ll get you anything you want.”

It felt more like a challenge than an offer. Was I imagining his underlying tone or was he simply offering to buy me a drink? I finally answered, “A Long Island.”

I didn’t mistake the big brother look Jessie shot me. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You know it doesn’t take much for those to put you on your ass.”

“I haven’t forgotten and that’s what I’m shooting for.” He didn’t give me any further argument, but I knew he would be watching me like a hawk the rest of the night.

The guys returned with our drinks and Nick chose to sit in the chair next to me instead of across the table. “Your drink, Milady.”

“Thank you,” I politely said before I took a long suck on the straw.

Nick watched me suck down a quarter of my Long Island. “I believe you are looking to be on your ass or your back tonight.”

I immediately became defensive with the mention of me on my back. “Well, I won’t ever be on my back for you. Sorry if that’s why you bought me the drink or why you came with us.”

I could tell that took him back. “I came because I was invited by a friend, one I’ve known longer than you have, I might add. I also just won a lot of cash so I wanted to celebrate. As for the drink, I bought it for you out of courtesy. I was trying to be a chivalrous gentleman.”

“Well, thank you no matter your motive,” I said dryly.

Nick leaned a little closer to me. “What have I done to make you question my motive?”

I was thankful the music was loud enough that Jessie and Claire couldn’t hear the conversation between me and Nick. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it was the way you tried to blackmail me into going out with you or maybe it was the way you tricked me into making a bet to
quote spend one night with you unquote
. I’m not sure I even know what one night with you means. It could even be the way that girl was all over you at ‘The Strip’ like she knew every inch of your body or maybe it was the way you grabbed me around my waist and pulled me against you like you had done it a million times. Maybe it was the way you so expertly whispered against my ear to bring chills all over my body.”

That lopsided grin returned. “So you liked it when I pulled you close against me and whispered in your ear?”

Hell yeah, I liked it, but I wasn’t telling him that. “I think you’re hearing what you want to hear.”

“Maybe I am because I definitely want to hear that you liked being close to me, but I’m also hearing that you’re jealous of Samantha.”

This guy was unbelievably arrogant. “Now, you’re really dreaming,” I scoffed.

“We were supposed to get together after the race, but I ditched her to come here with you.” He said it so matter of fact, like he deserved some kind of reward for ditching the girl with a mattress tied to her back.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to mess up you getting laid tonight,” I said sarcastically.

He looked at me seductively before he turned his beer up for a gulp. “Don’t worry. You didn’t.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Cooper and Allie headed back to the dance floor and Claire leaned over as Jessie stood up. “Our song is playing so we’re going to dance if you think you’ll be okay.”

They always had to dance to that sappy song. “Sure, take your time.” I nodded toward Nick. “I have the Jedi here to keep me company.”

I expected Nick to ask me what my Jedi crack was all about but he didn’t. He leaned back in his chair. “So, they’re in love, huh?”

I put my straw to my lips and took another big gulp. Three-quarters down and all was still well. I was going to have to drink faster than this. “Yep, they’re in love and it’s the real thing. I predict that they’ll be Mr. and Mrs. within two years.”

And I was going to be the ceaseless third wheel. I wondered if they’d invite me to go with them on their honeymoon. I put my drink to my lips and finished it off.

“Want another?” Nick offered.

“Umm, yes please,” I said as I reached for my purse to get some cash since I had gone by the ATM on the way to the club.

“Nope, I’ve got it covered. Another Long Island?”

I gave him a friendly smile because I felt like I owed him that much. “Yes, please. Thank you.”

“Depending on who makes it, you know Long Islands are almost all alcohol, right?”

I called off the ingredients. “Vodka, Rum, Gin, Tequila, Triple Sec, Sour Mix and a splash of Coke, depending on who makes it.”

He smiled as though he was thoroughly entertained. “Hmm. Something else I didn’t expect to come out of your delicate mouth. You’re just full of surprises.”

“If you knew me, you wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.”

He studied me like I was some kind of ancient mystery and I wanted to ask him what he was thinking but I didn’t because I was afraid he might actually tell me. When the awkward silence and stare passed, he got up from the table. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

I sat at our table waiting for Nick to come back with our drinks and watched the couples on the dance floor. When Jessie and Claire’s song ended, another sappy love song replaced it and I knew the lovebirds wouldn’t be coming off the floor before it was over.

Like a guard dog, Jessie monitored me closely from where he danced with Claire. He took notice of me sitting alone and gave me his questioning thumb up signal. He seemed satisfied by my nod and reassuring smile so he returned his concentration to my best friend in his arms.