"There's Rhett." He gestures with his bottle to a group of people across the room.
I follow his gaze and see it is indeed Rhett with some of the same people he was with last week. The problem is that I want to stay over here and keep bantering with Seth. If I'm completely truthful, I want to go home with him, throw off all my clothes and jump into his bed.
Or maybe that's the tequila hitting my system.
Since I told Seth my plan was to hang with Rhett tonight, it will look weird if I don't. The only other option is to be honest about the fact that I'd rather spend time with him. As I'm considering whether I want to save face or get laid, a pretty girl with colorfully bold tattoo sleeves on her arms approaches Seth and gives him a warm hug. That's the cue I needed. Before they disengage, I'm headed across the room to Rhett and company.
For the next hour plus some, I endure conversations about sustainable foodscapes, soil microbes, and biochar fertilizers. The only way to survive is to order another round of tequila and beer. I know the old adage "beer then liquor, never sicker," but I've got a stomach of steel so down the hatch it goes.
When I get up from the pub table we've been sitting at, I have to pause and recalibrate. I'm happily buzzed, nothing to worry about yet. Memories of my real life are hazy around the edges, just like I wanted them to be. Unfortunately, the liquor hasn't dimmed my interest in Seth, and I decide to look around the bar for him because he's my ride home. At least that's the reason I'm giving if anyone asks why I'm searching for him. If I were being honest, that reason isn't at the top of my list for finding my brawny paramedic friend.
I must be drunk if I'm calling Seth my friend.
Seth is at the bar, and the tatted-up girl is still with him. She's been joined by another girl who's also edgy and attractive, if you're into medieval looking nose rings. There's no way I'm interrupting that conversation so I head to the other end of the bar to order myself another beer. While I'm trying to catch the bartender's attention, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Are you ready to go home?"
I turn to face Seth who's standing behind me.
"Not quite yet.” As I say each word, I tap his chest with my finger. "One more beer and then I'm good to go."
"Do you really need one more beer?"
I roll my eyes like a bratty teenager, and turn back to the bar.
"Seriously," he says, trying to turn me around again by gently pulling my shoulder. "Let's get out of here."
Instead of answering, I place my order with the bartender. Then I turn around to face him.
"Seth, I do need another beer because my plan is to get shitfaced tonight. And you do not need to wait to drive me home."
I have no idea why I'm doing or saying any of this. I don't really want another beer, and I totally want Seth to drive me home. Unfortunately, I just can't admit it.
"How are you gonna get home then?"
I point to Rhett. "I'm sure he can drive me home or I can call that Uber guy. You aren't responsible for me so if you want to take one of those girls home," I wave in the direction of his friends who are still at the bar, "that's cool. Do what you want."
Seth closes his eyes and bites his lower lip, like he's trying really hard not to say what's on his mind right now.
"I want—" He shakes his head. "You know what? Forget it. I'll see you tomorrow."
I barely taste what I tell myself is my last beer of the night and sit down on a stool so I can have a pity party. In my mind, I was testing Seth to see if he'd really leave or wait for me. But why did I need to test him? He said he wanted to drive me home. I'm such a jerk, and now I'm alone at a bar in a strange town and drunk off my ass.
A few minutes later, I spot Jenny and an attractive woman I presume is Luisa. Luisa is paying for their beers, and Jenny is rubbing her back. They're stinking adorable.
I wave and raise my voice to get her attention. "Hey, Jenny!"
Her face lights up with a sincere smile when she sees me, and she whispers something to the woman with her before they move over to stand next to me.
"Hey, Andie. What's going on?"
"Not much." I nod my chin over at Rhett and his friends. "Just learning the ins and outs of organic farming. Hi, you must be Luisa."
Luisa transfers her drink to her left hand, then extends her right hand to shake mine.
"Nice to meet you."
Her lovely accent suggests that Spanish is her first language.
