"There you are, Cap.Well done brother.It looks great."Cal reaches us with Ada still on his arm.She clings to him in a different way than Eve does.Eve feels safe with Cal.She trusts him and they've gotten close very quickly.Cotton too.I'm grateful for these relationships because I can't be everywhere at once.I trust Cal and Cotton with my life and Eve is my life.Cal looks at Ada differently than he looks at Eve though.He always has.I used to think it was a protective instinct, but now I've seen him with Eve, and I see the differences; I can't ignore it anymore.
I look pointedly at where Ace is hanging on to Cal's arm, and look back up to Ace, meeting her eyes.She starts to pull away, but Cal reaches up with his other hand and places it over hers on his forearm.He squeezes her hand, looking down at her with a reassuring smile.Ah fuck.I definitely have to address this.Not here but, it needs to be dealt with.Ace is off limits to everyone.She's especially off limits to this asshole who's gotten more tail than Hefner.
I glance at my brother with a look that says, 'We will definitely be talking about this later.'He just continues to smile and says, "Let's get these beautiful women a drink," before guiding Ace in the direction of the open bar.I grab Eve around the waist and pull her along with me, following behind them.When we reach the bar, Cal orders a vodka tonic.He hasn't even asked Ace what she wants, and he ordered her favorite drink.This could just be from years of knowing and hanging out with one another.I wonder if Cotton knows her favorite drink.
I look to Eve."What do you want to drink?"
She looks apprehensive for a split second.I would've missed it if I wasn't so attuned to her.
"A Coke is fine.Thanks."
I turn to order her a Coke when Ace steps in."Not a chance!You are drinking with me.We had a deal."
"There was no deal."
"You told Vaughn you would let go and have a good time."
"I definitely didn't say that."All of Eve's statements are very flat and I know thatAce has been hearing what Ace wants to hear.Typical Ace.
Ace's voice is becoming increasingly more whiny with each new plea."C'mon, Eve.I wanna have fun and I need you there with me.Pleeeeeeeease."She whines like she's six again and we're back at Marco's Candy Shoppe.
Eve looks heavenward as though she's asking for patience from the Lord himself."What exactly are you asking me to do?"
"I want to find your drink tonight."
"My drink?"Eve is noticeably confused.It's obvious that she doesn't drink, and she doesn't realize that Ace wants to discover what her favorite drink will be.
"Yeah.You'll try different drinks until you find the one that you like the most.I get first guess."
"Oh, me second."Cal pipes up quickly.
"I definitely want in on this," the bartender chimes in, clearly overhearing our conversation.
She's tiny and blonde with a short haircut.I'm pretty sure that I've heard Ace refer to girls with hair like this as having a Paxie cut or something like that.
"I'll go last, and I'll win," I say to the group that now includes the bartender.Pulling Eve into me, I place a chaste kiss on her lips.
"I don't like alcohol," Eve says to no one in particular.
"How do you know if you've never tried it?"Cal asks Eve with an Ace Ventura chin rub.
"Well shit.You've got me there, don't ya."The defeat is clear in Eve's tone.She's giving in.
Ace squeals with excitement "Okay so I already know my guess.I've been working on it all day.Your favorite drink will be a vodka tonic."
Cal looks at Ace with disappointment."You worked on this all day and the best you could come up with is your favorite drink?"
Ace looks mock wounded and says, "You'll see."
Cal turns to the tiny bartender and says, "Well, you heard the woman.Another vodka tonic, please."
The tiny woman busies herself behind the bar before placing the vodka tonic on a napkin in front of Cal.He hands it over to Eve and she looks apprehensive.She smells the drink and makes a face.
"That's pungent."She sucks in a deep breath and takes a drink.We all hold our breaths and wait to hear her review.
She coughs and splutters before saying, "This tastes like bad decisions and regret."
Everyone but Eve and Ace start laughing.Eve is still looking like she swallowed acid, and Ace is bummed because she lost.The rest of us are amused by my comical girlfriend.I don't even know if she tries or if her words happen to come out funny and she's just as surprised as everyone else by what she says.
