The gal laughed. “Dude, it’s not worth any?—”
“Five seventy-five! Final offer!”
My new friend threw her hands in the air. “Sold to the man wearing the Bat Shit Crazy shirt!”
She let me pick, and I chose the silver scroll band that, under the dim lights of Bangin’ Beers Bar, twinkled like one million glorious stars.
I tossed her the cash, checked to find the entire wedding party on the stage singing Garth Brook’s Low Places so I grabbed Fern’s hand and headed out the front door. The brisk air hit me, and I stopped and turned to her.
“Okay, Fern, now we have a way for you to remember the promise we have agreed to this evening.” I put the ring on her right-hand ring finger and felt satisfaction when it fit perfectly. “This is a promise. By wearing this ring, Dory will see it and remember this moment tomorrow. Do you agree to this promise?”
She bit her lip and smiled while my brain did a back flip with a twist.
Chapter 8
A Promise
I didn’t know if it was midnight or two in the morning. Ed was trying to gather us all, but getting our drunk group out of the bar was like herding cats. After a few As You Are moments, we were finally all together.
Once everyone was in SUV, Tawnee jumped out to use the bathroom, and then Liv realized she left her purse in the bar. Ten minutes later, I decided to run in real quick to grab them. Instead, I ended up singing Fortnight on the stage with Liv.
The next thing I knew, Gabe and Dan were standing just off stage, waiting for us to finish the most beautiful song in the world. I tell you what, Liv and I sounded like a combination of Taylor, Arianna Grande, and Adele. We were stinking amazing.
Through my alcohol eyesight, I saw Andrew waving for us to join them and get out of the bar, but my audience was not having it as they clapped and cheered. Finally, I took a bow and glided out of the bar to chants and applause.
But that didn’t happen. Instead, I took a dramatic bow, fell off the stage, and onto the concrete floor that was as hard as, well, a concrete floor. I was lifted to my feet by some guy who I believe had blond hair.
“Are you okay?” I may have been drunk, but this man smelled like he’d bathed in some bourbon out back.
“Yes, I’m just fine. Dandy, like a hard piece of candy.”
I felt a hand on my arm. “Come on, Fern.”
I couldn’t really see him, but I’d recognize Gabe’s low, sexier than hell voice anywhere. “Okee dokee.”
I took a step but felt a hand on the other arm.
“Excuse me, we were having a conversation.” It was blond dude. I could see his hair, and then Gabe took a step toward him.
“Let go of her now.”
Oooh, Gabe’s voice was loud. “Gabe?—”
I jumped when blond guy yelled back. “She was talking to me.”
“Well, now I’m talking to you.”
Suddenly nobody had my arms, but Liv took my hand, we stepped back, as somebody flew onto a table. The next thing I knew the freezing air was cooling my burning cheeks while I felt all marshmallowey as I walked toward the SUV. Mental note: never consume over two drinks, dumbass.
My laugh cut through the chilled air. “Look at me! My legs are walking, and I’m not telling them to. It’s crazy.”
Somebody thought it was a good idea to go into an odd-looking restaurant called Embers that served breakfast 24/7. We piled into a booth, and I must say some chow in my stomach sounded like the best idea I’d heard in hours.
We all ordered everything from French toast and eggs, to burgers and fries, and then did the germ-swirl as we ate off each other’s plates. I preferred to think of it as bonding over a middle of the night meal instead of the petri dish it actually was. By the time we finished eating, my body thanked me for soaking up some of the over-serving I did to myself.
We got back to the cabin, and Dave said they guys were playing poker. I made my way up the stairs like a pinball bouncing between the walls but found my bedroom. I grabbed my pajamas and fell down twice while trying to get my pants off. Where was Gabe when I needed him?
I had already lost my jammies so I fell onto the bed in my undies. The bad news: the room was spinning a tad. The good news: I was fairly certain I would not be praying to the porcelain god tonight. Thank you, Embers. Score for me.
