It ends abruptly as the loud noise of the bar hits me the second the door is opened and I nearly stumble again from being pulled in by Diane. Inside it’s madness, lots of little booths packed with people. I have to immediately flatten myself against the wall to avoid a waitress with a tray of drinks. Diane grabs me and pulls me toward the back, where some of our coworkers have managed to secure a table.Thank God we have a table.
“Look who’s here!” she announces.
A rousing cheer goes up, but I assume it has more to do with alcohol than my arrival. I recognize all the girls at the table, but the only one I’m friends with is Ann, and she’s at the other end. I need to move seats. As quickly as possible. Ann says something, shouting it even, but I have no idea what she said. I can barely hear the conversation continuing to my right.
I should tell Diane that I don’t plan on being here long. I just want to blow off some steam before I head home. The conversation with Charlie last night still has me feeling like an idiot. I don’t want to stay past the point of being able to drive myself home.
“Listen, Diane,” I try to get her attention. I’m interrupted by the arrival of two pitchers of beer and a stack of plastic cups. Another cheer goes up from our table.
“Shhh,” Diane says, taking it upon herself to pour me a plastic cup full of foamy beer. “Here, drink up.”
“Actually—” I try again, but Diane is preoccupied. Turning to my one ally here is useless, Ann is wasted. It only makes me grin, happy that she has a chance to get out and have a girls night.
“Shots! How many of us are there? Seven?” Diane shouts absently, turning around and searching for the girl who just brought us the pitchers. “Where’s the waitress?”
I settle back in my seat and sip my beer.Don’t be a party pooper, I chide myself. I guess I’m just still down from the conversation last night. My phone buzzes.
I check it, and see that I have a text from Ann.
Good to see you, girl. I didn’t think you’d come.
My gaze lifts to hers and I see her with her phone in her hand and the smile on her face as she stares back at me.
Good to see you too stranger! I have so much to catch you up on.
Tell me everything! But do it tomorrow so I’ll actually remember.
A huff of a laugh leaves me at her response and instead of responding, I lift my cup to her in cheers and we drink together.
“Hey!” Diane says, snapping her fingers in front of my face. I wrinkle my nose at her, and she smiles. “Quit moping and drink already!”
Soon, not one, but two shots are put in front of me.
Everyone throws the shots back, one and then the other. I do the same, willing the alcohol to drown out all the overthinking I’m doing. To my surprise, it actually tastes good, like a piece of grape-flavored candy.
“Mmm,” I hum appreciatively. I sip my beer and try to fit in.
A night out and some alcohol definitely can’t hurt even though I find myself thinking about Charlie. I don’t know the first mistake I made. Making that bet. Or asking him what we were.
My phone buzzes again and I see it’s from Ann. When I lift my gaze to hers, I see the concern.More beer.She wrote me.
I lift my glass again and pretend I’m not crazy. That I don’t feel like I just had a break-up.
* * *
An hour later,we collectively heave ourselves out the front door and into Claire’s car. I drank way too much. I knew it too, but each drink made the anxiety in my chest feel lighter and lighter. And I got to talk to Ann and tell her everything. At least I think I did. I’m not sure she heard it all though through all the noise.
There are six women packed in Claire’s little Nissan Altima, but we’re not going far. Mac's is right around the corner from here, and they’ve got a DJ spinning tonight.
There are three reasons really, why I’m going and that’s what I think about in the car ride there. Although I make sure to laugh when the other girls laugh, clinging to my bottle of water Ann grabbed for me.
I’m too drunk to drive.
I didn’t want to stay at the Local by myself
I want to prove it’s fine; I’m fine. It was silly and nothing happened anyway. Everything is fine, so I’m going.
We get to Mac's in one piece, thanks to Claire being the designated driver. It’s dark inside, with a couple of spotlights casting their glow on the bodies packing the dance floor. It’s not nearly as packed as the Local, but there are more people in here than usual.
