I glance at my phone.
Grayson
Have a good first day? Miss u babe
Just then, Keysha pulls up, blasting some Kendrick Lamar,All the Stars. I sling my bag onto my shoulder, it might as well be filled with bricks, and trudge toward her car.
“Hey, girl! Well? How was it?”
I shrug and bite my bottom lip, then blurt, “I am a little overwhelmed.”
“It’s just new,” she says, tossing a glance into the rearview. She’s practically bald now. Platinum blond, flawless dark skin, those big eyes that make her look like a model. Jealous is an understatement.
“Let’s grab a drink to celebrate,” she says. “You can meet this guy I’m seeing. It’ll help you unwind.”
It’s only five. Grayson won’t be home until ten. The thought of going home alone sounds depressing.
“Sure,” I say. “Why not?”
And soon, we’re at the bar. It’s dim, sticky, and loud with weird Irish music playing low in the background. Deckhands fill the space. Not gonna lie, these guys... they are mostly young, carefree, and fit. And there are a lot of them.
We take our seats at a pub table and meet Keysha’s new beau, Holden, one of the good looking deck hands.
He wears tan overalls from working a shrimp boat. Handsome guy. Black, lean, small fro, narrow face, and big luscious lips.
That smile. Gosh, he has perfect teeth, too.
And Keysha?
She is smitten, laughing at everything he says, rolling her eyes playfully at his jokes, and even holding his hand across the table.
Dang. I wish Grayson was here.
Better text him.
Training was kind of hard but having drink with Keysha to celebrate. Miss u too! Ill be home before u r off work. Cant wait 2 see u!
I slip my phone into my jeans pocket, knowing he won’t reply until after—
Buzz, buzz.
Grayson
What bar?
My stomach flips.
“Here ya go,” says our server, setting down a mug in front of me.
Keysha lifts her drink. “No phones, Charlotte! Relax. Cheers to day one of your badass future!”
Weclinkour drinks.
I sip my beer.Gross. But not long after, I start to feel my stress lift.
An hour later, I love beer.
What stress?
