“How do you know it’s a half-baked idea? Did you even take time to hear him out? Or did you do what you always do and just assume?”
Nick puts his head down, shaking it as he realizes that he might have overreacted.
“Well, if he has a plan why didn’t he just show it to me instead of just springing it on me after he had already made up his mind?”
You give him a knowing look and answer, “Would you have listened?
Nick runs a hand over his face, knowing that what you’re saying is true, and then asks, “I messed up, didn’t I?”
“It took you long enough. Now, can you go and fix things with him and get out of here so I can finish getting ready?”
Nick throws his hands up to surrender as he stands. He’s getting ready to leave when it dawns on him that you’re getting ready to go out, so he asks, “Who are you getting all dolled up for?”
You roll your eyes, getting even more annoyed with him, but you answer, “It’s none of your business, but if you must know, I have a date.”
“Well, I figured that, but with who?
“Brian Wethers.”
“The same Brian Wethers that works in the library?”
“Yep, that’s him.”
A look of concern comes over Nick’s face. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Alex.”
You ask with more attitude than intended, “And why’s that?” Not like you really want him to give you an answer.
Nick rubs the back of his neck and says, “He’s got a bit of a reputation. I jus—”
You throw your hand up, putting a finger in his face to interrupt him, “That doesn’t mean that he’s a bad person. Chase has a reputation. Do you think that he’s a bad person?”
“No… But—”
Growing more impatient, you reply, “No, I don’t want to hear any more about it. Now get out, or so help me, Nick, I’m changing my Netflix password.”
Nick put his hands up to surrender. “All right, just be careful, sis.”
“I will. Now get out!”
Nick heads out the door, and you finish getting ready.
Chapter Three
After you finally finish getting ready, you meet Brian at the brewery for your date. He waits for you outside. And when he notices you, he says, “Hey, there you are. You look great.”
You give him a bashful grin. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He smiles back at you and directs your way inside.
As the two of you head inside, you can’t help but think that it’s a little strange to come to an old brewery for a first date, but you try not to overthink it and keep an open mind. You take your seats in the oversized booth, trying to enjoy yourself and begin looking at the menu.
You sit there trying to figure out what to get. You don’t want to get drunk, but you don’t want to be a prude either. Brian notices you studying the menu and says, “If you are not sure what to get, they have different samplers you can choose from… Beer, whiskey, cocktails, whatever you want.”
You think it over but just order a beer, not wanting to overdo it.
After sitting in awkward silence for a few minutes, Brian strikes up a conversation.
“So. Did you hear that there is a new club opening up a couple blocks from campus?”
You instantly start thinking about Chase, yet again.
No, Alex. You’re not going there. You’re here with Brian. Just keep the conversation going. It will get better.
“Yeah, Chase just bought it. I guess it’s moving along pretty quick.”
“Wait. You know Chase? Chase Mathews?”
“Yeah, I’ve known him pretty much my whole life.”
Brian begins to go on and on about Chase and how he’s his ideal. You sit there listening and nodding your head, thinking to yourself, I came on this date to get my mind off Chase, and he ends up being the topic of discussion. This cannot be happening. I’m going to need more than just a beer.
As Brian continues to sing Chase’s praise, you wave over the waitress. The waitress comes right over.
“Is everything okay? Do you need something else?”
“Everything’s great. I was just wondering. Could I go ahead and get that whiskey sampler please?”
“Yeah, I’ll get right on it.”
“Thank you.”
You continue to listen to Brian as he compares himself to Chase. The waitress makes her way back with your drinks, and you barely even give her time to set them down before you take a shot. And another. And another. Brian smiles and asks if everything’s okay, and you just smile and say, “Yep, everything great.” But in your head you’re thinking, No. Everything is not okay. You won’t shut up about the guy that I like, and that could possibly be the worst thing you could do since I only really agreed to this date to get over him.
Just then Brian’s phone goes off. He takes a look at it and then asks, “Hey, would you want to stop by a party on campus?”
You’re pretty well over this date and don’t really want to go.
“I don’t really do parties on campus.”
“I don’t either, but my friends keep bugging me about it, so if you’re okay with it, we could just make an appearance and then leave?”
How bad could it be? We show up, say hi, and leave. Maybe he’ll talk about something other than Chase, and there will still be a chance to redeem tonight.
You agree to go to the party, and Brian gets the check. Once he pays, the two of you leave. Brian leads you over to his car and opens the door for you as you get in. The two of you are in Brian’s car, and you make your way to the party when you finally turn the conversation to something other than Chase.
“So you said that you’re from Virginia. What part?”
“It’s a small town called Toms Brook.”
“That’s like clear on the other side of Virginia, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. You ever been there?”
“No, but remember seeing on the map toward a few of the colleges I looked at.”
Things are finally going okay, but you can hardly hear anything Brian’s saying because now the thought of Chase is stuck in your head. His beautiful smile, gorgeous eyes, and muscles—for days.
‘God… Why does he have to be so perfect? I don’t know if I’m ever going to get over him.
You snap out of your thoughts and notice that Brian is silent. You look over at him and see that he’s giving you a flirty grin.
A slight shade of pink washes over your face as you notice him taking you in. Brian pulls up in front of the party, and you automatically feel uneasy about being there. You try not to think about it too much, but Brian noticed that you seem uncomfortable.
“We’ll only be here a few minutes.” He takes your hand, trying to give you some comfort.
What the hell I’m I doing here? I should have just gone back to my dorm.
With that, the two of you head inside against your better judgement. As soon as you get through the door, Brian is rushed by his friends who are more than halfway gone already.