Page 17 of Big Daddy to Go

7

Lexi

Istare at my open closet, trying to decide on an outfit. I’m not sure why I’m making such a big fuss. It’s highly unlikely Kane will be at The Drunken Bucket tonight, but I want to be prepared if he is.

“Lex, what’s taking so long?” Melanie calls out from the door.

“Sorry, I can’t decide what to wear.”

She snorts. “It’s just The Bucket. Jeans and a t-shirt will do.”

I haven’t gotten a chance to tell Melanie about my romp with Jason’s double yet. I plan to tell her tonight and hope that she doesn’t judge me too hard. She might think that what I saw as a rebound lay is really me hanging onto Jason in some way.

After thinking about Kane all week, I wonder if that’s normal for a one-night stand. Isn’t the whole point of a one-night stand to get off and never see or think about that person again?

Then again, I’m not normal. Nothing I’ve done in the past two years has been normal for me… I was constantly trying to be someone I’m not to please a man I didn’t even love. I guess I hoped love would come later with Jason. So I tried to make myself fit into his life with whatever little room he left for me.

I settle on jeans, but instead of a t-shirt, I go with a red and navy peplum halter top. I slip into red wedges and walk out of my bedroom.

Melanie whistles at me.

“You look hot.”

“Thanks.”

“Getting rid of that loser is really bringing you back to life, huh?”

I shrug and look down at my toes briefly before looking back at Melanie. Her silky red hair is pushed over her shoulder as if she is The Little Mermaid. Melanie’s blue eyes are concerned as I begin to speak.

“Jason put me down a lot, and he never made me a priority. I’m frustrated with myself for putting up with it for so long,” I admit.

She rubs my shoulder and smiles.

“Don’t beat yourself up, Lex. Everyone has sacrificed a piece of themselves for the opposite sex at some point. You live and you learn, and hopefully, you’ve realized your self-worth like I hope you have,” Melanie says sincerely.

“Thanks, Mel. You’re the one person who truly wants to see me happy.”

“You’re my best friend. I only want the best for you.”

She brushes my gratitude off as if it isn’t needed, and I hug her.

“So, I do have something I’ve been wanting to tell you…”

“Can you tell me on the way? I’m dying for a nacho bucket. I skipped lunch.”

Nacho buckets are the bar’s specialty. It’s literally a giant tub of nachos with beer-battered jalapenos, salsa, pulled pork, and sour cream, all smothered in cheese. We usually get halfway through the bucket before we’re stuffed.

I lock up my apartment, and we start the short walk to The Drunken Bucket.

“So, what did you want to tell me?” Melanie asks.

“I had a one-night stand last week.”

Melanie stops walking as her eyes bug out.

“You? Lexi Smith? The girl in college who wouldn’t let a guy touch her boobs until the fifth date?”

I laugh and nod.