Page 95 of Loving Wild

“Who told Gabe I was going out tonight?” I ask over the music from the live band playing in the bar we’re in.

Jess and Sam look at each other, letting me know who the guilty parties likely are.

“Coop mentioned it to him, was he not supposed to?”

“It’s fine.” I shrug. “Just wondered how he knew. Is he still at your place?”

“No, he went home earlier today, the boys are all at his tonight, there’s some sports thing, football or rugby, or something, happening in England that they’re watching,” I think is what she says, but it’s hard to hear over the music. I nod anyway.

The bar we’re in is an old church, and the music is always extra loud, possibly because of the vaulted ceilings, possibly because that’s just the way the bands that perform here like to play.

Dani has been on the dance floor most of the night; she appears to know everyone in the place, including the band, so they’ve played a lot of our requests. A lot of singing and a lot of dancing has been done, a lot of alcohol has been consumed.

When we first got here, my eyes landed on every dark-headed male in the place. Remember when you were back in school and crushing on a boy? The way your stomach would pitch if you passed him in the hallway, caught a glimpse of him at lunch, or even if you were ever in his space? That’s how I’ve felt every time I’ve seen a dark head of hair.

But now I know Gabe’s safely tucked up at home with his brothers, and I’ve no chance of bumping into him, the hollow feeling I’ve had inside me all week has returned.

My phone again vibrates in the back pocket of my jeans, just as Dani throws her arm over my shoulder.

“There’s karaoke next door, I reckon we should go there,” she declares.

“No, we can’t dance to karaoke, I like it here,” Jemma argues with her.

“It’s not up to me, I’m not the organiser,” I tell her with a shrug.

All heads turn to Jo, who’s standing at the bar talking to a bloke who has his back to us.

“Let’s stay here for a couple more, then see how we feel,” I suggest.

“Fine,” Dani drags out the word, using a tone that makes it apparent she’s reallynotfine with my suggestion.

“Get me a double vodka soda whoever’s getting the next round, thanks. Love this song, I’m gonna dance.”

We all watch on in silence as she dance-walks back to the dance floor, stopping to talk to a couple of people along the way.

I smile and shake my head.

“Well handled,” Sam pats me on the back and says.

“She’s full-on,” I reply as I pull my phone out.

“Will you get off that thing,” Lou says, trying to make a grab for my phone. “You’re like a teenage girl, you keep checking it.”

“I’m not checking it. Gabe’s been texting me,” I point out.

“Ignore him.Or . . .here’s a thought, just go home, fuck him senseless, and put both of you out of your misery.”

“Are you drunk, Lou?” I ask my friend. Closing one eye, she holds up her thumb and index finger, leaving a small gap between them.

“Lil bit,” she says with a sloppy smile.

The band starts up a cover of AC/DC’s ‘All Night Long’, and the place erupts. Lou, Jem, Sam, and Jess immediately join Dani on the dance floor. Despite living most of my life in this country, I don’t feel the same amount of love for this band that your average Aussie does, so instead, I lean back against the bar and open up my phone.

Gabe:I mean, if you do drink too much, just get a cab straight here. I like the way you let me love you when you’re drunk x

Gabe:But if you’re not gonna do that, I’d rather you didn’t drink too much.

Gabe:Or at all.