Page 56 of Please Don’t Go (The Midnight Strike #1)

JOSEFINE

“I’m so glad you came.” A dopey smile curls on Pen’s face.

Vi’s resembles hers because before we came to The Antisocial Bar, we pregamed. I didn’t as hard as the two of them, but I drank enough, so I feel a buzz coursing through my system.

“How could I say no? You guys wouldn’t stop blowing up my phone.” I’m half serious because it’s Monday and half teasing because I hate being home alone.

This past weekend Daniel was in Alabama playing against Auburn. He’s been gone since Thursday and should be back today, but it’s already past nine p.m. and I still haven’t heard from him.

Before then, on Tuesday, he had an away game. He left extremely early that morning but didn’t come home until Wednesday evening.

On top of hardly seeing him at home, I rarely see him in class because his practice time changed to the time we hike.

It’s been an adjustment, a weird one at that. Before Daniel, I could put up with the loneliness, but now it’s odd and I don’t like it. I don’t like missing him or wondering when he’s going to come home. Because in a few months, he’ll be gone.

I’ve physically accepted that, but mentally, I’m struggling.

That’s why I agreed to come out with the girls to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

That and they weren’t trying to go to a club.

I don’t mind dressing up, but today I wanted to keep it casual.

I’m wearing a cropped green shirt, and maybe I’m making a mistake, but decided to go braless because why the hell not?

Paired with a dark denim mini skirt and my all-black Dr. Martens.

“Because you’re a horrible replier. If we don’t blow it up, you won’t respond until the next ten to twenty business days,” Vi points out.

“That’s not true,” I weakly defend. “I just have a lot going on.”

She arches a perfectly styled black brow and smiles slyly. “I’m sure you do.”

I take a sip of my beer, thankful that Pen doesn’t catch that. She’s too busy staring at her phone.

“I’ll be back. I gotta go to the restroom,” she announces, tucking her phone in her tiny purse.

“We’ll go with,” I say, but she’s shaking her head. “No, don’t. I won’t be gone long, and they’ll take our spot if we leave.”

We’re right next to the bar and because it’s packed with possibly every college student, there’s hardly any space or seats left.

“I’ll stay. You go with her,” I tell Vienna. Pen still insists, but I shake my head. “I’ll be okay here; I’ll save our spots. You shouldn’t go alone.”

“Okay, you’re right. We’ll be back,” she says and hooks her arm around Vi’s and then they’re off, the blind leading the blind because they’re a little tipsier than I thought.

I snicker at that before drawing my attention away from them to the TVs hung above the bar. One of them plays the highlights from yesterday’s game.

My heart thunders when Daniel appears on the screen. He’s quickly diving for the ball then jumping to his feet, throwing the ball to the second baseman before he’s throwing it to Kai at first, getting both players from Auburn out.

The next highlight that plays is one of him stealing third base. He stands, and my favorite kind of smile curls on his lips as he points to the corner of his eyes. Flutters burst in my stomach the same way they did yesterday when I saw it and every other time, he’s on base.

Only on you, I think every single time.

Another highlight plays, but I’m interrupted when someone bumps into me.

“Oh, I’m sorry…” the voice drifts when our eyes lock.

I almost want to laugh at how comical and cliché this is. The girl who slept with my boyfriend and happens to be my roommate-with-benefits ex, bumping into me.

Amanda stares at me knowingly, not surprised or the least bit apologetic.

There’s a long stretch of silence. I’m not sure if she’s trying to find the words or maybe expects me to lash out, but she stares at me, inquisitive and piercing.

I don’t have it in me or care to know if she’ll speak so I spin in my seat, darting my attention to the TV.

Unfortunately, I still feel her standing there, watching me.

“Did you lose something?” I ask her.

Her face scrunches with agitation. “What?”

“You’re staring at me like you’ve lost something.”

I’d be lying if I said that her standing in front of me didn’t bother me just a little.

It’s not because of confrontation; I don’t have an issue with it.

It’s knowing that Daniel dated her, liked her, and did things with her.

It’s knowing that she’s better than me, at least emotionally.

It’s knowing that she could give him that and I’m not sure I’d be able to.

I don’t believe in love or at least understand what the hell it is, but I’m sure she does. I wonder if they said I love you to each other, because couples do that, and they dated for a while. Surely, they did.

She’s also drop-dead gorgeous. Naked or not, she’s beautiful, there’s no denying that. I understand why Bryson and Daniel are both attracted to her. Even I can’t help but gawk at her a little.

Amanda flashes me a tight-lipped smile. “Are you sleeping with Danny?”

Wow, she’s forward. “That’s none of your business.”

“It’s not and I shouldn’t be asking, but I just need to know.” Desperation fills her voice. The music is loud, but it audibly pours out of her.

I laugh this time. “If what you really want to ask is if we’re dating, the answer is no.”

She stands straighter, a wave of relief washing over her. “You know we dated for a while. That’s not something you just get over.”

“Was that while you were fucking my boyfriend? Because that’s also something most people don’t get over,” I quip.

Her nostrils flare, face glowing red. “It was a mistake. I didn’t mean to?—”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I genuinely don’t care. You honestly did me a solid. I should’ve left Bryson a long time ago.” I take another swig and spin around, feeling a little irritated, not for me but for Daniel.

“We’re going to work things out,” she adds, but her voice wavers like she’s not sure if she believes it. “He loves me and he’s using you. He’s mad at Bryson and wants to get back at him.”

I was going to keep my mouth shut, but the sheer audacity. Shame needs to be brought back because what the fuck?

“Do you hear yourself?” I scoff. “You’re so pathetic.”

“Excuse me?” She jerks back, staring at me as if I had slapped her across the face. Although I want to, I don’t.

“You heard me. You’re so pathetic.” She wasn’t holding back, so why should I?

“What the hell is wrong with you? It was bad enough you slept with a guy you knew had a girlfriend, but you cheated on a guy who I’m sure treated you like you were his world.

You should be embarrassed.” I huff out a disbelieving laugh.

“I made a mistake,” she grits angrily. “You know nothing about our relationship.”

“You clearly didn’t know enough about yours,” I retort.

Her nostrils flare, jaw clenching. “Fuck you.” She goes to walk away but I stop her.

“Have some decency and leave him alone. You know he’s done with you. I don’t know why you keep showing up and spewing out this bullshit.”

She eyes me up and down then aggravatedly blows out a sharp breath.

“I really do regret it.” She looks dejected but then she perks up and a smug smile splits across her face.

“But whatever. I was the best he’s ever had, and if it’s not with me, it’ll be with someone else.

I doubt you’ll be able to give him what he needs.

Why do you think Bryson did what he did?

Guys like that only put up with girls like you for so long. ”

My stomach dips painfully. Of course Bryson did. I shouldn’t expect anything less from him, but it still hurts, nonetheless.

I say nothing but flip her off as she walks away because there’s no point in arguing or fighting over a guy.

Like Vienna, I refuse to do that. That’s pathetic even though for a brief moment I wanted to slap her.

And I wanted to tell her that that would never happen because I make Daniel happy, he said so.

I’d love to rub our deal in her face, but I’m just the girl he made a deal with if he’s desperate in ten years.

I’m in over my head to assume he’d actually wait. Happiness doesn’t always equate to anything. It’s a fickle feeling.

When I know she’s gone, I chug the rest of my beer. I set it down and ask the bartender for something stronger.

Dying would’ve been easier than feeling what I’m feeling.

The girls come back moments later, but they’re not the only ones who show up.

A few guys circle around us. I think they’re lacrosse players, but I’m not sure nor do I care.

The girls eat up the attention though. I’m happy for them; they should have fun, but I can’t help but think about my feelings for Daniel.

I’ve never wanted anyone more, but I’m scared of what I feel and not being able to understand it.

“So…what’s your name?” one of the guys asks me.

I say nothing, hoping he’ll take the hint.

He laughs, his beer-tinted breath fanning the side of my face. “Oh come on. You’re here, I’m here—let’s get to know one another. I promise not to be weird.”

“You already are.” I take a sip of my drink and suck in a breath as the tequila burns my throat.

“How so?” He stands a little closer and I shouldn’t welcome it but I do. But then I recoil because he doesn’t smell like Daniel, doesn’t look like him either.

“You’re being pushy, you’re too close, and you’re getting on my nerves,” I flatly reply, but he smiles as if I’ve said a joke.

“Drinks on me. What do you say?” He disregards everything I’ve said, stepping a little closer, his gaze falling to my chest. “You can get anything you want.”

“I can pay for my own drinks.”

“Come on. Just give me a few minutes to change your mind.”

“You’re standing too fucking close.” I’m not sure where Daniel came from, but he stands next to me, snaking a protective and secure arm around my waist.