“I messed up.” It’s all I can think to say. “Just like I always do.”
“Everyone messes up, Tristan. It’s how we deal with the mess ups that define us.” Her attention returns to the road as she makes a turn down a side street. “You chose to dump the drugs because you knew it was the best thing for you to do.”
“And because of Avery,” I add without any forethought.
“Yes, with Avery’s little push, you did make that choice, and I love her for it. But, in the end, it was your choice, Tristan. You made it. All by yourself.”
“Yeah, but now I’m supposed to, what? Just overpay the dumbass neighbor for drugs I didn’t even do because he threatened me? Because I don’t want to.”
“Then don’t.” She downshifts as she slows down to pull into the packed parking lot of The Vibe. Almost all of the spaces are filled, and there are vehicles even lined up against the curb.
“Jesus, there’s a ton of people here tonight,” Nova mutters as she cranes the steering wheel, maneuvering the car into a compact space near the back door employees enter the bar through.
After she shifts into park, she revolves in her seat to face me. “Here’s what we’re going to do. When you get home, we’ll all pile in what money we can afford. Then Quinton and you will go over there, give the guy his hundred dollars, and tell him that’s all he’s getting.”
“I don’t want you or Quinton involved in this.” I unclick my seatbelt and let it unwind. “This is my problem.”
“You’re our friend, so it’s our problem.” When I open my mouth to argue with her, she cuts me off. “Tristan, whether you’ll admit it or not, you helped out Quinton and me in the past, so now we’re going to help you.”
I roll my eyes. “More like the other way around.” I reach for the door handle to get out, but her fingers enclose around my elbow before I can get anywhere.
“That day on the roof with Quinton, when you forgave him and thanked him for saving your life… You helped save him, Tristan. And you never blamed him for what happened to your sister, and he needed that.”
“Yeah, well…” Yeah, well, what, Tristan? What is your arguing point on this one?
“Good, then we have an agreement.” As her fingers leave my arm, she sits back in her seat.
“I’m going to pay you guys back every penny.” I flip the handle and push the door open. “I promise, Nova. I don’t want to be that guy with you two—the one who gets into debt over drugs.”
She smiles tolerantly, and I know it’s going to be a pain in the ass paying her back, but I will do it because I need to do it, need to be better than the old me.
“I’ll pick you up at one.”
“Thanks, Nova.” I climb out and step into the busy sounds of the people and bustle. Avery was right when she said Friday nights were intense—there are so many people waiting to get in, the line winds around the building. “And I mean that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiles as I close the door then she backs away.
I make my way down the alleyway toward the back door, smoking my last cigarette for the next couple of hours. Once I’m inside, I clock in then stop by the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face, trying to shake off what happened; not just with the neighbor, but with Nova. I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t want them getting involved in my problems, but a part of me is grateful I’m not alone in this, like I have been for years.
It’s going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay. This isn’t like the last time you got yourself into a mess.
I exit the bathroom and start down the hallway, stopping just short of the bar. If I thought the noise outside was intense outside, it’s nothing compared to the inside. Music is booming through the stereo system and people are packed from wall to wall. The only gap of space is behind the bar where Avery and Charissa are working like crazy to fill drink orders.
Like magnets, my eyes lock on Avery. She’s wearing a tight, white tank top and cut off denim shorts. Purple strands of her hair frame her face while the rest is pulled up into a loose knot on the back of her head. I can see the tip of the tree tattoo peeking out from her shirt. Every time she bends over to grab a beer from the cooler, her shorts ride up and her ass cheeks peek out of the bottom, giving me a good glimpse of that flower tattoo on the back of her thigh. It’s a nice ass. A really, really nice ass. Perfect enough to give me an instant hard on. God, the things I could do to that ass.
I probably stand there a little too long, admiring the view, before I push my way through the crowd and toward the front door. I end up taking an unnecessary route behind the bar, so I can stop by and say hi to Avery.
As I move up behind her, I find myself oddly nervous as the desire I felt earlier pours through me like a lethal dose of heroin.
While I’m checking her out, resisting the urge to grab Avery’s ass and kiss her neck, Charissa glances over her shoulder at me. She gives me a quick wink and a discreet glance in Avery’s direction, as if giving me her approval. For what exactly, I’m not sure, but I have a couple of ideas. Why I react on these ideas, I have no clue. Maybe it’s because I’m horny as hell and haven’t had any in months. Or perhaps it’s that I’m attracted to Avery more than I have been to anyone else. Or maybe it’s just the simple fact that I want to touch her, get close to her, breathe her in, just have her anyway she’ll let me.
Dipping my mouth close to Avery’s ear, my fingers graze the sliver of skin between her shirt and shorts. “Hey,” I whisper.
“Holy fucking shit!” She jumps, dropping the bottle opener and spinning around. Her eyes are wide, her lips parted, and she’s breathing wildly. “Jesus,” she breathes, pressing her hand to her ravenous chest. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry,” I apologize, but then I bust up laughing.
She narrows her eyes at me. “You think it’s funny?”
“Yeah. You would, too, if you saw the look on your face.” My laughter silences as I realize how close we are. Our chests are pressed together and our hips could easily grind against each other’s like they did in the alleyway. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to say hi.”
“Hi,” she says then shoos me away. “Now go away. You’re throwing me off my game.”