Page 16 of That Last Secret
I pause for a moment because the idea of letting loose makes me uneasy. I force a smile in her direction despite feeling like this is a bad idea.
“Let’s do it.”
We settle on a bar that’s only two blocks from my apartment. I use the term bar loosely because the atmosphere of this place feels more like a club. They have a live DJ tonight, packed with people on spring break.
“This place is the best,” Brooke shouts over the music.
I take a sip of my vodka club and give her a nod.
I’m so thankful to have a friend like Brooke, who understands me enough to know I needed this more than I thought. I needed to leave my tiny apartment and feel this energy for a while.
I needed to get out of my head.
The music is pumping, and I feel the vibrations through every part of me. I can’t help but sway from side to side as I sip my drink. It’s kind of a freeing feeling to not have to worry about anything outside of these walls.
I’ve already decided that I will not be letting my anxiety get the best of me tonight.
“Oh, look.” Brooke points to the other side of the bar. “It’s Mason.”
I look toward where she’s pointing and notice Mason is, in fact, standing at a high-top table with a few other guys.
Brooke and I mostly know him from work, but my stomach does a somersault when I remember that Mason is one of Logan’s coworkers.
In fact, the entire table is full of police officers.
Is Logan working tonight?
Is he going to be here? Is he already here?
No. Please, no. I don’t want another run in with him. I was just starting to feel the effects of the vodka kicking in, and I don’t want him bringing me down from my high.
Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit.
It’s not that seeing him would bring me down from my high. Being around him makes me more nervous than not lately, especially when I don’t know what version of Logan I’ll get when I come face-to-face with him.
Will I get the Logan who sees me and scowls?
Or will I finally get a glimpse of the old Logan who used to smile at me.
The Logan I had a crush on years ago.
It’s a mystery every time.
Mason turns his head as if he can feel Brooke pointing at him. His smile grows wide as he waves us over to them.
She grabs my wrist without another word, holding it tight, and weaves us through the crowd until we get to their table. I down the last of my drink in one gulp before we reach their table. Brooke comes to a complete stop without warning, and I practically collide with her back.
Two drinks in, and I’m already unsteady on my feet.
A downfall for not being a heavy drinker.
My eyes sweep the table, and I realize Logan is not here. His partner, Silas, however, stands in the corner, texting on his phone.
“Em, did you hear me?” Brooke says, snapping my attention back to her. “Did you want another drink? Mason is going to grab us a round.”
I’m not sure I like this at all. Everything about being at this table with these guys feels off. I stuff down my urge to leave and finally offer Mason a tight nod. “I’d love a vodka club.”
“You got it, ladies.” He winks toward Brooke before heading for the bar.