Page 85 of Just Like That
I bit back an annoyed groan and discreetly flagged down a server. After I paid the bill for our group, we made our way outside. Curious glances and whispers were expected given the fact we looked absolutely ridiculous. The walk from Abel’s to the Grudge was only a few minutes up the main road. The sidewalks were narrow, and I found myself shoulder to shoulder with Hazel.
Ahead of us, Veda was still tucked into Royal’s side, and Duke carried a laughing Sylvie piggyback style up the hill.
“So,” Hazel asked as we walked, “how is it?” When I didn’t answer, but just looked confused, she continued with a wry smile. “Relaxing. Havingfun.”
My brows furrowed as I teased her. “Oh, this isn’t fun. This is a pity date. I’m only here because the girls didn’t want you to be a fifth wheel.”
She sputtered a laugh. “Oh, thisdefinitelyisn’t a date. Pity or otherwise.”
I looked down at her and tried not to smile. “No?”
Her eyes flashed up and back down again, and maybe it was wishful thinking, but I could swear her cheeks flushed.
She cleared her throat. “I don’t know. Maybe we’re friends.”
I stopped and turned toward her. The rest of the group kept walking, blissfully unaware that Hazel and I had dropped behind. “Do you think that we’re friends?”
My eyes raked down her neck, and her pulse beat a quick rhythm. I dragged my attention back up, mentally reliving all we’d done together.
Her eyes were wide as she swallowed. Her lips were begging to be kissed. “Aren’t we?” she whispered.
My fingertip dragged down the outside of her arm and slid down the length of her pinkie. “I don’t know what we are, but I’m not surefriendsis going to cut it.”
Three hours,two nonverbal threats for random guys toback the fuck up, and one group rendition of “Sweet Caroline” later, I was fried. All night I had to bite my tongue as I watched loser after loser try to shoot his shot with Hazel. She politely declined each time, but I was still annoyed they even considered themselves in her realm of possibilities.
As a collective, we had laughed all night. Royal had even goaded me enough that I did a pretty decent rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.
Hazel’s grin was worth the humiliation of belting Freddie Mercury in front of the entire town.
When I finished, I was out of breath but coursing with adrenaline.
Hazel cupped her mouth and shouted. “Encore!”
With a deep bow, I waved to the cheering crowd and hopped off the small stage.
Veda’s eyes were huge.
“What?” I asked, breathless.
She laughed. “I am very rarely surprised, but you shocked the hell out of me tonight.”
I shrugged. “I guess that makes two of us.”
Hazel’s eyes were bright, and she was still grinning. I shot her a wink and smiled at her.
With an exaggerated sigh, I held out my hand to Royal. “Well, there’s no topping that. I’m going to call it a night.”
He gripped my hand. “You sure, man? That was incredible!”
I shook my head. “Always gotta go out on a high note.”
He pulled me into a hug and thumped his hand on my back twice.
After saying good night to Veda, Sylvie, and Duke, I turned my attention to Hazel, dipping my chin and holding out my hand for her. “Good night.”
Her brown eyes widened as her palm slipped into mine. I could feel the eyes of my family as they waited for her response. Red splotches bloomed on her neck under my attention.
After gently releasing her hand, I had turned and was striding toward the exit when she called out, “Hey! JP, wait up!”