“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” I asked as Teddy dropped back down into the seat next to me and leaned in so our shoulders were touching. He had done that all night, made sure some part of our body was in contact at all times, and I knew it was on purpose. I don’t know why I let him do it. I knew I was giving him some kind of hope that just wasn’t there. I think, in a way, it was comforting after the night I had.
“The talking can wait for a minute.” His hand shot up to signal for our waitress, who was there in under five seconds, giving Teddy a breathy giggle while pushing her chest into his face. It seemed like a few more buttons of her shirt had come undone since he arrived, and she always seemed close by, constantly checking on us.
“First, I think we need a shot.” My eyebrows rose as he gave the waitress our drink order. She lingered for a second longer, obviously hoping that Teddy would pay her some kind of attention, but it stayed trained on me all night.
That was something I wasn’t used to with Teddy anymore. Sure, when we were first married, I seemed to be his life, but after the band started to take off, I sort of took the backseat. It had definitely been something that I had to get used to, and after a while, I just assumed it was a part of the lifestyle.
“Are you trying to get me liquored up or something?” I sat up straight in my chair when one of his fingers hooked a stray piece of hair and pushed it behind my ear. The buzz that I had going on earlier started to wear off, and I knew I really didn’t need to cloud my judgment when I was around Teddy.
“I don’t need to get you liquored up, Ally-Cat. I just figured we could use something to drink. Unless that is, you don’t think you can handle it.”
Oh, he was such an ass.
He knew I hated to be challenged. So when the waitress brought our drinks, I threw my shot back quickly, letting the liquor burn its way down my throat, and slammed the glass on to the table with a rattle. Teddy watched me as I slowly licked my lips, groaning before he picked up his glass and did the same.
“C’mon, let’s dance.”
“I don’t think this is really that kind of place.” I tried to go back in the direction of the table, but his grip didn’t let up, and he was soon pulling me into his arms in a tiny space near the bar.
He touched his lips to my ear as he quietly sang along to the Bruno Mars song that talked about “when I was your man.” It wasn’t really Teddy’s style, but it seemed to be pretty fitting.
We ended up like that for at least three more songs, before he insisted we needed more drinks. Teddy caught me up on everything that had been going on with the band while they finished up their tour, and I couldn’t help but laugh when he pouted at me.
“The bus looks like shit with you gone. Mark and Tyler have the place smelling like dirty old shoes, there’s not a scrap of food to be found, and we’re never on time for anything. The worst part is I don’t get to see your sexy ass every day.”
“That’s not my fault, Teddy.”
“I know, Al.” He dropped his face into his hands before pulling back and raking his hands through his hair. I could see the pain on his face. “Shit, I remind myself of the mess I made every day. I would do anything to erase the mistake.”
“But you can’t,” I reminded him quietly, “and I’m trying to move on. I know that’s hard for you to understand, but we can’t go back to being us. I think I’m ready to go home, Teddy. I’ll call a cab for each of us.”
“Yeah, alright, Al.” He gave me a defeated look and stood up, tugging me gently along with him. “But I’ll drive you back.”
I scrunched my brows at him and shook my head as I pulled out my phone. “Not after everything you’ve been drinking tonight.” And I most definitely didn’t want to share a cab with him. I had a feeling that would just lead to trouble.
He grabbed my phone out of my hand, and tucked it back into my purse before holding his hands out to the side of him. “Ally-Cat, I didn’t drink half of the shit that you did. See.” He walked a straight line from our table, all the way to the door, and turned around to wink at me before grabbing my hand. “Let’s go.”
I let out a sigh, but let me him pull me towards the parking lot. He settled me into the passenger seat of his rental car before slamming the door, and walking around the front with his head hung low. Guilt was eating away at me for being the reason, but I had to keep reminding myself that he was the one that put us into this situation.
I pulled my phone out to check for any messages, and felt even worse when I didn’t see any pop up from Nick. I thought for sure once he got rid of Kara for the night, he would call or at least send me a message explaining that weird encounter. But no. Maybe things weren’t really going in the right direction for us like I thought.
“I’m gonna swing by my hotel real quick. I have something I need to give you before I leave town.” Teddy threw the car into reverse, and I crossed my arms tightly over my chest.