That night, after Ava’s birthday festivities died down and she was tucked in safely for the night at grandma and grandpa’s the five friends ventured into Luke’s truck. Once a month, on Cara’s weekend off, they made it their business to go out for a few drinks, leaving Riverdale behind them. This would be the first time in six years that Nick would be with them. When Jake had first brought it up to him, he was skeptical since Jake and Cara were the ones responsible for choosing where they went, he made Jake solemnly swear they didn’t take him to a Swingers Club. For none other than the look that would adorn Nick’s face, Jake wanted to do just that, but refrained. Instead Cara had found a karaoke club in a town about an hour away.
Jake offered to drive, to give Luke free reign to cut loose, being as he seldom did. He waited as everyone piled into the car. Cara and Sam climbed into the second row, while Luke sprawled out in the third, completely taken advantage of responsibility free night. Jake was fiddling around with the GPS when Nick got into the passenger seat. “You know how to set this thing up?” He said, handing him a Post-It with the address to where they were going written sloppily on it.
Nick stared at the piece of paper, trying to determine what it said and looked back at Jake. “Are you serious? I can’t read this shit.”
Jake rolled his eyes as he started the car. Cara leaned over the console and grabbed the paper from Nick’s hand and looked down briefly before punching in the address. Nick looked at her and then at Jake. “You can’t possibly read that.”
Cara didn’t say a word, she just hit begin route on the GPS and sat back in her seat. Jake held back a smile and Nick mumbled. “Two idiots.”
The first hour of their drive they went around in circles on the interstate. On and off, u turns galore. Jake was two seconds away from throwing the GPS out the window. His electric cigarette dangling out of his mouth as he let out a stream of curses, that if his mother was there she’d shove a bar of Ivory soap in his mouth.
“Jake just pull over.” Nick grunted and Jake did just that. He couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t follow directions well, and when he did it always backfired in his face. He and Nick switched seats and, re-routed the GPS. A half hour later, Nick pulled, into the parking lot of the bar. Jake was never more happy to get out of a car before in his life. Instantly he lit up a cigarette, like it was his salvation.
Sam squealed in delight, grabbing him, pulling him towards the bar. “I love karaoke!” She exclaimed excitedly.
“You sing?” Nick asked, walking into the bar behind her.
“Yeah, she’s great too.” Jake rolled his eyes, mocking her. “Sounds like a fog horn.”
“Hey,” Sam nudged her brother defensively. “I’ve gotten better.”
“I’m sorry, sis. You’re right.” He looked at Nick. “She’s got the voice of an angel.” He leaned over and whispered to him. “If they sell ear plugs, do yourself a favor, and invest in a pair.” Nick laughed and eyed Sam.
The club was decently packed, with people letting loose and having a good time. Luke grabbed them a table close to the stage. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Alright, so who’s drinking, what?”
“Uh oh, he’s cutting loose.” Cara teased. “If we get him drunk enough, he may even sing.”
Luke laughed, “I don’t know about that. Take a beautiful woman home? Now that’s a strong possibility.” He said as he glanced around at his prospects. Jake smiled as he watched his brother. He remembered this side of Luke. He hadn’t seen it in a really long time, since before Ava, actually, before Marie. When Luke had become serious with Marie, there were seldom nights that she wasn’t with them when they went out. The nights that they did manage to go out without her, Luke, was always the designated driver. Nobody did responsible, quite, like Luke. He never looked upset with his life or his responsibilities. Jake admired him for that.
“You doing a shot, Nick?” Jake hollered over all the noise.
“Sure.” He said as he next to him at Sam. “So when do I get to hear you sing?”
“That depends.” She looked at him, challengingly. “Will you sing with me?”
“You have a better chance of seeing Jesus Christ walk through the door, and request a duet with you.” Nick said and she shrugged her shoulders.
“Your loss, Foti.”
The shot girl came back to their table with ten shots of whiskey.
“Shit’s going down tonight.” Jake exclaimed, passing around the shots. He let his fingertips linger when he handed one to Cara.
“Nick, you really should’ve let him drive. He’s going to get buck wild now.” Cara said as Jake wiggled his eyebrows, agreeing.
Luke raised his shot glass. “Alright, let’s do this. To a good night.”
“To Luke, getting laid.” Jake added. They laughed and downed the shot. “Woo!” Jake said, slamming his empty glass down, already, reaching for the second. He raised the glass and waited for them to join him. “Come on guys!” They lifted the glasses. “To breaking down walls.” He said as he stared directly into Cara’s hazy eyes.
None of them understood that one, but they drank to it anyway. Jake grabbed Cara’s hand.
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?” She said as he dragged her to the stage. “Oh, no. Jake! I’m not ready, yet.” But she had no choice they were on the stage before she could say another word. Jake grabbed the microphone.