A couple days later Audrey stood in the middle of the crowded bar, waiting for Piper. Her friend had disappeared to the bathroom again, leaving Audrey to be hit on by every single male in the bar. It figured. Before, she couldn’t get a guy to look at her twice, but now that she was completely and utterly in love with Tate, everyone wanted a piece of her. She missed Tate so much and hated that he wasn’t there, but he had promised to call her a few minutes before the new year began, so they could at least be on the phone together when the clock struck twelve. Moving into a seat, she took her phone out of her purse to text him.
I miss you.
When he didn’t answer, she frowned. Surely he didn’t fall asleep. That would just suck, she thought as she put the phone down in her lap. When Piper returned, Audrey smiled. She was decked out for the evening, and Audrey was glad that Piper had invited her out. “Gosh, this place is packed,” Piper complained as she scooted into the seat beside hers.
“Well yeah, it is New Year’s Eve,” Audrey explained as she looked around the crowded bar, then at her gorgeous date for the evening. “So how have you been?” she asked.
Piper had been working and taking care of Allison, which was why Audrey hadn’t seen her much lately. It wasn’t as if she had much time herself either, between Tate and looking at places for the cupcakery. It was weird because she used to have all the time in the world.
“Okay, you know, I’ve been busy,” Piper said with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Well that sucks. I’ve been busy, too.”
“Yeah, I know. I bet you are excited, though. I am so proud of you for quitting Rocky Top and doing something that means something to you,” Piper said with a warm smile.
“Thanks,” Audrey said with a nod. “I’m glad I did, I’m so ready to get Audrey Jane’s up and running, you know?”
“I bet it’s going to be epic! I just know it.”
Audrey grinned widely as Piper took a sip of her water. “Are you sure you don’t want to drink with me? I can get us a cab, no big deal.”
Piper shook her head quickly. “Nah, I’m good. I haven’t been up to drinking lately. My stomach hasn’t been right. I think I caught that stomach bug that’s going around. Allison had it last week.”
“Oh, that sucks.”
“Yeah, I’ve been queasy, but there was no way I was missing New Year’s with my girl.”
Audrey smiled. “I’m glad you convinced me to come out. I was gonna sit at home and be depressed ’cause my boyfriend wasn’t here.”
Piper giggled. “No moping, my dear friend.”
“Nope! Only a good time!”
The two women clinked their glasses together, and while Audrey downed her margarita, Piper sipped her water. The rest of the night, they danced and drank and enjoyed themselves. When it was close to twelve, they made their way down Broadway until they were in a good place to watch Nashville’s version of the ball drop. It was a music note, and at the stroke of midnight, it fell onto a guitar. Then the river would light up with fireworks as everyone sang and kissed their date for the night, or maybe a random stranger. It still bothered Audrey that Tate wasn’t there, but it would be okay. He promised he would call. That’s all she could hope for.
She hadn’t heard his voice all day, they’d only been talking through texts. He had texted that it had been a busy day in Chicago, with practice and preparing for the game. She had her phone in hand now, waiting for Tate’s call so she could tell him she loved and missed him and to wish him a Happy New Year. Looking over at Piper, she found her friend waving her arms in the air like a crazy person.
“What the hell are you doing?” Audrey asked.
Piper giggled. “My arms are freezing!”
Audrey laughed, nodding as she moved her hands up and down her arms. “I know, right? Sheesh.”
Piper moved closer to her, probably for warmth, and Audrey said, “So, have you been talking to anyone?”