I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to grin and bear it. I wanted to go home but Mays insisted that I needed to make a point. Show the world that Riley Walker wasn’t down for the count.
“Total assholes. She’s off my Christmas card list,” Maysie yelled in my ear while I purposefully looked anywhere but in the direction of my ex-boyfriend. I grit my teeth, trying really hard not to give into the almost overwhelming urge to channel my inner Incredible Hulk and start flipping tables.
“Do you even have a Christmas card list?” I asked her. Maysie snorted.
“Well, no, but bitch wouldn’t be on it,” she muttered, finishing off her third Long Island Iced Tea. I saw the telltale signs of inebriation overtake her. Maysie was a drinker. A partier by nature. Miss Social Butterfly. Which was perfect for the lifestyle she now found herself in, being the card carrying girlfriend of one hot-astic drummer of the crazily popular Generation Rejects. But the truth was I just couldn’t keep up. When it came to boozing and doing it up crazy style, I was still on the first lap.
“I appreciate you going all vengeful she-beast, but it’s unnecessary. This girl can fight her own battles,” I assured her chugging my soda before slamming the glass down on the bar top. I grabbed my apron and order pad. “I think I’m going to head home. I’m exhausted,” I said, wanting nothing more than a hot bath and the huge bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups sitting in the pantry.
Maysie grabbed my upper arm and gave me a yank. For such a scrawny girl, she had some serious upper body strength. “Excuse me? Is there a reason you’re digging your nails into my flesh?” I pinched my lips together, trying not to get annoyed.
“You’re not going anywhere. You promised you’d come to Garrett’s with me. Don’t you dare puss out on me! What happened to unleashing your inner bad girl?” she asked, though she wisely loosened her grip.
“My inner bad girl is being punched in the throat by my inner sensible girl who has had about all she can stomach of this scene for one night,” I told her, handing my empty glass to Lyla.
“Heading home all ready, Riley? You are looking pretty washed out.” My shoulders stiffened and I saw Maysie’s lips purse together.
“And you’ve never been able to stop the stupid shit that comes out of your mouth, so I say we’re both having a crappy evening,” I snarled, giving Jaz my best say one more word and you die look. Jaz’s answering laugh was fake and slightly nervous and was akin to nails on a chalkboard. I was really tempted to tear her hair out. But flicking my eyes over to my traitorous ex who was watching our exchange somewhat anxiously, I knew without a doubt that the douch bag wasn’t worth a chick fight.
“Fuck off, Jaz,” Maysie piped in. Jaz’s eyes widened and I could see she was hurt by the curt tone in Maysie’s voice. Jaz and Maysie had always been friends. But what Miss Sloppy Seconds didn’t understand was my roommate’s loyalties ran deep where I was concerned. You mess with me, you mess with Maysie Ardin. We were a rag tag duo.
“I’m only worried about her, Mays. I didn’t mean anything by it,” Jaz backpedaled. I snorted and shook my head, letting Maysie know she didn’t need to jump into this particular fight. Because I was hanging up the gloves. Some things weren’t worth the hassle.
I turned in my stool, purposefully giving Jaz and Dumbass Damien my back. “I think I will come after all. Even if I’m looking a little washed out,” I said with a grin. Maysie smiled back.
“I guess I’ll see you guys later,” Jaz said but Maysie and I ignored her. She finally got the point and slinked back to the booth where Damien was watching. I didn’t even bother to look in his direction.