I smiled and sat up. “Hey. You look nice.”
She wore an extremely low cut, extremely tight black dress. It looked painted it on. I wasn’t used to seeing quite that much of her, but I wasn’t exactly complaining. Oakley would never wear anything like that. It wasn’t her style, and she certainly didn’t need to do anything to get herself noticed.
Chelsea laughed and slapped my shoulder playfully, running her hand down my arm. “Thanks. You look the same as earlier!”
“Yeah, I should get changed.” I got up and grabbed a pair of jeans and black shirt. Usually I would change in my room but Chelsea sat on the bed, clearly going nowhere. She’s a great girl but was becoming more forward, and I didn’t want to lead her on.
I walked back in my room after changing in the bathroom to get Chelsea and go downstairs to safety. Kerry and Ben would be here soon. She was lounging on my bed as if it was hers. Make yourself at home. “We should wait downstairs; they’ll be here in a minute,” I said, nodding towards the door.
“Sure.” She swung her legs off the bed and pushed herself up.
Sighing, I followed her downstairs. Thankfully, my parents were out to dinner, and Mia was probably trying to get Leona to sleep.
“They’re here,” Chelsea said, peering out of the window. Good. Kerry was sitting in the back of the car. It was as if she knew I wanted to escape any awkward scene with Chelsea because she rarely let me have the front seat.
“Ready to get smashed?” Kerry said the second I was in the car.
“Beyond ready,” I replied. I wanted to get so off my face I couldn’t even remember Oakley’s name.
We walked into the club, and I headed straight for the bar with Ben. After ordering a beer, Coke, glass of wine and a disgusting blue WKD, Ben and I carried the drinks to the table the girls had managed to get. It was still quite early, so the club wasn’t very full yet, still there weren’t any free tables now.
Chelsea shot me another flirtatious look and sipped her WKD. She knew that I didn’t want more than friendship from her; I had made that clear. Did she think I would change my mind if she showed off more skin?
The few dates I had been on since Oakley had ended in fuck all. I felt as if I were cheating, which pissed me off so much because she was the one that left me behind. Oakley left me, and I felt like I couldn’t see anyone else.
Everyone told me to move on – everyone but Kerry, anyway. She wanted me to wait for Oakley. ‘When the time is right you’ll be reunited and live happily ever after’, she told me multiple times. I knew that was crap, but I couldn’t help hoping.
Three beers, two JDs and Coke, and five shots later, I was wasted. The women were more attractive, and I wasn’t a pathetic mess waiting for someone that had fucked off and was staying fucked off.
“Cole,” Chelsea slurred, gripping my arm to hold herself up. “Come dance with me?”
I shook my head. “No. I like the bar.” I slumped against the wooden counter and raised my hand for the bartender. “Double JD and Coke, please. Want anything, Chels?”
“No thanks.” She huffed and spun around, storming off.
“What’re you laughing at?” Ben asked, sitting down on the stool next to me.
I waved my hand. “Don’t worry.” My body was heavy. I hadn’t been so dunk in a while.
“Drinking your problems away.” Ben shook his head. “You have to face the problem. Head on.”
“You’re right, man. I’m pathetic.”
He sighed. “True. You either need to get over her or go get her.”
“I can’t do the first one ’cause I love her,” I said, waving my finger at him to try and make him understand. “I’m going to America.”
“Australia,” he corrected.
Laughing, I shook my head. The room span making me feel sick.
“She’s in Australia.” I frowned. “That’s not funny actually. You know why?” I waited for his reply. He rolled his eyes and gestured with his hand for me to continue. “Because I love her, and you know what you do when you love someone? You follow them to Australia. I’m right, right?”
“Yes, Cole, you’re right,” he muttered.
“I knew it!” I said, slamming my fist down on the bar. “Alright, let’s go.”
“Whoa.” Ben grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “You need to sober up first. I’m taking you home to bed.” I swayed and gripped the bar. “No more alcohol for you. We need to find the girls and get you home.”
Kerry and Chelsea were dancing at the edge of the dance floor. They looked possessed, throwing their arms up in the air. I chuckled. They were drunk too. Chelsea looked over and rubbed her body against some stranger behind her. I shrugged. Trying to make me jealous wasn’t going to work.
“We’re leaving,” Ben shouted over the music. Chelsea glared. The random behind her moved over, grabbing another girl.