I’m not sure I believe her, but what am I going to do? Demand she lay her wounds out for me? We barely know each other. It should be said, I want her to. I really do. I’d hold them with the care they deserve. But that’s not the kind of shit you say to a girl you’re most definitely not pursuing.
She starts typing again. Those three little dots go on so long I think it’s a mistake until her next message pops up.
Nurse Bridget
If I’ve made things complicated for you with Gabe, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he was interviewing with the Wildcats. We didn’t end things on the best of terms, but you shouldn’t be punished for that. I sent him a text tonight and told him there was nothing going on between us.
Nothing going on between us. I read the words a dozen times, hating them a little more each time.
I did wonder if she’d known that Gabe was up for the job. Not that it’d matter now. What’s done is done. And I don’t regret any of it. Well, maybe one thing. I wish I’d punched the guy like I wanted to outside of Wild’s. I could have gotten away with it then, but not now. From here on out I need to play nice, whether I like it or not.
15
CLUB MIDNIGHT
BRIDGET
“Come in,” I say after a knock on my door Sunday evening.
Everly pokes her head in tentatively and smiles. “Are you busy?”
“No, just finishing up.” I take off my glasses and sit up straight on the bed where I’ve been hunched over my notes from class for the past…shit, three hours.
My roommate comes in and shuts the door, then takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “I haven’t seen you all day.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been studying for finals and catching up on homework all day. Every one of my professors doubled homework after Friday’s snow day.”
“I know. Like it was our fault that we got two feet of snow.” She laughs softly and I join in. “So that’s the only reason, then?” she asks with concerned eyes.
Crap. I don’t want to lie to her, but I’m not sure how to explain everything she’ll want to know if we start talking about Gabe and what happened last night either.
“I promise it’s nothing you guys did.”
“You seemed really upset last night after running into your ex. I’m not going to pry, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here. I know a thing or two about shitty ex-boyfriends.”
My throat constricts at her words. It’s the most perfect thing she could have said. It’s been so long since I’ve had a friend offer that up. A sympathetic ear and the consideration and space to process things by myself first. I know some of that’s my fault for letting those friendships slip away, but I won’t take it for granted again. I won’t lie, though, it’s hard to think about confiding in anyone. Gabe is an asshole, but I’m still afraid that people will hear the whole story and think I was being silly or blowing things out of proportion. I never want anyone to take Gabe’s side over mine. So it’s easier not to give them a chance to take mine either.
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Lane’s over. We’re going to watch a movie. Join us and save me from being the third wheel?”
“I wish I could.” I chuckle softly, loosening the anxiety that’s sat on my chest all day. “I’m going to finish up and then go to sleep early. Another night.”
“Okay.” She stands and goes to the door. “We’re going out for my birthday on Friday. I know you usually use Friday night to catch up on sleep, but I’d love it if you came with us.”
“Where are you going?”
“Club Midnight. Have you heard of it?”
“Yeah, of course.” The new dance club opened a few weeks ago and everyone has been talking about it.
“Is anyone else coming?” I fidget with the edge of my notebook so I don’t have to look Everly in the eye while she replies.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t invite the guys. It’s girls only. Me, Grace, and hopefully you.”
“Not even Lane or Tyler?”
“Especially not them. Grace would be off making out in the corner all night, and Tyler, well I love him, but I’d love to have one night out where people in this town aren’t fawning over him like he’s the greatest thing ever.”
“Okay, yeah. I get that.”
“So, you’ll think about it?”
“I don’t need to think about it. Of course, I’ll come.”
The giant smile on her face makes me glad I said yes. She’s a good friend. Or at least I think she could be if I let her.
Friday night I wake up from a nap to voices in the living room. Last night’s shift at the hospital was awful. The quiet shifts are always the worst and last night there were no surgeries, no new patients, nothing to occupy my time or keep my thoughts off the run-in with Gabe and the texts with Ash. Classes are done for the semester, so I didn’t even have homework to busy myself. Staying awake all night was torture. But tonight, we’re celebrating Everly’s birthday and tomorrow I’m driving home to spend a couple of relaxing weeks with my family for Christmas break.
I get up and throw on a sweatshirt over my tank and shorts, then head out to the kitchen. My eyes are bleary and half-closed when I come up short.
“Hey!” Everly exclaims. “They didn’t wake you up, did they?”
My gaze scans over the five men standing in our small kitchen. Tyler, Leo, Declan, Jack, and Ash all look at me. Five hot hockey players in my house looking at me expectantly. I raise a hand in greeting.
“It’s fine. It was time for me to get up anyway.” I shuffle over to Grace, intending to hide in solidarity with her, another mere mortal in this small space of ridiculously beautiful people, but the joke’s on me. “Wow. You look stunning.”
“Thanks.” She smiles bashfully. She’s in a tiny black dress that shows off her long legs and perky boobs. Her hair is all done in big waves and her makeup somehow makes her eyes three times as big.
And I look like I just rolled out of bed. Because I did.
Now that I get a good look at Everly, she’s already dressed up for tonight too. Her dress is red, and her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail. She has on less makeup than Grace but some eyeliner and red lipstick perfect the look.
I’m second-guessing the club tonight. I’d planned to wear jeans and a cute shirt.
“Sorry about waking you,” Tyler says to me, then wraps an arm around his sister’s shoulders. “This one wouldn’t let me throw her a party tonight, so I had to drop by to give my little sister her birthday present.”
“That explains the giant basket of candy and liquor on the counter,” I say. And wow, it really is giant. So many different kinds of goodies.
Everly pulls out a bottle of champagne and points to the label. Nonalcoholic. I fight a grin as she rolls her eyes.
“You guys know I drink sometimes. There’s literally wine in our fridge right now. I’m twenty, not twelve. I can handle myself.”