Beautiful Misery

“What can I get you?” The cute bartender asked.

“Shots. Lots and lots of shots.”

Laughing, she said, “We talking hard shit or something pink and girly?”

Looking back at the door I had just walked out of I said, “Hardest shit you got.”

Raising her eyebrows she grabbed a shot glass and a bottle of tequila. “Guessing you’re having men problems?”

Huffing I replied, “Fuck ‘em. No wait, that’s my problem. I can’t stop doin’ that.” Reaching for the filled shot glass I looked at the bartender. “And now you think I’m a whore, awesome.”

Smiling she said, “Honey, I can’t judge you. I got pregnant in high school, my family disowned me, my baby’s father was killed in Iraq and his family hates me.”

Swallowing the liquid I shoved the glass back to her and said, “Here, maybe you need a shot too. By the way, my name is Cobie. Not that that is important.”

Filling the glass she slid it back to me. “Drink up, this ones on me. And my name is Annie.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Forcing my eyes open I grabbed my phone. What the hell? What time was it?

8:00 A.M. my phone was blinking at me. Dragging my butt out of bed I tossed my suitcase onto the bed. I was still sore and being sore made me think of Gage. I shouldn’t be thinking of him. He was just for one night. I blame the tequila. Stupid alcohol.

Coffee. I needed coffee. That would make everything better.

Shuffling around the bed, thankfully I looked in the mirror. I looked like a zombie that had been mauled by another zombie. First, I needed to shower. Then coffee.

Stumbling into the bathroom I sat down on the toilet I heard a knock on my door then Evie’s excited voice breaking through the silence. “Weady? We go shopping! I be two!”

Pulling my panties up just as Evie busted through the door, I smiled. “Shh, Aunt Co has a headache. Let me get a hot shower and coffee then we can go shopping.”

“Otay. Wub you.” Evie wrapped her arms around my legs before turning and running out of the room.

I loved that silly little girl.

After getting a shower I felt a million times better. I wandered downstairs, Jenna had insisted I stay at her mom’s house. Looking into the living room I saw a very happy Jenna and Larkin watching their daughter playing on the floor.

“Hey, Evie Grace! Are you ready to go shopping? Aunt Co has a lot of toys to buy and just a little time to do it. Your birthday party is tomorrow and we have a lot to do today.”

Evie jumped off the floor, ran to Larkin and kissed his cheek, “Bye bye daddy. Me get wotsa toys!”

Larkin laughed at Evie before kissing Jenna and rubbing her stomach. Jenna smiled at Larkin and whispered something in his ear before getting off his lap and lifting a very excited Evie into her arms.

“Ok babygirl, let’s go. Mommy is already exhausted.”

After our day of shopping, I agreed to have dinner with Jenna’s family. They made me feel at home, feel like I was family.

Feeling tiny hands rubbing my cheek, I opened my eyes and was met with the cutest little face.

“My pawty today! Wet’s go!” Evie squealed, clapping her hands.

Grabbing her, I pulled her into the bed and gave her a big hug. “I can’t believe you’re almost two! Before I know it you will be all grown up. Then what will I do? You’re going to be my best girl, until forever, right?” I asked as I kissed her cheek.

Evie rolled her eyes and sighed, “I be best girl tiwa I has boyfwiend.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I love this kid.

“Ok, but no boys until you’re married.”

Evie smiled, “Tay. Tan we go now?”

“I can’t tell the birthday princess no, can I?”

Evie shook her head hard. “No!”

“Ok then, let’s go.”

Taking a quick shower, I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me. I forgot my clothes in the room I had been staying in. Cracking the door open I peeked out. Nobody. Fully opening the door I took a step out and just as I looked down to check my towel I smacked into the wall. The wall caused me to lose my balance. Starting to fall backwards, I flailed my arms in the air. Attempting to grab anything to catch myself. Sucking in my breath when I felt arms wrapping around my waist, setting me upright and that deep voice in my ear.

“Woah, there gorgeous. Trying to pull off the Matrix?”

I felt myself shiver and not from the cool air. But from that cool, smooth voice. Struggling to find my words I wrapped my arms around my falling towel. This wasn’t embarrassing or anything. Forcing a smile I turned to find Gage, leaning against the wall. A knowing smirk on his gorgeous face.

Asstwat.

“Actually, that damn wall came out of nowhere and tried to kill me.” I flung my hand towards the wall and forced a laugh.

Smooth, Cobie. Really smooth.

“Good thing I was here. I just saved your life from the killer wall. Guess you owe me now.”

Instantly I dropped my eyes to the dark hardwood floor. No guy had ever made me nervous like this.

Running my foot along the lines of two wood floor boards I mumbled, “Yeah, I guess. Now that I’m safe, I need to get ready. See you at the party.”

Shouldering past Gage, I felt my cheeks heating.

“Cobie, wait. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Just trying to make you smile. I love your smile.” Gage reached up and ran the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “Gorgeous.”

One night. One night. One night. It was just a one night thing. No more.

I had to keep reminding myself he was a one night thing. Nothing more, nothing less. We had our one night. Now it was time to tuck it into my insanely sexy memories and move on.

I knew he was in love with Jenna. Hell, even Stevie Wonder could see that. No matter how attracted to him I was, I couldn’t be second best. I couldn’t be the other girl. And, from what I had heard from my brother and Jenna and seen on T.V. and in magazines, Gage was a man whore. He used woman. He only wanted sex and the occasional arm candy at an event. I couldn’t be arm candy. I wouldn’t be arm candy. I don’t think he had used me that night but I had used him. That was bad enough. He had tried to stop me. Stop us. But I pushed him. I wanted it. I wanted him. Just one time.

Looking at him now, I could see the emptiness in his eyes. His ice blue eyes were dull, void of emotion. The only time I saw his eyes light up was when he saw Jenna. I wasn’t and never would be Jenna. Gage and I had sexual chemistry but, emotionally we were both unavailable. I couldn’t be who he wanted and he couldn’t be the guy I wanted.

Why did I always go for the players? The men who only want one thing from women, the ones who always hurt me?

“Gage, stop please. I can’t do this. I don’t want games. The other night was…it was satisfying- but we both know this is going nowhere.” Forcing myself to turn away I opened my bedroom door.

Gage’s strained voice stopped me, “I’ll see you at the party, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” I smiled over my shoulder before closing the door.

Dropping my towel on the bed I grabbed the bikini I was planning on wearing under my simple cotton, strapless dress.

Once I was dressed and had my hair pulled back into a messy bun, I slipped on my flip flops and made my way to the beach. I promised Jenna I would help her set everything up for the party.

“About time you got your cute little ass down here,” Jenna joked.

“Damn woman! When did you get down here? I told you I would help. I didn’t know I would need to be down here at the ass crack of dawn.”

Jenna pursed her lips. “I have only been down here an hour or so. I made your brother help carry