“Fine.” I couldn’t lie to them, but I could definitely omit some parts. “I’m going out to dinner with a girl from school and maybe do something after.”
“Hot damn. Has the girl actually made a sane decision?” Kassie walked into the room with a beer in hand. She moseyed over to the worn, leather couch and sat. “I’m kind of proud of you.”
“Honestly, I got suckered into it somehow.” The worst part was that I hadn’t been completely dreading it.
“Good.” Mona sat next to Kassie and grabbed the remote. “I hope she suckers you into more. You need friends and to have a life.”
“Why do I need anyone else when I have you two?” They were the only ones I was letting into my life this close, and really, I didn’t have much control over a decision with them. They’d taken care of me and had become the parents I needed. I would’ve been in foster care without them.
“That’s very sweet but very worrisome.” Mona pointed at me. “We’re in our mid-forties. You just became an adult. You need friends that are closer to your age.”
“So, is this how you’re breaking up with me?” I loved ragging them.
“Hell, no.” Kassie waved me off. “We’re saying you need to add to your circle, not take away from it.”
“Well, see, I’m going out tonight.’ I glanced at my phone. She should be here in ten minutes. “I better go outside and wait for her.” They knew I was strange when it came to boundaries, and right now I didn’t want her to come in. That seemed too much for me at the moment.
“Fine, stay out late and have fun,” Kassie hollered as I shut the door.
Those ladies were crazy sometimes.
I paused and took a deep breath. My nerves were running everywhere. Being nervous made me anxious.
Forcing my legs to move, I stumbled outside to wait for Ella to show up, which should have been any second. It wasn’t long before a dark red Corolla pulled up right in front of me.
Ella rolled the window down and grinned. “Come on. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
“Yeah, okay.” I climbed into her car and hoped I wouldn’t regret this before the night was over.
Chapter Seven
When we pulled into a parking spot at the Mexican restaurant, my breathing quickened. This had to be a bad idea. Anything that made me this anxious couldn’t be a good thing.
“Are you okay?”
My body startled as though I’d forgotten I was in her car. My eyes jerked over, and adrenaline pumped through my blood.
Her forehead lined with worry, and she tilted her head. “I just scared the shit out of you. Do you need to go home and change?”
I hated that I was that transparent. “Be glad that I don’t. It could have easily gone the other way.”
“You are so refreshing.” She snorted. “So much better than all the other losers that tend to hang around us.” She motioned for me to come with her. “Let’s eat so we don’t miss the fight.”
“Yeah, all right.” I rolled the window up and took a deep breath. I had to force myself to climb out.
“I have a feeling you’ll like it here.” She ran her fingers through her hair as if it was out of sorts. It contrasted against her midriff black shirt and tight blue jeans.
She opened the door and waved me through. “Since you’re my date, I better treat you nice.”
“If you want me to put out, you’d better behave.” She brought out a playfulness I thought I’d never find.
“Ha. You can’t resist me.” She sashayed up to the hostess. “Table for two.”
“Okay.” The woman bent down to grab some menus and gestured for us to follow her.
Honestly, I hadn’t been out to a restaurant since God knows when. It was packed, and most of the people appeared to be college students like us.
As I passed a table of guys, one of them stood up and stepped in my way. “Hey, gorgeous.” His eyes seemed to be undressing me right here in the middle of the restaurant.
I ignored him and moved to walk around him.
“Hey.” He grabbed my arm, yanking me toward him. “I was talking to you.”
“And I don’t want to talk to you, so why don’t you back off.” This was why I stayed home. I didn’t have to deal with idiots.
His buddies laughed.
“That’s kind of cold.” The stench of beer almost gagged me.
“Hey, baby.” Connor’s voice echoed in my ear. “Sorry I’m late.”
I turned around to see him heading in the direction we’d just come from, sauntering straight to me. “Uh… hey.”
He placed his hand on the guy’s chest and pushed him into the seat. “Better luck next time. This one is mine.” He took my hand in his and tugged me in the direction Ella had been heading.
The desire to jerk my hand out of his overwhelmed me. I didn’t like being touched by anyone. As soon as we were out of their sights, I removed my hand. “What the hell was that?” My voice was a loud whisper.
“Usually, this is where you’d thank me.” Connor smirked and shook his head. “But you’re not like other girls.”
“Look, I hate to do this to you and all, but she’s my date tonight.” Ella appeared beside me and arched an eyebrow. “So back the fuck off.”
“Whoa.” he lifted both hands in the air. “I’m not trying to interfere. You two go have your girl talk. I was just trying to help. The girl I’m with is waiting in the lobby.”
“Are you serious?” I couldn’t believe what he just said.
“What? Am I supposed to wait and pine for you or something?” The corners of his mouth twitched upward.
“Is that what you think this is about?” First off, I could’ve handled that asshole though Connor probably helped prevent me from making a scene, but still… “I can’t believe you
