Ben648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEIqR8JrV4
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDtOK66jeW
December 31, 2004
*
9 years earlier
*648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdphW19MKKZ
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOILIApqm5
After entering the run-down bar, I head straight towards the back to our favorite beat-up, wooden booth. It's the only table big enough to fit all of our friends, plus the curved seat makes it easier to pick up chicks. Just keep sliding closer and closer, they never notice until it's too late.
I nod as I approach the bartender. He begins preparing the usual for me and my wing-man. God, I love McClain's.
Most people walk right past this hole-in-the-wall without so much as a glance, but for those of us who dare to enter, we know the truth.
It's the onion rings you crave as soon as you walk in the door.
It's the jukebox sitting in the corner that only plays one fucking song.
It's the bartender, Barry, who knows your usual as soon as he sees you.
It's the ladies' night every Wednesday that brings in fresh meat for me and my wingman.
Throwing a glance in Nate's direction, I notice a hot little brunette sitting in our booth. Did Nate already score? Damn... That was fast.
I guess not, since she's talking to the redhead Nate was with last week... Was it Jenny or something? Shit, who cares?
Why is she here again? It's New Year's Eve, the ultimate time to pick up lonely, desperate chicks. So much for my wingman.
I grab our drinks and make my way over. After checking to make sure the girls aren't looking, I give Nate a pointed look and nod towards the brunette.
Dibs, man. I'm calling dibs. Stay the fuck away from this one. Please.
Shit. He completely ignores me.648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAQSylrS4W
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9D6IHc39M
Come on asshole, throw me a bone.
He motions for me to sit next to him. "Hey man, have a seat!"
I would much rather sit on the other side, but I slide in next to him, trying to hide my disappointment.
"Ness, you remember Benny-boy, don't you?" Nate throws his arm around the redhead's shoulders. She giggles and whispers to her friend, but doesn't move it away.
What the fuck? Are they dating now? Ugh. Why is she here again?
Catch and release, man. 648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPPOjiwFUi
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtdeiOgSmV
Isn't that the drill?
"Of course, I remember, Snuggly-bear." She scratches Nate's beard with both hands.
What? Is he a fucking dog?
She winks to her little friend. Wait, is that a good sign?
The friend rolls her eyes. I guess not.
"Nice to see you again." I try to put on a smile that I'm not really feeling, since I can think of twenty things I would rather be doing other than making small talk with Nate's shoulda-been-one-night stand.
Several of which include the brunette sitting next to her.
I glance past the redhead to see if the brunette is going to introduce herself, but she looks away quickly. Come on, I just need to know your name.
I look at Nate, hoping he will introduce me, but the bastard just sits there with Red.
I steal another look, taking in her heart shaped face and pink, pouty lips. I bet they taste amazing.
She's wearing a black dress with little flowers that almost seems too feminine for her. I wish I could see just how short it is.
Her wild curls are tied back, but as if saying she cannot be contained, several have fallen out surrounding her face.
She reminds me of a wild animal that will not be tamed, but I find myself feeling the urge to try.
Her blue eyes meet mine as my gaze returns to her face.
Wait, was she just staring at me? Nah, probably not.
Red seems to think that the girl isn't going to introduce herself and takes the job upon herself. Thank whatever god there is out there that's listening to my pleas.
She detangles herself from Nate long enough to throw her arms around her friend and squeeze. "And this sourpuss here is Katie-bug."
I see the girl, err, Katie-bug grimace slightly and try to pull away.
"It's Kat, and you don't need to introduce me, I'm not a child, Vanessa." She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
Not that I'm looking. Nope, not at all.
"I was just trying to help. Lighten up, Kat." Red looks slightly offended, but regains her composure.
"Cat? Like the animal?" I know it's lame, but I'm just trying to keep her talking. Her voice is smooth and sweet.
"No, like Katarina." She scowls back at me. God, she is hot. And so mean. Focus on the mean. Calm down, boy.
"Like the hurricane?" I shoot back. That seems appropriate for her.
"No, Kat-AH-rina, not Katrina." She rolls her eyes at me like I'm a complete idiot. I'm guessing I'm not the first person to say that. I could hit myself right now. I'm such an idiot.
Her eyes run down my chest. Is this how girls feel when you do that? Is it really that obvious when we do it? I'd like to think I'm sneakier than that. I feel so exposed. Like I'm sitting here naked under her stare.
I glance down to make sure I'm wearing clothes. Oh shit, I forgot what I was wearing. Why didn't I think to go home and change?
"What kind of name is Bentley?" Kat fires back, staring at my lame stuck-on nametag like it might reveal my secrets.
I'm pretty sure her stare could be used as a form of interrogation. I will tell you anything if you keep staring at me.
"You can just call me Ben." I shrug, trying to hide my embarrassment. Damn it. I'm an idiot. I yank the sticker off my chest, hoping nobody notices.
"So not Benny-boy?" She smirks. God, she can call me whatever she wants.
"So Katie-bug, was it?" I challenge her back.
"No, Ben. It's Kat, with a K. Not like the animal." I think I've met my match. She's amazing.
Her gaze rakes over me again and I know she's already making assumptions. Everyone always does when my mother picks out my clothes. I look like an arrogant prick.
I clear my throat and look away. Someone please change the goddamn topic. This is uncomfortable.
I glance over at Katie, I mean Kat, hoping she will talk again, or maybe just stop glaring in my general direction. I already miss the sound of her voice. God, what is wrong with me?
Now Nate and Red are making out. How fucking awkward.
Come on, dude. Knock it off. Why can't you hear me yelling at you in my mind? Life would be so much easier if I had mind powers. I try to send my thoughts out.
Nate, cut that shit out. 648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIA5aESnPK
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18ncOTx4z8
You suck, redheaded face leech. 648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU8bgzYxO5
648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGE9cTK7u
Kat, why do you hate me?
When I look back at Kat, she's giving me a sideways look, showing her obvious discomfort with the situation. When our eyes lock, I can't pull myself away. Her breathing picks up, as her mouth parts slightly.
Holy shit. Did I do that to her? And now I am staring at her chest. I would kill to see her without that dress.
Come on dude, look back up to her eyes.
Shit. I'm not sure that's better. They are so intense, I feel like she's staring into my soul. Oh god, maybe she's the one with the mind powers..
Shit, shit shit. She might murder me.
She has to have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, if only I could see them up close. Damn, I sound like such a pussy.
Oh shit, she's still locked onto my gaze, sucking out all my secrets through my eyes. I am in so much trouble.
Penis. Penis. Vagina. 648Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5atlDGqcp
Penis. Penis. Vagina.
Thank god, she can't read minds. Whew.
Kat breaks our eye contact to whisper to her friend.
"Well, we are going to the bathroom. Be right back." Red plants a kiss on Nate's cheek and they both walk away. Well, Red stumbles away, clinging onto Kat.
I turn on Nate. "What the fuck man? The same girl again?"
"Have you met her? She's fucking amazing and beautiful. Why would I need anyone else?" I can't hide the surprise on my face.
"Uh. I don't know, maybe our whole deal? We don't bang the same girl twice and we sure as hell don't date. 'Catch and Release', man! It's your fucking drill."
"I know man, but this is different. I think she's 'The One'." His voice is low and for how drunk he seems, he has an incredibly serious look on his face.
"Seriously?" I can't even begin to comprehend the words coming out of his mouth.
"I think I love her, dude." He has to be joking, right? This is just one of his bullshit pranks. He gets me every time. And I'm fucking sick of it.
"What the fuck, man? You just met her." I can't help but be a little skeptical. He's never talked like this about anyone before.
"We didn't just meet. We've been on a few... dates." He winks at me.
"Fuck! Nate. We. Don't. Date." I say through gritted teeth. I'm doing a poor job hiding how annoyed I am, but I couldn't give a shit. He always hounds me about his fucking rules.
"Yeah, I think we need to change our rules." I'm honestly unsure what to say to talk to some sense into this drunk idiot. This was his idea, his brilliant plan. We were going to play it fast and loose. We were going to have fun, damn the consequences.
I can't form a response. I know my mouth is hanging open, but I can't force it closed. All the shit I've been through for his stupid ass rules and now, he wants to get rid of them?
"I don't know, bro. She's perfect, isn't she?" He's literally grinning from ear to ear. It's freaking me out.
"Yeah, sure. If you're into that sort of thing." I don't know how to answer this. She seems nice enough, but her friend is way more attractive. I am drawn to her, like a stupid moth to flame.
"Seriously, man. You need to get your shit together. Maybe you can meet someone like Ness." I never thought I would hear those words coming from him.
This coming from the guy that forced me to be his wingman, because all our other friends are, in his words, 'lame, whipped douchewads'.
"Yeah, whatever you say, man." I give up, hoping he changes his mind once the alcohol leaves his system. I just want my friend back.
Katie might be 'The One'—for a night.
Shit, Kat. Kat. Kat. Kat.
"Kat isn't too bad, huh?" He looks at me like he knows something that I don't. Arrogant prick.
I do need to get to know her, but I know if I say anything to him, he will probably announce it to the table or at least tell Vanessa, which will be a direct line to Katie.
Shit. I mean Kat. Kat. Kat. Kat.
I need to stop doing that, she might kill me before I can get close to her.
"Yeah, right. Like I need a woman bossing my ass around." I try to lighten the mood, but I might be okay with Kat bossing me around.
ns 18.68.41.137da2
