Tangled Up in You (The Story of Us Book 2)

Chapter 3- Terrible Pick-Up Lines

Even though Aaron didn't express his hopes for Amanda, Kristen and Amanda always went to each other when they had gone through something that upset them. This is how Amanda finds herself sitting at the bar of Night Club downing whiskey during Karaoke night. She winces as the current karaoke singer sings a note completely off-key before his voice cracks. She motions Scott over for a refill as Kristen makes her way over to her best friend.

"That's like your fifth whiskey," she says in an accusing tone and Amanda gives her a look.

"First off, I'm paying for my drinks and drinking top-shelf whiskey. Second of all, I wouldn't be drinking this much if I wasn't being forced to listen to the worse singers in DC. I mean honestly, Kris, you could have a reality show with how bad these people are."

Kristen groans and sits down, calling for Scott, who she had recently gotten back to a friendship with, to pour her a whiskey as well. "People like Karaoke. Look at how many people are here," she tries and Amanda frowns.

"Not nearly as many are here on a regular night and the only people who enjoy karaoke are the people that suck at it," she explains, downing her whiskey and praying she gets tipsy before her ears begin to physically bleed.

"Tell me about what happened with you and brainiac," Kristen suggests and Amanda shrugs.

"Nothing happened. He wanted us to have the same relationship we had in college and pretend that nothing went wrong between us. The problem is that when we were in college, we knew everything about each other before I even decided to lose my virginity but I've changed so much over the past 9 years. All we were doing was having sex and I don't want that anymore. I'm 26 and I've fallen in love with two people."

"I'm also 26 and every guy I fall in love with breaks up with me."

"Spencer broke up with me," Amanda reveals. "Then he tried to take it back but I don't think he planned to change. He's scared that talking about it will make it real and it will change our dynamic."

"Ah so he hates change just as much as you," she states and Amanda nods. Kristen grabs her whiskey to down it and catches sight of a couple of men sitting at a table and realizes that one is really familiar. "I'll be back in a bit. You can leave if you want, I shouldn't have made you come here."

"No, it's fine. I like talking to you and your whiskey is good," she grins and Kristen flips her off before heading to the table she had noticed.

At said table, Aaron Hotchner sat with David Rossi wincing at the terrible singers as they drink the same brand of whiskey as Amanda as they attempt to determine if she's okay as she talks to Kristen. "She seems fine to me," Rossi tells Aaron who looks at him incredulously.

"She's downed 5 whiskeys like it's nothing."

"We've had 5 whiskeys and she drank a lot more than you know in college. I've seen the videos from the parties at her own sorority. Believe me, Aaron, this is tame for her." Aaron frowns, hating being reminded he didn't know his sister all that well. Before he can open his mouth to reply, someone else speaks.

"I'm pretty sure stalking is illegal and if Amanda knew you were here watching her for whatever reason you're watching her that she'd kick your ass, Aaron," Kristen tells him and he looks up with a wince.

"Hey, Krissy," he tries and she punches his shoulder.

"Don't call me that, for starters, and leave. I would prefer not to have an article written about a brawl at my club when Amanda realizes you're monitoring her."

"Is she okay? That's all I'm worried about. She seems a bit off," he explains. Kristen rolls her eyes before turning to Rossi.

"I'm Kristen Lewis, Amanda's best friend, and if I had to guess you're best-selling author David Rossi." Rossi's eyebrows raise in surprise.