The Right Side of Tanner

Chapter 25

Tanner

I meet up with Drew at the bar after spending the day with Jenna. It feels like I'm dreaming. After last night, I was sure she'd want nothing to do with me, but I'm thrilled to be wrong. Maybe there's still hope that something can blossom between the two of us.

I walk back to where the boys and I usually sit, only to find the tables empty. Where the hell is he?

A hand clamps down on my shoulder as I search for Drew. When I spin around, I come face to face with the very person I'm looking for. "What's up, T.J.? Come on, I got us a table in the corner."

He leads me to a table tucked away in one corner of the bar. It's so well hidden; I had no idea it was back here. At least we'll have some privacy. I don't feel like dealing with crazed fans today.

Once we've taken our seats and put in our order with the waitress, Drew looks over at me. "What's up, man? Ready for round two?"

I throw him a fuck no look, and he starts laughing. "I'm just kidding, bro. I drank waaay too much last night. Thought I better take it easy tonight."

Ain't that the truth. "Yeah, same here. I'll probably only have one then go to water." I smile as I say the words. It's the routine Jenna always uses when we go out. Looks like she's starting to rub off on me. "Don't want a repeat of last night."

Drew nods in agreement as the waitress sets down our drinks. "When did you leave anyway? I looked over at one point, and you were just gone."

I set down my glass. "I don't know when it was, but I knew I was done for and was ready to leave. So, I left."

He eyes me as a strange smirk appears on his face. "Yeah? Rob said he saw you leave the bar hanging all over some chick. Is that true?"

Oh shit! Was I worse off than I thought? Did everyone see me hanging all over Jenna?

I try to play it cool and act normal. I take a swig of my drink before answering, hoping it will give me some liquid courage to speak the words. "Uh, Jenna took me home."

Drew's eyes bug out of his head. "No way, dude! You didn't?!"

Shit, does he think we had sex? I try to keep my tone neutral. "What?"

Drew's shoulders are shaking with laughter. "You finally gave in and gave that puck bunny what she's been after all these months?"

I choke on my beer. Fuck's sake, not this again. "What?! Fuck no! I went home with Jenna Taylor, not Jenna Davis. No way in hell I'd go home with her!"

He sobers quickly at that information. His face is unreadable. I don't know what he's thinking or how he's taking the news. After a minute, Drew leans back in his seat, wearing a thoughtful expression. "So, you left with Taylor, huh?"

Something in his tone makes me cautious. "Yeah. What's the big deal? I'm staying with her, Chase, and Liam until I can go back to my place."

Drew looks me up and down before he nods and leans forward, taking a sip of his beer. "Nothing, man."

When he sets his glass down, he has a shit-eating grin on his face. I try not to glare at him as he wiggles his eyebrows. "You make a move?"

Jesus! I look down at the table and roll my eyes. He would fucking ask that. "I was pretty fucked up," I pause, debating on adding more details.

Drew waits patiently- he knows there's more I want to say. I finally decide to admit it. What's the worst that can happen? "I think I tried to kiss her."

I fully expect Drew to lay into me for trying something with Jenna. He was one of the first to warn me against it when I first arrived in the city. The following words out of his mouth shock the shit out of me. "You dog you! So, how was it? I bet she's a great kisser- those luscious lips, perfect little mouth..."

Is he serious right now!? Fucker! I punch his arm, trying to reign in my irritation. I hate hearing him fantasize about her like that. I mean, I know she's not mine, but I want her to be. "Dude! Shut the fuck up! I said I tried to kiss her. I didn't actually kiss her."

The next words I say sound pathetic. "She stopped it before we got that far."

I take another sip. Then, a thought hits me again. "And what the hell, man! Weren't you one of the people saying you can look but don't touch? What happened to that?"

He's still sporting that shit-eating grin. "Yeah, I said that. And I look as much as the next guy. I just never thought anyone would be ballsy enough to try to touch, even you. I knew you had a thing for her, but shit... never thought you'd actually try to go there."

Drew drinks his beer, chuckling to himself like he just told the world's funniest joke. "Gotta say, you had me jealous there for a bit when I thought you got to do something with her. Man, what I wouldn't give to have a shot with her."

I send him a glare as he drifts off into whatever sick fantasy he's creating about Jenna. Bastard. I know he can't help it- she's fucking gorgeous. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

I tamp down my frustration and try not to spoil the evening. Drew and I chat for a bit longer- steering clear of the topic of Jenna. I don't know how much more discussion about her I can handle.

When I check the time, I decide it's time to head back to the apartment. Just then, Jenna texts me, letting me know dinner will be ready in about forty minutes. Perfect!

A/N:

And there's the second part of the double update! Happy second Monday everyone! Let me know what you think will happen next.   :)