The Good Intentions

Chapter 52 - Bethany

Bethany

It didn't take Cam long to jump on the opportunity to take me out tonight. He's kept his eye on me, watching me progressively leave my room these past few weeks. When I went out to grab a coffee this morning, he took that as his opportunity to tell me— not ask me— tell me that we are going out tonight.

I protested of course. But not because I was still too distraught about my breakup to leave my house and live in the real world. I just don't want to be a third wheel to him and Anthony, who by the way have gotten very very serious recently. They practically live together. Good for them. And I mean that in the most supportive non-jealous way possible.

I miss Kaden.

I admitted that to myself two weeks ago. I miss him. I no longer feel angry and broken. I've had to stop myself a few times from trying to reach out to him. I'd even made it all the way up to his door one night, my fist nearly on the cold wood before talking myself out of it.

The story is all jumbled up in my head and I still don't know what to believe. I want to hear him out, I guess I'm just waiting for a sign from the universe to tell me if I should or not.

"Wear the black dress," Cam says as I hold a pink dress up to my torso while the black one lays across my bed. "That one makes your ass look amazing."

I blush at that and laugh, trading out the pink dress for the black one. "Are you sure you don't want to just go out with Anthony tonight?"

"No, you have to come. I've missed hanging out with you. And it's not just me and Ant. He invited other friends too."

I slip on the form-fitting black dress and take a mental note of how my butt looks. Pretty damn amazing if you ask me.

"Fine, I'll go," I sigh, twisting my hair around my finger. "This place better have decent food. I'm starving."

"I've only heard good things so far. And it's all you can drink for twenty dollars."

I raise my brows at that. "Wow, so I guess I will be dragging your butt out of there within the first hour."

Cam laughs. "I want to get my money's worth."

***

Live music, all-you-can-drink for twenty bucks (even though I won't be partaking in that), this new bar really knows how to promote itself. The Dive, that's what it's called, is packed. Not surprising though. But it's a good kind of packed. Everyone is laughing, and vibing with the band playing on the stage under the blue lights. Maybe it's just normal, but I've spent so long cooped up in my apartment that everything feels like such a new and exciting experience.

Cam Links his arm with mine, his other around Anthony, as we weave through the crowd to find the rest of Anthony's friends from out of town.

"Look who it is!" A guy says, jumping up from one of the black leather couches that are scattered evenly throughout this place. He and Anthony hug before we get introduced. I don't remember his name, nor do I remember the names of all of Anthony's other friends. But I smile and greet them all the same.

"Let's go dance!" Cam shouts in my ear as he tries to grab my hand.

"Give me a sec, I need the bathroom," I yell back at him. He nods then saunters off to the dance floor with Anthony.

Pushing my way through the crowd yet again, I spot the bathroom with an obscenely long line of women waiting outside the door.

"Hi," someone slurs into my ear.

I turn around. A man is standing behind me, the smell of one-too-many shots of tequila on his breath. He's wearing a black Bayside University polo but I've never seen him before.

"Hello," I say back, offering a small smile, stepping forward as the line moves.

"This is a pretty cool place, isn't it?"

I nod, glancing at him and then looking away quickly. Hoping my lack of conversation will get him to leave me alone. I'm waiting in line to use the bathroom, that should be enough of a hint for him to know not to talk to me. But he persists.

"I Josh. I'm assuming the pretty girl in the black dress has a name." He says with a sly grin.

I nod again. "I do."

He lets out a laugh through his teeth. "She's playing hard to get I see."

"I'm just not playing at all." I stare at him no. No hint of humor behind my eyes. The line moves again and I'm quick to follow, staying close to the girl in front of me.

He gives me one last look over, offering me a wink before he sticks a toothpick in his mouth and walks away.

A breath loosens out of my throat and my shoulders relax. Call me paranoid but there's nothing more untrustworthy than a drunk college man two times your size trying to hit on you.

After waiting for the bathroom for about twenty minutes, I find my way back to our table. Cam and Anthony are sitting there looking flushed after returning from the dance floor.

Sitting on the couch across from Cam, I immerse myself in their conversation, promising to dance with Cam once he's able to catch his breath.

"I was wondering where you went." The couch shifts and I turn quickly as an arm slings over my shoulder. "I'm Josh," he says to my friends.

Cam looks at him skeptically, but his attention is pulled away when a waiter walks over with their drinks.

"Please," I say, removing Josh's arms, "I'm just trying to enjoy the night with my friends."

"I thought we were friends?" My face burns red as his hand grips my knee and he gives me an unsteady smirk. Probably took more tequila shots after our initial encounter.

"Don't." I push his hand off but he puts it back again, letting out the most disgusting laugh.

"Get your fucking hands off her"