The Secrets We Keep

The Eighth Chapter

Christopher

I wasn't planning on making amends with Hayden. But then again, I wasn't planning on seeing her here either. And it was easy to be a dick to her at school, but seeing her here...

I don't know what possessed me to go up to her. All I know is that I don't think I could've just ignored her. It's like even with the anger I could see in her eyes when she saw me, there was something about her that pulled me toward her. 

As I look back at her as we settle by the bar, I find her eyeing me curiously, like she doesn't quite know what to make of me. 

"What's your poison?" I ask her. 

"You tell me," she says and I turn back to the bartender and order two shots of tequila. 

-

Nathan

I don't know why I'm surprised that Christopher's ditched me. But he could've at least brought back the drinks he'd promised before disappearing into the dregs of the club. 

I start heading to the bar after my patience has run out. I'll buy myself a round of something, but as I do, I see a flash of red hair and I feel my heart start to beat faster. Everyone in the club, the music, the smells, the sensations, fade away as I focus in on the girl with the red hair sitting by the bar. 

It's probably not her. It's probably just wishful thinking that I expect every redhead I see to be Hayden Andrews. 

But as I get closer to the bar and lean my side against the slab of wood, I think what I'm hoping for might be real. 

She's on the other end, toying with an empty shot glass while some guy leans down next to her. She looks unimpressed in an oversized denim jacket with her red hair loose around her shoulders. And I thank whatever God is up there that I've got this chance right now. 

I can't help but feel relieved when I see her roll her eyes at whatever the guy says to her as I start walking over to her end. But then he says something else and I see the ghost of a smile on her face. I stop in my tracks. 

I had this idea that I would save her from some unwanted advance but maybe that's not the case. And then the guy turns and I see the side profile of his face. It's Christopher. 

Everything comes back in focus and someone bumps into me as they head closer to the bar to get another round of something. I stumble back and into someone else but none of that matters. Nothing feels worse than the realization that my best friend has caught the attention of the girl I like. 

It's fucking typical. It's always Christopher who gets whatever he wants. And all the rest of us pale in comparison. 

There's a troglodytic need in me to go over there and step between them. I saw her first and he should back off. But this isn't fucking kindergarten. And if she's into him, she's into him and there's nothing I can do about that. 

I head back to my end of the bar and wait until the bartender makes his way to me. 

"A beer, please," I ask as I dig through my wallet and slap some bills on the sticky counter. I'm really wishing I hadn't come out here tonight. This isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my Friday night, watching my friend pick up the girl I like. Of all the places, why'd she have to come here? And of all the women in here, why'd Christopher have to narrow in on her? 

A beer is slid over to me and I start chugging down the foamy liquid. Unfortunately, it's at just that very moment that Hayden looks up and sees me. Recognition and then a smile enter her eyes as she sees me.