Fake Dating The Enemy

25

Elizabeth

That following Friday night, I convinced Ashley to go out to the bar with me. I was single and ready to mingle. More specifically, I needed to find someone new to get over Thomas. 

"Thanks for coming out with me tonight. I think it'll be nice to spend some quality time together."

"Absolutely. There was also no way in hell I was letting you go out by yourself." I laugh, opening the door to enter the bar. 

The second we step inside, the mixture of alcohol and cigarette smoke fills my nostrils. We make our way over to the bar, passing a group of good looking guys shooting pool. One of them winks at me, and I shoot him a smile. 

"What can I get you ladies?" The bartender asks as we approach the counter. 

"Two vodka cranberries." Ashley says, knowing exactly what I'd want.

"And a row of tequila shots." I add, earning a surprised look from Ashley.

"We have all night, El. You don't have to start off so strong."

"Oh trust me, I do." The bartender brings us our drinks, and I immediately start downing the shots. "Yep, that'll do it." I say, already regretting my decision. I down the last shot, shaking my head at the burning feeling in my throat. "God, that's strong."

"Yeah, no shit." Ashley says, making me laugh. "I know you're still upset over Thomas, but this isn't the healthiest way to deal with it."

"I'm not upset. I told you guys, I'm over it. He's dead to me, and I want to move on." She nods, seeing right through my bullshit. Truth is, I'm not over it. I'm not sad, though. I'm pissed off, and I need to blow off some steam. "Come on, I want to dance." I grab my vodka cranberry, sipping on it as I make my way over to where others are dancing. I start swinging my hips to the beat, twirling around and laughing.

"Looks like someone is having a good time. Mind if I join?" I glance up, noticing the guy who winked at me earlier standing next to me. 

"Sure." I say, the alcohol already kicking in. I wrap one arm around his shoulders, sipping my drink while I dance with him. His hands are placed on my hips, moving us to the beat. 

"So, how come a pretty girl like you ain't here with a man?"

"How would I get to meet guys like you if I was with one?" He smirks at me while I finish off my drink, sitting it on a nearby table. "I need another drink." I say, earning a chuckle.

"I like a woman who can handle her liquor."

"Oh, trust me. I can handle a lot more than that." I shoot him a wink, not sure where this confidence is coming from. I find my way to the bar, Ashley coming up beside me.

"I see someone already took an interest in you." She says, eyeing up the man I was dancing with. "What's his name?"

"Don't know." I say, grabbing the attention of the bartender. "Another vodka cranberry." He nods, mixing up my drink. 

"Don't you think you should learn his name before throwing yourself on him?"

"I wasn't throwing myself on him." I say, grabbing my drink from the bartender. "Besides, I'm just having a bit of fun." I wave flirtatiously at the guy, earning a wink and smirk from him. 

"Just be careful, alright?" I roll my eyes. I know what I'm doing. 

I finish off my drink, stumbling as I begin to walk. I make my way back over to mystery man, and he pulls me close. I turn myself around, pressing my back against him. He chuckles in my ear, hands on my waist, squeezing gently. 

"You're quite a tease, aren't you?" 

"I could be." I say, and he turns me back around, his face inches from mine. 

"I think you should put your money where your mouth is." I smirk, pressing my lips to his. In seconds, I'm in a hot make-out session with a total stranger. I've never felt more alive. I break the kiss, our breaths ragged. 

"I should check on my friend, but I'll be back around." I wink, stumbling off to find Ashley. 

"Well, if it isn't miss flirtatious El." She jokes, and I laugh. 

"This is the most fun I've had in a while." 

"I can see that." I roll my eyes.

"I want to call him. That's a bad idea, right?"

"Did he give you his number?"

"No, not him. Thomas." She immediately shakes her head.

"El, do not call him. That is definitely not a good idea. You're drunk. Who knows what you'll say." 

"Does it even matter? I'm back to hating him. I want him to hurt like I did." She shakes her head, but it's too late. I'm already dialing his number.

"I'm calling your brother." Ashley says, and I open my mouth to argue with her, but get distracted by the voice on the other end of the phone. 

"Elizabeth?" I choke out a laugh at the fact that he answered.

"Wow, so you do know how to answer the phone."

"Where are you? I can barely hear you it's so loud."

"Wouldn't you like to know even though it's none of your business." I slur, Ashley supporting me as I stumble over.

"Are you drunk?"

"What's it to you? You left me. You fucked me and left." I feel the mixture of alcohol and emotions bubbling in my throat. "You're a real piece of shit, Thomas. You know that?"

"I do." His honesty shocks me.

"Well, good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a hot man to continue making out with."

"What? Wait, Lizzy."

"Don't call me that!" I shout into the phone. "You don't get to call me that anymore. Fuck you." I hang up the phone, making my way over to mystery man again. "Hey." I say, pulling him in for a kiss. 

We are in the midst of another make-out session when I hear someone calling my name. Before I know it, I'm getting pulled away from my mystery man. I turn my head to see Luke and Ashley standing there. He's furious.

"Elizabeth, what the actual fuck do you think you're doing?" I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off. "Do you really think this is the best way for you to get over Thomas?"

"What is everyone's obsession with me getting over Thomas? That piece of shit means nothing to me anymore."

"Come on, I'm taking you back to the house." He drags me by the wrist to the car, Ashley following close behind.

"Why can't you let me have a little fun?" I snap, taking my hand from his grip.

"Fun?" He asks, running a hand through his hair. "Elizabeth, that is not what people do for fun. That is what people do when they are making a mistake."

"The only mistake I ever made was falling in love with Thomas." My voice cracks, and Luke's expression softens. "He broke my heart, Luke. How am I supposed to just sit back and be sad over that? I don't want to be sad."

"Well, being reckless shouldn't be an option, either." 

"I know, and I'm sorry, but I'm an adult. If I want to be reckless and make bad decisions, they're my bad decisions to make." Luke sighs, nodding.

"You're right. I can't be an overprotective brother all the time. I'm just worried about you."

"I know." He pulls me in for a hug, and I immediately push him away, leaning to the side to vomit. 

"Alright, let's get you home." Ashley says, holding my hair back for me. I climb into the backseat of the car, staring out the window the whole way back to the house. 

How could I be so stupid? This isn't me. I'm not the type of girl to act out like that. Why did I call him? More importantly, why did he answer?