The Bad Ones

Ch.14: Slip and Fall

"She's trying to set us up. She's trying to set us up, and I know you're in on it," I accused Drey discreetly. We were at the bar getting drinks while the others were all laughing about some insane story that a drunken Carson was telling.

"I don't know what your talking about," she replied innocently, looking through the liquor options.

I scoffed, "Don't even try lying to me."

Her innocent façade thickened when she turned to face me, "Who's setting who up?"

"Look, I don't know why the hell you want us together, but I bet it isn't a mind-healthy reason."

"A 'mind-healthy' one?"

"Yes."

"Hm... Well, it doesn't have to be a 'mind-healthy' one, does it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I was babbling, I don't even know what 'mind-healthy' is."

I sighed and made sure I gave her an even look. "Are you two using this as some way to make it easier to forgive him? To like him?"

"We should do shots," she ignored me and returned her attention to the variety of liquor bottles and shot glasses.

"Drey, really," I said firmly and more seriously, "What are you and Mar doing?"

She sighed in exasperation and finally looked me in the eye with equal seriousness. "He likes you. He likes you, and you can't see it for crap, Bail. And, it may seem selfish, but Mar and I don't know any other way to not want to hate him."

"So you think forcing me to date him is the solution?" I asked, "What do I look like, some family-dating therapist?"

"You think we're forcing you? We're not stupid and we aren't blind, Bail. You find him attractive, we've caught you eyeing him, and we think he's why you lost interest in Carter," she explained.

I stared at her in shock, "Are you fucking nuts? No, he isn't the reason for my loss of interest in Car-"

"So, date him," she cut me off.

"What?"

"Date Carter. You say you have feelings for him and not Mason? Then date Carter."

"I already told you, I can't see myself with him because-"

"Because you're too busy seeing yourself with Mason."

I gave up and just glared now. "You're making me wish you still weren't talking to us. Do not tell me what I feel, and stop trying to play matchmaker. I explained myself to Carter before I even completely talked to Mason, so don't fucking try and tell me that I practically screwed shit up with Carter over some make-believe crush you think I have!" I said furiously. I then turned and walked over to Lakefield, all the while receiving odd looks for my pissed off expression.

"Everything okay?" he asked, a Jack Daniels filled glass in his hand.

"Can I have your keys?" I asked bluntly, holding out my hand for them; I had no time for pleasantries.

He raised his eyebrows, "For?"

"I want to go home."

"Party pooper," Jason frowned, sipping at what looked to be Scotch.

I glared at all of them and snatched Lakefield's keys, then began walking away. "You can get it from my place before school tomorrow!" I called back to him.

"But- You're the designated driver!" Mar yelled out, waving her beer around slightly for evidence of intoxication.

"Not anymore!"