Sweet Surrender [18+]

t w e n t y - t w o

As Whitney Houston's voice blared, "And I ... " from the digital jukebox, Tristan awkwardly ran into Everett's open arms behind the bar counter as about a dozen customers laughed and applauded at the ridiculous spectacle.

"I love you, Joshypoo," Tristan cried out in a high-pitched voice that sounded nothing like Lauren and planted fake kisses over his co-worker's scruffy face.

"I love you too, sweet baby girl," Everett replied gruffly in an octave lower than his normal voice and made loudly kissy noises. "You're so fucking hot."

Jackasses, Lauren thought irritably as she vigorously washed the drinking glasses and ignored her phone vibrating in the back pocket of her jeans.

Even after almost three months since the "magical" moment Lauren shared with Josh on the field, Tristan and Everett loved recreating it anytime a customer recognized her as "the pretty girl with the red beanie" kissing one of the stars of the football team.

Normally, Lauren would smile and shake her head with amusement at the hilarious show, but new stress factors started to test her patience, with her breaking point threatening to crack wide open.

The loud and chaotic nature of the bar that normally soothed her nerves did nothing to alleviate the overwhelming stress.

"I think that was our best performance yet," Everett announced, nudging her in the side with his elbow. "I think your butt is vibrating."

Lauren remained silent, ignoring another text from Josh.

"Hey," he said, nudging her again. "What's going on with you? You've been kinda quiet tonight."

"I'm fine."

"Bullshit."

She sighed out loud and shook her head. "I really don't want to talk about it."

"It might help, Ren." Everett nudged her one more time, forcing her to look at the concern creasing his handsome face.

She sighed again and wiped her hands on a dish cloth, glancing around the subdued Tuesday night crowd in February. Tristan chatted with some regulars toward the end of the bar, and a few groups of college students lazily drank at various high top tables.

"I'm having second thoughts about moving in with Josh in June. He's excited to live together, but he kinda wants to live with Mikey and maybe Aaron."

Everett leaned against the back counter and crossed his muscled arms over his chest. "Your apartment is too small for four people."

"Which is why Josh has been looking at some apartments or even houses to rent."

"Do you want to live with Mikey and Aaron?"

Lauren shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I don't hate the idea, but I also don't want to move even though I know my apartment is shit. But the rent is cheap, and the location is perfect for me."

"I assume you told Josh all this."

"Yeah," she said, nodding. "I've seen some of the apartments he's been looking at, and holy shit, they're fucking expensive. But Josh also told me not to worry about rent because he'd help me with my share."

"Generous of him."

"Very, but I'm gonna need a car now because the places he's been looking at are near the stadium not the university. I don't think I can afford a car right now."

"They're not cheap."

Before she moved in with April, Lauren relied on the city bus system as her main source of transportation. Even as she made friends that had cars, she still preferred to take the bus, reading a book or listening to her playlist.