Choose Me

Chapter 14

"I have bad news," Elsie says as she walks into my room.

"What?" I really hope the bad news is that we're not going out anymore. I would much rather stay at home. But of course, I don't voice that.

"Dex bailed on us. He's going out with his girlfriend instead," she says with a sigh and I can't help but feel a little disappointed.

"That's too bad."

"It's okay. We'll have fun without him. It's not like we need him to have a great time," she says and I smile but I know it doesn't reach my eyes. I just hope Elsie doesn't notice.

"You're right. So what's the plan for tonight?"

"I figured we could go to a bar. Maybe listen to a live band while we're there?"

"Yeah, that sounds good to me."

"Okay get ready so we can head out," she says before walking out of my room and closing my door behind her.

I rifle through my clothes and settle for a simple outfit and throw on my favorite pair of jeans and a black tank top. I grab my mustard-colored leather jacket and throw it over my tank top before putting on my black knee-high boots. I finish my look with a smokey look for my eyes, nude lipstick, and silver hoops for my ears.

"Ready?" Elsie asks as she steps into my room.

"Let's go."

We get an Uber and head for a local bar Elsie likes to frequent for the live music and when we arrive, the bar is calm but I know it won't last long.

"Let's get a drink," Elsie says and drags me towards the bar. "What do you want? It's on me."

"I'll take a beer."

"You got it."

We find an empty table and settle in while we wait for the band to come on stage. I laugh when I see Elsie nursing two different fruity drinks.

"You're gonna get smashed," I tell her when I see her switching back and forth between them.

"That's the point," she says and keeps sipping from her drinks. "Drink up." I lift my bottle in her direction and take a big gulp before putting it down on the table. "More." I shake my head at her but oblige her and take another big gulp from my bottle. "Atta girl."

"One of us needs to stay sober," I remind her and she shakes her head. "Or at least soberish," I add.

"Screw that. We're here to have fun," she says and chugs the rest of one of her drinks. Oh, fuck. This is not good. "I'll be back," she says and heads for the bar. I try to stop her but she's not having it.

She comes back moments later with another fruity drink for her and a beer for me. "Elsie, the music hasn't even started and you're buzzed already," I scorn her.

"I know, Karen," she says with a roll of her eyes. "Stop being such a buzz kill and have some fun."

"Fine," I respond grumpily and finish my beer. "Give me that," I say, taking my second beer from her.

"Now, that's more like it," she says with a grin. "So catch me up on your life. What's been happening with you?" she asks me.

Mmmm I don't know. I have feelings for your stupid brother I shouldn't.

Obviously, I don't tell her that but I wish I could. I wish I could tell her just how I feel about Dex but I can't. She would resent me and never talk to me again. What I feel for him can never be more than an unrequited crush. Except, it's not a crush. Not anymore. But Dex can't know that. Not now. Not ever.