My Better Half

Chapter 5- Designated Drivers

Maria Third Person POV

Rachel stared at Josh for a solid ten seconds before her bottom lip started to quiver and within seconds after that she threw herself in the redhead's arms, wrapping her arms around Josh's shoulders.

"Nawwww I c-can't do this. I like him too much Maria, I don't care if he just uses me for one night... I just... I just want to be with him a little... a little longer!! And please, Mari, you gotta make up with blondie over here, I can't end things with Josh cause of-"

All eyes were on them... Maria cut Rachel off, facepalming.

"JESUS CHRIST, RACHEL! YOU HAD ONE JOB... ONE EFFIN JOB-"

To understand what was going on here, one must look at what the two talked about just five minutes earlier.

Earlier, near the corner of the bar

Maria, whispering in a concerned tone: "Look Rachel, I can see you have become pretty attached to Josh, but there is something you need to know about him..."

Rachel, with one more shot glass in her hand: "Huh? Don't tell me you have a crush on Josh too, look Mari, I know you're my friend but, he's my man so-"

Maria, cutting Rachel off as she snatched the shot glass away from her: "Wha- Nooo, of course not! The thing is... you see, Jack and I are co-workers at my new job. That pizza delivery job I told you about today earlier and-"

Rachel, whining at the loss of her drink and interrupting Maria: "Ohhh so that hottie is your co-worker, huh? Welp, sorry for doubting you, I knew you wouldn't steal my man. And girrrrl that co-worker of yours is fiiiine, I'm telling you. You totally have a chance with him, go for it!!"

Maria, trying to shut Rachel up so she could get a word in edgewise: "Could. You. Just. Let. Me. Finish?! First of all, it's not about me! Second of all, when we were on our shift today, Jack told me that his friend is a PLAYER, and goes out with different girls every night - although I guess you're not any different- that's not the point! More importantly, YOU CAN'T DATE JOSH. Because if you do, that would make things very difficult with me and Jack... cause I am trying to keep him at an arm's length..."

Rachel: "WAI-WHAT!!! End things with Josh?!?! Do you know what you're saying?! And.....even if it's true... if he does go out with different girls every week... well, I can see he's passionate when he's with me! I...I think I'm falling for him...BUT wait, making things difficult with Jack? Keeping him at an arm's length? Mari.... Don't tell me......You like Jack?! That's it, right? That's why you're trying to keep your distance!! Sweetie, I know you've never had a boyfriend before, but you should try to relax and put yourself out there sometimes, your goals aren't running away from you or anything, you know. Having a man in your life isn't always that bad."

Maria, deadly serious: "Seriously? You're telling me to trust a man even though you know what happened before I moved here?.... And it doesn't matter if I like him or not- I mean, I don't but... NO, it's not about me! Rachel. You are too wasted to think straight right now, and I can tell you will regret it in the morning, you look like you will puke any moment. So, listen up. Go to Josh, tell him you need to think everything through and you need time to decide, and that you don't want to rush things. Tell him to have a good night and come home with me!"

And now, back to the present

Jack Third Person POV

Jack froze. Rachel was crying? And she was hanging onto Josh for dear life? This wasn't going to go well. Josh didn't really like all that touchy-feely stuff until he knew someone really well. Also, what on earth was Rachel talking about? "Blondie"? He guessed that meant him, but what did he have to do with any of this? Maria looked quite cross, of course, but underneath that, she also seemed sort of... flustered. Was it because of him? No, well, it was warm in the club and she was just pissed at her friend, that's probably why she'd gone so red.