“I gotta pee,” Ethan said. “Too much laughing!”
“I’ll show you where the bathrooms are,” I said. I didn’t want a repeat of our dinner out when Ethan wasn’t sure which bathroom was the men’s, so I led him back around the bar, pointed out the correct door, and then looked over the drink menu while Ethan disappeared inside.
The bartender came up and asked me what I wanted, and I picked out one of their specialty rum drinks. He started mixing, and Ethan appeared back at my side, leaning against a wooden pillar near the bar.
“Can I get you something?” the bartender asked Ethan.
“Nah, I’m good,” Ethan said with a smile. He shook his head a little as the bartender placed my drink, complete with little umbrella, in front of me and walked away.
“I could always order a drink for you,” I said softly. “If I got it at the bar and brought it to the table, no one would say anything.”
“That’s okay,” Ethan said. “I wouldn’t want to risk getting you in trouble or anything. It bothers you that I can’t drink though. I can tell.”
“It is a little odd dating someone who isn’t of age,” I said. “It’s not that I really care, but it’s not something I’m used to. In my social circles, we all do a little drinking. It’s more of an automatic response that I have to curb rather than being bothered by it. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah, I think it does.” Ethan snickered. “You should order me a Shirley Temple or maybe a virgin daiquiri. Those are good.”
“You’re silly,” I said as I bumped shoulders with him.
“I like strawberry daiquiris,” he said. “They’re tasty, and I could never really tell the difference between the ones with rum in them and the ones without. Not in the taste, anyway.”
“So you are admitting to underage drinking?” I feigned shock. “I’m appalled!”
“Gwen and Faith made them for me once,” Ethan said with a grin. “I got hammered after two of them. Frankly, I didn’t like the way it made me feel. I’m not sure I’d order an alcoholic drink even if I was legally able.”
“It does take a little getting used to,” I said. “It took me forever to figure out what I liked to drink. I can’t stand beer of any kind, but red wine is good.”
Ethan started to respond, but we were interrupted.
“Nice hair.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the sound of a familiar but unexpected voice.
Cole strolled up to where Ethan and I were standing, dark eyes blazing. I hadn’t seen him since we broke up, but there he was, tall and intimidating with his short, black hair and scruffy beard.
Ethan raised a hand to the back of his head, smoothing out a few of the strands that had come away from the bun.
“Thanks,” he said. He looked from Cole to me warily.
“Is that what passes for manhood these days,” Cole asked, “wearing your hair like a ballerina?”
Ethan didn’t respond, but I saw his chest rise and fall with a deep breath. He stared wordlessly at Cole, who continued to smile as he moved closer. Before I could react, he leaned close and kissed my cheek.
“Good to see you, Ash baby,” he said. He ran his hand down my arm and took a step between Ethan and me, pushing Ethan back
until he bumped into the wooden pillar by the bar.
I glanced at Ethan. He narrowed his eyes at Cole but still didn’t say anything. Cole turned his head to stare right back at him with his head slightly tilted. I was reminded of a nature show where male gorillas were pacing around, challenging one another with their eyes right before they started pounding their chests.
I glared at Cole.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when I found my voice.
“I was in town,” Cole said with a sinister smile. “I heard you were out and about and thought I’d stop by and say hello to my girl.”
This wasn’t my normal hangout, and I didn’t believe for a second that Cole was here by chance, but who would have told him where to find me? My friends couldn’t stand him.
“I’m not your girl,” I muttered. I started to step away from the bar, but Cole blocked my way.