Because of My Best Friend

6. Awkward

*JUSTINE POV

Well this is awkward.  Both of us randomly sipping our drinks and staring at the dancefloor, not saying a word.  The only thing I know about this stranger is that he’s fresh out of a break up, which sucks, because he seems like the type of guy I would generally go for, but I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.  He also doesn’t seem to want to converse either…. So, it’s just… weird.

Aidan loudly clears his throat, almost scaring me in the process.  “I didn’t mean to make your night awkward….”

“Oh thank god, I thought I was just me,” I nervously laugh loudly, which makes him smile.  He really has a nice smile.  

When I first pressed up against him, the warmth that encased my body felt so right.  Then when his breath hit my neck, I swear, my lady parts rejoiced.  With the quick glances that I got, I observed that he had arm veins… you know, the sexy kind.. and I’m a total sucker for strong masculine arms.  The more we talked as a group, the similarities between our friendships were apparent, and I think I developed a little crush on him. 

 I just don’t know how to read him.

“Well I never would have ever guessed there was another Tanner in the world, let alone a female version.”  He points his beer towards the dancefloor.  I laugh and shake my head, seeing both of them do the same god awful dance moves to the Macarena and actually enjoying it. 

“Yea, I thought she was one of a kind.”  Another round of silence, and I pat my thigh looking around this club.  Usually, if a guy was interested, they would talk to you nonstop, right?  The little butterflies in my stomach begin to deflate as moments turn into minutes of silence, and I can’t take that.  “Let me buy you a drink!”  I basically yell at him, but I had to get out of there.

“No, you don’t have to—”

“Yea, I do actually.  We totally barged in on your night and—”

“Tanner is not complaining,” he laughs.  But he didn’t say anything about me, which was kind of disappointing.

“Still… let me be nice, okay?” I try to hide the disappointment in my voice and I get up before he can say anything.  I already took note of the kind of beer he was drinking and run up to the bar.  I let out a breath, not knowing how to make this situation better.  Usually, I can be all flirty and confident, but he just got out of a relationship… like this week.  And to make matters worse, he seems like he’s totally not interested in me.  He could at least be a better wing man and entertain me while our friends entertain each other.

After the bar tender takes my order, I feel a hand on my lower back.  I jump suddenly, thinking it’s the creepy twins, but when I turn around, I’m met with dark brown eyes and that incredible charming smile.  “Sorry, I didn’t think you wanted to be back at the bar alone.  As your mock boyfriend, it’s my duty to make sure everyone knows your mine.”

Why did the butterflies come back to life when he said I was his?  Is he flirting or just being nice? Either way, I respond with a smile.  He hasn’t removed his hand and I feel goosebumps spreading down my back and arms.  This probably isn’t good.  The more I stare at his face, the more I memorize his features.  There’s something about a man with stubble that gets my v****a to-- 

The tender sets our drinks down, breaking me out of my trance, and we both simultaneously grab them and turn around, facing the dancefloor.  Tanner and Kelsey’s tongues are already down each other’s throat, and I shake my head laughing, knowing they’ll end up in the bathroom.

“Twenty bucks they’ll end up in the men’s restroom by the next song.”

I jerk my head, slightly creeped out.  “I was literally thinking the same thing.”

He finally turns to look at me and my heart almost skips a beat.  The way the lighting hits his face makes him look dazzling, which does something to my lady bits.  Or it could be the three disco balls that are all going off at the same time.  

I need to do a serious check on the last time I had s*x because every time I stare at him, that’s apparently all I think about.  And the funny thing is, he hasn’t looked away.  We both just look at each other, and as weird as it should be, it isn’t. 

Before we could enjoy this quiet moment together, both of our friends crash into us.  “Shots!!!”

 **Two hours later**

“Thanks for the ride,” I mumble out, getting my seat bumped, yet again.

“Not a problem,” Aidan says tight lipped.  I think the moaning is getting to him… or the constant hitting of our seats.

We are stuck in a traffic jam, due to a wreck, at one in the morning.  We are both extremely tired of babysitting, and to make matters worse, Tanner and Kelsey are doing way more than simple kissing in the back seat.  I swear after their third shot of tequila, it was as if they were on ecstasy.  Neither Aidan or I drank too much, him having to drive, and me…. I guess I just didn’t want him to be sober alone.  We thought we were lucky when they ran to the restroom, but 20 minutes later they came back as if nothing happened, and drank some more.  It took a lot of convincing, mainly pushing and shoving, but we finally got those two into the car.

Kelsey’s foot suddenly smacks me in the cheek.  That’s it!  

I turn around and slap Tanner on the back hard.  “No s*x in the car!!!  I swear if you two don’t separate, I will come back there and sit in the middle- and trust me, I know how to put Kels to sleep when she’s drunk!” 

Tanner quickly sits correctly, actually pouting, while Kelsey attempts to sit up, adjusting her dress.  “You’re no fun,” she mumbles. 

“b***h, I’m not against fun.. I’m against exhibition of my best friend getting screwed!  I think Aidan can agree with me.”

“100%.  Love you Tanner, but if I see anyone’s bare ass in the back seat, you’re paying for a detail cleaning.”

“Fine, we’ll wait until we get to the hotel. Are we there yet?”  Tanner leans back tucking in his shirt and I just glare at him.  Kelsey saddles up next to him and leans her head on his shoulder.  He puts his arm around her and if they didn’t just piss me off, I would find them incredibly adorable right now. 

Seeing that they are keeping it PG for now, I turn around and adjust my dress.  And don’t think for a second I didn’t catch Aidan side watching me.  I almost want to smirk to myself.

“How long did y’all say you were staying in town for?”

Kelsey pops up between our seats to adjust the air.  “Until next Friday morning.  Neither one of us has had a vacation in soooo long.”  She suddenly squeals as Tanner grabs her.

“Tanner!!” Aidan and I scream. 

“What??  We are only here ‘til Sunday!  Gotta make every minute count!”  They both got back into their frenzy of lips and limbs.

“I think I’m going to murder your friend,” I state blandly.

Aidan laughs and pats my knee before retracting his hand just as fast.  I’m not even going to say what the heat of his hand did to my body in that 1.3 second.  “We’re almost there.”

Twenty minutes later we pull into a parking spot, everyone getting out and stretching.  Once we get into the entrance of the hotel, Kelsey rushes me 10 feet away from the boys.  “So…. Please don’t hate me, but I want to bring Tanner up…”

“Absolutely not!  Babe, I know you like him, but I’m ready for PJ’s,” I whine, wanting to stomp my feet.  I love PJ time.

“Aww please, please, please!!!  I really do like him.  He’s funny and sweet…. And you should see the size of his co-“

“Nope!!  This is where that conversation ends!  We are going to bed, now let’s go!”

I grab her arm and start to walk off, but Kels holds her ground.  I let go, sighing, and turn around.  She has her arms crossed and her serious face on.  Ugh, kill me.

“You want to make me happy, right?”

“Yes…. But”

“And you said you would do anything I say because you hurt my feelings yesterday.. yes?”

Fuck.

“So, be a good girl, and LET ME GET SOME d**k!!!”