Chapter Seven
Pagan
If Jay apologized one more time I was going to cram a breadstick down his throat. At least then he would shut up. I’d tried to change the subject several times and when that didn’t’ work I’d started joining in on Miranda and Nathan’s conversation. Which worked out well for a while but now they were huddled together whispering on their side of the large booth and we were on our side with my purse between us as a barrier.
“Are you going to forgive me?” Jay asked.
“I am not mad, Jay. There is nothing to forgive. I’m on this date for Miranda. I never agreed to it because I wanted to spend time with you. So, please, let’s talk about something else.” I was a broken record.
“So this disinterest I’m getting from you is not because I was a jackass but because you really didn’t care about seeing me to begin with?” he asked with a small amount of surprise in his tone.
“Exactly. You’re an old friend. It was nice to see you the other night but that is about it. I’m here for Miranda.”
Jay leaned back in his seat and fiddled with the napkin on his plate. “I had one shot to change your mind and I screwed that up.” He was pouting. Fantastic.
“We had our thing. It is a really good memory but now we’re older. Things change.”
“Your taking my breath away when you walk into a room hasn’t changed,” he replied when he lifted his eyes to look back at me.
That might just be sweet enough to get him out of trouble if I was interested. He was just a good friend. I reached over and squeezed his hand. “Thank you. That was nice to hear. But can we just agree to be friends. That way when your habit of asking attractive girls out gets in the way we can laugh about it,” I teased.
Jay gave me a crooked grin. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“Well I haven’t really missed you all that much,” I replied then burst into laughter at the hurt look on his face. “I’m joking. I missed you too.” Maybe. When I thought about him. Which hadn’t been much over the past year.
“Have you two made up over there? Because if I hear Jay apologize one more time I may shove him into oncoming traffic,” Nathan said from across the table.
“Yes, all is well. We are going to be friends and Jay can ask out anyone he wants to, whenever he wants to.” I replied. Nathan studied Jay for a moment with a concerned look on his face, and then forced a smile.
“If y’all are okay with that set up, then we are too.”
Miranda nodded,” Yep. Sounds like a good plan. Besides, Pagan has a date with Dank Walker Friday night. He gave her backstage passes to his concert. And he’s letting me in too.”
“How did you know about that?” I hadn’t said anything to her about it yet.
She shrugged, “Gee told me.”
Figures. Gee was making sure I came. She’d already figured out Miranda got me to do things I didn’t want to. After, tonight though, I really did want to go. Dank Walker didn’t seem like such a bad decision after being out with a “normal, nice” guy. At least when I was with Dank he acted like I was the only person around.
“Did you just meet him last night at the club?” Jay asked with a scowl on his face.
“No. He picked up her shoes when we got here yesterday. She dropped a whole box of shoes in the street. He got off his big bad motorcycle and came picked them up and carried them to her room. I think he’s stalking her.” Miranda wiggled her eyebrows.
“His band isn’t known for their good reputation. They’re rowdy and they get into trouble. Hanging around him isn’t safe, Pagan.” Jay didn’t sound convincing.
“So far he’s been nothing but nice, polite, and very attentive,” I replied as I scooted out of my seat. I wasn’t going to be put in the position of defending Dank to Jay. That was ridiculous.
“The important thing here is my best friend is dating the lead singer of Cold Soul and I have backstage passes. Let’s not get off topic,” Miranda chimed in. Nathan didn’t look real thrilled with this either. Now both of them were scowling. A little jealousy would be good for Nathan. Miranda was making it seem too easy.
“Why did he give you tickets backstage?” Nathan asked as he reached for Miranda’s hand.
“Because he knew Pagan wouldn’t go without me,” she replied. She was also very right. I wouldn’t brave that scene if she wasn’t beside me.
“Hmmm,” was Nathan’s only response. Poor guy. He wanted to protest and knew he had no right because he’d just met her.
“So, what movie are we going to see?” I asked to change the subject.
“Well I was gonna suggest an action movie since there are several out I’d like to see, but after hearing that y’all are gonna be hanging out with a rock band later this week I feel the need to step up my game. So whatever romance you want to see I’m willing.” Nathan replied.
Miranda laughed, “Oh, you’re in luck. I’ve seen the only romance out right now. It sucked.”