“I’m getting nachos.” Margie speaks up, and Ruby is too busy tipping back her beer and looking over the menu to answer.
“Rue?”
She pulls the bottle from her lips and swallows her beer. “I think we should share some hot wings, french fries, and onion rings.”
“Cool with me. Margie, are you okay with just nachos or I can order extra portions for you?”
“No, I’m fine with nachos, thanks.”
Grabbing the server’s attention again, I ordered our food, two more beers for Ruby and me, and Margie added a large Pepsi for her as she didn’t want any alcohol.
I can see Ruby studying Margie and wonder to myself what’s got her attention. I don’t have to wait long, because just then Ruby’s voice cuts through our silence. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
Margie straightens her back and shakes her head. “I don’t think so…”
“Strange. Your face is really familiar to me. Did you go to school here?”
“No. I only moved here a few years ago.”
“Huh. You must have a double, then.” She picks her bottle back up and takes another pull, shrugging.
“Well, they say that everyone has one.”
“To be honest, Ms.—”
“Woah, stop.” I hold up my hand. “We’re not in the office, we’re sharing a drink as friends, so call me Reagan.”
“Okay. So, to be honest…Reagan, I wouldn’t put you in a place like this. I would have thought an uptown cocktail bar would be more you.”
Ruby laughs. “You don’t know our Ray-ray here very well at all. Beneath all that perfect hair and makeup, stuffy expensive suits and Louboutins, is a rock kitten just aching to come back out to play. Am I right, Reagan?” Her raised eyebrow challenges me to disagree with her.
“Rue, really?” I eye Ruby again before turning back to Margie. “Back in college, I was more of a wild child than anyone sees these days.”
I wish I could take my phone and get a picture of the look on Margie’s face right now—she looks shocked.
The chatter of my wilder days soon comes to a halt when the waitress brings us our food and places the plates in the middle of the table. We can save Margie from a heart attack for a little longer. I know I’m far away from my college days, but that’s what college was for. Margie looks between Ruby and me every now and again. I’m sure she’s shocked to see me as an actual human and enjoying a drink.
I throw some bills into the middle of the table when we’re done eating, and we make our way out excitedly. It feels like I haven’t been to a concert in years. I’ve been too busy making my name in the corporate world.
Ruby steps into the road and hails a cab for us. We get in the back, putting Margie between us. We get out between 8th and 9th Avenue, at the corner of the arena, and once I’ve paid for the cab, we begin the walk around to the entrance.
“I’ve told Margie if she makes an appointment, you’ll do her hair for her.”
“Oh, of course, I’d love to. But I warn you now, Margie, make sure you know what you want done first or I can’t be held responsible for my errant hands. They have a mind of their own, just ask Reagan.”
“That would be awesome. Thank you so much, Ruby.”
“Anytime.” Ruby smiles back at her. I knew she would.
The line moves quickly and soon we’re entering the arena. Thousands of people are already seated as we find our seats. I take my cell out to take a picture and see an unread message from Everett: I know how red your ass looks when I spank it, I know every curve of that sexy body, and I know exactly how to make you come. I’d say I know you pretty well.
What the hell am I supposed to say to that? Smug bastard.
“What’s got you blushing?” Ruby asks as I hide my screen. I don’t have to say anything, she just knows. “Is that Everett? Tell him this is girl time.”
Clicking the camera icon, I switch the lens and hold it up in front of us and take a picture. The stupid grin is still tugging at my lips as I press send.
Have that, Everett Brooks.
I lock my screen and push it into my back pocket. Margie looks between us a little sheepishly. She has to know there’s something between Everett and me; the fucker closed all the blinds in my office so he could tease me right under her nose.
“Yes, Margie,” Ruby pops her head around me, “Reagan rides that man like a rodeo bull.”
I smile as her eyes go wide, a flush begins at her neck and rises up into her cheeks. I’m sure it’s matching the one that I’m wearing right now. Even in this dim light I can tell she’s turned a lovely shade of scarlet and I smile even wider. Her gaze drops to the floor for a moment before flicking her gaze to the side to meet mine and a timid grin pulls up the corners of her lips. Before I can say anything to her, the lights go down and the first few notes of ‘I Am the Fire’ begin to play.
Ruby and I look at each other, excited to be here, while poor Margie looks like a fish out of water. Before the band has even gotten through the first verse, Ruby and I are a sweaty mess from jumping up and down like the demented fans we are.
After a two-hour set, they’ve gone through some of our favorites and our voices are hoarse from singing so loud. When it’s all over, I’m ready to strip these clothes from my body and have an hour-long shower just to rid the sweat from it.
We follow the slow, moving line out of the arena until the humid air hits us, not doing anything to cool us off.
Margie turns to Ruby and I. “Thank you so much to you both for bringing me along. I really enjoyed myself.”
“I’m glad. It was really nice meeting you, Margie. And don’t forget, when you want an appointment, just let me know and I’ll get you in.”
She throws herself at Ruby and hugs her tightly. Ruby’s eyes are wide, but she returns the embrace, putting her arms around her loosely.
“And you, Reagan. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re most welcome. If you want to share a cab, we can drop you off at home.”
“Oh, no. my bus is over there, I’ll grab that.”
“Okay, but you be careful going on the bus at this time of night.”
She smiles but says nothing else as she turns away from us and heads for the waiting bus.
Ruby watches her run across the street before turning back to me. “She’s a little strange, don’t you think?”
“She’s just a little shy. And let’s face it, everyone is quiet if we’re comparing them to you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Linking my arm with hers, I pull her along with me and walk to the edge of the sidewalk, raising my free arm to flag down a cab. Within minutes I’m off my aching feet and are heading back to civility. I need a shower and my bed; I’d forgotten how tiring having fun was. I want to message Ev and tell him I’d love to go to his place and blow off the steam he was talking about earlier, but I’m way too tired.