My first attempt at a short story, apparently not my strong suit. (Comments are always welcome!)
Since moving to the city, my alcohol consumption has skyrocketed. Having not been a fan of night clubs, I had only drunk occasionally when studying. Now my mates go to bars, we have money, and there is live music, I see the appeal of drinking. Not being much of a beer drinker, I always go for the cocktails much to the amusement of my more manly friends.
"You should come to the gym with us!" Mike encouraged me, somehow we always seemed to return to solving my dating life, or lack thereof.
"And switch to beer." Shrugged Scott, eyeing my sex on the beach cocktail.
"And grow a foot." I add, picking up and taking a swig of my far nicer drink.
"Other short guys get girls, you can't keep using that excuse." Scott countered, annoyingly I can't disagree with either part of that comment.
"Fine, but I'm not going to force myself to drink that disgusting muck just to get a girl. That's even more ridiculous." I counter.
"Then at least pick something that isn't pink!" Mike laughs. "And is that you agreeing to a gym session?"
"Why can't men have pink drinks? And yes, I'll come stroke your egos in the gym." I accept in defeat, more than aware I will have to at least half the weight on every machine.
Mike and Scott are two of my colleagues and we all started within weeks of each other. Whilst I work in the same team as Mike, I met Scott through him as they went to the same gym and got talking after noticing they also worked in the same building. Despite them both having a foot on me, we became good mates and go out for a drink at least once every other week just the three of us.
My dating life had become the go to conversation since Scott had finally broken up with his old girlfriend after their attempt at a long distance relationship came to a messy end a few weeks ago. This removed talking about his situation from conversation and talking about Mike and his girlfriend only caused Scott to get a look of longing. Scott would talk about how he is doing, but only much later on in the evening. Until then, we'd have fun and I'd bear the brunt of the jokes.
"Ladies to the right!" Mike called out as a group of smartly dressed women claimed a booth.
Scott and I very unsubtly turned in unison to see who he was referring to. There were about five of them clearly celebrating a short blonde woman in a green dress's birthday given the ridiculous birthday hat and badge she wore. One of the others, a slim brunette in ridiculous heels and a very form-fitting red dress, swaying her way over to the bar, walking in time with the guitarist's music.
"Damn." Scott whispers not very quietly, clearly admiring the brunette.
She glances at us, smiling and winking before returning her attention to the barman. We both turn around but none of us say a word as our minds replay her walk. And that smile, she knows she looks good and I'm sure she also knows how to wield that power. Also, she winked, who winks at strangers?
"I think she has a thing for big muscly lumps." I say, breaking our silence.
"Me?" Scott asks incredulously. "You're the one she winked at."
I just laugh.
"As much as I can't believe what I saw, I think he's right." Mike adds.
"Bulshit." I reply, still smiling.
"You think I want to admit that a sexy woman like that is more interested in a scrawny little nerd than a muscled warrior?" Scott countered.
"Warrior?" Mike laughs, beating me to the punch. "The only time I've seen you act like a warrior is playing mario kart!"
All three of us burst into laughter and the conversation shifts to last Saturday when, much to Mike's girlfriend's chagrin, we had spent 12 hours at their flat playing mario kart, eating crap and getting drunk. The next day we had woken up on his couch and floor incredibly hungover to her playing rock music. Whilst in general I loved Em and think they make a great couple, I would have happily strangled her then if my head wasn't spinning.
As the night wore on, we hadn't given any more thought to the group of beautiful women and the brunette who had winked at me. The bar had grown full and so they had been lost from sight on the far side of the bar. At ten, the chill guitarist was replaced by a full band and so the three of us got up and claimed our usual spot on one side of the dance floor. It was the perfect spot, a little shelf for drinks, just far enough from the bar that we weren't swallowed by the crowds trying to buy drinks and close enough to the gents without smelling it.
After a few songs, its my turn again for a round so I head to the bar, fighting to stay on my feet as taller and generally just bigger blokes try to knock me flying like a bowling pin. Suddenly, an arm hooks mine and pulls me through to the front of the queue. Looking up to see who my saviour was, it was none other than the stunning brunette.
"Thanks, I'm Joey." I say, staring at her green eyes as if mesmerised.
"Clare. Still having sex on the beach or need something cleaner to wash away the sand that gets stuck in those awkward places?" She asks me, almost shouting over the noise of the people and band.
"You got something in mind?" I ask, always up for trying new cocktails, and definitely not wanting to seem too boring infront of this woman who is way to confidently talking about having sex on a beach.
"They make a mean mister bluesky?" She suggests.
"Do love a nice cool-off in the ocean." I agree, happy that I have actually had the cocktail she suggests.
We order our drinks together but I manage to pay for my mates' two beers after realising she had already added mine to her table's tab.
"Will I see you on the dance floor?" I ask as we both carefully pick our drinks off of the bar.
She winks and disappears into the crowd of bodies, my eyes dropping to her ass before I can control myself. Damn, she is beautiful and I am completely useless. I scold myself as I fight my way back to my mates.
"You're bright red. You need to slow down?" Mike asks me as I hand them their beers.
"It's probably the lighting, he's got a bit sunburned." Scott answers before I can formulate a response.
"You're both welcome for the drinks." I reply sarcastically, secretly happy I didn't have to answer Mike's question.
"Heelllooo boys." A woman's seductive voice chuckles as arms are wrapped around my waist.
My eyes go wide, and so do Mike's and Scotts at this bold introduction from Clare.
"Thought you boys might like some company from the superior and fairer sex." She continues, swaying mine and her bodies with the music as her friends help grow our little circle.
We do a quick introduction that is made challenging by the lively music behind us and Clare's hands on my chest don't make focusing very easy. I force myself to move my hips with her mainly to avoid it feeling like I'm grinding my ass on her. Looking at Scott and Mike, their attention has shifted from me and Clare to the other ladies. The women are more than happy to be focusing on the two tall men.
