Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
“Okay, asshole.” I punch him in the shoulder. “I do not get hung up on girls. Wanting to chat up a girl is no different than when I meet a girl in a bar back home,” I lie, mostly to convince myself, but Dylan knows me way too well to know I’m bullshittin’ through my teeth.
“Fine, then prove it. Let’s go out tonight, hit up a busy bar or somethin’ and find a girl to hook up with.”
“You’re telling me to go sleep with someone to prove to you I’m not hung up on River?” I confirm, realizing how insane it sounds. But what’s crazier is how much she intrigues me, and we’ve only just met. If I’m going to hook up with a chick during this trip, I want it to be her.
Any other time, I’d be all over a dare like this. I’m not about to admit that to him, though.
“Pff, easy.” I swallow, not wanting him to see through my lies.
After grabbing a quick bite, we go back to the hotel and get ready for the night. I’m more determined to prove to myself that I can’t be hung up on River than to prove Dylan wrong. I can do this. I can find a chick and bring her back and fuck her brains out. Hell, it should be second nature by now.
“You ready?” Dylan calls out an hour later.
“Almost,” I tell him.
I finish up and step out of the bathroom, dressed and ready to head out. Deciding to leave my ball cap off, I comb my fingers through my hair until it’s tousled, then I decide to wear my black cowboy boots with my relaxed fit jeans.
“’Kay, I’m good to go.”
Dylan and I walk down Duval Street, knowing it has the best nightlife near the hotel. We’ve learned a cab ride back is cheap since most of the bars are within walking distance, but when you’re tipsy and can’t walk straight, it feels like miles.
“Don’t forget our deal,” Dylan reminds me as if I need reminding.
“Yeah, yeah. I know.”
He slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Good. Don’t forget the code word either.” He flashes a shit-eating smirk.
We head into the bar we’ve visited the last couple of nights and order our first round of beers. The streets are packed with tourists, and my hope for seeing River again diminishes.
“Hey, mates!” Liam, a guy we met the other night, greets us just as we order our second round. He has a girl hanging off his arm tonight, though. He’s from Sydney, which was pretty obvious once we heard him speak.
“Hey!” Dylan and I both say. “How’s it goin’?”
Before Liam can respond, the girl speaks up. “Oh my God! I love your accents!” she squeals.
“They sound like you,” he tells the girl, but she dismisses him with a wave.
“Texas, right?” she asks in an overly flirty tone.
“Yes, ma’am,” Dylan answers. “Where you from?”
“Ontario,” she replies with a wide smile. “I’m Jessica, by the way. I just love the south. I’m completely infatuated with it.”
The girl’s hand loosens out of Liam’s arm, and soon he’s shrugging her off and ordering himself another drink.
“Did you find your girl yet?” he asks me while Dylan chats with Jessica, or, rather, Jessica chats up Dylan.
I frown. “No. I’m starting to think it’s hopeless.” I shrug, pretending it’s no big deal.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Dylan interrupts with a groan. “You told Liam about her, too?”
Liam grins and nods.
“Not really,” I start to explain. “He asked why I wasn’t out on the dance floor, and I said I was trying to find a girl I met the other night. That’s all.”
“River,” Liam adds. “Guess we’ll need to put together a search party soon.” He chuckles.
Dylan shakes his head disapprovingly. “Well, he’s been given a new mission tonight,” he tells Liam and Jessica. “Find a girl to bring back to the room to prove he’s not hung up on her.” He jabs his elbow into my side.
Liam’s eyes widen as he takes a pull from his beer. “Really, mate?” He turns and looks at me for confirmation.
I shrug and purse my lips.
“If he brings a girl home tonight, where does that leave you?” Jessica asks slyly, directing all her attention back to Dylan.
Tuning them out, I turn toward the bar to order another beer. If I have to go through with this dare, fuck if I can do it sober.
“What if you end up finding her, after all?” Liam asks, sitting on the stool next to me without concern that Jessica is now all over Dylan. Apparently, he’s not bothered by it.
I shrug, not really wanting to answer that. “What if I don’t?”
“You won’t know, but I bet if you do, you’ll regret sleeping with someone else.” His words go straight to my gut.
“I’ve only regretted sleeping with two women in my entire life,” I tell him matter-of-factly. “One was because she forgot to tell me she was engaged—and I don’t sleep with women who are spoken for—and the other because she turned out to be bat-shit crazy. She left me thirty-four voicemails within twenty-four hours, and because that wasn’t enough of a hint to leave me the hell alone, she showed up at my door.”