“I’m waiting for someone,” Drew said, trying not to sound as cold as he felt. “It’s a public parking lot, dude.”
“Does she want to see you?” the bouncer asked.
“She’s my friend. I already saw her inside.”
“Does she want to see you?” the bouncer repeated.
“I guess we’ll find out.”
The Rock didn’t like his answer, but that was fine, because Drew didn’t like him.
A few minutes later, Joey came out the back door, all bundled up in her giant winter parka and snow boots. The fake eyelashes were gone, her face was wiped clean, and she looked absolutely exhausted. When she saw Drew, she froze.
Her eyes darted back and forth between Drew and the bouncer, and it was obvious she’d only been expecting to see The Rock. Was she planning to go home with him? Was she actually dating this dude? Drew felt a sudden pang of insecurity. He was six three, but the bouncer had two inches and probably fifty pounds of muscle on him, which made Drew feel … small. He didn’t like it, he wasn’t used to it, and so basically, it sucked.
“Hey,” Joey said hesitantly.
Neither man responded, because neither was sure which one of them she was speaking to.
Joey’s gaze finally settled on Drew. “You’re still here.”
“Can you tell this dude I’m your friend?” Drew said. It came out more hostile than he intended, and he saw the bouncer’s jaw twitch. “He seems to think I’m stalking you.”
“It’s okay, Chaz,” Joey said. “I do know him.”
“So, you need a few minutes, or…” The bouncer’s voice trailed off. He sounded annoyed, but Drew could detect something else underneath it. Dismay. Hurt.
“I can drive you home,” Drew said to Joey, and when she didn’t immediately respond, he added, “We used to live together, so I think I know the way.” It was petty, but he couldn’t resist the dig.
“You good with that, Joey?” the bouncer asked, and it was clear he wasn’t going to leave until he heard it from her. She nodded, and the bigger man’s face hardened. “Cool. Happy New Year.”
“You too, Chaz.” She looked like she wanted to say something more to him, maybe reassure him in some way—she hated to hurt people’s feelings—but The Rock was already inside his car.
Alone under the bright lights of the parking lot, Drew and Joey stared at each other.
“What are you still doing here, Drew?” she asked again.
He walked over to the Sunfire and opened the passenger-side door. “Get in the car, Joey.”
She bristled at his tone.
“Please.” Drew’s teeth were chattering. “I forgot how fucking cold it is here.”
* * *
They didn’t speak for the first half of the drive. Which wasn’t long, as the house was only fifteen minutes away. But the radio wasn’t on. It was too quiet. Neither of them seemed to know how to begin.
“How’s Simone?” Joey finally asked.
“She’s fine.”
“When did you get back into town?”
“Christmas Eve,” Drew said. “I’m staying at my mom’s.”
That hurt her. He could sense it. He’d been home for a week and hadn’t called.
“So that was your bachelor party,” Joey said.
“Yes.”
“You’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail,” she said. “Although that would be strange, since you and I used to live together.”
He deserved that.
“Where’s the wedding?” she asked.
“The Old Mill.”
Joey slumped in her seat. He could imagine what she was thinking. The Old Mill was nice. The kind of place you’d choose if you wanted something traditional and a little bit fancy.
“There was a last-minute cancellation,” Drew said, as if it would help anything. “Her parents are paying for it.”
“And yet here you are.” Joey glanced at the dashboard. “At … two thirty in the morning. Didn’t your friends bail after midnight? What have you been doing for the past two hours?”
“Thinking.”
“About…？”
“You,” he said tersely. “Tonight was … hard to watch.”
A full minute passed before Joey spoke again. “I’m sorry if I ruined your night,” she said. “I know you ruined mine.”