Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Adriana

Heather and I walk out of the elevator and into the suite to our room.

“You can dress comfy tonight.” I tell her so she doesn’t overdress.

“Where are you taking us?” she questions.

“A karaoke bar.” I say with a grin.

“That is fabulous!” Heather says while she is cracking up with laughter.

“It’s close by and it was a favorite place of mine to go hangout.” I inform her.

“You know for a fact that I will bring your ass up on stage with me, right?” she asks me. But really, Heather is telling me.

“I figured.” I say, laughing with a roll of my eyes.

Going over to my suitcase, I grab a pair of skinny jeans and my Powerline t-shirt. I can’t wait to see if anyone knows who this character is. Usually there are a few people who stop me and tell me how much they love my shirt because it is such an underrated movie. Completing my outfit with my black low top converse sneakers and a black zip up hoodie. Taking a quick look in the mirror and confirming I love my outfit, I head out to the living room to wait for Heather.

“You ready, lady?” She asks as she comes out into the living room area.

“Yuppers! Tonight is going to be hysterical!” I confirm.

We head back to the elevator and catch it back to the lobby. Walking out of the elevator to see the team is at the hotel bar. Well, this is good cause they will have liquid courage for tonight.

“Hey boys.” Heather says as we reach them.

“We are men, not boys, Heather. How many times do we have to tell you?” Kings says.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Men. You guys ready to head out?”

“Yes, where are we going?” King asks.

“Well, we are in for a treat. Colorado is Adriana’s home state. We’re headed to one of her favorite places.” Heather tells him.

“That doesn’t answer the question. Where are we going?” Ty asks me.

“It’s a surprise. Let’s go, follow me.” I tell him.

I turn, looping my arm through Heather’s and we walk towards the entrance doors of the hotel. I hear footsteps catching up to us and the next thing I know there is a hand on my back guiding me and Heather to the inside of the sidewalk while he is closest to the street.

What a gentleman.

“Do I get a hint?” He asks.

“Just go with the flow, Casanova.” I tell him.

“I don’t know if I like this.” Cole says to me.

“You will, I promise.” I say while smiling at him.

King comes to catch up with Cole and me while everyone else is behind us. It only takes us about ten minutes to get to JD’s Bar & Grill. The guys are looking at me like they’re skeptical of this place. I know it won’t be what they think they need, but I’m pretty sure they need a carefree night after what happened to Dean today.

JD’s is a hole in the wall bar. Instead of being modern, it’s more old school. There is sports memorabilia trickled throughout the bar. The booths have red vinyl covering, resembling a diner. There is a jukebox for the nights where there isn’t a band or karaoke.

“Let’s go inside.” I say.

King holds the door open and lets Heather and I walk in first. Karaoke is already underway and someone is up on stage singing Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” and everyone in the bar is singing right along, too. This was a go to spot when I lived here because everyone was friendly and didn’t care who you were. They hyped you up after you sang regardless. I look over at the bar and see that my favorite bartender, Shay, is working. I grab Heather’s hand and head straight for her.

“Hey girl hey!” I shout so she can hear me.

“Adriana! Where have you been?!” Shay asks me.

“I moved out to New York for a job. Matter of fact, this is my boss turned bestie Heather. Heather, this is Shay, the best bartender friend ever.” I introduce them.

“Nice to meet you, Shay.” Heather tells her while they shake hands.

“You too. What are you drinking Heather?” Shay asks.

“I’ll do a Malibu bay breeze, please.” Heather tells her.

“Shay, I think you forgot about me.” I accuse.

“Girl, your drink isn’t hard to forget. JD and Coke babe.” She tells me my own order.

“You do love me!” I exclaim and we all crack up laughing.

The guys have invaded the bar now and are ordering drinks from one of the other bartenders on staff tonight. It only takes Shay a few minutes before she comes back with both of our drinks.

“Tab tonight?” Shay asks with a grin.

“You can put both of theirs on mine.” Cole comes out of nowhere and hands Shay his card.

“You got it, handsome. What can I get you?” She flirts with him.

Too bad you don’t have a chance, Shay . I smirk to myself.

“Three blue moon drafts please.” Cole orders.

“Coming right up.” Shay tells him and goes off to grab mugs.

I turn to see Cole, Ty and King are standing behind us.

“You didn’t have to do that.” I tell him.

“I know. I wanted to.” He says to me.

“Thank you.” I say.

“Thanks brother.” Heather says.

“You both are welcome.” He tells us.

“Now A, why a karaoke bar?” Kings asks me.

“Well, I figured you all needed a silly fun night after today. Here, you don’t have to be a professional baseball player. Each of you can just be yourself or take on the persona of singer. I loved coming here to escape and do both.”

“That is an interesting view there. I knew I liked you. So, that means you’ll be going up there?” Kings asks.

“Absolutely. After a few drinks. Besides, if I don’t go willingly, she’ll drag me up there.” I point at Heather.

Shay comes back with the guys’ beers and we move away from the bar so others can order. We find two bar stools at a high top by the wall. Heather and I each take one. Someone is on stage singing “Funky Cold Medina” by Tone Loc and the crowd is so into it, including the team.

“I’m going to go sign up.” King tells us.

“Go King!” Heather and I say at the same time. We both look at each other and crack up.

“Adriana?” I hear from my side.

Ty and Cole straighten their backs and go on high alert. I turn my head to where my name came from and find small dick, Toby. Of course, the one person I could go without seeing would be here. He used to complain about coming here when we were together. Why the fuck is he here now?

“Toby.” I state, not giving him a reaction.

“How are you? You look great.” Toby speaks to me hesitantly.

“I’m fucking amazing.” I tell him the truth.

“I thought my mind was playing tricks on me when I saw you. Are you moving back? Did things not work out where you moved to?”

“Like I told you, I’m not your business. But since you can’t take the hint. No, I’m not moving back. Ever since my move, everything has been working out perfectly.” I tell him coolly.

“I know you said that, but I’d regret it if I didn’t come over and talk to you. How long are you here for? Can we get coffee and talk? I just want to talk to you.” Toby blurts out.

He must know I will not put up with his presence for much longer. Beads of sweat are showing on his forehead.

Cole moves behind me, letting me know he’s there if I need him. Him doing this shows me I can trust him. I know we aren’t official, but he’s staking his claim.

“How long I’m here doesn’t matter. My answer from when you called me hasn’t changed. We aren’t getting coffee and we aren’t talking. I’m not interested in what you have to say.” tell him while staying with a firm tone.

“Adriana, I just want to talk. I miss you. Did our time together not mean anything to you?”

“Are you fucking kid-” I go to say ready to lose it, but Ty cuts me off as Cole grabs my hips from behind to keep me in place. Or to stop himself from hurting Toby.

“Listen, get a fucking clue. She wants nothing to do with you. And I know she’s told you this before. What was the point of coming over here?” Ty says.

Ty speaking up for me just solidified that I found my people. He looks pissed and I can tell that he is intervening, so Cole doesn’t. Cole looks like he is ready to rip Toby into shreds. The rest of the team notices something is going on in our area and they’re all making their way to be closer.

“Who are you? Are you dating him Adriana? I never took you for dating a dumb jock.” Toby says bravely.

“Yeah, you’re not going to insult someone you don’t even know. That’s my husband. Adriana is my best friend. I’ve heard about you, though. How you cheated on our girl here and it took two women to replace her. You are a dumbass for losing the best thing in your life.” Heather has entered the chat.

“I don’t know any of you and I don’t want to either. Adriana is who I want to talk to.” Toby retorts.

“You can try to talk to her but you have to go through all of us.” King says from behind Toby.

“Holy shit! You’re King Owens! Wait, Adriana, you know him? How?” Toby asks, starstruck.

“She does, but it’s not your business.” Cole answers for me.

“Toby, I think you need to just leave.” I tell him.

“Wait, this is like the whole Grizzlies team. Are you living in New York now?” he questions.

“Toby, it’s time to go. You are no longer welcome here in this establishment. You are disrupting business.” Shay tells him.

I don’t know when she came over, but that’s not surprising since there are a bunch of tall ass guys around us.

“Are you kidding me? I come here all the time and you are going to tell me to leave? Why not them?” Toby is losing his shit.

“They aren’t the ones making a scene. You could have just said hello but no, you just keep going.” Shay responds.

“Fuck this. I’ll leave. Adriana, you will hear me out one way or another.” Toby says. He turns and pushes his way to the door. He looks back, shakes his head, then leaves.

“Thank you Shay. I appreciate you so much!” I tell her as I hug her.

“Love you too, girl! He’s been in here at least once a week and he keeps asking the regulars if they’ve spoken with you. I’m just glad that everyone’s always told him to kick rocks. He seems unhinged.” Shay tells me about Toby. “I’m bringing another round over. Oh, and I love your shirt!”

“You are the best Shay!” I reply to her.

Cole comes over to me, and I reach out to hug him. I was not expecting Toby tonight. To see the team have my back has me feeling overwhelmed with emotions. I have to address them because we are supposed to be having silly fun and I refuse to let small dick Toby ruin that for us.

“Guys, thank you for having my back. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like I belong somewhere but you all just showed me I have people in my life that care. It means the world to me. Now, let’s get back to having some silly fun. We are not letting that douchebag ruin it! Who’s singing next?”

“I think I can speak for everyone but you are a part of the Grizzlies family A. We will always have your back.” Ty tells me and all the guys are shaking their heads in agreement.

I’m smiling and ready to turn this night around. Shay comes over with another round of drinks and gives me one more hug. The host of the night gets on the stage to bring up the next performer.

“We have a treat for you guys tonight! Our next singer is King!” he announces.

King smiles at me and walks to the stage.

“A, your shirt inspired me, but now it’s just to turn the night around.” King says into the mic.

He knows who is on my shirt! King is too funny and surprising. I know it might seem like he’s flirting, but I think he just puts that persona on. He’s actually been a great friend from afar. The music starts and man is he good because he didn’t even go with the song that most people will go to from the movie. He went with my favorite.

Cole puts his arm around my shoulder and gives me a hug from the side.

“How are you doing, Casanova?” I ask Cole.

“Me? Don’t worry about me. How are you doing?” He questions.

“I’m good, I promise.” I say as King sings along to the song.

“What song is this?” Cole asks.

“Are you serious? Have you never seen A Goofy Movie? You need a movie education, sir.” I tell him.

“I’m just adding it to the movie list for our movie date nights.”

“Cole Evans! I can’t believe you’ve never seen it! The song is “Stand Out” and it’s my favorite actually from the movie. It’s by the one and only Powerline. Sir, I’m so disappointed.” I tell him

“So sorry to disappoint. But you get to be with me when I watch for the first time. Doesn’t that count for something?”

“I guess.” I smile at him.

We all get to go up and sing a song. Ty chooses Garth Brooks’ Friends in Low Places, Cole sings Chase Rice’s Lonely If You Are, while Heather and I chose to sing Lou Bega’s Mambo No. 5 together. It’s been a fun night and we are all ready to head back to the hotel. Everyone with a tab closes out and we all walk back to the hotel together.

We get off the elevator to our floor and go to our suite. We all go sit in the living room. Heather is sitting on Ty’s lap in the chair, and Cole and I are sitting next to each other on the couch. He puts his arm behind me on the top of the couch.

“That was fun. Didn’t think I’d enjoy a karaoke bar so much. We need to bring Dean to one back home when he’s back up and running.” Ty says.

“That’s an idea I can get behind.’ Cole agrees.

“At least back at home there won’t be a small dick, Toby to ruin it.” Heather says.

“Amen to that! But for real, thank you guys for tonight with him. Ty, you do not know how much you stepping in means to me.” I say.

“Not a big thing. A, you’re family. It’s what we do.” Ty tells me.

“Well, I thought that before, but tonight really made me realize that.”

“How are you feeling about the Toby part of the night, A?” Heather asks.

“Well, it wasn’t great. But I also knew I could run into him while we were here. I didn’t think he’d be at JD’s, though. He used to complain about having to go there. So hearing that’s he been frequenting there is weird. But how the entire team came to stand up for me when they realized what was going on was amazing. I hate that he put two and two together and now knows where I moved to, but he also knows now that I’m done in no uncertain terms.” I tell her.

Cole moves his arm from the back of the couch and puts it around me to squeeze my shoulder.

“I was ready to punch him in the face.” He says

“I know, that’s also why I stepped in, little brother. Can’t have you in the news for that.” Ty tells us.

“I appreciate you, big brother.”

“Okay, I’m ready for bed.” Heather says.

“Me too.” Ty says.

“I’ll take the couch again tonight.” Cole offers.

“Are you sure?” Ty asks.

“Yeah, it’s fine. It wasn’t uncomfortable.” Cole responds to Ty.

“Okay, good night you two.” Heather says as she gets up.

“Night.” Ty says, following her.

Cole nudges my shoulder to get me to move closer. I scoot over to him and lay my head on his shoulder. He lets me just be like he knows I need the silence for a moment. He just rubs his hand up and down my arm. I need to go change and lay down, but I don’t want to break this comforting moment either. Seeing Toby was a good thing because it made me realize I’m over him because none of those old feelings came back. All I felt was annoyance that he thought I would talk to him. Thinking of what he said about hearing him out one way or another puts me on edge, and I don’t want to be alone right now. I lift my head and look at Cole.

“You sure you’re okay?” He asks me.

I don’t answer him. Instead, I get up from the couch and grab his hand. He gets up and follows me as I lead him by the hand into the room Heather and I are sharing. I grab my clothes to change into for bed.

“Wait here.” I say as I leave the room to go change into the bathroom.

I know I said slow but I just need him right now. I need nothing more than him holding me, but I don’t think I’ll be able to stop my mind from going to a dark place enough to go to sleep. It seems as if Toby is a little obsessed at this point. I finish changing and head back into the room. I go to the side that Cole isn’t standing at and pull back the comforter and sit. He looks lost since he has no clue on what is going through my head.

“Will you sleep in here with me tonight?” I ask him.