Bye Baby by louise Collins

Author:louise Collins [Collins, louise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-28T16:00:00+00:00

****

Donnie spied Ranger as soon as he walked into the club, as far away as he could get to the speakers, sitting alone. Donnie sighed, waved for his attention, then gestured to the bar.

“Orange juice.”

The barman frowned. “You the designated driver or something?”

“No, I just want an orange juice.”

Donnie paid for his half pint of orange juice before making his way over to Ranger. Ranger looked at Donnie with the same expression as the barman.

“What?”

“Orange juice?”

“What gave it away, the color?”

Ranger’s confusion intensified. “Was the fruit named after the color, or the color after the fruit?”

Donnie groaned as he sat down. “I don’t know. I only wanted an orange juice. Didn’t realize it came with skepticism and a headache.”

Ranger snorted. “It’s on the house. Enjoy.”

“I try my absolute hardest not to drink, and it seems like the whole world is against me.”

“When was your last drink?”

“Three months ago.”

“I swear I saw a bottle of whiskey in your apartment last week.”

Donnie avoided Ranger’s gaze and looked across the club. “So why are we here?”

“Thought we could hang out.”

“We spend every other day together at the gym.”

Ranger gestured to the dance floor. “Exactly, not here.”

Donnie took a sip of orange juice. He needed a level head for the conversation they were about to have anyway.

“Is this about what happened on the roof?”

“Huh?”

“You went…raging.”

“It happens.”

“What does?”

Ranger turned away. “The red mist—”

“What mist?”

“I couldn’t stop it from taking over on the roof. I saw Elliot goad you, knew you were gonna get hurt, and I got so angry—I barely remember what happened after that.”

“You almost killed me.”

“You kinda deserved it.”

“And the red mist?”

“It’s gone for now.”

“Good.”

Ranger pressed his lips into a grim smile.

“You hate…hated clubs,” Donnie said.

“I’m trying something new.”

“While hiding away in the corner, far away from the dance floor, speakers, and flashing lights.”

Donnie yelped when Ranger kicked him under the table.

“I’m meeting someone tonight.”

“Oh yeah?”

That was good, Donnie supposed.

“Yeah. Him and his friend will be here soon.”

Donnie nodded, then froze. “No way.”

“What?”

“This isn’t some fucking double-date situation is it?”

“No, of course not. His names Tyler. Thirty. Lives in Trent, works as a bus driver.”

“You talking about the guy you’re meeting, or the one you’re gonna force me to sit with?”

“Don’t be like that…and your one.”

“For fuck’s sake—”

“My one’s called Fred. Thirty-three, runs an animal shelter, unless I’ve mixed them up.”

“Great, so not only do I have to make small talk about buses, but I’m gonna go home with fleas, and possibly rabies.”

“You owe me.”

“Why?”

“For helping get you back into shape, for getting you looking like hot stuff again.”

Donnie snorted. “Hot stuff.”

“I’m serious. Have you not noticed how many people are looking over?”

Donnie lifted his gaze to the nightclub, then shuffled when he noticed there were people looking over at him.

Not repulsed but smiling. Giving him the look. He hadn’t seen that look directed at him for years.

He wasn’t even dressed to impress, sporting his worn jeans and his short-sleeved shirt, but heated looks were thrown his way.

“I promise you Tyler’s good-looking.”

Donnie’s headache came back with vengeance.

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