CHAPTER 7
The broad dipped low, her ass inches from his face. He shifted back a bit as Mike chuckled next to him. Edward rolled his eyes and got up, expertly maneuvering out of his chair so he didn't have to touch her. This was not what he had in mind when Mike suggested that they go out. Usually they went somewhere a little less...stripper-y. Usually, it was just a sports bar.
"Whiskey on the rocks," he called out to the bartender, sliding onto a stool.
"Edward? Edward Masen?" A shrill voice called out and Edward turned around to see a lean, tan woman with bouncy red curls in a corset. His lips curled into smile on their own accord.
"Vicky!" He pulled her into a tight hug. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, Eddie. You?" She leaned in to whisper. "What are you doing here?"
Edward shrugged. "I'm with a friend."
Vicky raised her eyebrows in surprise, but didn't comment on it. "Well, it's certainly good to see you again, Mr. Masen. I hope you enjoy the show." She kissed his cheek before sauntering away. Edward's eyes slid down her back, right down to her perky little ass. He had good memories of that ass.
A cold glass thumped against his arm and he smiled in thanks at the bartender, Jason, before downing it. He welcomed the buzz and his mind wandered back to Vicky. What was she doing here? Why was here? He thought she had a stable job at the firm. She always used to walk around in those sexy business skirts and tight tops when they dated. She always knew what she wanted and went after it. If Edward remembered anything about Vicky it was that she worked her ass off to get what she wanted and eventually, she did. Edward ordered another drink and slid a twenty to Jason, but Jason refused. When Edward asked why, Jason shrugged and said the drinks were paid for. Deciding to question his good luck, he sipped his whiskey as his mind focused on various things at once.
Mostly he was focused on Tanya's upcoming recital. Edward truly smiled for the first time in months when he saw the text from Bella. He'd even included a smiley face on his reply text, accepting his invitation. He hadn't missed a single recital since she started playing. He'd have to sober up before then, it was one of Bella's rules. She'd made him sit down and talk after the skate-rink incident, and though being around her made him uncomfortable, he couldn't blame her. She was only trying to protect the kids and hurt his heart when he realized that she was protecting them from him. Idly, he wondered how long it would take for the coke and alcohol to clear his system. A few days probably.
Tanya's recital was on the thirteenth and today was the sixth. That gives him about three days to let loose before he can see his Angel perform. He'd have to stop by the house to pick up his suit as well. He lost his key, but Bella kept a spare in the bushes. He would have to go when she was in school if he wanted to avoid her. He pulled out his phone and programed a reminder for himself so he didn't miss anything. He knocked back another shot before he realized that he was going to need something a bit more than vodka to erase the nagging feeling in the center of his chest. He slipped off his stool and into darkness.
