Blurred Truth (The Blurred Series Book 2) by Elle Ellerton Page B

might...at some point. You’re going out on a date with him tonight, aren’t you?”
    “How did you-”
    “Unlucky guess,” I say, cutting her off before she can finish asking how I know.
    “No one else is getting in my bed Ryan. Not Elliott, not anyone,” she reiterates.
    And because I’m a little drunk and a lot jealous of her date with Preppy Douche, I say, “Not yet.”
    And with a disbelieving last look, she continues her journey to the bedroom, where she’s going to prepare for her date that isn’t with me.
    Awesome.
     
    * * *
     
    Heading into O’Grady’s Bar, having decided I need something stronger than beer, it occurs to me that this is the place where I met Tina.
    I still haven’t dealt with that bitch. I really should send her a scathing text message or something, but I just can’t muster up the energy to do so.
    “What’ll it be, handsome?” Cath, the forty-something joint-owner of the bar asks.
    “Hey, Cath. Scotch. No ice,” I say as I take a seat on one of the empty bar stools.
    “Ouch. Why so glum?”
    “It’s a long story.”
    “Does it look like I’m busy right now, sweetheart?” she says, motioning to the vacant stools beside me.
    “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Well, sounds like you need to tell this girl how much you care about her. No more bullshit, Ry,” Cath says when I reach the end of my woeful story, culminating in me being sat in a bar, alone, spilling my guts to a bartender.
    “Yeah, I just don’t want to overwhelm her. She’s been through a lot,” I explain.
    “Who’s been through a lot?” a shrill voice says from behind me, before I feel a hand brush over my shoulder.
    Jesus Christ, not now.
    “Tina, I’m really not in the mood for your bullshit,” I say, taking another sip of my drink, which is really starting to go to my head.
    Well, that’ll happen when you drink one after the other for hours, genius.
    “ My bullshit? I’m the wronged party here, Ryan.”
    “Look, Tina,” I say turning to face her, but not leaving my perch at the bar. “I’m sorry I cut things off without explanation. I was wrong for doing that, okay? But I never made you any promises and that shit you pulled in the park? I’ll never forgive you for that, so go find some other guy to fuck with and leave me be.”
    “Well, fuck you Ryan Landon. I hope you catch a venereal disease and your dick drops off!” she almost shouts through a tearful voice, before striding off to the other side of the bar where her friends are seated.
    “Wow. Well, that was entertaining,” Cath says, as she wipes down the bar.
    “I think I’m gonna hit the road, Cath. Thanks for listening,” I say, placing enough bills on the bar to cover my drinks and a generous tip.
    “By ‘hit the road’ , I hope you don’t mean in a motorized vehicle?” she asks, but I know what she’s really saying - “You better not be driving after that skinful.”
    “You know me better than that. I walked,” I say with a smile that I’m sure doesn’t reach my eyes.
    “Good boy. Keep your chin-up, honey.”
    “I will. Thanks, Cath.”
     
    When I begin the twenty minute walk back to the apartment, the fresh, night air seems to amplify the effects of the alcohol, and I feel a little off-balance.
    I stand against the wall of a building for a few minutes, just taking deep breaths and hoping the action will bring back all of my senses, but it doesn’t seem to help.
    Testing my walking skills, I seem to be able to maintain a, somewhat, straight line, so decide it will be best if I get back to the apartment as quickly as possible to sleep it off.
     
    By the time I reach the apartment - having mulled over every part of my conversation with Cath, enhanced by the alcohol running through my system - I decide I need to talk to Natty...like, now .
    There’s a small voice in the back of my mind, telling me to just go to bed and talk to her tomorrow, with a clear head, but I ignore it.
    When I