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After Seb hangs up, I scroll through my contact list for Lainey’s number. My thumb hovers over the call button. It feels weird to be calling someone outside of the guys to go out with, but even if Seb was wrong about Lainey being my girlfriend, Lainey is a friend.
“Hello.”
“Lainey, it’s Ben.”
“Oh, hey! How are you?”
“Annoyed. Listen, I know you’ve probably got plans tonight, since it’s Friday, but I’ve had a shitty day at work and I need a drink. Want to join me at Barnaby’s?”
“Ah, actually, I’m trying to install this security system and—Ah crap. Hang on.”
There’s a pause, and I hear Lainey frantically rummaging around for something before she picks her phone up again. “Sorry. Just lost my screwdriver. I’m so not cut out for this DIY stuff.”
All day I’ve been thinking about a beer out at the pub, but it sounds like Lainey could use my help. “Give me half an hour to get changed and I’ll come over. I’ll take a look at the system, see if I can help.”
“Really?”
She sounds so happy that I find myself smiling for the first time all day. “Yeah. You need me to pick up anything on the way over? Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. I was putting it off until after I’d finished with the alarm system.”
“I can get something from Wong’s Takeaway on the way through.”
“Wong’s sounds good. I haven’t had it since...”
Since we used to have Wong’s with Lucas and Amber. She doesn’t have to finish the sentence.
“Do you want the usual, or something different?”
“No, get the usual. I’m not going to punish my stomach because of memories.”
“Okay. Put the screwdriver down and I’ll tackle the system after dinner. Oh, and Lainey,” I say before she can put her phone down.
“Yes.”
“Have you still got that bottle of bourbon?”
“It’s still full.”
“Good.”
And with that, I hang up. The guys might not be available tonight, but Lainey is. Maybe it’s not going out, getting drunk and getting laid, but I’m not exactly dreading tonight with Lainey, either.
***
It’s more than an hourlater when I pull up outside Lainey’s unit. The old woman next door peels back the curtain to look at me. Ignoring the look of disapproval she sends my bike, I grab the bag full of Wong’s Takeaway and head to Lainey’s door.
Within seconds of knocking, Lainey opens the door dressed in a pair of overalls and a white t-shirt underneath. Her long blonde hair is up in a ponytail and her glasses are off today. Since she seems to be able to see me okay, she must be wearing her contact lenses. There’s a smudge of dirt, or perhaps grease, on her left cheek, and I lift my hand, ready to reach out and wipe it off her when I stop myself. We’re friends, and I’m not the touchy-feely type. At least, not usually.
“Hey, come in. I’m starving.” She takes the food from me. “Do you want to eat at the table or in front of the TV?”
“The table’s fine.”
I get along fine with Lainey, but I find it hard to believe we’ll be able to agree on a TV show or movie to watch. Eating at the table seems like a safer option.
“Great. I put the bourbon on the bench for you. Do you want it now or later?”
I follow her into her tiny kitchen and dining area. Sure enough, the bourbon is on the bench. It’s a good brand, but I don’t want bourbon with Chinese food. “I don’t suppose you have beer?”
