"Dammit, of all the places we have to go," I said while I threw the last case into the back of the truck. "We're going to have nothing to do."
Every two weeks or so, my company has an off-site conference we have to set up. That involves four of us loading all the necessary gear in the back of the truck and driving up to 6 hours to the location. Luckily I'd gotten one of my best friends a job with the company, so I had someone my age to hang out with on these trips.
"It won't be any different that the last one," Brian suggested, "we'll just set up, get plastered, then work through our hangover the next morning."
"Yeah, I guess," I replied. With all the gear loaded, we climbed into the truck and headed off.
---
"Holy shit, dude," Brian exclaimed about halfway there, "I just remembered that Carissa lives in Lubbock. She's going back to Tech."
"Great, I have to deal with your whiny ass ex-girlfriend fawning over you the entire time."
"I have to call her, besides, we've been apart for a couple years and she's lightened up a lot since she went back to college." Brian pulled out his phone and found her in his phone book. "Hey Cari, it's Brian... yeah, we'll be in town tonight... Sure, we'll be at the Marriott on University. See you tonight."
"I take it she didn't have anything better to do?"
"Nope, she said she'd meet us around 8."
---
We were just taping down the last of the cables when Carissa walked in. I'd known her before she moved back to Tech, but I was not prepared for the woman who walked in the door. Tight jeans and a green tank top hugged every curve of her body just right. I could see the outline of her bra underneath the flimsy fabric, and she had make up her hair and makeup perfectly. This was not the 20 year old awkward girl that had left town 5 years ago, this was a full blown hottie. Suddenly I found myself much more interested in the idea of hanging out with her for the night.
"Brian," she exclaimed when she saw him. She ran up to him and jumped up to give him a hug.
"Hey Cari," I said after she and Brian had exchanged pleasantries. "How have you been?"
"I'm good," she replied, "I'm just glad to have something to do, I thought I'd be sitting in my apartment alone again."
"Glad we could help. I think we're done here, want to head up to the rooms, Brian?"
"Yeah," he responded, I'll go up and get the 'bar' ready. Grab some ice on the way, will ya?"