“Um, no, but I do think he will help.” I furrow my brow in confusion.
How does she know he will help? Before I can ask, she walks out of the kitchen.
“I’m gonna finish my makeup, be ready in an hour, ok?”
Once back in my room, I stare at myself in the mirror. I’m distracted by the bags under my eyes from my lack of sleep—a by-product of my whirling mind. I sit on the edge of my bed, willing my frustrated brain to get it together. Feeling burnt out and overwhelmed, I decide tonight is not a “get cute” night. I need answers, I need to know how to fix this, and I need to know the truth. I open the small suitcase I’d packed and pull out my black jeans, a battered Ministry T-shirt, a black cardigan. After getting dressed and slipping on my converse, I throw my hair up in a ponytail, grab my purse, and meet Vix at the door.
As we arrive at the club, my eyes widen. It’s weird to see it this early with no bouncers or line hanging around outside. When I walk in, familiar vibrations flow through me making my breath hitch. Shaking it off, I follow Vix slowly through the entrance as we head onto the first floor.
She stops at a hallway that leads to an “Employees’ Only” door and turns towards me.
“I have to go through here and check in. Knox is most likely already upstairs, so just take the elevator.” She points towards the elevators and as if on que, Knox walks out, when he sees us, his gives us a wide smile.
“Speak of the devil,” she murmurs, rolling her eyes.
I let out a small giggle, and Knox’s wide smile quickly fades to a questioning frown.
“What?” he asks, his eyes darting between Vix and me as he stops in front of us.
“Nothing, just talking about your impeccable timing,” I say, giving him a little nudge with my shoulder.
His smile returns. “I mean, not to brag, but…” he draws it out, and I just shake my head.
“On that note, I’m out,” Vix says as she turns to walk through the double doors.
He looks at me, feigning shock with his hand on his chest. “What, what did I say?” He takes a couple of steps backwards laughing and I follow him.
“C’mon, let’s go upstairs. Time for you to meet the big guy.”
Stepping off the elevator, I see that the usually busy and noisy room is desolate. The glare of the house light takes away the mysteriousness of before. Staff members are busy stocking the bars and cleaning before they open this evening. No doubt Vix is doing the same.
“Vix will be up soon. Get comfortable at the bar. I need to talk to Z really quick, then I’ll come get you.”
I nod, and he heads towards the staircase leading to the office.
Sliding onto the stool, I adjust myself to get comfortable. Vix and another co-worker come in carrying two five-gallon pails of ice. Vix loads the first bucket into the ice machine.
“Hey.” Her chin tips up at me. “He left you alone already?” She scoffs as she pours in the second bucket.
“He went to go talk to your boss, then he’s coming back to get me,” I say matter-of-factly.
“You want anything while you wait? I gotta head back down to grab a few more things,” she asks as she wipes down the machine.
“Nah, I’m good, thanks, though,” I say, pulling out my phone.
“Be back in a few,” she says, and she starts to make her way back downstairs.
Scrolling through TikTok, I mindlessly watch my FYP of industrial bands and cosplay.
Behind me, I hear a familiar voice, drawing my attention in that direction to see who Knox is talking to. Knox stands near the staircase, leaving the man in front of him with his back to me.
I can only assume the person he is talking to is his boss, Zayne. My chest tightens a little, and my heart beats faster. Memories start to flood my mind: the flea market, the nail salon, the man on the dance floor. I close my eyes for a moment as each memory heats my skin. I try to tamp down my feelings, but fail miserably. An immense urge to touch him in any way I can surges through me. I can’t even see his face, but his features feel so familiar.
The ache within me goes straight to the core of my being, and it overwhelms me so much so I can’t think straight. Just then, I see the man suddenly stiffen. Knox’s face twist in confusion as he looks past the man he’s talking to and directly at me.
Gripping the edge of the bar, I force myself to stop looking and try to compose myself. Vix appears in front of me, her grin the size of the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.
“I thought you went back downstairs?” I say, shifting on the stool as I dodge her gaze.
