I was going to. I didn’t even know where they were going. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the karaoke bar on 32ndand 45th—the one I usually went to when I needed a laugh—to find Eva, Violet, a bunch of her friends, and five guys standing by the bar. My sister hadn’t seen me yet so I started to leave until I notice one of the guys was Officer Angry Icicle. I didn’t trust that walking red flag, so I decided to stick around—just for a few minutes to make sure Violet was okay.
I should have just turned around and walked right out. I knew the second I heard her laughing over the terrible singing ofthe girl on stage, that there was no way I was going anywhere. It had been eleven days since I’d seen her smile or heard her laugh. That sucked, so fucking much I was literally a mess. I missed our late night walks. I missed the way she teased me the second she noticed me anywhere near her. I missed the sound of her voice.
I missed her, so damn much.
So I stayed, hiding in the shadows near the bar.
Violet was chatting with Eva, occasionally taking sips of her drink—Blue Hawaiian based on what I saw the bartender make. I’d been trying to be good, just watch, not eavesdrop, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to hear her voice.
“Thanks for coming, I really needed this.”
“Thanks for inviting me! Your friends are lovely.”
“They’re not all my friends. I’m still a little pissed Ash invited Jessica. She’s an instant mood killer. Did you hear her mumbling about my outfit violating HR rules? Like, shut up. We’re not at work, I’m partying.”
She rolled her eyes, taking another sip of her drink.
Don’t get me started on her outfit. I was on Jessica’s side. Only because of how much time Angry Icicle’s eyes spent staring at her ass in that miniskirt.Leather miniskirt. It also didn’t help that the tube top she was wearing barely covered her chest.
I’d known she had a few small tattoos but now I was learning she had a lot more. Writing down her spine, a dragon wrapped around a sword on her thigh, several small wolves climbing up her left arm and over her collarbone, a snake twisting its way up her left leg, symbols for each of the elements on her right wrist. She had one more. I could only see a bit of it peeking out from the top of her shirt. It looked like the tail of another dragon.
“She’s just jealous of how hot you look.”
Eva turned to the bartender, grinning. I stepped farther into my corner. I knew she couldn’t see me when I was engulfed inmy shadows, but I was still scared she’d be able to sense me or something.
“Can we get another round please?”
The guy nodded, going to work.
“Don’t flirt with me, I might get an ego about it.” Violet shook her head.
“You should. Officer Hottie hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off of you.”
She peeked over to find the cop’s eyes snapping to hers, a lazy grin on his face. She blushed, focusing back on Eva.
“He is kind of cute. But he’s already stood me up once. And I mean he’s a cop, he could be trying to get me to drop my guard, gather intel on…you know…”
That’s my girl, don’t trust anyone.
Not your girl, you made sure of that.
I sighed. Yes, I supposed I did.
“Paranoid much.” Eva laughed. “So what if he is. You don’t have to trust him; you just need to get laid.”
Violet sighed shaking her head. “I don’t need to get laid.”
“Sure you do, everyone does. Well, most people. You’re not asexual, are you?”
“I’m not.”
“Well, then you do need to get laid. He’d be a great start; he looks competent enough. It might be a little disappointing but it will help you relax for a change. Maybe even distract you from You Know Who.”
“I read too much.” Violet rolled her eyes. “All he’ll do is be more disappointing. I’d rather have another five years’ worth of dry spells than break it with someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Besides, I don’t need distracting from anyone.” She finished off the last of her drink before reaching for the new one the bartender just arrived with.
“Five years!” Eva choked on her drink. “Bitch, you desperately need to get laid. How are you functioning?”
“Toys and my imagination.” She huffed, taking the first sip of her new drink. “Besides, men are overrated. Only care about their own pleasure, leaving you to take care of yourself with toys anyway.”
