Page 4 of After Care

Commotion to our side made Tommy twist in that direction. A few girls had crossed the barricade, and Tommy stood to speak with them. Jared got up as well, patting Tommy on the back as he took half a step toward him. Another band member joined the small montage of men holding back the young girls in their low-cut, too-short, slim-fit outfits.

“I think I need the bathroom,” I said, jumping up too quickly. I drained the wine in my glass as I watched Jared smile, Tommy’s arms flap in exasperation, and the blond band member reach for a girl, bringing her into the VIP section.

“I’ll go with you,” Ivy offered, but I shook her off. We weren’t college girls needing to tag team. In fact, I didn’t know why I was there. I was a forty-three-year old woman, and she was…what? All of twenty-eight, if that?

“I’ll be fine,” I said, holding up a hand after steadying myself.

“You’ll come back, right?” Her voice squeaked in a yearning lilt. My shoulders sagged. My plan had actually been to use the restroom and escape, apologizing later by feigning a headache.

“I’ll be right back,” I acquiesced, patting her arm in assurance.

In the bathroom, I gave myself a pep talk. You can do this, I encouraged, as I stared at my too-wide blue eyes and pursed my bright red lips.

You don’t need to dance.

Just have another drink.

He bought the bottle for you.

This trip was to celebrate.

I sighed as I tugged at the wrinkled skin under my chin. The folds sprang back into place after releasing them. My tan skin was striped with rings of a lighter mixture because of the folds, reminding me of an okapi leg. I had to laugh at myself. What else could I do? I didn’t need to impress these people. I wouldn’t ever see them again. Ivy seemed to latch onto me, but I didn’t understand why. She was sweet, though, and I decided I could hold the bold face for another hour. I washed my hands, patted my warm cheeks, and exited the bathroom.

Upon re-entering the club, my eyes landed instantly on Tommy, dancing. Well, maybe not dancing, but standing on the edge of the dance floor with a woman leaning into him and another pressing playfully at his chest. As I crossed to the VIP section, he turned to face me, possibly feeling the weight of my eyes boring into his broad back.

It wasn’t fair. How is it men aged well, while women just aged? If I was fine wine, he was a bottle of whiskey, his flavor ripening as the years passed, aging him to perfection over time. Nervous fingers swiped through my wayward curls, and I spun away from his glance. Eyes focused on Ivy, I stalked toward her.

“Are you all right?” Ivy asked. “You look a little flushed.” She rose and wrapped slender fingers around my arm, guiding me to take her seat.

“I’m fine,” I replied, and as politely as I could, removed my arm from her grasp. “I think I’m going to call it a night, though.” I pasted on my best false smile. Her eyes pinched, and her sweet face fell a little.

“Are you sure? I’m sorry if something happened.” I didn’t even know what she could mean, but her genuine concern warmed my insides.

“What could have possibly happened?” I teased. “Honest, honey, I’m all good. This really isn’t for me, but you have fun. I’ll check on your girls.” Without a care, I reached for her, pulling her into a quick hug. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Maybe Petty should walk you to your room.” Petty? Was that the blond band member’s name? I glanced over my shoulder to see him whispering into the ear of the girl he pulled forward from the crowd.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I laughed. Petty wasn’t going to willingly step away from his momentary interest.

“I’ll go with you then.” Ivy stepped toward me as Gage reached for her waist. “Babe?”

As a young couple, him a rock star and her a mother, I bet they rarely had time out together. I couldn’t begin to comprehend the life of fame, so I didn’t try.

“Ivy, it’s only across the way.” I rubbed up and down her arm, gave Gage another false smile, and turned for the exit.

I hadn’t made it down the hallway for the lobby before the sound of heavy feet followed me.

“Whoa, where you headed so fast?” The gruff voice startled me, as did the hand that gripped my bicep, and I spun, ready to fight off an attack.

“Tommy?” I gasped, completely shocked that he held my arm, pinning me in place.

“Why’d you leave so quickly, darlin’?” His hand slipped to my wrist before releasing me. A trail of heat trickled where his palm blazed against me. I shivered at the sensation.

“I’m heading back to my room. The bar isn’t really my scene.”

His eyes narrowed on mine, and his lips twisted in a way that made him look like he contemplated something. He took my elbow and started tugging me in the direction of large double doors.

“What the heck?” I muttered, struggling only slightly under his grip. He pulled the door open with ease, drawing me into what appeared to be an empty ballroom. Tugging the door shut behind him, we were submerged in momentary darkness. “Are you insane?”