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“Nope, I’ve got a date right here, but thank you.” My voice is cheerful, and this is the point where most guys give up. Why can’t he just take a hint?
Not sure what else to say, I turn to Jacob and dismiss the guy. I don’t feel like flirting tonight and he is definitely not my type. Plus, I said no already, that should mean something. The guy eventually walks away muttering something about stuck up girls. Jacob, of course, finds it hilarious and can barely contain his laughter.
“You’re a heartbreaker. Dressing up to tempt these poor fools, just to turn them all down. I thought I was going to have to kiss you to get him to leave,” he says while he’s laughing. I give him a playful shove to shut him up, which of course doesn’t work.
“I dress up for myself, jerk. Plus, they just aren’t my type.” As I finish with a pout, he shoves my water in front of me and I take a long drink of the cool liquid. I finish it quickly and grab my mixed drink that’s still in front of him.
“This seat taken?” I hear coming from Jacob’s other side and look up at Sam in surprise. I guess he did feel bad about ditching us again. He gives me a polite nod and kisses Jacob on the head. I can’t help the jealous sigh that escapes me. Sam does the little romantic things that would make any girl a bit jealous, even if he’s dense more often than not.
“You came!” Jacob squeals at Sam and pulls out the chair. He shoots me an elated look, before giving his boyfriend his full attention. Third wheel status, engaged.
“You missed the first song already, we have one more slot coming up though, lucky you,” I joke, trying to take a bit of the silence away.
“Right on time then, I was hoping I didn’t miss it,” he chuckles. He knows all about our crazy dance moves and subpar singing.
They quickly fall into a comfortable bubble of personal conversation. I love that Sam came, but now I just feel weird. Maybe Jacob is right, I need a man.
Our names are finally called and we pick Never Gonna Give You Up - you can’t go wrong with that kind of classic. We dedicate it to Sam and serenade him, which has him rolling in his seat. By the time we rejoin him at the table, he seems to finally be relaxed, which makes him much more approachable. But I also don’t want to stop them from having a chance to enjoy a night together.
“I’m out, you guys,” I announce, gathering up my purse.
“What? This early?” Jacob asks. I’m not usually the first one out, but I give him a pointed look at Sam and wiggle my eyebrows. He blushes and nods in understanding, “Thanks, doll,” he says in my ear as he hugs me goodbye. Sam waves and I wave back before I force my way through the crowd.
My apartment is only a few blocks away, which is why I wore boots instead of heels. I want to look cute, but I’m not crazy. In the cool, night air, my tipsy feeling fades little by little.
Just as I’m about to round the corner, I hear a crash coming from the back door of Diamonds. I peek around the building and see the preppy guy from earlier hovering over a fae girl. It wouldn’t be something I would have noticed if not for the bright light above him and her pointed ears poking out of a mass of curls. Apparently he thought she’d be a more agreeable target than I was. She doesn’t seem to be fighting him, so I just roll my eyes at the fact he got him a girl. Creep. But I only manage to take a few steps before I hear a muffled scream. Without any hesitation, I whip my head back around and notice she’s starting to struggle. My temper flares and anger courses through me in a raging swirl of emotion. Oh, hell no!
My pepper spray is in my hand in seconds and I take off at a sprint. Before I reach him I click off the safety. He’s too busy to notice me so I take the opportunity to yank her away from his grasp and spray continuously. His high pitched screams are immediate and I know a crowd will be coming soon.
Not wanting to linger, I pull the girl away and drag her back to the front of Diamonds. The bouncer should be enough protection from that asshole so I can check on her properly. At this point I was likely public enemy number one.
“Are you okay?” I ask as soon as we’re safely against the front wall. It gives me the chance to look at her properly. She’s shaking and has tears running down her face and my suspicions were right, she’s clearly Fae. She shakes her head and mumbles a thanks before trying to turn away, but I stop her. “Can I at least walk you home? Two girls are better than one.”
“Sure,” she agrees quickly, clearly not ready to be alone in case he comes back. My pepper spray stays in my hand, ready if we need it, and she starts to walk. This time when we pass the alley he’s gone, likely dragged inside by his fraternity brothers.
“Were you at Diamonds, tonight?” I ask, trying to keep her talking in case she was internally freaking out. I sure as fuck would be.
“No, I was walking home from a friend’s house. The alley is usually empty because the back door is employees only, so I just wanted to cut through. Then he was stumbling out and getting in my face, going on and on about the fae and how we don’t belong. Of course it escalated to pinning me to the wall. I’m glad you came when you did. Thanks. Most people wouldn’t have helped,” she explains quietly. I feel my rage bubbling up again. What decent person would look away in that situation?
“Well I’m not most people, and that’s fucked up. We need to get you one of these bad boys,” I say as I hold up my pepper spray. “I’m Arabella by the way, but call me Bella.”
“I’m River.” We walk another two blocks in companionable silence before she gestures to a small house a few feet away. It’s a bit run down, but the yard is beautiful, full of flowers and well placed landscaping. You can tell she put a lot of work into it.
“I love the flowers,” I compliment and her face finally relaxes into a genuine smile, the weight of the evening slipping off of her shoulders now that she’s home safe.
“Landscaping is my specialty, now,” she says proudly, “thanks for walking me home and coming to help me.” She gives me a quick hug, but as she pulls away a worried look crosses her face. I smile to show it’s okay, even though my rage surges up again. The fact she was afraid to even hug me makes me livid. This stupid town and always treating the fae like scum.
“You have a phone?” I ask and she nods, giving me a confused look. “Let me see?” I hold out my hand. She hands it over and I add my number then shoot myself a quick text. “Alright, there’s my number. I live a few blocks over, so if you ever find yourself alone, you call me. I’ll come walk with you, or if you just need a friend,” I add casually, I suck at the whole making friends thing, but she seems really nice. “No pressure.”
“Really?” She blinks a few times and looks genuinely happy and slightly stunned.
“Of course, us women have to stick together,” I tease, giving her a reassuring smile before starting my journey home. My night didn’t go as planned, but at least I made a new friend.
Look at me being social like a normal person.
Chapter 3
River and I actually became quick friends. Jacob had no problem welcoming her into our group, which is just another reason why I love him. They’re actually heading over tonight and I already have a pizza on the way. Not on the way… here, I think as the doorbell rings. I hurry over to procure our cheesy goodness.
