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The ten-minute cab ride to After Dark drags on for what feels like a lifetime.
The guilt, betrayal, and the momentary indiscretion all weigh heavily on my shoulders like a lead weight. It was just a kiss. It means nothing, and he initiated it. I pulled away. Therefore, I shouldn’t feel guilty. Really, Charlie?
I studied law at Yale. How stupid can I be? The problem isn’t my brain. The problem is my heart pulling it along, guiding it in the wrong direction. I can practically hear the GPS in my head telling me to make a U-turn as soon as possible.
It doesn’t take Eric long to break the uncomfortable silence. He keeps his voice low while Emma sits in the front speaking loudly on her phone.
“Okay, Charlie, are you going to tell me about Lex? The suspense is killing me.”
I can hear the anticipation in his voice, but I just want to forget tonight ever happened. This emotional rollercoaster is becoming tiresome, and I’m drained from the twists and turns, wanting desperately to get off the ride.
Every time I see Alex, the surge of anger consumes me whole. Anger for leaving me behind, for choosing her, but mostly because my heart craves him, forgetting about the giant scar it left in the middle.
The kiss replays in my mind, his desperation through his forceful nature. Then the guilt washes over me, and now I’m back to square one, again.
“There’s nothing to tell. We dated in high school.”
“So, when you say ‘dated,’ were you in love with him? Why did you break up?”
This is the type of conversation that needs to take place over a bottle of tequila, never-ending packets of Hershey’s, and a box of tissues and not in the back of a cab. Eric won’t give up, always stubborn and impatient, so I give him the best answer I can, but knowing Eric, he’ll keep pursuing his line of questioning.
Facing the window, I swallow the hard lump inside my throat, my shoulders drooping as I fumble with my clutch.
“I thought I was in love with him, but I was just a kid. I didn’t know what love was. We parted ways, and I went to college.”
“Okay, but, honey cakes, he’s drop-dead gorgeous. Don’t you want to tap that ass again?”
Here we go. Eric tends to get all Queen Latifah when he’s had too much champagne. This is just the beginning.
“E, he might be gorgeous, but look, he’s just another big-shot CEO. His ego is so big it has its own air supply and should come with a government warning, and quite frankly, any woman is just a notch on his belt, anyway. These types of guys don’t stick around. Oh, and aren’t you forgetting a very important factor… hello!” I remind him, flashing my ring in front of his face.
“Oh yeah… but are you sure about it?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“All I’m saying is that every time you are near him, your tatas jump for joy, and your beaver is singing ‘Celebration,’ and I swear I can almost hear a gospel choir singing ‘Hallelujah.’”
“Honestly, Eric, how on earth do you come up with these things?” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
Eric distracts himself by taking selfies with his phone. Thankfully, the subject is officially dropped.
After Dark is a new club to hit the nightlife scene in the Meat Packing District. Several people are waiting in line, and according to Eric, it’s the new ‘It’ place. High-profile celebrities are dubbing it their new place to unwind, something Eric’s all over.
Worried we won’t get in, I suggest we find another place to have a drink.
“Eric Kennedy, party of three.”
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The large security guard opens the rope, letting us in. How did Eric pull that off? I know people have been trying to get in for weeks as the list is long and distinguished.
We walk past the rope and into the club.
Eric is on a power trip as he raises his chin, walking into the club with a strut.
The club is huge compared to others I’ve been to. The bottom level is the dance floor, lit up in an aqua color. The mezzanine level where we’re standing, circles the dance floor. There are black leather booths that follow the flow of the circle, each one occupied with patrons. Facing directly opposite from the entrance is a long and crowded bar, but nevertheless, we need drinks to help me forget about my tangled love life.
We follow Eric to the bar. I motion for the bartender, which isn’t hard as he’s already eyeing me up, or should I say he’s eyeing my chest. This dress is seriously the biggest man-magnet, making me slightly self-conscious amongst these younger guys.
