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“Well, well, well.” The man’s smile stretches across his face as recognition flashes when he looks at Rita. “Margarita Reynolds. It’s been a minute.” He stands, pulling her into a hug.
“Hi, Davis.” She disappears into his large embrace for a brief moment before he releases her and she takes a step back. “How’s Trish?”
“About ready to pop.” He rubs his stomach in a manner that a pregnant woman would. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what they’re talking about.
“You’ll tell her I say hello and that I expect a phone call when the baby is born.”
“I will.” He nods, his gaze coming to me. “And who is this pretty thing?” he asks, giving me a warm smile, the kind that makes me instantly at ease.
“Barlow.” I extend my hand.
“Hello, Barlow.” He takes my hand and tugs me toward him. “You’ll forgive me but I’m a bit of a hugger.” He chuckles, the sound vibrating against my cheek that’s now pressed to his chest.
“Davis and I went to high school together,” Rita explains as he releases me.
“Oh that’s right, you grew up not too far from here,” I say aloud, sometimes forgetting that she’s kind of local since she lives in the dorms.
“About an hour south,” Davis answers for the both of them. “What brings you two out tonight?” His brown eyes go back to Rita.
“My girl here is nursing a bit of a broken heart. Thought maybe I needed to introduce her to some of my favorite men.” I’m confused by her statement until she looks at me. “Jim, Jack, and Jose.” She winks.
“Gonna be one of those kind of nights.” Davis nods in understanding, pulling two pink wristbands out of the pocket of his jacket. “Just do me a favor and don’t get yourselves in trouble.” He snaps one band around Rita’s wrist and then turns to me, waiting for me to hold my arm out before securing one around mine as well.
I look from Davis to Rita, not sure I understand what’s happening here.
“Twenty-one and up bands,” she explains. “You only have to be eighteen to get in but you have to be twenty-one to get a band to drink. With these, we can drink all night and no one will I.D. us.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Her smile turns wicked.
“You two have fun.” Davis turns, tugging open the door for us. My ears are instantly accosted by the heavy beat of music that filters out of the establishment. “But not too much fun.” Davis chuckles behind us as Rita leads me inside.
The room is dark, neon lights the only thing making it possible to see anything. Strobe lights flicker over the crowd that seem to be moving on the dance floor in broken patterns because of the way the light starts and stops in quick succession.
“What do you think?” Rita gestures around, pulling my attention to the second story which seems to be nothing more than a huge wraparound balcony that overlooks the dance floor.
“This place is awesome,” I admit, leaning in close so she can hear me over the music.
“I know, right. Come on, let’s get you a drink.” With that, she wraps her hand around mine and tugs me through the crowded space.
——
I’m drunk. Not pukein a sink drunk, but drunk enough not to give two shits about the guy behind me, rubbing his crotch all over my ass as we dance.
I scan the floor for Rita, who scurried off a few minutes ago to get us drinks and has yet to come back. I hope she gets her ass back here soon because I’m dying for another drink.
I don’t know how long we’ve been here. An hour. Two. All I know is that for the first time since Atlas and I ended things nearly a week ago, I feel almost okay. Almost...
I spin, facing my dance partner.
He’s a good looking guy. Average height and build, silky hair almost long enough to brush his shoulders, and chocolate brown eyes. I’d guess he’s early twenties, though if I’m being honest, I really don’t care a whole hell of a lot at the moment.
Wrapping my hands around the back of his neck, I slide in close, letting the music that’s pulsing so loudly I can feel the vibration of the floor beneath my feet, guide me.
My handsome stranger welcomes the advances, letting his hands slide down my sides before settling on my hips. The action makes me sick with hunger. Sick, because I wish it were someone else’s hands on my body.
Tangling my fingers in his long hair, I tug his face down toward mine. I ignore everything I feel and let my body move on its own accord.
