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I feel a tug on my arm. “C’mon,” says Keith in my ear.
I turn to him, eyes widening. “What?”
“Let’s dance. Come on!”
“Hmm. Just a sec.” I tilt my head back and polish off the martini in one gulp.
Sam’s eyes goggle so that they almost fall out of her head. “Slow it down, Mads. Don’t do anything stupid.”
I scoff at her. “Stupid? What stupid? I’ve got my man Keith here. He’ll take care of me, won’t you?”
His arm slides around my waist, and he smiles. “Of course I will.”
Sam glares a warning at me, but I ignore her and let Keith guide me to the dance floor where we rock it out for the rest of the song. For geeky aero students, our moves aren’t bad—or maybe my perception of our dancing is dimmed by the fog of the alcohol. That last martini really pushed me over the edge of buzzed into mildly impaired but it feels good. Being out with my besties is helping me forget my irritation and the mild hurt I’ve been nursing from Kohl’s insensitive behavior all week.
As soon as the song ends, I head back toward the bar to order my fourth drink when Keith’s hand hooks around my arm. Another song begins, the beat pulsing in rhythm with the blue, purple and pink lights. He’s got a hopeful smile on his face, and a gleam in his eyes.
“C’mon, Maddy. Let’s dance again…”
He’s cute and so sweet. And so much more attentive than certain other males of my acquaintance. How could I say no to that?
I laugh as he pulls me back onto the dance floor and begins moving against me. He’s got a hand on each hip, and we’re feeling the beat. Every so often he starts grinding on me, and I’m so buzzed I think it’s the most hilarious thing in the world. Soon I’m turning around and twerking at him in response just to crack him up.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
The familiar English-accented voice carries over the din of music, and I instantly freeze, too afraid to turn around. I see Keith’s face go white as a sheet and I know exactly who is standing behind me.
Yesterday, I’d mentioned in passing to Miriam where I was going. She must have passed that little tidbit of info along to him. Taking a deep breath I turn around to face Kohl, who’s got his fists clenched at his sides.
“What are you doing here? I didn’t think these kind of places were your thing.”
His face is hard, unreadable, but I can tell he’s fighting to control his anger. “I’m taking you home.”
“Uh. No, actually, I’m just getting started here. I was going to get another drink right after this song.”
He reaches out to grab my wrist, when Keith intervenes. Bravely, he steps up to stand between me and Kohl. He slides a protective arm around my shoulders.
“Keith—” I try to stop him.
“Hands off,” Kohl snarls, his voice low and commanding.
He tugs on my wrist and pulls me toward him, dragging me off the dance floor, through the club and out into the cool night air. Keith has followed us, and I see Sam heading up the rear, her eyes wide with concern.
“Keith, it’s okay. Just go back inside,” I say, but I’m so taken off guard and foggy from the alcohol that my voice sounds shaky, fearful.
“I’m not leaving you out here alone with him,” Keith bites back, his hard gaze fixed on Evan.
“What the fuck is going on?” Sam asks.
“Nothing,” I say. “It’s okay, guys. Really. He’s not going to hurt me. We just need to talk.”
“Then why do you sound like you’re scared of him?” Keith asks, darting an unspoken challenge at Evan. Oh shit, no. No. No. No.
Evan steps forward, getting right in Keith’s face, his hand still circled possessively around my wrist. His grip tightens as he speaks to Keith between clenched teeth. “Stay the fuck away from Madeline. Do you understand? She’s off limits.”
Keith takes a step back, his eyes darting to me. “Is he imposing himself on you, Maddy? Do you agree to this?”
I wrench my wrist out of Evan’s powerful grip. “It’s fine. I’m okay, Keith. Really.”
