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I stepped out for some air and spied Savanah with her brothers and Theadora. They looked lost in conversation. Not in that playful, joking manner, either. Savanah gesticulated and shook her head over something. She had every reason to look worried. Her boyfriend was a fucking troublemaker.
Drake had returned to the entrance, and I went over to join him. “You’re first big encounter.”
He shook his head. “Nope. A while back, I had a run-in with Reynard Crisp at Merivale. I knocked him to the ground and am amazed he didn’t get me blacklisted, since this is his place, I’m told.”
“That was on my recommendation. And Crisp strikes me as thick-skinned. I’d say he’s suffered a few blows. You can’t get around with that kind of arrogance and expect to make lots of friends.”
“I feel like roughing him up every time I see him sleazing onto Manon. She’s too fucking young for him.”
“Don’t let her get to you.” I glanced over at Savanah, who was waving her hands about while lost in discussion. “Anyway, I’m off.” I tapped Drake’s arm.
There were only so many champagnes I could knock back, not to mention pretty girls offering a night of fun. I just wasn’t in the mood.
There was only one woman I wanted, and she’d arrived with the worst guy possible.
My phone beeped, and the message read: “I need to talk to you. I’m not really with Bram. Can we catch up?”
I responded: “I’m leaving. When? Where?”
The three balls bounced and then a response: “At mine, in say one hour?”
While reflecting on her request, I scratched my prickly jaw. How could I be alone with her and just talk?
One look at Savanah and I wouldn’t be able to resist pressing that soft, supple body against mine. Taking a deep breath, I tapped: “Sure.”
Too keyed up to go home, I headed over to the Mariner for a beer. The pub suited me better. All those rich, well-spoken people got on my nerves. Not one real person amongst them, other than the Lovechildes, who treated me as an equal.
Anhourlater,Iheaded back to Merivale and entered through the back, where Savanah waited for me by the lit-up swimming pool, smoking and rocking her body.
“Hey.” I joined her. “I thought you’d kicked the habit.”
She puffed out smoke from the side of her mouth to avoid my face. “I did. But then drama kicked in.”
I positioned myself in front of a raging fire in a rusty iron pit.
“Can I get you a drink?”
I stared at her tumbler and shook my head.
“I’m having a G and T.” Her hand trembled slightly.
“Where’s Pete Doherty’s ugly younger brother?”
She giggled and then turned glum within a breath. “He’s somewhere, I guess.” She looked down and then lifted her eyes slowly to meet mine.
“Look, Savanah, I don’t share.”
“No.” She puffed her cigarette in silence while fiddling with her glass. “I have to keep seeing him.”
“Okay. So why am I here?” I warmed my hands over the fire. Although the night had a bite, it wasn’t just the air turning me chilly.
She frowned. “Why are you being like this?”
“Like what?” I shrugged.
“You’re not even going to fight for me?” Savanah raised her hands, and her bruised wrists caught my eye.
I took her hand. “What are these? I don’t recall seeing those on you last night.”
