AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Back in the old days, Ian would have noticed immediately that something was off. A glance, a raised eyebrow, a shake of the head — all would have said more than words. And Ian would be there for him. His brother, in silent understanding.
But Ian just said, “Good, good,” and leaned back in his seat, spinning some funny story about something that happened at the gym.
The night started to blur. More drinks, more pool. People coming up to him and complaining about this or that. Counting on him to solve every problem. It was the perfect drinking game. Every time someone expected him to handle something, he took a shot.
And eventually it would all go away.
27
Saturday
10:37 p.m.
Thumping bass shook the floor of the club, vibrating Sonia’s body and filling her head until she could barely think.
She slouched on a green velvet couch, holding a glass of club soda with lime. Nearby, Diana was dancing with her other friends, gyrating in her cherry-printed dress with its plunging neckline.
Sonia managed to smile. At least the bride was having fun.
A buzz came from her lap. Damn the way her heart leapt in her chest as she grabbed her phone, hoping for Brendan.
It was Grandma Adrienne.Are you surviving?
Barely,Sonia texted back.So many people. So much bad dancing at this club
So get out there and show them how it’s done! Free advertising, darling.
Sonia chose to ignore that suggestion.Are YOU surviving?
Of course! It’s only three days. I’ve been taking care of myself longer than you’ve been alive. Now promise me you’ll have some fun with those girls.
“Well, hello,” a male voice said above her. “You look like you could use a little company—”
Sonia aimed a freezing look at the speaker, who hurried off. Squeezing the wedge of lime savagely into her club soda, she took a drink.
She’d been too harsh in the hotel bar, she knew. But it had suddenly all been more than she could handle. The walls closing in, her heart pounding, her feet itching to burst out of that booth. She’d felt out of control, trapped by Brendan’s expectations, by Ian and Diana’s assumptions.
She’d already been exhausted from dutifully attending the female-bonding activities that packed the morning and afternoon. Diana’s friends seemed nice, but she was clearly a fish out of water. Why make an effort with people she’d never see again?
As Sonia watched Di smooth her hands over her curves, she kept seeing Brendan in the bar. Her stomach twisted when she remembered his hurt expression, and her skin felt much too hot.
She gulped the rest of her club soda, trying to cool off, but the lime and bubbles weren’t enough. Fishing an ice cube out of her glass, she ran it down her neck and along her collarbone.
Someone let out a piercing whistle. Sonia jerked her chin up to slay the perpetrator with a glare, and saw Marissa standing in front of her.
“Dance with us!” Pushing back her blue-streaked hair, Marissa held out a hand. “Diana says you’re a really good dancer.”
“Did she put you up to this?”
“Well…she did say if anyone gets you to dance, they win a prize.”
“What’s the prize?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. I just think you should come dance.”
Sighing, Sonia took Marissa’s hand and let her pull her to the dance floor. As they approached the mass of gyrating people, memories rushed in of the last time she’d danced. Twisting and leaping across the stage with her dance company, putting on the best show she’d ever had the privilege to be a part of.
Had that really been only a week ago?
