“You’re not contemplating slitting your wrists are ya?” Brooke said, distracting me.
“No, no. I just feel horrible. Listen, I need a drink. Do you think you could meet me somewhere?”
“I wish!” she yelled. “I wouldn’t be able to find a babysitter with this late notice.”
“Well, it was worth a shot. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Be safe, if you decide to go out alone. It may be a small town, but the guys are assholes nonetheless.”
I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, I’m staying far away from any testosterone.”
“Call me tomorrow,” she said, and hung up.
~*~
The live music coming from the bar was so loud, I could hear it from inside my car in the parking lot.
I wasn’t sure what type of bar it was, so I’d opted for jeans and a low cut, silver, shimmery tank. A couple walked by, and I noticed the woman was wearing a very short summer dress. I may be overdressed, but honestly didn’t care. I had no one to impress.
The bouncer at the door let me through, without so much as asking for my ID. The place was packed with people sitting at the bar, around tables, and dancing on the small floor in front of the stage. I found an empty bar stool at the end, and hurried over to it before someone else took it.
“What can I get ya?” a pretty bartender asked.
“Sex on the Beach.”
Her smile made me blush instantly.
“We all like sex on the beach, hun.” She was back before I found a ten in my purse. “Name’s Stixx, if you need anything else.”
No one approached me as I sat, looking through apps on my phone. I wondered if I looked as pathetic as I felt. I’d never gone to a club or bar by myself before, and had no idea how to act. Should I try talking to the bartender, or some random stranger? I was probably safer checking my email.
Stixx placed a second drink in front of me, giving me a wink. Great, she could tell how much I needed the alcohol.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
“Do people really use that line?” I asked, turning around. “Of course you would, since you’re a pig.”
Hunter sat down on the stool next to me. There was half an inch of space between the two of us. I got a whiff of his cologne, making my nose tickle.
“You smell like one of those perfume testers at the mall,” I said, running my finger along my nose.
“You mean expensive, and sexy as hell?”
“More like expensive, and sprayed on everyone that walks by.” Why he brought out my immature side, I had no idea.
“You’ve lost your edge again on your comebacks. Get the lady another drink!” he told the bartender.
“No, no. I’m stopping at two,” I said, reaching into my purse, and pulling out another ten. I decided to finish my drink, and get the hell out of there, before Hunter picked a fight.
“You know, I’m really a good guy, once you get to know me,” he said, moving farther into my personal space.
“Lucky for me, I won’t get that opportunity.”
“Give me one dance, and if you don’t have fun, you can go,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
“First, I don’t need your permission to go, and second, I’m never going to sleep with you, so you really don’t need to waste your time.”
His smile dropped. “I would never sleep with you, Jade, no worries.”
“Why not?” I immediately regretted asking. I sounded disappointed and offended. Why was I offended the male slut wouldn’t sleep with me? I blame the alcohol.
“So, you are attracted to me?” His smug smile resurfacing.
“No, no, no. I just don’t get why you’re not attracted to me. A broom could turn you on.”
“I’m hurt.”
I laughed. “No, you’re not.”
“You’re right, but I still wouldn’t sleep with you. Don’t tell anyone, but…I respect you,” he said through gritted teeth, as if it pained him to say those words.
I laughed. Harder than I had in a while. “Yeah, okay.”
“You stood up for your friend. That took guts, even though it was my nuts that were swollen for a good five days. I was impressed.”
The look on his face shocked me into silence. His smile looked natural. His eyes stayed on mine. I felt comfortable for the first time in his presence.
“Just one dance,” he said, grabbing onto my hand, and pulling me up.
I let him. Not because I wanted to be close to him, which I didn’t, but because he was treating me like a friend, and I needed a friend.
The music slowed when we reached the dance floor. A coincidence I was thankful for. Me dancing to a fast song should never be seen by other humans. I couldn’t hear the lyrics, or recognize the song, but the beat was perfect. Hunter led me around the small floor with ease. The best part was, he didn’t say anything.
During the last thirty seconds of the song, the world began to spin. The alcohol was settling in, and I needed to sit down before I passed out. Someone was sitting in Hunter’s seat.
“Looks like someone stole your stool,” I said to Hunter.
His eyes narrowed in that direction. “That’s cool, I’ll make the bastard move if he…”
Zack turned around, flashing us his smile.
“What’s up, man?” Hunter said, giving him a pat on the back.
Zack stood up, not acknowledging Hunter. His eyes were on me. I didn’t even bother fighting the urge to look him up and down. Damn. His jeans looked as though they were made especially for his lean legs. I wondered if there was enough room for a hand down them, if someone wanted to explore his ass? Oh shit, the alcohol. No more to drink.
“What are you doing hanging around this bastard?” Zack asked me.
I couldn’t get my mouth up off the floor. He began to spin. Or was it me who was spinning?
His face turned from cute to shock, before his arms circled around me.
“What has she been drinking?” I heard him ask someone.
“I may have been giving her doubles,” Stixx replied.
Did he growl?
“What? She looked like she needed to let loose.”
“Damn it, Stixx.”
Hunter was laughing.
I let go of Zack, and sat on the stool, once I got my bearings back. I needed water. It was hot in there. Coupled with my jeans, I had some serious sweating issues going on.
“Can I have some water, please?” I asked whomever could hear me.
“Coming right up, Starfish.”
I laughed. “Starfish?”
Zack sat down next to me, smiling. Why would he call me that? Maybe he didn’t remember my name?
“My name is Jade,” I told him, pouting with disappointment.
He smiled, shaking his head, saying nothing.
At least he thought I was funny. I didn’t think I was very funny, but he must. Hunter never had trouble laughing at me. Speaking of him, I had no clue where he was.
I squinted, looking around for him as Zack lectured the bartender. Where was my water? I finally spotted Hunter over by the other end of the bar with his arm around some blonde. She looked comfortable right where she was, tucked against him.
“Drink the whole glass,” Zack demanded, moving into my line of sight.
I nodded, taking the cup. It took me only seconds to down the cold liquid. My body appreciated the cool temperature. My stomach, however, gurgled in protest. Please, please don’t get sick, I begged.
“Did you drive here?” Zack asked.
I nodded, willing myself not to open my mouth.
“Give me your keys. I’ll drive you home.”
“How will you get home?” I asked, looking up at him.
He winked. “I was smart enough to take a cab.”
The gorgeous ass thought this was funny. I made a mental note to come back and chew out the bartender…not that I would remember her name.
We walked slowly towards my car. Zack kept his arm around me
. My head fit perfectly into his side. Unlike Hunter’s cologne, his was magical. I inhaled, and swore I was at the beach.
“We should go to the beach,” I said.
“Tomorrow,” he promised.
I rolled down the passenger window and allowed the cool air to wash over my face while I have Zach directions to the rental cabin. It’s not that I hadn’t consumed alcohol before, but I had drank those cocktails entirely too quickly.
Once he parked my car, I found my room key, and wanted nothing more than another glass of water, and my bed.
“Do you need help getting inside?” Zack asked.
My initial thought was him lying naked on my bed. Of course I wanted that. In fact, I would help him get inside, if he would take off his shirt, but I was sure that’s not what he meant.
“No, I think I’m good, but thank you.” I smiled at him, thanking God he couldn’t read my mind. “Wait, how are you getting back to the bar?”
“I’ll call a cab,” he said, pulling out his cell.
Praying I didn’t leave a bra on the floor, I invited him inside to wait. I also said a little prayer that I could keep my hands to myself. I’d been with only a couple boys before, but none of them held a candle to Zack. He was the perfect balance of fit. Who would imagine a scrawny kid could grow up into this mouth-watering male specimen before me? Would I know what to do with him, if I ever got him to take off his clothes? Of course, I would know what to do, but would I be able to drag my tongue off the floor?
He ended his call and took a seat on one of the over-sized chairs. “What time should I pick you up tomorrow?”
I kicked a pair of my underwear into the bathroom. I really should have learned to pick up my clothes by now. “What to do you mean?”
“We’re going to the beach tomorrow. Maybe we could grab some food before?”
The thought of food made my stomach burn. I swallowed back acid. “Oh, um, is six okay?”
“How about five? I heard a storm will be coming in tomorrow night. We could catch it rolling in, if we get there in time.”
Watching storms roll in from the beach, was my absolute favorite memory of my summers here. My dad would walk around the sand with me, collecting shells, while the wind tried to carry us away.
“Sounds perfect,” I said, sitting on the bed.
His smile reached his eyes. I stared at him, until he blushed, and looked down at his lap.
I looked down at his lap, too. What was hidden in those jeans?
A knock on the door broke my daze.
“Cab’s here,” he said, standing up.
“That was fast.”
“Small town,” he said, shrugging.
I walked him outside, and watched him get in the back seat of the yellow cab.
“See you tomorrow,” he hollered out the window.
“See you.”
Chapter
6
I woke up the next morning, grateful my headache wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined it would be.
My phone had woken me up with its annoying text alerts. They were from my mother. She wanted to know how I was feeling, and when I’d be leaving. I couldn’t come up with any more excuses to stay.
I hit call, holding my breath, not sure what I would say when she answered.
“Hey, sweetheart,” she answered. I heard voices in the background. Knowing she was at work made me relax a little. She wouldn’t yell at me with so many people around.
“Hi.”
“Feeling better?” she asked.
“Yes. Just a headache.” I didn’t include why I had the headache, of course.
“You should be finished up today, right? Heading home? If you get tired, you can stay somewhere for the night.”
“Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” I wasn’t prepared for this conversation, and I wished I had waited until I had come up with a brilliant plan before calling.
I decided to wing it. “There’s something more to the story than dad just leaving us, isn’t there?”
“Jade…”
“Before you say anything, let me just remind you that I’m way past the point of being a child. I can handle anything you need to throw at me, but please, stop lying. I need to know what really happened.”
She inhaled sharply. I heard her shut a door during her silence. “Listen to me,” she whispered harshly, “what happened is not relevant anymore. You need to get his shit, and come home…now.”
“No,” I replied, holding my breath. I didn’t know how she would react to this defiance.
“Fine,” she replied with a simple, yet scary word that could mean a million different things.
“Okay,” I drew out, hoping she would elaborate. She didn’t. The phone call ended, leaving me confused. What the hell had just happened?
As I sat staring at my phone, there was a knock at the door. I froze; hoping whoever it was would go away. I was sure I resembled a dead woman come back to life, even though I hadn’t looked in the mirror yet.
“I know you’re in there,” a woman’s voice said through the door. “If you don’t answer, I’ll call the police!”
I tripped over my shoes, staggering over to the door, throwing it open. Threats did not sit well with me, and I was ready for a fight.
Brooke stood before me, looking fresh and bright, like a sunflower. Her hair was up in a bun, showing off her slim shoulders. She filled it out in all the right ways.
“Oh, thank God. I was worried I was going to have to drag you to the hospital for an IV.” She pushed her way past me, and took a seat on the chair.
“What are you talking about?” I quickly closed the door. The sunlight burned my eyes.
“Zack told Hunter, who then told my husband, that you were pretty drunk last night, and you passed out on the floor,” she said, looking me up and down.
“Not entirely true. I had a dizzy spell, and after downing some water, I was much better.”
“Oh, good!” she brightened up. “If you get ready fast, we can make it over to the café to talk to Kathy. I have a babysitter for three whole hours.” She stood up, looking through my clothes.
“Those are all dirty,” I cringed. I hadn’t packed much since my stay was supposed to be short lived. “I may need to go shopping.”
“Yay! Throw something on, and wipe that gunk off your face. We’ll get you something to eat at the café, talk to Kathy, and then, shopping.”
I threw together an outfit out of the clothes with the least amount of wrinkles. Brooke had some Fabreeze. The stuff worked.
Between Brooke spouting off orders to hurry up, and the lack of caffeine in my system, our destination hadn’t yet sunk in. It wasn’t until she pulled her van up to the café that my mouth went dry, and my heartbeat rammed into overdrive.
“Umm. Are you sure we should just walk in, and ambush her like this?” I asked.
“Hell yeah. We need answers.”
“Wait,” I said before she got out of the car. “Maybe I should talk to her alone?”
Brooke laughed, causing the nerve between my eyes to throb. I really needed caffeine.
“Not going to happen. If she’s the spawn of Satan, you need me as back up.”
I didn’t argue. She was right. I could stand up for myself, if the situation called for it, but I’ve never been the confrontational type. Truth be told, I was more afraid of learning the facts than an argument. The information she held could change my life...or at least my relationship with my mom.
~*~
We had parked along the side of the building, and I found myself stopping before we walked up to the front. Brooke turned around, looking back at me.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Can you see her?”
She took a step back, so she was no longer standing in front of the floor to ceiling front windows. She craned her neck forward, peering into the café.
“Yep. She’s there.”
I stood next to her, and peered through
. “Which one is she?”
“Do you see the woman in the denim jacket sitting alone?”
My eyes were about to focus in on her, when someone came up behind me.
“What are we doing?” Hunter whispered in my ear.
“What the hell?” I jumped back, grabbing Brooke, and pulling her with me.
He laughed, clearly amused. “I want to help. Who are we spying on?”
“I didn’t ask for your help,” I spat back.
“Too bad. Now, tell me everything. Did you have a one night stand last night, and he’s sitting in there?”
Brooke walked up to him, and hit him over the head. He barely flinched.
“Don’t be an ass,” Brooke told him. “We’re going to talk to Kathy.”
I rolled my eyes. She had such a big mouth, and I honestly didn’t know if I could go through with it. I peered back around the corner, trying to spot her again.
“Is this about your dad?” Hunter asked.
I glared back at him, my foot begging to kick him again.
“She needs to talk to her,” Brooke said. Traitor.
“Just give me a second...” I didn’t finish because two very large arms picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder.
“Put me down!”
He didn’t listen. He carried me through the front door of the café while I attempted to kick him. I could see Brooke hurrying behind, holding her hand over her mouth. She was laughing. Revenge would be swift.
“Nothing to look at, people. Carry on,” he said, finally putting me down next to the table.
“Jade? Jade Collins?” Kathy said, her cheeks turning pink.
“I’m going to kill you,” I whispered in Hunter’s ear, before I dug my high heel into his boot.
“Ow!” he said, backing away, and limping up to the counter.
“Hi, Kathy,” Brooke said, standing by my side.
Kathy didn’t respond. She was still looking at me. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but I’d guess she was a little taken off guard by having me practically dumped into her lap.
Brooke grabbed my arm, and pulled out the empty chair in front of me. She pushed me down, and sat in the chair next to mine.
“We just came in for some breakfast. I hope you don’t mind us joining you?” Brooke asked Kathy.
Elastic Heart: (The Happy Endings Resort Book 6) Page 4