V looks over at me, understanding the reason for my outburst. She rubs my back lightly, while I attempt to breathe without wheezing like I have emphysema.
Thankfully the nachos arrive, and I can hopefully stomach these without needing someone to apply the Heimlich Maneuver on me. As long as Harmony keeps her mouth shut, all should be fine.
Of course, I’m not so lucky.
“Ava, who was that handsome man I saw you with the other night?” she questions, smiling at me like we are best buds.
I am not sure if she is trying to make conversation, or trying to get me into trouble, because I am yet to tell V about Jasper and Harper’s altercation.
V looks at me quickly and I squirm.
Swallowing my mouthful of food I reply, “That was Harper. He’s my fi… my friend.”
Thankfully I recover from that slip.
V gives me a pointed look, and I know I am in for a grilling as soon as we leave.
After some idle chitchat, V excuses herself to mingle amongst her guests. I suddenly feel extremely uncomfortable because I am left alone, with Harmony, and her perfect hair.
I am about to excuse myself, but she shuffles over to V’s seat, ruining my escape plan.
Great.
“So, Ava…” She looks at me kindly, and I am about to stab myself with my knife.
“Sooo…” I reply lamely.
Oh my God, this situation would be quite comical if it was happening to anyone other than me.
“I wanted to ask you, about Jasper.”
Stuffing a guacamole soaked chip into my mouth, I nod, while trying to think of some excuse to run away from her.
“Are you guys together?” she bravely asks, and I can sense she is just as uncomfortable as I.
I stuff another three chips into my mouth, and for good measure, grab another two to join the other three. I really, really don’t want to talk about this. But judging by that determined look in her eye, she will wait all night to get an answer. And sadly, I’ve run out of nachos.
“Um…no,” I reply softly.
She exhales a relieved breath and smiles. “Okay. Great.”
“Great?” I question quickly.
It’s out before I can stop myself.
“Um yeah,” she says happily. “I’m kinda interested in him, and I’m pretty sure he feels the same.”
Oh God, I am now regretting stuffing twenty chips down my throat as they are steadily coming back up.
“That’s… great.” NOT!
“Yeah, I think so too. We really have a special bond, and I know this is really unconventional, but I am going to ask him if he wants to take things to the next level.”
Next level? What level have they reached for her to want to proceed to the next?
I look around, desperately searching for an escape route, but as I glance back over at Harmony and her genuine smile, I realize I am being incredibly selfish. If what she is saying is true, and she and Jasper do share a special bond, and he’s happy, then… I’m happy too. He was the one who said all he ever wanted was for me to be happy. It kills me to accept this, but I can’t keep doing this.
After last night, I am more confused than ever about where we stand, and I am sick of second guessing everything.
I think about his note and suddenly, I have an epiphany. Maybe the reason behind that note is sitting right next to me.
If that’s true, then I have to set Jasper free.
*****
The night progresses slowly, and I am relieved when V announces it’s time to leave .You’d think I would be dreading this part of the evening because I will be seeing Jasper soon. But I am counting down the minutes until I can escape Harmony, and her captivating laugh.
I also need to take a breather from V and her friends.
I have only been away for six months, but it may as well be sixty years. I realize as I look at V, interacting with Harmony and her guests, that I am the black sheep. By following my dreams, I have turned my back on another. Was it all worth it? As I look at V cackling with an unfamiliar face, it becomes clear what the answer is.
“Hey bestie,” slurs V, throwing her tiny arm around my neck, bringing our heads together. “One shot for the road?”
I look at the tequila shot she is holding out to me, and then back at Harmony.
V notices where I am looking, and sighs. “Sorry she is here. She kinda invited herself. She’s been at all of P.O.E’s shows, and I felt bad not inviting her because she’s always…”
“Around,” I finish off for V, wishing that she wasn’t, because I should.
But I brush it off because this is V’s night, and she can invite whomever the hell she wants.
Reaching for the tequila, I bring the glass to my lips as I smirk, “Cheers.”
V isn’t buying into my ploy, but she lets it go.
My phone beeps, but I ignore it because I know it will be Harper. He has sent me numerous texts throughout the evening, but I am officially off the technological grid for the night.
About half of us are going to meet the boys at a cocktail bar downtown, and of course I’m stuck in a cab with Harmony.
I curse the irony of life.
Finally after an arduous taxi cab ride downtown, we have arrived at Lights Out, a new bar opened up on The Strip.
I practically leap out of the cab and am about to pay, but Harmony beats me to it.
Ugh, I need a drink and now!
We’re waiting in line for about five minutes when V squeals, receiving a text from Lucas. “The boys are already inside.”
My palms begin to sweat excessively, and I really wish I could steal a hipflask off of someone.
Harmony pulls out a clear lip gloss from her clutch, applying a shiny layer to her plump lips. I don’t even know what I look like at the moment, and quite frankly, I don’t care. All I care about is getting inside, and making love to many shots of tequila.
At last we are granted entrance, and ride up an elevator to the sixteenth floor, where the bar is located. Talk about stylish, this place is stunning, and I can see why it is called Lights Out. The place has a dark ambiance to it, and is contrasted with deep blue lights, illuminating the long bar. I feel like I’ve walked into a cocktail wonderland.
The room is made up of glass panels, so one can look out and admire the skyline of Los Angeles. The tables are scattered around the venue, and have tiny candles flickering in the center of them. There are lounges in a sectioned off area upstairs, which I presume is where the VIP’s hang.
The bar is massive, and shelf upon shelf is stacked with bottles of numerous liquors and spirits. I need to get over there and drown my sorrows like now. It is extremely dark in here, which is exactly what I need.
V is looking for Lucas, and no doubt Harmony is searching for Jasper. Ugh, enough of that, I need a drink, pronto. Giving V a heads up that I will be chained to the bar for the evening, she says she will meet me there when she finds Lucas. I virtually run to the bar in desperate need of a drink.
Thankfully, because the bar is so long, there isn’t an extended line of thirsty patrons, waiting to be served. I stand behind a very tall man, which is not hard considering my height, but his shoulder span is nearly as long as the bar. Okay, a slight exaggeration, but he is built like an NFL player.
With his two drinks in hand he turns around quickly, but due to his humongous size, he doesn’t see me standing behind him. He treads on my foot and I yelp in pain, while stumbling backward. He tries to reach forward to help steady me, but instead he spills both his red cocktails on my ivory dress.
“Holy shit!” he says, looking mortified at my now ruined dress.
Craning my neck to look up at my assailant, I gasp because he is an NFL player! I can’t remember his name, but I remember seeing his face on TV, advertising some fancy cologne.
“Are you okay?” he asks, clearly horrified.
I nod, and then I… laugh.
I laugh hysterically because it’s either that or cry. T
hat’s how I have been feeling all night, so fuck it. I am going to laugh until my sides hurt.
Mr. NFL is looking at me with an odd look on his handsome face, but then he too breaks out into a chuckle.
“I guess laughing is better than getting stabbed in the eye with those stilettos.”
Looking down at my shoes, I start laughing again. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, but after the past few days, I need to laugh.
“After ruining that pretty dress, the least I can do is buy you a drink.”
After I stop laughing like a homicidal lunatic, I shake my head. “No, it’s okay, really,” I say, waving him off when he opens up his wallet.
“I insist, c’mon.” He grasps my hand, leaving me no choice but to follow him.
We are walking towards the roped off section, and I’m about to inform him we’re in the wrong area, when the guard lifts up the rope and lets us through.
Wow, it must be nice having connections.
Mr. NFL sits us down at a booth, and then motions for a waitress.
“Hello Taylor. What can I get for you?” asks the blonde waitress in her tight black uniform.
“Can you please get me something, anything, to get this stain out of this poor girls dress?”
Blondie looks at me and grins. “Let me see what I can find.”
“Thanks Phoebe,” he smiles handing her a fifty, which she gracefully tucks into her apron pocket and races off.
My eyes widen in alarm. “No, I can’t accept that. You just gave her a fifty. Let me pay you back,” I say, frantically searching through my purse.
Taylor stills my hand with his. “No please, it’s the least I can do. Seriously, it’s fine. My girlfriend would kill me if she knew I ruined a Chanel number.”
I look down at my dress and smirk. “How do you know it’s Chanel?”
Taylor runs a hand through his short blonde hair. “With a girlfriend who is obsessed with fashion, I would be neutered if I didn’t know the difference between Chanel and Prada.”
I instantly feel comfortable in his presence, and when Phoebe returns with a miracle cure for my stain, I start to relax.
“So, how about that drink then?” Taylor asks, awaiting my response.
I wonder why he was downstairs getting a drink, when there is a fully stocked bar up here. And judging by the fancy labels I can read from where I am sitting, the selection up here is a billion times better than down below.
“Why were you buying booze downstairs when there is a bar up here?” I question, more out of curiosity than anything.
Taylor grins. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” And he motions for me to come closer, like he is about to divulge his deepest darkest secrets.
I comply, shuffling forward, totally hooked.
“I think the bartender downstairs has a crush on me,” he says with a smile.
I look at him and laugh.
“Oh yeah?”
Taylor nods. “Yup, and she sneaks in a double shot of Jameson when no one is looking.”
Laughing again, I begin to relax in the presence of this humbled superstar.
“I can’t offer you a double shot up here, but I can offer you cocktails that are out of this world. What do you think?” Taylor asks with a hopeful look on his kind face.
Looking around the dimly lit bar, wondering which corner Harmony and Jasper are in, discussing taking things to the next level, I reply, “Sure, why the hell not.”
*****
After too many delicious cocktails, with names I cannot pronounce, I am seeing double or maybe triple. Due to my intoxicated brain, I have bombarded Taylor with my life dilemmas and bless him, he has been such a good listener. Why is it always easier talking to a complete stranger, then it is to someone you know?
My phone has been beeping incessantly, so I give in. Peeking at the screen, I see a few dozen missed calls from Harper, a couple of messages from V, and one message from Jasper.
Closing one eye to focus on the screen because it has suddenly slanted to the left, I open up Jasper’s message and see that it was sent two minutes ago.
I can feel the attitude seeping through my slanted screen, but he can shove it, because it’s now my turn to be the bumbling drunk.
I spy with my little eye something beginning with… get your ass down here NOW!!
Letting out a tiny chuckle, I take pleasure in knowing he has been looking for me. But that happiness is short lived, as I realize he and Harmony have probably cemented their bond, and he wants to rub it in my face.
On that note, I think now is a good time to go find V and avoid Jasper.
“Taylor, thank you for tonight, but I’ve really gotta go find my friends,” I say, finishing off my red sickly cocktail.
Taylor stands up as I exit the booth, (what a gentleman), and I extend my hand, which is engulfed in his.
“Take care of yourself Ava.”
I nod. “You too, thanks again.”
“Hey Ava?” Taylor says, before I turn to leave.
Looking at him expectantly, I wonder what he has to say.
“Life has a funny way of working itself out.”
Nodding, I give him a quick hug. “Thanks Taylor.”
Slowly walking down the stairs while watching my feet in case I fall, the guard kindly raises the rope and it’s time for me to slip back into reality.
And reality comes crashing down on me as soon as I descend the last step.
Smelling him before even seeing him, Jasper steps out in front of me. His arms are crossed behind his back, and I know he has been waiting for me. Judging by the unimpressed look on his face, he’s been waiting a while.
“Hi,” I smile lamely.
Jasper runs both hands through his messy hair, but he doesn’t remove them. He leaves them sitting on his head, his fingers entangled in his tresses. This results in his biceps blinding me with their perfection, as they are peeking out from under his short sleeved blue checkered shirt.
“You’ll be the death of me,” he breathes through his sinful lips.
I chew on my lip guiltily. “I’m sorry.”
I don’t know what I’m apologizing for exactly, because I am sorry for a lot of things lately.
Jasper closes his eyes for a few moments, and I use this opportunity to totally check him out. He is wearing black jeans and my favorite shirt, which complements his bluer than blue eyes, over a white tight t-shirt. His navy Converse gives him an edgy, rockstar look, and my God, I think I just drooled when I see him, watching me, watching him.
He takes a step towards me, but I stand my ground because I am afraid he is going to take me to Harmony, so they can taunt me with their happy, perfect relationship.
“Come with me.”
Digging in my heels is pointless, because I don’t stand a chance against him as he grabs my hand, pulling me through the masses of people. I stumble more than once because Jasper is a man on a mission, and the crowd in front of us part when they see him charging towards the exit.
As Jasper hauls me out into the foyer, I don’t see Harmony out here, and I wonder what’s going on.
Huffing out of breath, I ask, “Where are we going?”
Jasper is silent as he pushes the down lift button, totally ignoring me, which I don’t like.
“Hello?” I ask, stepping in front of him, my back to the lift, but he looks over my head which infuriates me.
What the hell is he doing?
“Are you serious? You’re not going to talk to me? You brought me all the way out here to not talk. Yeah that makes sense. Not!”
“You’re drunk and being all...flirty,” he finally replies, but still refuses to make eye contact with me.
Flirty? Oh, he must have seen me with Mr. NFL. Little does he know, I was up there, spilling my heart out about how crazy he is driving me. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Jasper was jealous. But of course that doesn’t make any sense. Or does it?
I decide to test out my theory.
&n
bsp; “Yeah. And?” I prompt, standing on tippy toes, attempting to meet his eyes, which only results in him moving his head from side to side.
Are you serious? He has the nerve to talk down to me after he turned up on my doorstep drunk. And not to mention the copious amounts of mixed signals he’s been giving me since my return. And then of course there is Harmony, and this so-called ‘bond’ they share.
This whole situation is pissing me off!
His impersonal response reminds me of his impersonal note, and I see red.
“Fuck you Jasper and your righteous bullshit!” Pushing at his chest, he stumbles slightly, not expecting me to shove him.
“You drag me out here to ignore me, and then when you talk to me, you state the obvious. So what if I was being flirty.” I cringe as I say the word, as there is no truth in it whatsoever. “Are you going to put my drunken ass in a cab and send me home like you did with Indie? Do I at least get a kiss like she did?!”
He takes a step back, and looks at me horrified.
Oops.
The lift dings and I charge into it, quickly hitting the button to close the door, which thankfully it does before Jasper can follow me in. As the doors slide shut, I see a slither of his face, and the look on it is one of pure frustration. I hear a thud, and I presume he has pounded his fist on the doors in annoyance.
In my panic, I pushed random buttons, and now the lift is stopping at almost every floor. Damn this. If Jasper was to take the stairs or another lift, he will catch up to me. I need to get off at a floor and try to dodge him. As the lift stops at floor number seven, I steal a look from left to right. The coast looks clear, so I step out cautiously, afraid Jasper will pop out at any moment.
Tip toeing down the hallway, I decide trying to be sneaky in stilettos is not a feasible idea, so I slip them off and carry them by their heels. I peer around the long hallway which looks to be inhabited by apartments. But everything is so quiet, and it is eerie walking around alone, as every noise and creak is amplified in the silence.
Under these bright lights, I can see the damage done to my dress and funnily enough, I don’t care. All I care for is getting the hell out of here. Finally seeing an exit sign which must mean a stairwell is close by, I breathe out a sigh of relief as I take a step towards it.
Surrender to Me (I Surrender Trilogy Book 2) Page 18