Running from Romeo

by Diane Mannino

  “To my best friend in the whole world, Emilia.” Bryn bellows as she plants a big wet kiss on my cheek.

  We clink our glasses and drink.

  “Now, let’s dance” Bryn shouts and stumbles at the same time.

  “Whoa, babe.” Josh says as he grabs a hold of her, keeping her from falling to the ground.

  She laughs as she wobbles into his steady arms. “Nice catch, honey.”

  I giggle at her.

  “After I go to the bathroom, let’s dance.” She shouts in Josh’s face. He simply grins back at her.

  “I’ve got to go too.” I shout to her and then she turns to me, putting her arm around me.

  “Lead the way, madam.” Bryn giggles.

  The two of us stumble towards the bathroom and when we do I notice the VIP area. My eyes scan the area but my vision is rather blurry by all my alcohol consumption. I think I see Sebastian with a group of girls but I can’t be certain. I’ll have to take a closer look after we relieve our bladders.

  Bryn and I make our way into the crowded bathroom. Leaning against the wall, she looks a bit queasy.

  “You okay, Bryn?”

  She nods. “I’m thinking I might have to swear off tequila for good.”

  “You need to throw-up?” I ask.

  “Is this bathroom spinning or is it me?” She giggles.

  I laugh. “You’re asking the wrong person.”

  The line moves and a couple stalls open up. We both stumble into neighboring toilets.

  Just as I pull my jeans down, my phone buzzes again. I usually never carry it on me and only brought it tonight hoping Logan may possibly try and reach me. I am feeling quite drunk as I bend over and almost smack my head against the door when I almost loose my balance.

  “Shit!” I say.

  “You okay?” Bryn calls over from the stall next to me.

  “I’m still standing.” I giggle.

  I finally grab my phone without falling on the ground or dropping it in the toilet. This is no easy task when the room is spinning and you are in tight quarters. I look at it, five missed calls and a few texts messages all from Logan.

  < I miss you >

  < Where are you? >

  < Please call >

  I find myself stupidly grinning at my phone when Bryn shouts to me.

  “Emilia, are you okay? What’s taking you so long?” She bellows.

  “Sorry! I’ll be right out!”

  I finish my business and pull up my jeans. Whoa…another almost collision into the wall of the stall. Maybe listening to Bryn’s doctor’s orders was a mistake. But it’s not entirely her fault. I really have no one but myself to blame. If I’m being completely honest with myself I thought getting drunk would help me forget about my anxieties and maybe even help me get a good night’s sleep. Does passing out, completely inebriated constitute for a good night’s sleep? Well, in my instance, it just might.

  My phone buzzes again but it’s so loud even in the bathroom with the music and the shouting that I hesitate to answer it. I look at it and see it’s Logan calling again. I answer as I stagger out of the stall.

  “Hi.” I giggle because I almost lose my balance. I’m still holding my cell phone up to my ear but I can’t hear Logan at all.

  Bryn grabs my arm, trying to keep me from stumbling but she’s so wobbly herself. We nearly fall flat on our faces but instead a group of girls waiting in line break our fall.

  We are in a fit of giggles. I must have accidentally hit “end’ because my phone rings again. I finally manage to regain my balance by leaning against the wall.

  Bryn is frantically waving at me. “Come on, let’s go.”

  I hold my index finger up at her, asking for a moment. Once again I try and answer the call.

  “Hi.” I still can’t hear a thing even with my finger in my other ear, trying to block out the noise.

  “I can’t hear you. I’m at Tonic. It’s really loud.” I slur, as Bryn pulls on my arm.

  “Something has come up and I have to go deal with it.” I hang up and giggle at my little joke. Now, he can see what it feels like, maybe he’ll even lose sleep tonight.

  We are making our way out of bathroom…actually we are stumbling as Bryn is dragging me out of the bathroom. My phone rings again.

  “I can’t hear you.” I giggle.

  “Good night, Logan.” I hang up.

  Taking me straight to the dance floor, Bryn is holding my two hands as we move to the music. There is barely any room to move on the crowded floor. It’s like one big dancing orgy.

  “I’m drunk.” I lean and whisper into Bryn’s ear.

  “Me too.” She laughs. “But don’t you feel better?” She spins me under her arm.

  “Please. Don’t. Spin. Me. I have enough spinning going on.” I giggle.

  I don’t know how much time goes by before Josh and Tyler join us on the dance floor. But I do know my head is spinning even more and my vision is really messed up. Why oh why did I do those shots? Calvin Harris’ “Feels So Close” pulsates through the club.

  I feel so close to you right now

  It’s a force field

  I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal

  Your love pours down on me, surrounds me like a waterfall

  And there’s no stopping us right now

  I feel so close to you right now

  I feel so close to you right now

  It’s a force field

  I wear my heart upon my sleeve, like a big deal

  Your love pours down on me, surrounds me like a waterfall

  And there’s no stopping us right now

  I feel so close to you right now

  And there’s no stopping us right now

  And there’s no stopping us right now

  And there’s no stopping us right now

  I feel so close to you right now….

  Bryn is moving to the music with Josh’s hands around her waist. Her back is to his front. Tyler was dancing beside them but I don’t see where he went. Maybe the dancing was too much for him? It’s definitely getting to be too much for me. I turn to push my way through the crowded dance floor, but suddenly there are two hands holding my waist, grabbing me from behind.

  “Emilia.” I hear someone whisper, lips brushing my ear.

  I turn to look and it’s Tyler. Oh no, I can’t deal with this now. I’m too drunk, nauseated.

  “Tyler, don’t.” I say, trying to move from his grasp.

  He pulls me so that I’m now facing him. I try to move out of his grip, but he just keeps pulling me closer to him.

  “Come on, Emilia. Don’t fight it.” He’s holding me and I’m trying to squirm out of his grip but he’s strong and I’ve had too much to drink.

  He starts to softly kiss me on my shoulder as one of his hands moves up my back. The music is so loud and it’s so crowded that no one gives us a second glance.

  “Tyler, please.” The palms of my hands are pushing against his muscular chest to no avail.

  His lips move from my bare shoulder to my neck and beside my ear.

  “I want you. Can’t you see that?” He whispers, the smell of alcohol on his breath.

  “Tyler, we’re friends. Stop.” I think of Mrs. Sutton’s self-defense moves but I’m too tipsy and I really don’t want to hurt Tyler.

  He continues to kiss me from my ear, across my jaw down my neck as he pulls me firmly against him. My hands still push at his chest, trying to keep some distance between us, but failing miserably. The room is spinning uncontrollably. I’m overwhelmingly hot from the combination of too much alcohol, the crowded dance floor and Tyler’s smothering embrace.

  “Relax, Emilia.” He breathes, trying to hold me so he can kiss me on my lips.

  I turn my head away from him. “No.” I shout, trying to muster up enough strength to break from his grip.”

  “Get off of her.” I hear a voice behind me. It sounds indignant, severe. I know immediately it’s Logan and he’s pissed. Tyler
quickly lets go of me and moves away from us.

  Logan pulls me towards him. “You okay, baby?”

  I hold onto his upper arms, trying to keep my balance. My head is still reeling from alcohol and Tyler’s unprovoked attack.

  “Let’s get you some air.” He murmurs as he wraps his arm around me and leads me through the packed dance floor. It feels so comforting to be in his arms and I forget for a moment all my anxiety, agitation.

  We head outside and the welcoming cool air immediately soothes my horrible dizziness. Breathing in the air, I close my eyes. I can’t bear to look at him. He shows up and I’m not only wasted but in the arms of Tyler, who he has warned me about for weeks. Crap. But isn’t it sort of Logan’s own fault? If he wasn’t so secretive about his week and if he had called earlier, this could have all been avoided, right?

  I blink my eyes open. Logan’s hands are around my waist as I gaze up at him.

  “Hi.” I whisper.

  “Do you feel like your going to get sick? Do you want to sit?”

  “I’m okay…coming out here has helped.”

  “You’re angry with me?” He asks.

  I nod. “You’re angry with me too?”

  “A bit.” He runs a hand through his hair.

  “I don’t think you should be.”

  “Can I take you home now so we can discuss why I shouldn’t be angry with you or would you like to continue with your dancing?” He looks annoyed.

  “I choose home with you.” I smile, sweetly at him.

  His lips twitch up into that irresistible, sexy smile that makes my insides melt.

  When we get to my house I’m surprised I don’t feel as bad as I did earlier. Tyler’s attack and Logan’s much-appreciated interruption probably sobered me up.

  Immediately, Logan heads to the refrigerator and grabs a water bottle. He turns to me.

  “Drink.” He says as he hands me the water.

  “Yes, sir.” I say, matter-of-factly.

  He rolls his eyes. Oh, shit. He’s still pissed.

  “Should we talk now or tomorrow after you’ve slept off your drunkenness?” He snaps.

  I sip the water and turn on my wedges. Why the hell is he so upset with me? I climb the stairs to my bedroom. I glance at my clock on my nightstand. It’s after two in the morning…so much for getting a decent night’s rest. Grabbing a tank and a pair of sweatpants, I head into the bathroom. I quickly tug off my jeans then my shirt and bra.

  After I’ve changed, I head back into the bedroom. I unclasp my locket, place it on my dresser and then pull out my earlier chic updo, which is now a messy updo. Logan watches me intently as he sits on my bed with his legs up and his head propped up with his arms folded behind it.

  I slide into the bed beside him. Lying on my side with my head looking directly up into his eyes.

  “Shall I tell you why you have no reason to be angry at me or do you wish to lecture me on my drunken stupidity?”

  “Drunken stupidity? Your words not mine. But please, I’d love to hear your slightly distorted logic.” He smiles, slightly and I know he’s no longer angry.

  “I only know the facts…no distorted logic.” I say and yawn.

  “Boring, you?”

  “I’m tired. I didn’t get much sleep this week.” I gaze at him.

  “You say that like it’s my fault.”

  “Well, let’s just say that your ‘something has come up’ doesn’t really fly with me.” I sigh.

  He pauses and looks at me with his brow furrowed, “I don’t really understand.”

  “Look, put yourself in my shoes. If I told you that something came up and I didn’t explain it wouldn’t you wonder what that something was? Wouldn’t it bother you?”

  “So, that bothered you?” He asks with a bemused expression.

  “Yes. Are you making fun of me?” I frown.

  “No. I’m just trying to understand. If it troubled you, why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you just ask? Instead you proceeded to get drunk and put yourself in danger.” He runs his hand though his hair in exasperation.

  “I wasn’t in danger.” I roll my eyes. “But first things first. I offered to help you with your big secret but you told me you needed to deal with it on your own.”

  He laughs.

  “I don’t think it’s funny.” I snap.

  “I’m sorry I laughed but it really wasn’t like that…and it certainly was no big secret. Do you really think I would purposely try and upset you?”

  I shrug. “I thought maybe I scared you away with what I told you. Your email worried me and that’s all I could think of…and then I didn’t hear from you the rest of the week.”

  Logan leans towards me and wraps me in his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. That couldn’t be further from the truth.” He softly kisses me on the lips.

  “Oh?” I whisper.

  “I know how hard it was for you to tell me about your past and obviously you trust me to a certain extent since you told me. But at the same time you need to communicate with me. If there’s something that’s bothering you or upsetting you, you need to be honest with me. We’ve talked about this.” His voice is comforting.

  “It’s all so overwhelming sometimes. I want us to work but I’m scared.”

  “I think you don’t realize that I feel the same way even though I’ve told you this. I really don’t want to lose you and it worries me when you fail to talk to me about things that are bothering you. We have to work together to make this work. Do you agree?”

  “Yes, I agree.”

  “I apologize for not being up front about what was going on this week. Seraphina got arrested for a DUI. She crashed into a police car and ended up in the hospital.”

  “Is she okay?” Sure I dislike the girl but I certainly wish her no harm. Besides, I would be worried about anyone getting arrested and landing in the hospital.

  “She broke her arm, has a few cuts and scratches. It could have been a lot worse. She’s lucky and she’s lucky she didn’t hurt anyone else. But I’m sure she doesn’t see it that way right now.”

  “Can I ask you something?” I can’t help but wonder and since he told me to tell him when something is bothering me, I figure I might as well get it off my chest.

  “Of course.”

  “Did you not want to tell me because it had to do with her?”

  “I’ve told you before she’s the past. You are my present and I hope my future. That being said, no, I didn’t think about not telling you because it involved her. I just was caught up in trying to help, help a friend and I honestly didn’t give it much thought.”

  My thoughts drift momentarily as a wave of relief sweeps over me. Did he really just say he hopes he has a future with me? After the long week of feeling anxious, a big wave of relief sweeps over me.

  “Are you still mad at me?” Logan asks.

  “I’m sorry. No, thanks for explaining.” I murmur.

  “Is it okay if I spend the night?” He asks.

  “The night? I think it’s almost the morning.” I breathe. I snuggle into his side and gaze up at him. “Besides, do you really have to ask me that?”

  “Just making sure.” He stands and shuffles out of his jeans and pulls off his sweater. Sliding back under the covers in just a pair of boxers and a white t-shirt, he pulls me close.

  “I’m sorry.” I whisper again.

  “For?”

  “I think you know. But I really wasn’t in any danger.” I say, matter-of-factly.

  “Emilia, he was all over you and I could see you trying to push him away but he wasn’t giving up. If I hadn’t come to find you, I don’t know what would have happened.” His displeasure and indignation are obvious.

  “I know some self-defense moves. I had it under control.”

  “You did not have it under control so I don’t know who you think you’re fooling.” He says calmly, but his tone is full of annoyance.

  “He was just drunk and lost control. I really don’t thin
k he meant any harm.” I say quietly.

  “Stop making excuses for him. Did you want him all over you like that?” He asks, sharply.

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Exactly. Just to let you know he’s really lucky I didn’t kick his ass. If I wasn’t so worried about you and making sure you were okay, I would have thoroughly enjoyed beating the crap out of him.”

  “Well, I’m glad you didn’t.”

  “Next time he might not be so lucky.” He pulls me tightly against him and breathes in my hair.

  “There won’t be a next time.” I whisper.

  “Damn right, there won’t be a next time.” He says emphatically.

  “I guess I could have saved us all this trouble if I had just asked you what was going on in the first place.” I yawn again.

  “Yes. You need to tell me what’s on your mind, baby. I wish I could read it…that would come in quite handy. Although I do think I can tell what you’re thinking right now.”

  “Oh?” I breathe.

  “You’re exhausted and want to go to sleep.”

  “You’re a man with many talents, Mr. Prescott.” I giggle, sleepily.

  “Sweet Dreams, Emilia.” He whispers and kisses me sweetly on the lips.

  27

  THE WAY OUR BODIES are entwined reminds me of the famous painting: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. It’s after nine o’clock when I rouse from my deep slumber. I probably had about six hours of sleep but I feel so well rested, refreshed. It’s the most I’ve slept all week. Like the painting that depicts a female who is tightly embraced by a male, Logan is similarly wrapped around me. His arms and legs are draped across me with a sweet languor about it. The temptation to touch him is too great. I reach with my hand and gently stroke the side of his face, around his firm jaw. His eyes blink open and gaze into mine.

  “Good morning.” I whisper.

  He pulls me even tighter against him. “It’s too early. Go back to sleep, baby.”

  “It’s after nine.” I giggle.

  “You have to work today?”

  “Yes.”

  “I think I could convince the Suttons to give you the day off.” He says as he kisses me softly on my neck.

  “I’m sure you could.” I smile at him.