by S. L. Gavyn
I nodded and she headed off for the bathroom.
I really had been looking forward to going out tonight. My case had come to a standstill and I was hoping I might find out something at the club. Plus, it had been a really long time since I had went out, and I was ready to blow off some steam. I just wished I didn’t have some loser thinking I was fair game to hit on because I was supposed to be his date for the evening.
Then, as if in answer to my problem, Temmy’s phone rang. Since she was in the shower, I answered it.
“Hello, Temmy’s house. This is Avery.”
“Avery, how have you been? It’s been so long since I saw you last,” Saundra said.
“Hey Saundra. I’ve been good. How about you?”
“I was doing great until tonight. The bastard I was supposed to go out with went and caught the flu and canceled on me. Can you believe that? Anyway, I was hoping you had room for one more at the club tonight.”
Cha-ching! It really was the answer to my problem. I mean, as a good, caring person I couldn’t turn her down in her time of need. The fact that I knew Saundra would take the asshole off my shoulders had nothing to do with it.
“Sure Saundra. Come on over. Temmy’s in the shower right now. We’re not supposed to leave until nine.”
“Great. I’m just about ready so I should be over there in a half hour.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
As I hung up, I couldn’t help congratulating myself. Who needs to give tributes to gain the Gods’ favor? They were definitely on my side tonight. At the very least, Saundra would not be interested in Ray and then I would have another woman to talk to while I ignored him. At best, she would throw herself at him and he would act like a typical male and they would be making out by the time we reached the club. Unfortunately, that would mean I’ll be stuck in the back seat with them but it only takes ten minutes to drive to the club from here. I’ll just have to take one for the team. My team.
When Temmy got out of the bathroom, I was dressed and applying my makeup in the spare bedroom. I tried to use the most solemn face I could manage.
“Saundra called. She was stood up by her date so she’s going out with us.”
“What? You didn’t tell her it was a double date?” She said with her hands on her hips.
“I didn’t know it was a double date. You said we were going to the club and the guys just happened to be accompanying us,” I replied innocently.
“You know that’s bullshit. I can’t believe you invited that hussy to come with us. She’ll be all over Ray by the time he crosses the threshold.”
“If that’s the case, then he just isn’t the man for me.”
Again I tried for solemn and Temmy saw right through it. Her eyes narrowed.
“You set this up, didn’t you? What did you do, call her as soon as I got in the shower and beg her to come?”
I put my hand to my chest and opened my mouth and eyes wide. “Why Temmy. I am appalled that you would think so little of me. She called in her time of need and as her friend I could...”
“Cut the bullshit. I know you don’t give a damn about Saundra’s needs. You saw an opportunity and you took it. Well, there is nothing I can do about it now, but you mark my words, Avy. If a good looking man starts flirting with you at the club, you better flirt back. Understand?”
“Yes, mother.”
“And, you better dance with them. And, would it be asking too much for you to kiss the guy?”
“I think you’re taking this a little far. I’ll agree to so much as dancing, but that’s where I draw the line.”
“I guess I’ll take it then.”
“Good. Now go finish getting ready. I’ll not be seen in the company of some raggedy ho.”
“Too late. You already invited Saundra.”
I laughed so hard I had to reapply my liner.
Half an hour or so later we were fully ready. Saundra had already gotten here, and she looked exactly like I expected. Remember the duct tape outfit I mentioned? Hers was fishnet though. She was wearing a black pushup bra and a black lace thong. What? Fishnet is see through. In her defense, there was a two inch strip of leather running vertically down the middle of the front and back of the six inch long skirt. I guess it would be considered indecent if it didn’t cover her who-ha. I couldn’t see how she was standing in the six inch heals she wore. My feet were already starting to hurt in the three inch ones I wore. She had blonde hair with bright red streaks in it this month and more makeup than any one woman should wear. All together she looked more like she should be walking the streets than heading to a club. But, hey, to each their own.
Just as I expected, the moment the men arrived and Ray was introduced, she was rubbing up against him and he was all for it. Plan accomplished. Now, if I can make it to the club without throwing up, I would be alright. I decided to fix myself a drink for the road. Alcohol tends to make things more tolerable, and I had a feeling I was going to need it. After I downed my shot of tequila, we loaded up in Temmy’s Honda Accord and headed for the club. I tried to keep my eyes out the window so that I didn’t see what was going on beside me in the backseat. The noises were enough to let me know I didn’t want to see the rest.
When we parked ten minutes later, I practically jumped out. That car just wasn’t big enough to have those two going at it next to me. Hell, a bus wouldn’t be big enough. We walked up to the line and waited our turn to pay the fee and get in. Of course Temmy knew everybody that worked here, and had to take the time to shoot the breeze with them. Finally, we were inside. I made a B line to the bar and order two more shots and a margarita. The first one hadn’t done anything, and I felt like I needed to take a shower after the ride here. I did the shots at the bar, and took my margarita to a table. It took about three times as much alcohol as a typical Human to get me drunk so I had a long way to go if I wanted to get the images from the car out of my head. I did not want to have to deal with them on the ride home. I figure if I start now, by the time we go home I’ll be fine with them having sex next to me in the car. On second thought, maybe I should not get shitfaced and just take a cab home. Soon after I sat down, Temmy and Kevin joined me with their drinks. Well, there goes my designated driver. Guess I’ll be taking that cab after all.
“Aren’t they great?” Temmy asked me.
I had been so hung up on the awful ride here I hadn’t even noticed that the same band was playing. The lead singer belted out some words that I really couldn’t make out over the guitars playing, but his voice sounded nice just the same. It was deep and sultry. Then he looked up from the crowd straight at me. He had spiked black hair. I don’t know if it was a dye job or his natural color since his brows were the same shade. I couldn’t really tell what color eyes he had because the lights that shone on him were multiple colors and he was all the way across the club from me, but it was obvious he had black liner on which normally I would think is totally not appealing, but on him, it seemed to work. Of course he wore the typical black attire of all hard rockers. It was relatively simple though. Black t-shirt, black leather pants, black boots with a black belt that had metal studs and a chain that ran around to what I would assume is his wallet.
He continued to look at me as I analyzed his wardrobe. When the song finished he said into the microphone, “This is a new song I wrote the other night for you.” He pointed his finger, and I almost looked behind me to see if there was someone there because it looked like he was pointing it straight at me. The song was a little slower than the previous one, but would by no means be considered a slow song. Instead it started slow then picked up pace until you could practically head-bang to it then it slowed back down as he sang the lyrics. It was really good and I couldn’t help but smile. I know he wasn’t actually pointing toward me, but the song was good just the same. The band played a few more songs before Saundra and Ray finally returned. They were probably in the bathroom if their car session was any indication of what was to come.
; We watched the show for a few while I had finished my second margarita. I was about to ask Temmy if she wanted to come with me to get a new one when a server arrived with a fresh one and sat it down in front of me. I looked up at her confused.
“This is from the guy over there,” she said as she pointed behind her.
He was about four tables away, sitting with two other guys. I raised the glass in thanks and he raised his back before I took a small sip. As I placed it in front of me, I saw that Jared wasn’t looking this way anymore. Thank the Gods. He had been watching me pretty much nonstop since I got here. Now, it looked like he was watching the guy who had bought me a drink, then he looked my way again.
As he stared at me, I started to feel a pressure in my head. I’m not sure if it was the drinks or what. I looked away to find a guy standing next to me. Apparently while I was having a staring contest with the singer, the guy who bought me a drink had decided to come over.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hey, I’m Allen,” he said as he held out his hand.
“Hey Allen, Avery.”
“Another ‘A’ name, cool.”
Yeah, whatever. Luckily I haven’t drank enough to start saying everything that pops into my head.
“Do you come here often,” Allen asked.
“Uh, no. You?”
He shook his head. “I just moved here from Montgomery. My friend lives here so I came to check it out.”
“I see. I moved here from Savannah about six months ago.”
I really didn’t feel like talking to this guy, and if it wasn’t for the fact that Temmy was watching me like a hawk, I would have totally blown him off.
“Savannah. That’s cool. I want to go there one weekend and checkout the shops.”
“Yeah, they’re good.”
What was I supposed to say to that? Yeah, well have fun with that. Please move on. The music stopped so I looked at the band. They were having a powwow off to the side with some other guy. Then the guy took off and headed toward the DJ station as Jared came back to the microphone.
“We’re done for tonight. Thanks for coming out.”
The DJ started playing something with a techno beat, and everyone started dancing. Jared looked up at me again as he walked to the edge of the stage and hopped off.
Six
“Oh my Gods. He’s going to get mauled down there,” Temmy said.
But, although everyone watched him they all moved out of his way as he walked through the crowd. He continued to watch me while everyone was watching him. A few women started to approach him, and he ignored them.
“Wow, it looks like he’s heading this way, Temmy. Maybe we’ll get a second chance,” Saundra said.
Temmy didn’t have a chance to respond because he was at the table. He cut in front of Allen, and stood next to me.
“Did you like your song?” he asked me.
I looked around him at Allen to see that he was walking away.
“That was rude,” I said.
He looked at Allen then back to me then back to Allen.
“I’m sorry, man. You can join us if you like,” Jared said to Allen.
“I have to get back to my friends,” Allen replied.
Something about that exchange didn’t sound right. Allen sounded kind of like he was reading a script or something. Oh well, I didn’t really want to hang out with him anyway.
“You didn’t answer my question. Did you like your song?” Jared said to me again.
“Uh…”
“Of course she loved it. It was great,” Temmy finished for me.
“Is that the name of it? ‘Your song’, sounds kinda lame,” I said. Total Elton John rip off.
“Avery!” Temmy reprimanded.
“Well it does,” I said in my defense.
“Actually it didn’t have a name until now that I know yours. It will now be named Avery’s song,” Jared said.
“Oh, that is so sweet,” Temmy said at the same time I said, “Is that the line you use on all the women?”
Temmy elbowed me in the ribs.
“Ow.”
“I assure you I have never named a song after a woman before,” Jared replied.
Sure. I believe that. Then again he probably doesn’t need to use lines to pick up women.
I finished off my drink. That way I can use getting a new one as an excuse to get away from him if I need to.
“Hey Jared. Do you remember me?” Saundra said.
He looked at her for the first time.
“Uh, yeah. You were at the party last weekend,” he said uncertainly.
She leaned forward to show as much cleavage as possible. Which was quite a bit.
“Yeah, we talked in the hallway and I…”
“Offered to suck his dick.”
Oh my Gods! Did I just say that out loud?! I threw my hand over my mouth before something else popped out. Saundra was looking at me like she was going to kill me. Jared was looking at me with amusement.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” I said from between my fingers.
“So you were talking about me?” Jared said.
I lowered my hand and hoped nothing too crude came out.
“Yeah, Temmy was impressed with your manners.”
“My manners?” He looked confused.
“You know, how you said ‘no thank you’ to Saundra’s offer of oral sex.”
Temmy stepped on the toe of my boot with her heal. He had a brow raised but my mouth just wouldn’t shut up.
“Usually men only say thank you afterward. That is if they have manners anyway.”
Why won’t my mouth stop? I have definitely drank too much. That’s it I’m cut off.
“Come on Avery. I need to use the restroom, you’ll come with me,” Temmy said as she practically dragged me off the stool.
“Okay.”
I followed her to the restroom, and once we finally made it through the line to inside, she turned to me with her hands on her hips.
“The hottest guy in the place is paying you total attention, and you can talk about nothing other than some other chick offering him oral sex and his manners?”
“I know. I can’t help it though. She was practically offering everything to him again, and it was just the first thing that popped into my mouth. Then, when he thought we had been having this whole conversation about him, I felt the need to explain that the talk was more about his manners than him himself. You know how my mouth gets when I drink.”
She rolled her eyes. Then she looked at me like she had just had a great idea. “You need more drink. That’s what the problem is.”
“If that is my problem, why do I need more?”
“The problem is that you have drank enough to have a big mouth but not enough to not care about what you are saying. You’re overthinking everything and only more drink will cure that.”
“Uh, that kind of makes sense, but I think not drinking anymore is the best route. After a little while, the booze will wear off then I won’t have an overactive jaw anymore.”
“Pfft. I’ll hear no more of that crazy talk. We are here to have a good time, and that means drinking and flirting. Remember, I’m living my fantasies through you. So you better be making out with that guy by the end of the night. He named a song after you for Christ’s sake.”
“That was a total line and you know it.”
“Well, at least he’s interested enough to throw a line.”
True. I’m sure he doesn’t often need to use lines to get laid.
“Alright Temmy. We do it your way. But, I expect you to make sure I don’t go home with the guy. Okay? It’s one thing to have a drunken good time at the club. Another to take it home.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you go to your house tonight.”
Somehow I don’t think she meant the same thing I did.
We checked our makeup before heading back to the table. As we got closer, I saw there were a couple of women at the table w
ith the guys and Saundra. One of them was rubbing up against Jared while talking to him. We walked up and I went to walk around the table to get to my seat since the two of them were blocking the way, but his arm reached out, wrapped around my waist, and pulled me toward him.
He whispered in my ear. “I’m so glad you are back. This woman will not leave me alone.”
I looked behind me at the chick that was staring at us.
“Why didn’t you just tell her to leave?” I asked him.
“I didn’t want to be accused of being rude again,” he whispered into my ear.
I rolled my eyes at him then walked past the both of them to my stool and had a seat. He wrapped his other arm around me, and I looked at him like he was one step away from losing it.
“If I appear to be with you, then the others will leave me alone,” he whispered again.
Right. Whatever. I saw that the women had gotten the message and moved on. I looked down, and there was a full margarita on the table in front of me.
“Your other was empty,” Jared said.
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
I took an experimental sip. I’m good at detecting hidden drugs so I always take a sip first to make sure it hasn’t been roofied.
“Would you like to dance?” Jared asked.
“Uh…” I saw Temmy was looking at me. “Sure.”
I took a full drink out of my glass before he took my hand, and led me to the dance floor. As soon as his bare skin touched mine, I knew he wasn’t mundane Human. It was actually kind of weird. I didn’t know exactly what he is. I could feel his magic rubbing against my own, and it actually felt good, but I couldn’t figure out what kind of magic it was. It definitely wasn’t Demon or Vamp or Were. It was something I had never felt before. It could be that he is a magic-wielding Human and his particular gift made his magic feel weird, but I’m not sure. I decided it wasn’t that important. Others made up about sixty percent of the planet’s population so you were just as likely to meet an Other as mundane Human. Hell, I was Other so maybe that was why he was interested in me.