Page 16 of Electric Touch

“Bug?” I ask as he hands me a beer and a whiskey chaser.

“Once you get one tattoo, you can’t stop.”

“Do you even know me?”

He laughs and downs his whiskey, pulling a face as he does. “That’ll put hair on your chest.”

“This is my one and only,” I say firmly, feeling the lingering burn and slight discomfort from the tattoo. I’ve tied up my hair, so it doesn’t interfere with the tattoo, even though it is covered. I admit, it is a work of art, and I’d not disliked the process as much as I’d thought I would. It doesn’t mean I’ll be racing back for more. No matter what Apollo thinks.

I’m not paying too much attention to the comings and goings of the clientele, but keep an eye out for Sash. She is bringing her latest boyfriend, so I don’t need to worry about her getting here alone. A few beers and some banter with the bartender later, I finally spot her entering the bar. I stand and wave at her, Apollo laughs at me because I am jumping up and down. Sasha sees me and points to the bar, letting me know she’s going to grab a drink.

Then my heart drops out of my chest and slaps the floor with a thud. I can’t believe who is walking into the bar behind her. Jack McQueen. And Nash Jameson.

“Is that who I think it is?” Apollo asks, staring at the door.

“No,” I squeak.

“It fucking is,” he grins. “Girl, this is a glaring sign. You gotta fuck him now.”

For a second, I consider it. In for a penny, in for a pound, as my mama always says.

Can I? He keeps popping up where I am. I’ve never believed in fate or signs, but this seems too coincidental, even for my orderly mind. Dare I?

Then I see the woman latched onto his arm. She says something, and he leans closer to hear her, his lips pull into a smile. She is petite and blonde, wearing a dress that leaves very little to the imagination. And she looks like his ex-girlfriend. He has a type. And I am not it.

For a moment, when he kissed me, the world stopped. I hate a single kiss could overwhelm my senses the way his did, and I’d been annoyed with myself afterwards. But in the moment, that kiss was so much more. I saw something in his eyes when he pulled back. Clearly, it is all in my head. Nash isn’t interested in a girl like me.

Something like disappointment swirls in my stomach.

A sign?

Yeah right. A sign I should stay as far away from Nash Jameson as I can get.

Chapter Six

I have drank far too much, but I need to take my mind off everything. When Jack invited me out, because he saw the bullshit Riley was pulling, I didn’t hesitate. He wants me with him tonight, not my brother. Jack decided I’m getting laid and made it his night’s mission to collect as many women as possible. We make our way through bars he’s heard about from friends he’s made since we got to New York. Jack is like that. People flock to him. Not just women either, he attracts people from all walks of life. He’s like the Pied Piper.

I go with it, not thinking about it too much, other than having fun. I’ve partaken of the drinking games. Which is fine, then I made out with two women in two bars, which I’d never done before.

The reason for this, Riley pulling some bullshit to get back at me. Unfollowing her on Instagram is too much of a statement. I deleted the app instead. I don’t want to see the bullshit photographs she keeps posting. Or the Goddamn veiled digs and captions about new beginnings, her life changing and how she is free.

Dylan informed me she was getting a lot of hate on her posts. As many as the positive replies. She’d been quick to jump into a new relationship and my fans didn’t like that. I don’t care. Let her deal with it however she wants.

People take photographs of us all night and I don’t shy away. But I will not be the one to post any pictures. Jack slaps my back, telling me we’re fucking rock stars now and we’re going to act like it.

I have no clue where we are. The lighting is dim in here. The music is loud, and it’s packed. It’s hard to hear what Julia is saying. I don’t stop her when she climbs onto my lap, so she is straddling me. My goal is to keep my distance and my hands at my side, not on her body. She giggles and is wearing so much perfume it makes my head hurt. Is it wrong to push her off?

“Shots!” Jack yells out. Someone brings a tray full of them and sets them on the table. “You’re a prince, Seth!” He fist bumps Seth, who grins and cheers. I have no clue who he is. He’s been following us all night. Jack seems to like him.

I’m not sure if the clear liquid is vodka or tequila. I don’t particularly care which. I reach for a glass when Jack passes it over. He winks at the girl on my lap. She giggles again.

There is nothing worse than a grown woman giggling. Even drunk. She gets more snorty as the night goes on, wriggling around on my lap, starting to hurt my thighs. Shit, she has a bony ass.

Enough is enough. This isn’t me. Jack notices my anxiety rising. Without a word, he stands up and takes Julia’s hand, tugging her off me.

Obviously, she doesn’t care who she is draping herself over. She falls against Jack’s side and presses her head to his chest. Jack isn’t interested in her either. He holds her while he talks to someone else. But he’s saved me from the beginnings of a panic attack.

I’ve always been in control, my life plan set, and everything was coming together. Now, I’m out of control. Not sure what is going to happen from one minute to the next, and hate myself for it.

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