Page 34 of Bolted

Riley

“Are you okay?” Corrine is by my side within seconds of Sebastian bolting from me.

“Yes? Yes. I think I’m fine but Sebastian’s angry..” I’m stammering, trying to wrap around what just happened.”Corrine, I lost my mind a little bit. I just..”

“It’s okay,” she starts and scooches closer to me on the couch. “Y’all looked pretty intense over here. It seemed like it was going well. Really fucking well…”

“I need to explain to him,” I start, realizing my dress is still sitting askew on my thighs. I adjust myself and make sure I’m fully covered then turn to my sister. “I fucked up. I let things get carried away, and we went further than I meant to, and he didn’t know it was me.. And I, I need to tell him about Nate.”

“Deep breath,” she says and nods, then stands. “C’mon, let’s go find him.”

We’re walking toward the door and suddenly Xavier is in front of us.

“I lost Sebastian in the club,” he says. “I’m sure he’s fine. Why don’t the three of us grab a drink?”

“Actually, are you two okay if I go look for him by myself? I need to talk to him.”

I see Xavier glance at Corrine, trying to assess whether this is a test to gauge his merit. She nods, and says “Text me when you plan to head out.” With that she winks, and loops her arm through Xavier’s. The two walk toward the nearest bar.

I look to the center of the club, it’s hard to see to the other side but it looks like more closed doors. Could he have gone into another room? Does he need to finish what we started on another woman? Or two? He was so pissed, I would be equally jealous and worried for whomever gets in his path now.

I’m walking around the perimeter of the club, trying to look through the shadowy silhouettes at the tables and surrounding the stages. Someone suddenly grabs my shoulder, and I jump, spinning quickly as I pant out “Sebastian if you’ll just let me explain..”

“Sebastian?” The hand on my shoulder has grown punishing, and when I’m turned to face the figure my brain catches up.

“So you are fucking that guy,” Nate growls out, hate in his eyes.

“Nate?” I’m shocked and disappointed. “I’m sorry, I just needed to find someone, and you surprised me.” A second goes by before I get my wits about me enough to say, “What are you doing here?”

“My boss has a large investment in the place.” Nate says. “I technically helped with securing the funding and working toward the opening.”

“Oh,” I say, a little stupidly. Of course. Ethan Lockhart. Lock & Key. What the hell does Nate really do? I start to ask more but Nate’s hand has now moved to my upper arm. He’s gripping tightly and pulling me toward one of the rooms behind us.

“Riley, us seeing each other here must be fate. We need to listen to the universe.”

What? God has he always been so sleazy? Was I just blind? “I can’t Nate, I am here with my sister.”

“It’s one drink,” he says. “You owe me that. You left me, remember?”

I nod, slightly scared of him now that I know more about who he really is, or who he may be involved with at least. I should just use this opportunity to let him know I plan to file for divorce. Maybe it’s best I don’t know what he’s doing with the Lockhart stuff so I can’t be implicated. I realize my mind is whirling much faster than my face is registering, because he is just staring at me expectantly.

“Fine,” I say, “just one.”

He smiles and turns toward door 11. “You go in, I’ll grab us drinks first.”

I’m about to tell him I’m good, as I’ve had plenty to drink already, but he’s already turned away. I need to just keep him somewhat happy so I can get out of this weird situation. I reach the door he sent me toward and turn the knob. It’s unlocked, and from the looks of it, it’s been empty all night. It’s dimly lit like the rest of the place, but on the wall there are hooks with ropes hanging from them. I see a small chest of drawers near the raised bed in the middle. They really like their center stage theme here.

I wander around the room, it’s simple. The bed has next to it the chest of drawers, and a plush armchair sits on the other side. I assume that’s for someone who just likes to watch.

I take a seat on the chair, its velvet maroon fabric oddly comforting. Nate walks through the door and gestures to the bed. “Let’s sit there.”

“I’m good here.” I say as Nate hands me a drink. “What is this?”

“House speciality,” Nate says and winks.

I take a sip. It’s lavender and rose and some type of liquor I can’t place. It’s good but I recognize I’m already tipsy.

“Nate.” He smiles.

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