Page 5 of In His Veins

I feel the beginning of a migraine, but I do my best to ignore it while I dance to the pounding bass. This is the third club we’ve been to tonight, and I’m quickly running out of energy. Paige grabs my hand and gives me a twirl. The world spins and doesn’t stop spinning even when she gives me a hug.

“I’m so glad you came out tonight! You need to take more breaks from work!” My friend has to hunch down to be heard and even then, I don’t understand her at first. I’ve had more alcohol tonight than I initially planned, but haven’t had to pay for a drink yet thanks to Paige’s flirting capabilities.

Her long legs are mostly exposed due to the tight, strappy black dress she slithered into. It’s so short, I’m not sure how she hasn’t flashed anyone. I’m admiring the tattoos that cover her arms when she claps her hands together.

“Drink! Another drink!” I groan as she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bar. She saunters toward a tall man leaning against the counter. His attention focuses on the swing of her hips and his lips slowly lift in a smile. Paige drops my hand when we’re next to him and he tips his head down to say something in her ear. She laughs brightly and lays a hand on his bicep. A moment later, he calls the bartender over to order drinks.

I shake my head in disbelief. She’s done this all night, and I’m certain she’s capable of witchcraft. I soon have another drink in my hand and watch as Paige and the man take a shot of something. She stands on her tiptoes a little to say something in his ear, her hand now on his chest. He nods and my friend looks back at me.

“Dance?” She asks, but I can tell she wants to go off with this guy for a while. I wave my hand at her and lift up my still-full drink in response. Paige grins at me and pulls the guy after her. Sipping my drink, I settle into a stool and watch the dancers. It tastes like pineapple and I take a few more gulps before leaning back against the bar. My head is still spinning a little, but I feel warm and happier than I’ve been in ages.

Paige is grinding against her partner, and I shake my head. She’s tried to get me to bring someone home from one of our outings, but just the thought of it makes my stomach clench. I knock back the rest of my drink, and when I look back at the crowd, I’ve lost sight of her. The multi-colored lights make me feel dizzy and I freeze when I see the lights bounce off long, honey colored hair. I distantly hear the sound of shattering glass but I don’t dare pull my focus from him.

His back is to me, but I know it’s him. I’d know him anywhere.

My chest feels hot as I stare at him, tall and austere. I scan the crowd again for Paige, desperate to leave. I’m suddenly a teenager again and it feels like I’m moments away from emptying the contents of my stomach on the club floor. As if feeling eyes on him, he turns toward me and I nearly collapse in relief.

Not him.

He smiles broadly and seems pleased to have caught me looking at him. He starts walking toward me, but I’m still shaking and not in the mood to talk with anyone. I feel the crunch of glass under my feet as I make my way to the other end of the bar.

Still not seeing Paige, I head to the women’s bathroom, but the line is wrapped out the door. The men’s room doesn’t seem to have a line, and after poking my head inside, I notice there’s an empty stall. I slip inside and sit on the toilet with my head in my hands. I take some deep breaths but I can’t stop shaking. When I close my eyes, I see flashing images of pale blue eyes, honey hair, and strong, slender hands. I still feel like I could throw up, but I force it down and tell myself that I’m still having a good time.

I exit the stall and pass a guy walking in. He raises his eyebrows at me and says, “I saw that line out there. Can’t say I blame you.” He smirks, stepping to the urinal. I take the sound of his zipper as my cue to exit. I walk back to the dance floor, feeling calmer but ready to leave. I decide to go back to the bar and wait for Paige to find me again.

A few minutes later, I see Paige emerge from the crowd, but without her guy. She walks toward me and loops her arm through mine. I look at her closely and see her lipstick is a little smudged and her hair is messier than before.

“Where’d you run off to?” I ask suspiciously. Her eyes go wide in an attempt to feign innocence. I notice she’s walking us toward the exit when she responds.

“I had to run to the restroom.” I glance to the side and see her cheeks are flushed and she has a small smile. My mouth falls open.

“You did not just hook up with that guy in a club bathroom. Tell me you didn’t.” She laughs but doesn’t respond. We’re out the door and squeeze into the crowds of drunk people walking on 1st street.

“Paige!” I hiss at her. She still has a firm grip on my arm and jaywalks confidently across the street. My friend lets go of my arm to hold open the door to Joe’s Pub. I don’t go in at first and just look at her in disbelief. She gives me a devilish smile and I huff as I walk through the door.

Paige waves at the bartender as she comes in behind me. He smiles when he sees her and calls out, “Hey, sweetie. Sit wherever.” I choose a booth in the back of the pub and wince a little as the cracked green vinyl scratches my bare skin. Paige picks up a menu and begins scanning it intently even though I already know what she’s going to order.

“You’re insane,” I sigh as I lay my menu flat on the table. Paige drops hers, too, and looks at me intently.

“Are you judging me, Channing?” She squints her eyes a little, and I choose my next words carefully.

“Look, Paige, live your life. I don’t really care as long as you’re safe.”

She smiles and leans forward, bracing her arms on the table. “Better to live life and be a little risky than never try anything at all.”

The dig stings, but I know she’s right. More than anything, I’m jealous that I wouldn’t ever do something crazy like hookup with a stranger in a public bathroom. Besides, I was never actually worried for her. As a sex worker, she knows how to have safe sex, and she’s at least 6 feet tall. Anyone would be a fool to think she’s an easy target. Her eyes soften a little.

A woman comes up to take our orders then, and we both get pickle fries and mozzarella sticks. Paige focuses her attention on me again. “You know, you could always come to the club sometime. I’d take you when I wasn’t working of course.” Our waiter returns with some water and Paige takes a few gulps.

I laugh as if the thought had never occurred to me, but truthfully, it had. Paige shrugs. “I thought I’d put it out there. I think it would be good for you. You work so much and you’re so uptight these days. Getting railed a few times would probably lower your blood pressure.” I choke a little even as the thought heats my core.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Our waiter returns again with our food, and I burn my tongue as I immediately put a pickle fry in my mouth. Paige laughs as I spit it out and chug my water.

“How’s the apartment?” Paige asks as she wisely tears a fry in half to let it cool. Grease coats her fingers and she dunks the fry in a cup of ranch dressing. I follow suit, but it’s too late to save my burnt taste buds.

“Honestly? It’s kind of disgusting. There are roaches, the whole place feels damp, and the dryer squeaks. But it’s mine.” Paige is smiling and gestures at me with a mozzarella stick.

“So you love it.” It’s not a question and I find myself smiling with her.

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