Page 6 of Roughing It

Another hour of sweaty dancing and strong margaritas has me feeling no pain. No doubt. No fear of being alone. Nothing but the music and the booze.

And College Boy’s hands in places they should not be. Nope. Not happening.

Slipping out of his octopi-esque hold, I give him what I hope is a non-annoyed smile. “Hey, um…” Crap, what’s his name? “Thanks for the dances, but I’m calling it a night.”

“Cool, let’s get out of here.”

“No, sorry if I wasn’t clear. I’m going home alone.”

He frowns. “Seriously? You’re bailing on me?”

“I’m not sure what you think is happening.” He stares at me like I owe him something. I am so not in the mood for this. “It’s been a long day. Enjoy your night.” I spin on my heels and make my way to the exit, but a hard tug on my arm stops me in my tracks.

“Don’t be such a tease. With the way you killed those drinks and how you were dancing on me, I figure you’re more than down.” College Boy is close enough for me to smell the beer on his breath.

“Excuse me?”

“Your friend told me you play hard to get and like an aggressive alpha-male type. She said that’s what older women are into.” He tilts his head towards Mia, who smirks and gives me a wave. “So let’s go to my place, and I’ll show you how much of a man I am.”

I can’t help it. I bust out a loud cackle. He’s got to be shitting me.

College Boy’s face darkens, and his hold on my arm tightens. But for the life of me, I can’t stop laughing. If this twenty-two-year-old man-child thinks he’s showing me anything else tonight, he’s got another thing coming.

With my free hand, I snag my phone from my jumpsuit pocket and text the bouncer, Glenn. Pro tip: it pays to know who’s mixing your drinks and working the door. Seconds later, the reassuring shadow cast by Glenn’s massive frame melts my tension away.

“This kid bothering you, BB?”

Jerking out of the butt munch’s grasp, I turn big eyes on Glenn. “Yes. He doesn’t understand that no means no, and you guys have a zero-tolerance policy.”

“Damn straight we do.” Glenn grabs College Boy by thecollar, and in a blink, I’m back to being alone. Only this time, I don’t mind it so much.

Mia bolts over, faux worry playing on her pretty face. “BB! Babe! Are you okay? I can’t believe the puppy put his hands on you!”

I don’t even pretend to believe her. Instead, I scowl without speaking until she squirms.

“Whatever the kid told you, I had your best interest in mind.”

Putting on my sweetest smile, I step closer to Mia. “Telling a random guy in a bar I like aggressive men, that’s in my best interest?”

She waves dismissively. “Please. He was harmless. Friend to friend, you need a good dicking. You’ve been off ever since Ryan dumped you. Maybe you should try to get him back.”

“He cheated on me.”

Mia shrugs. “Yeah, but he’s so good for your brand.”

So much for sisterly solidarity. I beeline straight to the exit. I need out of here. The club, yes, but maybe the town, too.

The early October air cools my skin, and I let the background noise of the city calm me. Twenty minutes and one chatty rideshare later, I’m home, scrubbed of makeup and College Boy’s touch, curled up in the one room in my showplace apartment that is truly me. It’s also the only one I never film in. No, this space is all mine.

Pulling my plush purple comforter to my chin, I scroll through my socials. I thumb through my feed, ignoring the snarky comments and hearting the kind ones. I’m about to close out the app, ready to be done with the day, when a tagged post catches my attention. It’s me at the club, dancing with College Boy. Great. I have a margarita and a far off expression as I sway to the music. The caption saysBlakely Bradshawis a bitch and a tease. Left me high and dry tonight after acting like she wanted it all night.

That little punk. Expecting sex from a partner because they danced together, or for any reason, is dangerous. I’d like for someone to teach him a lesson. With their fist.

My damn cat-killing curiosity gets the best of me, and I open the comments. The most liked ones are at the top, my attention instantly drawn to them.

urMomisafour: That’s bullshit, man. Girls like that are always cock teases. Think they’re too good for us regular guys. Love to see her try and live without her team of stylists and sycophants for a week. Doubt she’d even make it twenty-four hours.

InsrtScr33nHere: Right? Bet she’s ugly as shit without all that makeup and filtering.

---