Page 23 of Wanted

“You must be in some sort of mood if you want to go balls-out,Sara.”

“I am,” I huffed. “I really need a distraction tonight, and theonly thing I can think of is alcohol, maybe some dancing and my best friend. Whatdo you say?”

“I say count my ass in.” She mumbled something to someone beforereturning to our conversation. “What time did you want to go?”

“I’d like to start as early as possible. I’ll meet you at homethen we can get ready and go.”

“Sounds great. See you later.”

“Bye.” I hung up the phone and let out a much needed sigh. Ireally needed the escape to take my mind off Alek and our relationship, or lackof one recently.

~16~

Sara

We started off our night with a couple of glasses of wine athome. I was a bit tipsy by the time the cab showed up, which should have been asign to head back inside and go to bed. Refusing to listen to my nagging innervoice, I sat back and enjoyed the ride. Against my protests, Alexa hadconvinced me to go to Throttle. I didn’t want to be reminded of Alek but I gavein, knowing my friend loved the place. Hell, so did I—minus the fact he ownedit.

Once we’d arrived at the club, we lucked out grabbing the last twoavailable seats at the bar. I wasted no time ordering a drink. We sat there forwhat seemed like forever, waving off unwanted advances from some brazen men. Mythoughts were unfortunately consumed with one man; no matter how hard I triedto push him out of my head, his image was persistent. Much like the man himself.

“Does Braden know we’reout?” I teased, knowing Alexa had her own stubborn guy to deal with. At least Iwasn’t alone there. Although I would’ve given anything for Alek to actually actlike he cared about where I was or who I was with. Something. Some kind ofrecognition to let me know he still cared about me. About us.

“Yeah, he does.” A quick look of annoyance danced across her face,but it disappeared before I could question it.

“Does he care?”

“About what?The fact I’mout?”

Swaying a bit, I gripped onto the edge of the bar. “Yeah. Does hegive you a hard time when you go out?” I took a quick sip of my drink,relishing in the numbness snaking through my entire body. I never waited forher to respond, just continued to babble on. “Alek gives me a hard timewhenever I go out without him. Not because he doesn’t want me to have fun or hedoesn’t trust me, but because he can’t smother and watch over me every minute. Well,heusedto give me a hard time,” Ideclared, taking another sip from my glass. “I don’t think he gives a shitanymore.” My eyes welled up, but I pushed back the emotion.

I need another drink.

“I wish there was something I could do or say which would helpyou, Sara.” She ordered us another round, swiveling around on her stool tosurvey the other patrons.

The house music was pumping and people were drinking, lettingloose and having a great time. I wanted to be one of those people, but my mindwouldn’t fully release me. More alcohol was the answer, I was sure of it.

“Lex, I have to use the ladies room. Be right back.”

“Okay, but hurry up because the band will be coming on soon.”

I nodded and walked toward the bathroom, taking it slow because myfeet weren’t as cooperative as they were an hour before. Thankfully, the linewasn’t too long. While I was waiting, I decided to check my phone. I didn’t knowwhy. It wasn’t as if Alek had made a habit of calling me a lot recently.

So when I saw I’d received a text from him, I was utterlyshocked.

Sorry about today, Sara.

That’s it?After the wayhe’d been acting, he should have apologized for much more. How about,I’m sorry I’ve been an asshole lately?orPlease forgive me for basicallyignoring you since you professed your love for me?

Feeling bold, I decided to text him back.

Don’t worry, Alek. I’ve alreadyforgotten all about it. In fact, I’m going to drown myself in alcohol and havethe best night of my life.

I hit ‘send’, stepped inside into an open stall and handled mybusiness. When I was washing my hands, my phone chimed. I wasn’t surprised heresponded so quickly. I purposely texted him what I did hoping for a reaction. ButI wasn’t lying. I reallywastryingto drown myself in some liquid numbness. I’d pay for it the next day but right then,I didn’t care.

Not funny, Sara. Where are you?

I’msonot going to tell him where I’m at.Although,all it would take would be one phone call and he would surely find out.

Moving back toward Alexa, I hopped on my barstool and for thefirst time that evening, I had a smile on my face. Okay, maybe it wasn’t asmile, but it was definitely a smirk. I’d been able to catch his attention andI was going to do, ornotdo, whatevernecessary to keep it.Lord knows it’ll befleeting.

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