Page 38 of Meet Me at the Metro

“Nora, are you sure you didn’t hit your head?”

“No, Teddyyy,” I snort, my words slurring slightly.

There’s a twinge of pain in my arm, and it isn’t until I hold it out that I see a trail of blood trickling past my elbow to my wrist. My eyes follow its track to see a deep, bright red laceration carved into my skin.

“Well, shiiit.”

Theo’s eyes widen at the fresh wound. Without hesitation, he rips off his black apron and starts to wrap it around my arm. “I’m taking her home, Evie. G-give me your key.”

She throws him a troubled look but digs through her small purse anyway. “I don’t think this would be the best idea, Theo... I can take her back.”

“I’m not going home!” I protest, attempting to pull myself out of his grip. “The night was just starting to get fun, you damn party poppers!”

“You mean poopers? You are so drunk,bitch.”

“Stay still,” Theo commands, retightening the apron. “Y-you’re bleeding, Nora.Please.”

I give him a hard glare, but the desperation in his tone has my chest tightening. So, I stay still for him as he finishes covering up my wound.

“Seriously, mate, I can take her back home,” Evie insists, forcing a reassuring smile on her face.

“You’ve been drinking too. J-just let me deal with this, alright?Christ.Just let me help.”

Evie looks at me for approval, and I surprise myself when I refrain from protesting the idea any further. “Okay, fine—okay.Just please, promise me you’ll call if you feel like you’re going to have another episo—”

“I’ve got this, Evie,” he interrupts before I can hear the rest of that statement.

Without another word, Theo wraps his arm around my back and pulls me against him as he leads us through the staring crowd and out the bar’s back door. I look back one last time, finding my two roommates whispering to each other as they watch us leave.

As we step outside, I pout, “I don’t wanna go home.”

“We’ve got to get you cleaned up, Nora.”

“Whatever,” I huff.“Fine.”

Though a part of me, one that I will never outwardly acknowledge, feels excited to admit that Theo is coming home with me tonight.

12

HOT N' COLD

T H E O

Nora is absolutely drunk off her arse as we stumble out of the bar.

How many drinks did she have tonight?

I imagined that it wouldn’t take very much to falter the girl, considering her stature, but by the way she’s walking right now, I’d guess she had to have thrown back at least five before Harvey’s performance.

Or should I say,her little performance…

I try to forget about how enjoyable that was to watch as I lead Nora down the pavement, the fierce wind and rain hounding us as we walk. It’s nearly October and the cool weather shows. I’m so damn grateful that the flat is only a short walk fromGullie’sbecause I’m afraid if we’re out in these conditions much longer, we’re both going to catch a bloody cold.

Especially with that dress she’s got on.

God, that fucking dress.

I tear my eyes away from it as she looks at me and mumbles through chattering teeth, “You arenooofun, you know that?”

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