Page 42 of It Should Have Been Me

Alcohol does not stop flowing. With every passing hour, more of our drunkenness starts to show. I’m sweaty and unkempt, my hair sticking to my skin. Isa’s speech is slurred. Dylan is not so steady on his feet. Scott’s cheeks are a rosy red. Peter has some girl pressed against a pillar. He’s been talking to her for over an hour now, and I’ve caught them kissing a few times. Tommy is dancing with a group of women who seem to be in their early forties, just enjoying a girl’s night out.

An hour later, Isa and Dylan disappear as she promised, and not long after that, Peter walks up to us. “Are you guys ready to leave?” He looks over at the tall, dark-haired woman staring at him with sultry brown eyes. “Because I’m ready to get out of here.”

Scott looks at me and smiles because I’m still dancing with no intention of stopping. “Nah, we’re not ready to leave. It’s only two o’clock. It’s still early, Pete. Why don’t you stay for a bit?”

“Hmm...tough choice. Stay here with you two...or get my world rocked by that model over there.” He taps Scott on the shoulder to say goodbye. “She’s amodel. Don’t take it personally, but it’s a landslide victory for her. Sorry, but I’m out. I’ll send the limo back for you guys.”

“Aren’t you the one who’s always preaching the philosophy of bros before hos?” Scott quips.

“Alright, let’s make a deal. Show me your tits, and if they’re even twenty percent as hot as hers, I’ll stay.”

Scott laughs, shoving him lightly. “Fine, you win. Have a good night, Pete.”

“Trust me...I will.”

As soon as he steps away, Scott and I continue dancing as if the interruption never happened. Another half hour goes by before I tug Scott’s sleeve for him to lower his head. “Let’s get another drink.”

“Yes! I’m gonna run to the gents. Meet me at the bar.”

“You want another tequila?”

“Yeah.”

I walk over to the bar and order another round of tequila. My face is hot, and my skin is glistening with sweat.

“What’s a pretty woman like you doing in a place like this?”

I turn to my left to see the dark-haired stranger standing beside me. He’s not a bad-looking guy, but I’m not interested.

“Ordering a drink,” I reply, facing the bartender again.

“Why don’t I get that for you?”

“No, thanks. I can pay for my own drink.”

“I saw you on the table earlier.” He flashes me a flirty smile. “Care to indulge me in a dance?”

I’m still thinking of a way to politely tell him to get lost when he reaches out to skim his fingertips down my arm.

“Yo, watch your hands, bud.” Scott removes his hand from my arm, giving it a firm shake before he releases it. His tone is almost menacing in its friendliness. “Why don’t you back off and give her some space?”

“I was just asking the lady if she wants to dance.”

“Aw, that’s nice of you, but she already has a dance partner for the night. Thanks so much for asking, though. I’m sure she appreciates that.”

Scott stares him down until he eventually stands up to leave. I smile to myself. Some things never change. He’s still so protective, and I hate that I’m swooning a little.

“Here are your drinks, ma’am.”

The bartender’s voice makes me face the bar again, and Scott moves to stand behind me, placing his hands on either side of me with his chest right up against my back. His body envelops mine as if he’s trying to protect me from flirty strangers and their wandering eyes, but his good intentions are having a very bad effect on me. I shut my eyes for a second and try to regain some stability. Our next shot of tequila is gulped down in one hard swallow, and I feel its magic almost immediately.

“I can’t leave you alone for a second,” he mutters irritably and now his warm breath is tickling my neck. I can’t even... “Every time we go out, I gotta deal with some random guy trying to hit on you.” Again, he’s speaking as if this is something that happens in the present tense, and again, I don’t correct him. His chin lightly grazes my shoulder as he leans closer to my ear. “You and this skirt are a very dangerous combination. Can’t say I blame him, though.”

His closeness is affecting me more than I want it to. I have the crazy urge to reach back and bring his lips down to the valley between my neck and shoulder. I fight the urge by turning around to face him. Some distance is needed between us, so I place my elbows on the bar behind me and lean back. That was a very bad decision because his gaze drops straight to my breasts. They’re literally in his face now and his eyes are devouring me. My heart beats a little faster. Between my thighs get a little slicker. My body gets a little hotter. I’m trying to convince myself that it’s just the alcohol, but I dated this guy for four and a half years. I know exactly the effecthehas on me.

“Maybe he’s picking up on the vibe you’re actually giving off to me.” An easy grin lifts the corners of his mouth as his eyes move down the length of my body. “You look like you wanna do a lot more than dancing tonight.”

I lift an eyebrow to show him how ridiculous I find his statement, even though I knowexactlywhat vibes I’ve been giving off. He hasn’t misread them. “Misogynistic much?” I ask. “Just because a woman wears a short skirt doesn’t mean you need to take it as an invitation.”

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