Page 25 of Flame After the Fumble

The feeling of revenge I wanted doesn’t hit. Instead, guilt tumbles over me like a tidal wave. Shoot. I didn’t mean to createthatmuch of a show. Locke wipes his lips and winks while I purse my lips and roll my eyes at myself for being so petty.

“Kiss me like that and I’ll never ask questions.” He laughs as I give him a playful shove, letting him know he served his purpose for the night.

I grunt and waltz past him. “You’re annoying.” I lose sight of Hartley in the packed crowd, but I want to find him, so I push and shove through the gyrating bodies of sweat and sin. Standing on my tiptoes, I search for a backward hat and unruly blonde hair, but I come up short. Outside is the next logical place to check, so I squeeze into the thin, dark hallway housing the dinghy one-stall bathrooms until I reach the back door across from the storage closet. Pushing the heavy door open, I walk outside to the courtyard connected to the bar that very few people visit. It’s nice and peaceful when you need a moment away from the head pounding music and musty heat of a packed bar. Sitting on the cool cement, head hanging between his bent knees is Hartley. He doesn’t notice me, so I take a moment to bask in his presence. A glass beer bottle sits next to him, he picks up the dripping long neck to take a swig before pummeling it into the brick wall across from him with a loud crash.

Not able to help myself, I jump in. “What’s your problem?”

His eyes, bloodshot from the liquor, bore into mine with anger and confusion written all over his blown out pupils. “Myproblem?” He grunts and shakes his head incredulously. “If youthink I’m the one with the problem, you’re farther out of touch than I thought.”

“Excuse me?”

He reaches for the plastic cup sitting next to him and swirls his drink around a few times before gulping the remnants and sending it flying behind the broken bottle. “You heard me.”

I cross my arms over my chest and walk closer to him, now standing above the lunatic. “Are you jealous because I kissed Locke?”

Tell me you’re just as jealous as I was.

Placing his hands on the ground, he lifts himself up and backs me up until my back touches the bricks. His arms fall on both sides, locking me in with him. “Yes.”

“Why?” I hiss.

“Because this is a game I don’t think I’m interested in playing anymore.”

“Unbelievable!” I shout louder in his face. Since no one is out here, I allow my bubbling frustrations to rise to the surface. “I told you from day one that I can’t commit, and here you are throwing bottles at the wall because of it.”

A menacing smirk passes over his face, as if he has the upper hand, “That’s not why I’m losing my mind, Goldie.” His warm breath tickles my cheek, making my body painfully aware of his closeness. “It’s the fact that you want me the way I want you, but you won’t allow yourself to give in.” Leaning closer, he whispers, “I lose my head when I know that I’m the clear choice, but he gets to taste your lips on his.” My body betrays me as a quick gasp escapes my traitorous lips.

“He’s nothing but a distraction.”

“A distraction.” He pushes off the wall, putting distance between us, and I almost whine at the loss. “From what? You being with me?”

“No!” My back is still pressed against the cool brick wall where he left me, and my legs unable to move to him.

He takes a few steps back toward me. His body heat engulfs my space once again. “You’re lying.” He’s challenging me to back down and give in to my desire for him, but I won’t. I can’t.

“I don’t care who you speak to, kiss, or hook up with.” I step into his space with pure confidence, calling his bluff.

“If you don’t care. I guess I need to find a distraction for the night. Just like you did.”

My jaw clenches as I bite my tongue so I don’t plead for him not to do just that. “Go right ahead. I’m leaving, anyway.”

“Fine,” he snickers.

“Fine!” It’s officially time to go before I continue to make rash decisions to make a boy I have no intention of dating, jealous. I storm out to the parking lot before I take a seat on the curb to shoot a quick text to Violet asking if she’s ready before throwing my hands in the air in annoyance. I walk toward the gate.

Violet: I left with Ryan (tongue out emoji)

Me: Yessssss. Have fun. I’m headed home all by my lonesome :(

Violet: ngnkslnkdsjvi

Violet: Srrrrrryy I didn’t lock my phone

Me: Lol talk to you tomorrow chica ;)

I knew those two were inevitable. I switch to the rideshare app and request a car. I’m not in the mood to walk back to the dorms by myself tonight, and I’m certainly not in the mood to watch the show that Hartley’s promised. I’m a tipsy mess, and I need tofigure out what to do with the feelings brewing inside me as soon as possible.

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