Page 83 of My Undead Heart
We decide to Uber it over to the bar because neither of us can hold our phones still enough to read the train schedule. Besides, it’s cold out tonight and standing around waiting on the platform is not at all appealing. When we pull up to the curb at Zig’s, the place is hopping and there’s a line out the door.
Rae pushes me in front of her and we join in the wait. “Okay, this is it. Mind fuck him back. Let’s do this.”
I look over my shoulder to meet her determined stare and shake my head. “What are you talking about? I thought we came to flaunt the treasure chest?”
A few guys in front of us chuckle, but we ignore their immaturity and shuffle forward as a few more enter through the door.
“What time does he get here?” With the help of my shoulder, Rae balances to get a glance inside.
“I don’t know.” Apprehension bubbles in my belly as the line moves again. The closer we get to the door, the more I’m not sure this is a good idea.
Rae pokes the front of my jacket. “That’s your problem right there. You need to know your man’s schedule.”
“He’s not my man!” I shout because really, how many times do I have to make that clear?
She nods, a grim smile on her lips. “That’s your other problem.”
The line moves forward and we’re only a few groups from gaining entry. Now that we’re this close I see him inside the door. Biceps and chest stretching that poor T-shirt, and his lips pulled into that sexy as hell grin. The girl working beside him takes a twenty and laughs when he leans down to whisper something in her ear. “Shit. There he is. This was a bad idea.”
“No. No it’s wasn’t. We’re going to have a fucking fun time. Make him understand exactly what he’s missing out on.” Rae turns to me and starts undoing the buttons of my jacket. Shit. It’s cold outside, but I’m not stupid enough to mess with her right now. She fluffs my hair out and steps back with a nod, satisfaction written all over her smile. “And you willnot, under any circumstance, stand around and talk to him. We get in, show him what he’s missing, and go straight to the bar. He chasesyou. Are we clear?”
She’s scary when she’s bossy. I nod. “Crystal.”
“Who’s she?” She tilts her head, but before I can answer someone from behind us yells at us to step inside. It’s then I realize we’ve missed a few shuffles and there’s Matt, eyes full of desire, waiting for me to walk in and pay my cover.
“Mia.” His lips pull up to tease at the edges. “What a nice surprise.”
I’m not sure what to say because Rae’s scary bossy. She explicitly demanded I not stand around to talk to him, and I do not want to deal with her wrath. Also, wine. So much wine. Not sure what I’m allowed to do, I give him a smile and hope that’s safe.
“Ten each,” the woman sitting next to Matt says.
“Oh, yeah.” I shake my head and slide off my jacket so I can pull out my wallet.
“Don’t worry about it. Mia’s a friend.” Matt’s lips pull wide with that sexy smile and though I try to maintain an impartial expression, the day drinking severely fucks with my ability to do so. Instead of casual, I smile like a fucking maniac.
“Thanks!” Rae says and grabs my arm to pull me inside.
“Wait.” Matt stops us, reaching his hand out to splay at my hip. I might be drunk but I don’t miss the way his gaze skirts over my outfit, a short little black dress that leaves my midriff bare but for a connecting scrap of sheer lace fabric. “IDs,” he practically murmurs and my body sways toward him with aHell, yes, I’ll be your sex slave.
His chuckle pulls me back to reality as Rae hands over her license, causing Matt to drop his hand from my waist. My body shivers with the cold. I retrieve my own identification as quickly as I can manage and hand it over. Matt studies the card a little longer than Rae’s, but when his co-worker calls his name in an irritated tone he hands it back.
“Have fun, Mia Rene Shultz.” His lips lift with that smirk, but before I can return something clever, Rae yanks me away to the bar.
“I want a Thor,” she demands and I giggle. Really, I was never one for the long hair, but he pulls it off well.
“Just wait until you see his hammer.”
“Mia! You’re my idol.” She giggles and with the utmost expertise guides us between a group of guys so we have direct access to the bar. “Two Jack and Cokes, please.”
“Wait, no. Jared says nothing good happens after ten when Jack Daniel’s is involved.”
“Well, Jared isn’t here, is he?” She slides her credit card to the bartender in exchange for our drinks and hands one to me. “Drink up!”
Rae makes friends with the group of guys around us and the drinks keep coming. I lose count exactly how many, but I’m not really paying attention anyway. It’s taking all of my mental headspace to not glance behind me every few minutes for a sneak peek at Matt. God, he looks good tonight. He looks good all the time, bastard. But more than being gorgeous, my body’s totally ready for another round of sexy time. But is that even a good idea? I don’t understand why things have to be so complicated.
“Gotta pee!” I say to Rae, but instead of taking my hand and coming along, she nods and points to the restrooms before whispering into some guy’s ear. Whatever. I can go by myself. Not wanting to linger another second because I very well may piss myself, I turn and force my way through the crowd of strangers only to wait in another line.
My head’s starting to throb with an inevitable headache. I need to order some food and water. Finishing my business, I head back out into the bar. A live band is onstage and the crowd shouts along with the lyrics to “Brown Eyed Girl.” I always loved this song. I search for Rae, but when I get to our spot at the bar she’s nowhere to be found. I hate how dimly lit this space is, and spend another twenty minutes walking through the crowd to make sure she’s not hiding in one of the booths. I also send her a shitload of texts.
