Page 62 of Tops
I put on a tight smile as I met his eyes. I wanted to watch him say it, to know in his soul that he didn’t want me. Whenever my runaway mind got lost in my memories, I could slap his indifference over the top.
“Are you sure you are ready to go to a party after what happened? I’m sure Hannah would stop in to visit if you decided you would rather sit in the lounge and watch a movie with me instead,” Nik said. My mind flipped through my prepared responses and found none fitting for this question.
“I think I’m ready for things to start moving again,” I said, not knowing if it was truly an answer, but it fit my feeling on the subject.
Nik nodded and led me away from Bottoms and across the diamond hallway. The door to the outside didn’t whisper ideas of escape when we passed by, and I could feel the pulsing energy radiating from the door to Tops before Nik even opened it.
Steady, even pounding bass filled Tops while a sea of costumes danced to the mesmerizing beat. A unicorn, wearing nothing more than glitter body paint and a tail that didn’t seem to be held up by anything, carried a tray of purple and green drinks.
“Well, at least Tanner knows how to throw a good Halloween party,” I yelled over the noise in Nik’s direction.
Nik bent to talk directly into my ear. “He’s not the biggest fan of Halloween.”
I pulled back, showing the confused look on my face, before looking around at the elaborate party. Nik just shrugged as he smiled at me, sparking my curiosity. Made me wonder if there was a bigger story there. I guess I would have to find Tanner if I wanted answers, and right now, I had no plans to leave Nik’s side.
“Did you want to get a drink or dance?” Nik asked, leaning back toward me. I couldn’t help but notice his familiar scent of gun oil was also mixed with the smell of gasoline today. Something was reassuring in the scent, like I knew the owner dabbled in tools that could win.
“I probably should wait awhile before mixing alcohol into my body, considering the abuse my brain just suffered,” I laughed.
“I guess that is a fair point,” Nik resigned.
We stood silently next to each other, just inside Tops. My gaze resumed its trek across the bustling room. Halloween was always my favorite spectator sport. Watching people as they acted out, feeling emboldened by their disguises. It was always still their actions. Just another layer of who they were behind the mask they held up to society every day.
All the workers wore some form of costume. The costumes repeated the most stereotypical genres in high numbers: angels, devils, nurses, and schoolgirls. The patrons’ costumes were far more impressive. Most women were sexy versions of something, looking to connect with already sexually charged partners. It didn’t take long for me to notice several of them had noticed Nik and his Dr. Delicious outfit. Now they were eying me up to see what kind of challenge I would pose.
“What if someone sees us together?” I whisper-yelled in Nik’s direction.
“As long as we do not touch each other, there’s nothing for them to say. We simply ran into each other.” Nik winked, and I rolled my eyes but laughed lightly. I didn’t know how that would work unless he already planned on leaving my side to make sure we didn’t look too familiar.
“When is Hannah getting here?” I asked after more time stretched between us, and I started regretting not picking the movie.
“She is going on stage next,” Nik said as he gestured with his eyes toward the main stage.
“Oh,” was all I managed, as I felt a wave of disappointment. I had hoped he meant Hannah was coming to hang out, but instead, she returned for a shift.
There wasn’t much for me to do other than go back to watching the crowd. Taking mental notes of the groups of friends, dressed up, and having the time of their lives. Parties had never been my thing, and I usually spent my time people-watching. I felt that wasn’t how Nik wanted to spend the night. Maybe it would be better if I went back to Bottoms and watched a movie. He could stay if he wanted, and at least I could say I got out today.
As soon as I turned to suggest it to Nik, I noticed Colten walking through the door to Tops. He wasn’t wearing a costume, dressed in a full black suit, glasses, and perfectly poised hair. I watched his eyes scan the room quickly until landing on us, just a few feet away. He smiled and started to head over.
“Hello, Nessa,” Colten said as he arrived, not bothering to raise his voice above the music. Still, I didn’t seem to have any difficulty hearing him. “Nik,” he said with a nod, turning Nik’s way.
“Let me guess, you don’t like Halloween either?” I asked, feeling excessively annoyed that Colten was wearing a suit.
“It’s my favorite holiday,” Colten quipped playfully, leaving palpable intrigue to hang in the air above us.
“Thanks for keeping my date safe,” Colten said to Nik, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.
I felt confused when Colten extended his arm for me to take. Deciding to roll with it, considering I had just decided to ask if I could go home, I wrapped my arm around him. Moving over to stand side by side with him, visually proclaiming us as claimed. At least Tops wasn’t anything like the atmosphere at the mansion, and I knew my way around the secret passages.
“Did you want to stay and watch Hannah, or would you rather talk?” Colten said, leaning into me, so the conversation was directly between us. It felt comforting to feel his presence so closely. I had missed being near him.
“We can talk,” I said, knowing that Hannah wouldn’t be upset that I chose not to watch her dance. That never was my style, but I did want to see her before she was whisked away again. Unless they were planning on sending me with her.
Colten started to walk away, and I looked back to Nik after a few steps, wondering if he would be coming with me. Nik stood in place, but smiled as he waved goodbye. He wasn’t saying goodbye, as if he wouldn’t see me for the rest of the night. This was the farewell of a temporary separation.
“Where are we going?” I asked Colten as I switched my attention to him.
“We are going to have a meeting,” Colten said, his gaze straight ahead as he led me toward the curtain for the loft.
