Page 14 of On The Edge
I guffaw, chuckling as Kai smiles. It’s no secret between the four of us that I have a problem. I’m a drinker, but prefer drugs to alcohol. When I stop myself from smoking, I drink to numb the shit going through my head. And damn, does it take a lot of liquor to make it stop.
“I wouldn’t say that, baby girl.” Kai takes a sip of his drink, shaking his head. “He’ll take it as a challenge.”
“My world revolves around alcohol and weed, babe. I know how to drink now, too,” I say this like I’m proud, when really, I’m anything but.
“It sounds like we both have some demons we’re wrestling with, then.” Melody looks me in the eyes and a glint of respect is there. An understanding.
“I guess we do.”
Her gaze goes back to where Adam stands to the side, talking with the random girl. The girl drags a finger down Adam’s chest, touching his skin, and our poor, sweet Adam doesn’t know how to tell her to get off. Kai and I share a look over the top of Mel’s head. He looks like the biggest badass and you’d think he’d be stellar with women, but really he’s just the same goofy kid who can’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
Reis comes back to our group and takes the glass out of Mel’s hand, just for us all to see it’s empty. Already.
This girl is going to be dangerous tonight. I can already feel it.
And I fucking love it.
Reis looks to Adam now, and we watch him nod along with whatever the girl is saying to him with panic and fear in his eyes. The girl starts to unbutton his shirt and that must be enough for Mel. She turns around quickly as Reis says, “Go Adam, get some. She’s hot, right?”
What a fucking prick. I slap him in the back of the head and Kai’s eyes tighten. Melody looks away, grumbling under her breath.
I turn to Reis and snap, “What’d you do that for? Fucking dumb-ass.”
He holds his head and whines like a bitch.
“I’m going to go dance. I’ll see you guys later,” Mel announces, and walks off. She won’t get far.
“Don’t be a dick,” I sneer under my breath.
“What?” Reis’ eyes widen like he honestly has no clue what I’m talking about.
“You know what, Reisyn. I’m going to go find her before she slips through our fingers again.” Stomping off, I run toward where Mel raced off to, hoping to find her again.
“Where’d she go?” I hear Adam say breathlessly, and through the bass of the music, I hear him run to catch up with me.
“We can’t let her get away again,” he insists, determination clear in his voice.
“We won’t.”
FIVE
Stupidfucking boys.
Stupidfuckingfeelings.
I don’t even know what I’m feeling or why. I’ve been in their presence for all of ten minutes and I’m already back to feeling like the seventeen-year-old girl who doesn’t know how she feels about her four best friends.
But she knows it’s something strong.
I stomp down the stairs to join the group of dancing strangers and fade into anonymity. I need a few more drinks in me before I can get over this stupid jealousyI knowI shouldn’t be feeling.
The bass is louder down here. It’s heavy and thumping through the entire floor, so deeply that I can feel it in my chest. My heart beats in time with it; the strobe lights blind me every few seconds, but I make my way through the sea of people. Sweat and alcohol fills my nostrils as I’m squished from every side by people dancing together.
Finally making my way to the bar, I smile seductively to the bartender and lean against the wood to yell my order to him. He’s attractive and totally my type. Dark hair slicked back,tattoos covering his bulging forearms and a ripped T-shirt on his torso giving everyone a peek at his washboard abs. There’s a washrag hanging from the back pocket of his tight jeans. My eyes darken and in my mixed feelings I smirk at him, putting my arms under my boobs to show off my cleavage.
“Hi!” I yell.
“Hey there,” he yells back. “What can I get you?”
