Page 10 of Love Bleeds Red
Wedancelike that for three songs. I get groped, bumped into from behind, and pushed against Layne which she takes as me dancing up on her.
“Isn’t this great?” she shouts into my ear, her words slightly slurred.
I force a smile and nod.
Telling her about my claustrophobia would be pointless as the crowd swells around us. As the next song begins the dance floor seems to shrink, too many bodies move closer and closer, pressing against me until I can barely breathe.
“Water!” I shout into her ear and gesture toward the bar. She nods and lets me pull her away from the crowd. The relief is almost instantaneous. I suck in a breath. It still doesn’t smell the best, but at least I can get it down into my chest.
“Can you order me a beer? I’ll be right back, gonna go fight my way to the bathroom.” Layne passes me some cash but I shake my head.
“I got it. Just be quick.” She squeezes my hand and leaves. Each step she takes from me has my pulse drumming in my ears. It’s the worst feeling, like I’m somewhere else. Lights blur, sounds drown out. The space around me thins like I’m looking through a paper tube.
I get bumped and knock into the woman in front of me. She wobbles on her platform heels, spewing a few choice insults my way, but I barely hear her.
“Sorry!” I yell, or maybe I whisper. I don’t know anymore. I spot a clear space at the end of the bar and move toward it, step by step, like I’m lost at sea and that small vacant spot is a lone island among the endless blue.
I get my cup of water, although I don’t remember asking for it. The cold liquid feels incredible sliding down my throat. I close my eyes and try to block out the chaos around me. It’s not until Layne wraps her arm around my shoulder that I open them.
“Where’s my beer?” she hollers.
“Shit. I forgot. I can?—”
“Oh my God, Bailey!” She grabs my arm, digging her nails into my skin. “He’s here!”
“What? Who?” I dart my eyes around the room and don’t see anyone recognizable.
“Clay!” She points at the far end of the bar and adjusts her dress so her tits are barely covered. “That bastard. We fight, and he thinks he can just come out and find someone else to hook up with.”
“Maybe he’s looking for you.”
“You think?” she asks, her expression softening.
“Go on,” I say, waving her off. It’s inevitable, she’s going to confront him. It’s just a matter of me telling her to leave me be or not. I’d rather sit here alone than have to listen to her go off about Clay until he notices her. Or maybe I’m right, and there’s a slim possibility that he’s here for her… Anything’s possible.
I sip my water and try not to stare as Layne and Clay go from fighting to making out within two minutes. I figured that would happen. He pulls her onto the dance floor and they get swallowed up into the crowd.
There’s no reason for me to stay here any longer. I’m sure Layne will understand… Hell, she probably won’t even notice I’m gone until her and Clay wind up back in our room to pass out.
I feel so loved.
I pull my phone from my purse and open Uber. At least a fifteen minute wait. Not too bad considering it’s Friday night. Hitting order, I push my half-full water onto the bar and make my way toward the door. I’d much rather wait outside, even if it’s still drizzling.
Blissfully cool air hits my face once I’m out the door. I don’t even care that I have to walk through a cloud of cigarette smoke to get to the corner. It’s still better than being inside.
I double check the street sign and send a message to the driver letting him know where to pick me up. I’ll text Layne too. It’s the right thing to do, even if she ditched me first.
Me: Hey, heading home. Head’s still killing me. Be safe… love you
The smokers head back inside as the drizzle gets heavier, leaving me alone under a dim streetlight. It’s quiet except for the muffled thump of bass from inside the club. I watch the app, waiting for the little car icon to stop at my location. Twelve minutes until my ride arrives. I’ll probably be soaked, but there’s no way I’m waiting inside.
I swipe my text thread with Leon open again. Still nothing. I don’t want to admit to myself that it hurts… I’m more mature than that. These things happen. People get busy. It happens to me all the time.
But not with him.
I lean back against the wet brick building and scroll up through our messages from earlier this week, pausing on onefrom Tuesday night.Sweet dreams, Firefly. Can’t wait to see you soon.My chest tightens. He started calling me that after?—
The squeak of wet brakes startles me. A black SUV idles against the curb. I glance at my phone, but the little car icon is still a few blocks away. A car door slams and footsteps echo in the quiet.
