Page 47 of Between Earth and Eternity
Laz drags the three of us to a bar, but not just any bar, a themed bar. I really only drank when I hung out with friends, though I never enjoyed the feeling of losing control, and then when it was just El and me, we rarely indulged. The expense alone was enough to deter us.
A haze of alcohol and greasy food hits my nose the second we cross the threshold into the packed Western-themed establishment. The mix of space and rugged somehow works, and its name, Space Cowboy, fits it perfectly. Clips of bull riding and rodeos take up the walls, and country music blares loudly.It isn’t a favorite genre of mine, but Elliot likes it more than he would ever admit.
“Everyone knows bars have the best food, even on a spaceship,” Laz says enthusiastically as we slide into a booth that has lassoes etched into the leather.
“How would you know?” Payson asks, half laughing.
The menu is displayed on a small tabletop console. We all order something called aWild West burgerthat comes with fries and a beer. I’ll never look at a hamburger the same after shoving my last one in Kol’s face on Earth.
“Are you sure alcohol is the best treatment for someone who just had a panic attack?” I ask.
Laz shrugs. “Don’t know. But we can try.”
Pace rolls his eyes, then gives me an encouraging smile.
“To be honest, I’ve never had alcohol before,” Ori bashfully admits.
“Don’t worry. You’re not missing much,” I reply.
“Speak for yourself,” Laz quips.
A couple of minutes later, a serving bot brings us our food, its gadget arms created just for this purpose, carefully sliding it onto the table.
“I must admit. It does look pretty good,” Payson says, taking a large bite.
I reach for my hamburger but clumsily knock over my drink. Thankfully, we all dodge the stream before it hits anyone. However, the table is now a pool of beer.
“Shit! Sorry guys!” I say, looking for a napkin or anything to clear it up.
“I’ll go find something,” Payson offers.
“Nah. I got it. I’ll be right back.” I stand quickly before he can object.
I search for a bot nearby but can’t find one in the crowd. It would probably take too long for one of the machines to bringsomething anyway. I need an actual person. I walk to the bar top, looking for any human who may work here, and that’s when I spot him.
Vallen sits alone toward the end of the bar, an amber-colored drink in his hand. He stares at the wall of liquor, clearly lost in thought, unaware of my presence.
He isn’t alone for long though, as two women come up behind him. One places a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn. She says something, gesturing to her friend, and he gives her a polite nod, clearly not intrigued by whatever she said, but he continues to listen lazily, leaning back against the bar as she goes on. He nods again to whatever she says, and she gestures to a group of people near the door. He shrugs, saying something that causes her to clap excitedly. She walks away, but her friend stays behind, and I stare as she leans in to whisper something in Vallen’s ear. His face remains impassive as I try to imagine what she could possibly be saying to him right now.
What promises is she making? A night of pleasure and partying, most likely. It’s not like he’s not used to it. But then he looks over at me. I snap my head in the other direction.
Shit.
I tap my fingers on the counter nervously, hoping he didn’t catch me creepily watching his entire exchange.
Act casual, Sky.
I shouldn’t look again, but I do to check if maybe I pulled it off, and I immediately find him staring back at me.No matter how hard I try to look away, I can’t. I’m trapped by his hypnotic gaze. He remains indifferent for a couple more seconds, but once he knows I’m in his control, he smiles and starts to nod along to the words being murmured in his ear. The woman pulls back and gives him a sexy smile.
A slow burn rises beneath my skin, but I can’t resent her. She’s the kind of woman who demands attention, unapologeticallyconfident in a way that draws people in, and who goes for what she wants. I admire that, even as envy stirs in me. I’ve never carried that kind of certainty about my abilities, especially when it comes to flirting, never been the one who holds someone’s gaze and keeps it. Honestly, I’ve always been too nervous to try.
I caught Vallen’s attention, yes, but not the kind that would grant me any favors. Not from someone like him.
He stands, placing a hand on her back, and leans in. His lips may be grazing her ear, but his eyes are on me, watching the entire time. I want to walk away and spare myself from this charade, yet I don’t move a muscle, like an idiot. He holds up a finger, and she shakes her head fervently before walking away. He pulls out his StarComm and starts to type. I watch his ringed fingers glide over the screen. The woman joins her friends, and they all start talking excitedly. I turn my gaze back to him just as he slides the device back into his pocket. Then he raises the glass to his lips, downing the rest in one gulp. I take in the muscles of his neck, straining as he swallows, his head leaning back to drink every last drop before setting the glass down onto the bar with a loud slap. He doesn’t look my way again, but I watch him leave the bar with her, irritation itching my skin.
Did he do all that to get a rise out of me? No. He wanted to make a point that he knows I can’t ignore him, and dammit, he was right.
After finally flagging down a human waiter, I bring a large stack of napkins back to the table. Thankfully, no one makes a comment on my long absence.
