Page 30 of Pretty Black

Was this guy coming on to me? I didn’t fight it, letting the music take us where it may. He stepped in behind me as we pushed closer to the stage, his hand resting lightly on my hip. I wanted to ask him, but I didn’t let myself, getting lost in the moment. In the bliss the weight of a hand could bring.

“Do you feel it?” I said as the sea of people switched, swaying to a ballad, pressing even closer to the barely knee-high stage. Like they would be bold enough to get up there with the band.

“I do now.” His voice was as raspy as mine but deeper. A bass. I wondered if he could sing. I would put money on it.

“Better, right?” I asked, my smile edging into my voice.

“I can’t believe everyone I know has just been letting me listen to music wrong my entire life.” He laughed as he said it so I couldn’t tell if he was being serious.

“I can’t either. You must hang out with a bunch of posers.” The crowd moved again, knocking him against me, leaving me breathless.

He didn’t seem to notice. “Clearly.”

He closed his eyes again, and we fell into the type of sync that only happens in a place like this.

He said something, but I couldn’t make it out.

“What?” Euphoria crept up my arms, taking me away.

“This is better.”

“It’s always better in the pit.”

“What is?” he asked.

“Life,” I replied softly, not sure he could even hear me.

“I didn’t mean the pit.”

I blinked my eyes open, staring at him. “What did you mean?”

“You. It’s better with you.” Pretty words from pretty lips, but his entire life was built of this. Who even was I to him?

“Come back to the bar where we can talk.”

“Why?” I asked, sure if this guy wanted to fuck someone, there were easier targets.

“Give me another chance. I’m not the douche you think I am.”

“What makes you want to talk to me?” I asked, accusatory.

“You look like you could use a drink.” Caspian had this intensity to him that melted away everyone else around us. Like I was the only person there with him. “It’s cool if you don’t want to, though.”

I wanted to go with him, but I didn’t want to miss any of the music. Any of the time out of my head. Why was I being stupid? I told myself to say yes.

“Never mind—” The music kicked up, and I couldn’t hear him.

I leaned closer. “What did you say?”

“Nothing,” he mouthed, motioning for me to turn around.

“No, tell me.”

“I said I’m not trying to suck your dick. Just come get a drink,” he yelled over the music at the exact moment it happened to hit a lull, projecting his voice over the crowd.

We both devolved into laughter. He shrugged, getting this villain-esque grin. He wasn’t sorry, and maybe I liked that about him more than anything else. I nodded, and he released my wrist to slide his hand into mine and pull me through the throng of people.

He ordered more vodka sprite without question. Different bartender this time, and he asked to see Caspian’s band. He held up his wrist to show it off.

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