Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Ilike Sammie, more than I have a right to like anyone. What I don’t like is how easily he lies to me. I know! Pot, kettle or whatever. But when I asked him about his night, he didn’t even hesitate to tell me it was “uneventful.”
I’m torn between being hurt and being relieved that he doesn’t want to confide in me. It means he’s smart. Which means I’m not sleeping with an idiot. Not that I’m with him for his brain. I’m totally using him for what his body does to mine.
That’s the logic I’m going with anyway, because I figure it will hurt less when I have to leave town and never see him again. I’m good at shoving those feelings down. I’ve had a lot of practice doing it. Ever since I saw my mother get killed right in front of me when I was a kid.
Thoughts of my mother make me also think about my dad. I really should call him soon, check in, make sure he’s doing okay…
“You look like you could use a night out.” A voice to my left has me turning to the side while pasting on a fake smile. Fefe, one of the girls I’m on shift with a lot, is standing right next to me.
“I’m… Actually, I could,” I tell her. I’ve turned her down every time she’s asked me to go out with her. I don’t make friends. Like I said, they tend to complicate things.
“Yes! You’re not going to regret this.” She beams as she jumps up and down on the spot. “I have to go home after our shift to change real quick, but I can meet you at ten?”
“Sounds good. I’ll need to change too,” I say, looking down at my uniform. “Let me know where to meet you.”
“I’ll text you. Get ready to dance the night away,” she says as she walks away.
There’s still two hours of our shift left.
I’m already tired. And, honestly, all I want to do is go home, lay in bed, and wait for Sammie to break into my apartment again.
But maybe going out is a better idea. I’m getting way too comfortable staying in with a certain you-know-who. A night apart won’t hurt either of us.
I’ve never been much of a drinker. I like to keep my wits about me. Tonight, I needed a little pick-me-up. It’s why I’m now slurping on some sugary frozen concoction on my way to meet Fefe. I didn’t realize the place she wanted to go was in Wild Card, not until it was too late to back out.
It’s a big casino, though, so the chances of running into him are slim to none. It’s not like he’s going to be hanging out in the nightclub my coworker swears is the best in town.
I find Fefe waiting for me in the lobby. She’s wearing a short white halter dress, paired with sparkly heels covered in rhinestones. Her long, dark hair hangs straight down her back. She’s stunning.
I’m dressed a little bit more, well, just more like something the real me wouldn’t wear to a nightclub.
For the last six months, I’ve been making an effort to be the shy, quiet version of Lailani I’m supposed to be.
I haven’t hated it. I like the quiet. Conservative clothing isn’t my thing, though.
I’ve paired a black knee-length skirt with a beige-colored blouse.
I have sensible kitten heels on my feet, and I tied my hair up into a high ponytail.
“You look amazing,” I tell Fefe.
“So do you.” She smiles at me.
“I look like I’m going to church,” I groan. “But I don’t own anything… like that.” I wave a hand up and down her body.
“We should go shopping one day.” She beams again.
I shake my head. “I couldn’t. I mean, it looks amazing on you, but it’s not me. This…” I point to my skirt and then the blouse. “…is me.”
“Well, I happen to like the you version of you. I think you should always wear whatever makes you feel good.” Fefe links her arm with mine. “You ready to dance your worries away?”
“I don’t have worries,” I lie.
“Everyone has worries, but not us. Not tonight,” she says, guiding me through the casino lobby.
I can’t help but look around to see if he’s here. I mean, of course he’s here. But is he walking the floor?
I’m relieved when we make it to the entrance of the nightclub without seeing him. Fefe takes hold of my hand and leads me straight up to the bar. I don’t hear what she orders. Whatever it is, there’s two of them and she’s holding one out to me.
“To new friends,” she says, clinking her cup with mine when I finally take her up on her offer.
“To the headache I’m bound to have tomorrow,” I add.
“Let’s dance!” Fefe screams into my ear and then tugs my hand until we’re standing in the middle of the dance floor.
Holding my cup high in the air, I let my body move to the beat of the music.
This isn’t my scene, but there is something freeing about being surrounded by a bunch of strangers who don’t know me.
Then again, there is one person in this city who knows the real me.
And Emmanuel is not likely to be found anywhere near a dance floor.
The thought makes me laugh. It’s ridiculous.
I wonder if Sammie dances? Actually, no, I don’t wonder. I’ve seen what he can do with those hips in the bedroom so I’m sure he can. I don’t think that’s something I’m ever going to find out, though.
A body presses against my back, and I stiffen. Fefe smiles at me. “Less than five minutes and you have fans,” she whispers into my ear as she hugs me.
“I don’t want fans,” I tell her, spinning us around so that the stranger is now pressed up against Fefe instead. “You’re welcome to them all.”
“Ew, I don’t want them.” She shakes her head. She turns and whispers something to the guy and then he walks away.
“What did you say to him?” I ask her when she turns back to face me.
“That we were lovers and open to a threesome but only if he was into pegging.” She laughs.
My eyes widen. “What if he was into pegging?”
This time, I don’t have to pretend. I really am a prude when it comes to sex. I think it’s my lack of experience, maybe. I have experience, just not as much as other people.
“Relax. I would have told him to fuck off,” she says. “Girls’ night, no boys.”
“No boys,” I agree with a smile.
I get lost in dancing, and after what feels like forever, I’m tired and parched. “I need a drink!” I yell into Fefe’s ear.
“Me too,” she says, taking my hand.
I follow her through the crowd of people. When we finally reach the bar, I feel the tiny hairs on the back of my neck lift. Someone is watching me. I look around while Fefe orders for us. She’s distracted by the bartender’s flirty smile and doesn’t notice that I’m moving in the opposite direction.
It’s a habit. I have no idea who is watching me, and whoever it is, I don’t want them to think she’s with me. I don’t need her to become collateral damage for whatever violence is about to come my way. Because 99% of the time, when someone is watching me, it’s followed by violence.
It takes a while to spot him. He’s leaning against the bar at the far end. His eyes firmly fixed on me. Sammie. I blink, once, twice. But it’s still him. I return to Fefe’s side, telling her to wait here while I run to the bathroom. She mentions something about coming with me, and I wave her off.
I purposely walk past Sammie, my arm brushing his, and that spark ignites in me.
I don’t have to turn around to know he’s following me.
I don’t go to the bathroom. Instead, I head for the darkest corner I can find, but then I see a small corridor.
I turn down it and stop five steps into the darkness.
“You know, staring at me is not keeping this thing under wraps,” I say as I spin around.
Sammie pushes me up against the wall. He doesn’t utter a word before his hand wraps around my throat and his mouth slams down on mine. I get lost in his kiss for a few seconds; then I push him off me. Probably with way too much force.
“Sorry, girls’ night. No boys.” I smirk. “Find me tomorrow,” I tell him and then walk back towards the bar to look for Fefe.