Chapter 27 Jessi
JESSI
My body swims in the music. Wave after wave of sound crashes over me, washing off my problems and leaving me with joy.
It isn’t long before a guy presses in behind me.
He’s moving with me, resting his hands on my hips.
Under normal circumstances, I’d push him off, but not this time.
I go with it for once. His hand drifts across my stomach and then up between my breasts, until his hand surrounds my neck like a choker.
The motion is oddly sexy. I relax into him as we continue swaying to the beat long after the song fades.
Mystery Dance Partner rubs his thumb along my jaw and bends his mouth to my ear. “Who the hell are you and where have you been all my life?”
He’s smooth. I’ll give him that.
“Jessi,” I reply, blinking up at him. He’s still holding my throat, but loose enough that I can breathe. “Who are you?”
His glassy eyes flash. “Tanner. Do you have a boyfriend?”
I free myself from his grip and whirl around to face him. “Nice to meet you, Tanner. No, I hope you wouldn’t assume I would dance with someone like that if I did.”
“I just wanted to be sure. Why haven’t I seen you around here?” He takes my hand in his and leads us off the dance floor as another song starts.
“This is my first time here. I came with Jack.”
He stiffens.
We both gaze over at my neighbor-slash-roommate. Natasha is still trying to get in his pants, but Jack’s eyes are narrowed on Tanner. I have no idea what’s going through his head. But I get the sense it’s not good.
“You guys know each other?” I ask.
“Yeah. He knew my dad before he passed. So, yeah. I know Jack.” Something seems off, but I don’t push.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” I say, wondering why he told me that if he just met me.
“Do you plan to start coming around here?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’d like to. I think I’ll make another appearance or two.” I flash a flirty smile.
“Good. I want to see more of you.” His gaze shifts back to me. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen.” Please don’t think I’m too young.
“Cool. I’m twenty. I wanted to check that you were legal.”
I laugh at the thought of him being only a year older than me. His sharp edges and muscled exterior makes me think he’s almost thirty.
“Can I have your number?” Tanner says as he slides a phone into my hand. “You seem like a cool girl, and I want to get to know you more.”
“Yeah.” I type my number into his phone. As I hand Tanner’s phone back, Jack walks up and clears his throat.
“Tanner.” Jack tips his head in acknowledgement. “Jessi, let’s go. It’s late.”
“Can we stay thirty more minutes?” I’m whining, but I’m hyped up by all the excitement around me and can’t help wanting to stay.
Tanner grins. “I can take her home, old man.”
Jack ignores him. “Jessi, please.”
Tanner puts a hand on Jack’s chest and shoves him. “Dude, chill. It’s eleven o’clock. She’s nineteen. She can stay if she wants.”
Jesus. I step in between the two and glare at them. “It’s not a big deal. It’s getting late. I’ll go. Tanner, text me, okay?”
Tanner’s eyes never leave Jack as he says, “Sure, but next time don’t come with the old guy if you want a good time.”
I wait for Jack to throw a punch or cuss him out, but Jack does nothing.
“Come on,” I say, grabbing Jack and marching toward the front door.
From her perch by the pool table, Natasha watches at us, her arms crossed over her chest and her mouth twisted. I don’t bother holding back a scowl. Sonny waves and mouths Call me. I wave back and give her a thumbs-up.
Once outside, I jab Jack’s arm. “What the hell was that? I was having fun.”
“You think that’s fun?” he fires back.
“What’s your problem? You were with Natasha, so why can’t I have fun too?”
He hands me my helmet, but I fumble with the snaps. “Here.” He clips the strap beneath my chin. Good thing too. I didn’t want to ask for help.
“So, you can have fun with Medusa, but I can’t have fun with Tanner?” I press again.
He starts laughing. “Medusa?” He continues laughing so hard, I can’t help but chuckle.
“Yes, she looks and acts like Medusa.”
All the humor drops from his face. “She was a bitch to you, and for that I’m sorry.”
“Not that sorry, since you seemed quite happy to have her give you lap dances all night. So, why are you allowed to flirt, but I’m not?”
“Tanner is an asshole. He uses women then leaves them high and dry. You are too good for him. And I wasn’t flirting. Natasha doesn’t take a hint.” He sighs. “Please get on the bike, Jessi. Let’s go home.”
I sway in response, catching myself as the world spins. But Jack’s back is angled toward me, so he doesn’t notice how drunk I am. I jump on and grab hold of him before I do something I regret.
We pull into the garage not long later, and I hop off.
“You use girls and leave them too,” I say, immediately wishing I could stuff the words back into my mouth.
He stops and stares me down so hard I want to run away.
“What are you talking about?” he asks. “I guarantee whatever you think you know is wrong.” His chest rises and falls quickly.
“Sonny said that Natasha wants to be with you, but you don’t want to be with her, yet you still hook up with her. I would say that’s using someone.” I hiccup.
His face goes stony. “I do not use Natasha. She uses me. I’ve made it very clear that I will not be who she wants me to be. She wants me because of who I am at the club, not because she’s interested in me as a person.”
“Then why do you hook up with her?”
He drops his head. “As pathetic as it sounds, it’s better to feel used than to feel nothing at all.” He walks inside and leaves me to close the garage door.
My heart cracks, fully aware of the type of loneliness that creates the need for connection. Eventually, you settle for anything you can get.
When I enter the kitchen, I hear the shower going upstairs. I head straight to my room, intending to flop on my bed and try to forget about tonight. But as soon as I sit down, my phone dings.
Unknown
This is Tanner. What are you doing tomorrow? Wanna go for a ride?
Me
Sure!
Tanner
That’s my girl!
Tanner doesn’t seem so bad. We’re hanging out, not getting married. I think Jack needs to chill. I’ll be fine. Totally fine.