Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Surfer’s Paradise
Bindi’s feet ached. She’d danced for three hours straight, and the vodka screwdrivers were about to wear off.
She glanced through the pressing crowd to where the bar was located, thirst driving her towards it.
Behind her, someone grabbed her hand. She spun to face Brett, his long hair pulled back into a ponytail, his brown eyes crinkled around the edges.
“Where are you going?” he shouted over the robotic thump of dance music.
She dipped her head in the direction of the bar and continued moving, winding, threading her way through the hypnotised crowd of dancers.
When she reached the bar, she asked the bartender for a glass of water.
He handed her one then moved on to the next customer.
Her head began to throb. She chugged the water down in one long movement, then set down the empty glass.
There was no point asking for another. The bartender was far too busy to fetch it, and the music far too loud for him to hear her.
She spun and leaned against the bar, looking out over the sea of people.
The entire room was bathed in semi-darkness with flashing colourful lights.
The DJ pressed a set of headphones to his ears and waved one hand in the air as he worked, surrounded by tanned women who writhed to the music, hoping he might look their way.
Bindi had come here with Brett, the guy from Melbourne she’d run into at Bond University, and some of his friends.
In the short time she’d known them, they’d become her friends as well.
She’d already enrolled in classes for the new semester at the university, and she’d spent several evenings out with the group, getting to know them before she became a student there herself next month.
Brett fought his way through the crowd to stand in front of her. He pressed one hand to the bar beside her and leaned close to speak. “You okay?” She could feel his breath on her ear.
She nodded. “Thirsty.”
“I can buy you a drink.”
“No, thanks. I had some water. I’m gonna head home.”
He frowned. “Already? It’s early.”
“It’s one am,” she replied.
“See? Early.” His eyes twinkled with the reflection of the flashing lights.
She shook her head. “Thanks for a nice night, but I’ve got to get home.”
“You can’t drive…”
“I’ll grab a taxi. There’s a rank right outside on Cavill.”
He nodded. “Okay. See you soon?” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, his lips soft.
He lingered there a moment, raised a hand to cup her cheek and let his gaze rest on her lips.
She stood still, her breath caught in her throat.
Then, he smiled into her eyes before spinning away and dancing back through the crowd to the rest of the group.
Bindi inhaled a slow breath. What was she doing here?
That kiss had felt intimate. It wasn’t right.
She hadn’t told him she was married, although she always wore her ring.
Why didn’t she say anything? Instead, she froze.
With a heaviness in her gut, she made her way out of the club and onto the street.
Immediately, the silence descended like a bag was pulled over her head. Her ears rang with it.
It didn’t take long to locate the taxi rank, and she climbed into a cab, feeling suddenly exhausted and sick to her stomach. As the taxi pulled out into the street, she leaned on the window and stared out at the businesses and homes flashing past.
She should be at home, in her bed, with her husband.
As much as she wanted to make new friends and find some excitement again in life, was this the way to do it?
For months, she’d thought she might die, that her life could be over and she’d never get to do anything fun again.
But after beating cancer, it was as though she’d been given a second chance and she wanted to live, to laugh, to enjoy every moment. Why did it feel wrong?
At home, she tiptoed into the unit, leaving everything in darkness.
Josh lay on his back in their bed, sleeping quietly.
Her ears still rung from the noise of the club.
She padded into the bathroom and shut the door slowly, then took a hot shower to wash off all the grime and greasiness of the evening.
Feeling much better, she changed into clean pyjamas and climbed into bed beside Josh, her eyes heavy.
“Where were you?” he whispered. “I was worried about you.”
She rolled onto her side to look at him. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”
His brow was furrowed. “Where were you?”
“I went dancing with my new friends from Bond.”
“Dancing? It’s two o’clock in the morning.”
He was upset with her, she could tell. But it wasn’t fair—she’d done nothing wrong. She was in her twenties, and life was short. So what if she wanted to go dancing sometimes? “It’s just dancing, Josh. I had some fun.”
“I sat my detective’s exam today, and I thought we could get dinner to celebrate. But you weren’t here.”
Her heart fell. “Today? I’m sorry—I forgot it was today. We can celebrate tomorrow though, if you still want to.”
He stared at her through the darkness. She could feel his eyes fixed on hers. “Okay, tomorrow.”
“Sorry again.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you had a good time.”
He shifted closer to her, and she rolled over so he could spoon her.
With his strong arms encircling her, she usually felt safe, happy, loved.
But tonight it only increased her guilt.
She’d forgotten all about his big day, so focused instead on her new friends and having fun.
She should’ve been there for him. She squeezed her eyes tight, her core clenching.
She’d have to do better in the future. But she didn’t want to give up living her life, either.
Somehow, she’d manage to balance it all. She could handle it.