AMBER
Isigh as I scroll through social media. I’m so bored.
Everyone I know is coupled off, and spending the evening with their partner, or attending some event with their partner.
Until recently, I’d have had Caitlyn for company.
When she was with David, he never took her anywhere, so my best friend was available for nights out, girlie nights in, shopping trips, movie visits.
You name it, me and Caitlyn would do it.
But that was when she was with David, and he was a complete asshole.
He cheated on her constantly, and finally, she decided enough is enough, and ended things with him.
Caitlyn wasn’t single for long though, as she soon ended up in the bed of Joshua Braddock.
Not that I could blame her. Josh was hot.
All the Braddock brothers were. That’s one of the things they were known for -- that and being billionaires.
And the best thing about Joshua Braddock? He treated Caitlyn like a queen, just like she deserved. He worshiped the ground she walked on. I was so happy to see my best friend so happy and in love. After everything David has put her through, she truly deserved it.
The only downside to Caitlyn and Joshua’s relationship meant that I was alone. Well, not completely alone, as I had my new chow-chow puppy Elsa as company. But you couldn’t really go out partying with a dog!
Partying -- that’s what I was missing. The adrenaline of letting loose, and dancing to my favorite songs, as I indulged in my favorite drinks.
Caitlyn and Josh had actually invited me to a party, but I refused to go.
Not because they’d invited me, I knew they’d never make me feel like a spare wheel.
No, it was because of who was hosting the party, Josh’s younger brother, Tucker.
Everyone in East Hampton knew Tucker Braddock, not only because of his family, but because he was an up-and-coming surfing superstar.
There was only one thing people gossiped about more than Tucker’s surfing prowess and that was Tucker’s love life.
He was a notorious womanizer, leaving a trail of broken hearts wherever he went.
And I’m ashamed to admit, I wasn’t immune to his charms.
A few months ago, while Caitlyn and Josh were on a romantic getaway, Tucker had thrown a house party, and I’d gone along with some mutual friends. One thing had led to another, and I’d ended up in Tucker’s bed.
Honestly, it was amazing. I hadn’t slept with many guys, so I didn’t have a whole lot to compare him to, but the youngest Braddock brother more than lived up to his reputation.
He was a generous lover, too, making sure I’d come at least twice from foreplay, before we even got to the sex.
And OMG! That was mind-blowing. I understood why women chased him now.
I wasn’t one of those women though. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
Despite how much I wanted to call Tucker, and see if he wanted to hook up again, I hadn’t.
In fact, I only contacted him when it was an emergency, when Josh and Caitlyn were having relationship problems caused by Caitlyn’s ex, and that was only because I had no other choice.
Since Caitlyn and Joshua had sorted things out, I’d hardly seen Tucker. Of course, as his brother was having a child with my best friend, it was impossible to avoid him entirely, but I haven't chased after him. Every time we’d seen each other, I’d been cool and aloof.
I get a small feeling of satisfaction from the fact I’d slept with Tucker Braddock and hadn’t become one of his groupies.
Going to Tucker’s party was tempting though. Even if I wasn’t interested in him, I could admit the guy knew how to throw a party. A good time was guaranteed. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of turning up though.
I’d just stay at home. Alone. With my dog.
I sigh and update my social media feed, hoping one of my other friends knew about a different hot party or something.
But all anyone was talking about was Tucker’s party.
He’d hired one of the best caterers in town, so everyone was commenting on how great the food was.
And of course, the alcohol was flowing freely.
Apparently, there’d been an altercation between Tucker and his oldest brother, Ryan.
But it had ended without incident, and all the other Braddocks had gone home.
Unable to help myself, I text Caitlyn. “How was the party?”
“Fun, aside from the fight between Tucker and Ryan. Thankfully no one was hurt though,” she replied, before asking, “How was your night?”
“Great, yeah. I went out with Tina and Mike,” I lie, not wanting Caitlyn to know I'd spent the evening moping around alone.
“That’s so strange, Because I hung out with Tina and Mike at the party,” Caitlyn replied, calling me out on my lie.
When I had no response for my best friend, she added, “Amber, I know you don’t want people thinking you’re chasing after Tucker or anything, after the two of you slept together, but that’s no reason to avoid him, either.
With me and Josh together, he’s practically family.
You’re going to cross paths. Plus, at a huge party like the one Tucker is having, he probably won’t even notice you’re there. ”
I sigh and type back. “I’ll keep that in mind for the future. Doesn’t matter now though, I’m about to head to bed.”
Thankfully, this time, my best friend believes my lie, and says, “Okay. Sleep well, and I’ll see you at work tomorrow. XX”
“See you tomorrow. XX” I text back.
But, instead of going to bed, like I should, I check social media again, and see a post from Tucker. He’s inviting anyone who wants to drop by to the party.
I bit my bottom lip as I asked myself Should I go?
Caitlyn was right, Tucker and I were practically family, so we were bound to run into each other, and his invitation was open to anyone.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I hurry to the bathroom to shower, and then I change into a slinky, little black dress that hugs my curves in all the right places.
I’m not about to go and talk to Tucker or anything like that, but I sure as hell wanted him to know I was there.
I wanted to remind him of what he was missing out on.
After making sure Elsa has everything she’ll need for the night, I call a cab to take me across town to Tucker’s beach-side house.
As we get closer to Tucker’s place, I can feel the ground vibrating from the music, and instantly, my heart rate picks up. This is going to be a wild party.
I pay the cab driver, get out of the car, and straighten my dress.
Head held high; I walk up the front steps to Tucker’s house as though I own the place.
The door is ajar, so I let myself in, and my eyes widen as I see crowds of people gathered everywhere.
The party is even wilder than the one Tucker threw a few months ago at Josh’s place.
I squeeze past people dancing, and weave past sweaty bodies, as I search for Tina and Mike. They’re not the type of people to leave a party early, so I knew they must be here somewhere. I find my friends in a huge, modern kitchen, where they’re doing jello shots.
“Amber!” Tina calls out, ushering me over. As I approach, she thrusts a drink into my hand. The liquid is a dark purple, and I know it’s one of my friend’s home-made, highly alcoholic, cocktails. I take a sip, my eyes watering from all the alcohol, and laugh.
“Caitlyn said you weren’t coming,” Tina shouts over the music.
“I changed my mind!” I call back, my body already buzzing from the potent mixture Tina gave me.
“Good, because Mike is no fun. He won’t dance with me, but I know you will!”
“Of course.”
Tina whispers to Mike where we’re going, presses a kiss to his lips, and then linking her arm through mind, she leads me through the press of sweaty bodies, and into the main living room, where most of the furniture has been pushed against the walls to allow more room for dancing.
Out of the sound system blasts classic club hits, and just as Tina and I make it to the makeshift dance floor, my favorite song starts to play. Grinning, Tina and I grind our bodies up against each other, as we move to the music.
All my earlier gloom and loneliness melts away, as the music vibrates through my body, and I forget about the stresses of work and responsibility.
I love my job. I’d never want to do anything else, but owning a business is exhausting, and sometimes it’s nice to just let loose and only think about the drink in your hand and what song might play next.
Soon, nothing else matters in the world, as the alcohol flows through me, and I get caught up in the beat of the music.
One song drift into another, and at some point, Tina leaves to locate Mike, or get another drink, or use the bathroom.
Who even knows? I don’t mind being on my own though.
I know I’ll find my friends again later. For now, all that matters is dancing.
As people move around me, and I get lost in the rhythm of the music, I become aware of someone watching me intently.
Without sounding vain, that’s nothing new.
I know I was blessed with good looks and a fantastic figure.
In fact, when I was younger, I even dreamed of becoming a model, and even went to a few auditions for kids’ roles in adverts and the like.
That was until we got our first family pet, a dog named Buster, and I fell in love.
From that moment on, I knew I wanted nothing more than to work with animals -- dogs specifically.
I glance up to see who is staring so ardently, and I can’t help the small smirk that creeps across my lips when I meet the bright blue eyes of Tucker Braddock. I lick my lips, wriggle my hips, and then turn my back on him, as though I find him the least interesting thing in the room.
Much to my delight, I can still feel his gaze on me long after I’ve turned around.