Chapter 14 #2
He narrows his gaze, studying my face, and I attempt to put on the most sober smile I can muster. I have no idea if it’s working. Probably not, seeing as he’s still holding me upright.
“Fine. One more, then I’m taking you home.” He scowls again. “Don’t give me that look.”
“What look?” I ask, wiggling until he finally puts me down again.
“That wicked little grin like you just came up with a plan I’m going to hate. It’s…disconcerting.”
He flexes his fingers on my hips, then drops his hands.
My bottom lip pushes out before I remember I should be pissed at him.
He’s tricked me, manhandled me, and ordered me about.
Not to mention he abandoned me right when I was going to ask him for help.
I’d finally decided to trust him, and he just disappeared.
I fix my face into what I hope is a haughty and aloof expression. “I’m going to get another drink. Why don’t you stay here and watch me walk away.”
Before he can respond, I step around him.
It takes all my remaining active brain cells to stay upright and not stumble my way to the bar.
I don’t glance back at him. His eyes are fixed on my ass, though.
The heat from his gaze warms me more than I already am.
Hell, he could be trailing right behind me and I wouldn’t know.
Hopefully he listened since it was really fucking hard to stay upright all the way over here.
It takes a minute to catch the bartender’s attention and another five before he’s finally in front of me.
I give him my order, then tack on another two—one for Percy and a water for Dimitri.
I don’t know if alcohol affects demons like it does witches, but hopefully the insult will land. If not, at least he’ll be hydrated.
“Thanks,” I yell as I dig in my cleavage for cash and drop it into the tip jar. It’s probably sweaty and I cringe. No helping it, though, without pockets.
I spin around to search for Dimitri, almost tipping into the person next to me. A large hand shoots out and steadies me, and I blink up at the man. It takes a minute for my mind to conjure a name for him. My arm tingles, almost burns.
“Dusty. What are you doing here?” I yelp a little too loud. He isn’t exactly blocking my way, but he’s too close for my liking.
I hate to admit it, but I understand why Lark was smitten with him with his floppy blond hair and dazzling smile.
She was enamored with him for two years, though I only met him once.
She kept him to herself, and I suspect it was because she knew I’d mention the multiple red flags she was collecting.
I suppose we didn’t really have any good role models for healthy relationships growing up.
Perpetually single or gone too soon, those are our legacies.
“Enjoying the night.” He steps closer when a group pushes past behind him. “You?”
“Same. Percy’s here,” I blurt out. I am definitely not sober enough to deal with this man.
“Oh yeah?” He smirks. He never did like Percy. She was too loud, too brash, too flighty for him. Personally, I think he knew Percy told Lark to dump his narcissistic ass.
I nod, sending my head swimming. “Yup. Girl’s night.”
“Without your sister?”
The comment sobers me more than anything else could.
He knows she went missing. Actually, he was the second person I confronted when she stopped answering my calls, after Percy, of course.
At the time he seemed sincere in his concern, but don’t they always?
He might not be the one who made her vanish, but there’s something he knows.
“It was something to see you, Dusty. I gotta get these to Percy and…my boyfriend.” I may have used Dimitri as an excuse to fend off a would-be suitor, yet a boyfriend is coming in handy. I might just use this lie more often.
“Boyfriend, huh? Always thought you were—”
“Were what?” I snap.
“Oh, nothing. Good to see you, Mari.” He smirks again, then brushes my arm as he turns away.
My skin burns, and I juggle the drinks while trying to rub the spot. Dimitri appears in front of me and snatches the glasses. He eyes me as I press my hand against my arm. I don’t like Dusty touching me, even accidentally.
“Who was that,” Dimitri growls, more of a demand than an inquiry.
“An ex. Not my ex. My sister’s,” I mutter as I lose track of Dusty in the crowd.
Dimitri’s head turns, probably still able to see the man. “I didn’t like how close he was.”
“If you were so worried about him, then perhaps you should have come over sooner,” I snap, grabbing Percy’s and my glasses. “Have fun with your water.”
After all the commotion, my buzz has taken a sharp nosedive.
When I get to the edge of the dance floor, I throw back my drink.
I down half of it in one go, then sigh as the alcohol works its way through my system.
My one more might need to be three if I keep losing that good feeling I had while dancing.
This is supposed to be my night. So why do I feel so guilty? I shake my head, focusing on the fuzziness creeping along the edges of my brain. I won’t let anyone ruin my one chance to be free from what my life has become.