The moment they entered the bar, thumping bass and infectious energy washed over her. They showed their IDs, Emma feigning surprise when Tyler had his in his wallet, and checked their coats. The dim lighting was punctuated by neon signs and the occasional flash of multi-coloured strobe lights from the dance floor. The guitar sang, and the drum beat pulsed through her veins, begging her feet to move.
"Emma!" Jess, Fly’s girlfriend of over seven years hailed her, and Emma waved, glad for the distraction. At least she’d have one friend to dance with when Tyler inevitably went off with his teammates. They couldn’t look like a couple here, even if Sean wasn’t showing up.
As she made her way through the crowd, she spotted a couple of friends from a job she’d done in Okotoks. They’d spent a month together shooting an entire brand of organic dog food. She threw out her arms and greeted them with hugs.
She could do this.Tonight would be exactly what she needed.
Emma lost herself in the music, dancing and catching up with friends, avoiding the sweaty men who kept pressing up against her back. She did one shot with Jess, then Boot Scootin’ Boogied until she felt dizzy.
After the line dance, she pushed through the crowd to the rail and sat up, pulling her hair into an elastic to let the sweat dry on her neck. That’s when she saw him.
Tyler, surrounded by his teammates as they pumped their fists. She peered closer, trying to figure out what they were doing. For a brief moment, Tyler’s eyes met hers across the crowded room.
Then there were four women in only their bras winding their hands through his hair and pulling him up onto the bar. The brunette wearing a belt buckle and neon pink lace stripped off his shirt and put her boot on his chest, pushing him down on his back.
The Snowballs cheered along with half the bar. A girl in a black satin push-up bra and a faux hawk with purple tips jumped behind the bar.Did she work here?She opened the fridge and pulled out an ice cube tray.
A blond giggled and traced her manicured nails over his arms, stretching them over his head. Faux hawk tipped over the tray onto a plate. Jell-O shots. Pink lace plucked three of them up and lined them up on top of Tyler’s abs.
Bile rose in Emma’s throat.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jess grabbed onto her leg, startling her.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she stammered. "I think I just need to get some air."
Jess nodded. “Fly wants to head out. I think we’re going to make our way to the coat check.”
Emma looked up to see the blond drop onto all fours on the bar over Tyler. Her stomach heaved.
“Emma—”
“I think I’m ready, too. Could I catch a ride home with you?”
Jess nodded, her brow furrowed. “Do you need to tell anyone—”
“A friend dropped me off.” Emma jumped from the rail and grabbed Jess’s hand, pulling her toward the exit.
They made their way through the crowded bar and waited nearly ten minutes for their coats since Fly lost his ticket. Emma’s head throbbed as they stepped outside and the noise of laughter and music faded, replaced by the distant hum of traffic. Stupid. She shouldn’t have come—she knew she shouldn’t have come. Bars weren’t her scene in the first place,but bars with Tyler?
Her ears felt like they were covered with cellophane. Emma pulled her coat tighter around herself as she followed Jess and Fly to the back corner of the lot.
"Emma, wait!" Tyler's voice called out from behind her. She whirled to find his shirtless figure illuminated by the dim glow of the streetlights.
Her heart raced, a mix of emotions flooding through her as she took in his still-bruised body, now slick with gelatin and at least one woman’s saliva. He jogged toward her, weaving through the parked cars.
"Tyler, stop.” Her voice wavered as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I don't think this is a good idea. I shouldn't have come tonight."
"Emma—" he began, but she held up a hand, flicking a glance over her shoulder to find Jess and Fly. They stood a few rows back, watching them.Fantastic.
“Go back inside. I’ve got a ride home with Jess.”
Tyler ran his hands through his hair, his nipples pinching against the cold. She hated that she noticed. “I wasn’t—”
“Oh, you definitely were.” She laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation. “You don’t owe me an explanation, okay? Thank you for the invitation, but I’m tired and Jess and Fly are heading out. I’ll see you at work.”
She shuddered, imagining having to see him ever again after tonight. The image of flashy bras and tongues travelling over his golden skin. Emma clenched her jaw. This was his life. This was what Tyler Bowen did on the weekend, and Sean knew it. That was why he’d warned her, and that was why she needed to get the hell out of this parking lot.
“Goodnight, Tyler.” She turned, but footsteps sounded behind her.
