“I…” He owes this guy money. Not a lot, but he knows heshould pay him back before the sum increases. “I don’t have money,” he blurts, trying to be heard above the pulsing music.
Lee waves his hand. “It’s all good, man. I know your parents can give you some if you ask.”
But they won’t.
“You want something to make the rest of the night more fun?”
Owen knows he shouldn’t—not from this guy—but the taunting voices get louder by the minute. “Yes.”
Lee taps Owen’s cheek. “Good boy. Let’s go.” He holds Owen’s hand and leads him between sweaty bodies. They’re about to reach the entrance when something catches Owen’s eye. He stops walking and focuses on the man who’s standing next to the wall at the corner of the club. There’s no one dancing around him, and although the light is dim, Owen can see him clearly.
Do I know him?
He’s not sure, but he feels like he wants to.
Lee tugs at his hand. “Come on. I have other clients.”
“In a minute.” He shakes his hand out of Lee’s grip and walks toward the man by the wall.
He doesn’t seem surprised to find Owen facing him. He has the most beautiful green eyes, both kind and sad.
“You look familiar,” Owen says, noticing that someone has turned down the volume in the club.
“I should look familiar,” the man says in a deep voice.
Would you sing for me?
“Have we met?”
“Yes, Owen. We’ve met.”
“And do you like me?”
The man takes a breath. “I like you very much.” He sounds sincere.
“I think I’m over this party.”
The man nods. “Good. Would you come back, please?”
He frowns. “Come back where?”
“To me.”
He should ask more questions before going anywhere with this mysterious stranger, but he wants to trust this man.
“Okay,” he says as the club around him fades. “I’ll come back to you.”
*
He first notices the annoying beep of a machine, then the dull pain across his body and the dryness in his mouth. He cracks open his eyes, watching a blurry face become visible.
The man from the party.
But the party is clearly over, and now he’s in a small hospital room. It’s dark outside, with a single lamp providing soft, amber light.
“Welcome back.”
Owen tries to rub his face, but there are tubesconnected to his arms. “What happened?”
