The song slows,and the crowd begins to break off into pairs. We make our way back to the table, where Kash is deep in a rant about a YouTube video he saw, in which he swears aliens have been seen at a site near campus. Leah rolls her eyes and downs another shot, not entertaining her brother’s nonsense. Austin’s gaze never leaves me. It feels as if it is seeping through my clothes, leaving me feeling completely naked.
“Dance with me,” he says, holding my stare.
“Wh-what?” I’m taken off guard.
“Dance with me,” he repeats and holds out his hand for me to take. My stomach is in knots. Why am I so nervous? I glance over at Leah, who nods her head in encouragement.
I take Austin’s hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to do with myself, but then my eyes meet his. He smiles and closes the distance between us. Slipping his hand so casually around my waist, he pulls me against his body, his other hand clasping mine close to his chest. We’ve hugged each other before, we would playfight constantly, and I’ve fallen asleep on his shoulder. We’ve had physical contact several times over the span of our lives, but not like this. This feels like something new, something so incredibly different yet comfortable and just… right.
We dance for a moment without speaking. The words to K. by Cigarettes After Sex guide us in a slow, intimate embrace. I pull back, looking up into his eyes. He’sso handsome. I’ve always thought so. I see so many versions of him while looking at his face. But this one, this one is the mostunfamiliar to me. My heart feels so many mixed emotions as I’m swaying in his arms. Sadness for the boy I loved and lost, but so happy to be here with him again after thinking he was gone forever.
“Why did you leave?” I ask him point-blank. He shakes his head, holding me tighter against him.
“Not here, Vix, I promise I’ll give you answers, I promise I’ll tell you everything you want to know, everything youdeserveto know. Just give me tonight, please,” he pleads.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I tell him, hugging him a little tighter while resting my head on his chest. He squeezes me back and dips his head close to my ear,
“You have no idea, Vixen,” he whispers. The nickname and the heat of his breath on my neck send goosebumps down my spine.
Vixen.
FIVE
AUSTIN - PRESENT
The song ends,and we make our way back to the table. I didn’t want to let her go. The comfort of holding her in my arms just confirmed a feeling I’ve had for so long. A feeling I’ve longed to explore and open myself up to. I want more. I always have. I saw the look she gave me. The sparkle in her eyes and the way her lips slightly parted when she gazed at my mouth. She’s so damn beautiful it drives me crazy, and I don’t think she has any idea.
We order a round of shots, and the girls take off again to the dance floor. Kash is chatting up some blonde at the bar, hoping to get laid tonight, and who are we kidding? He likely will.
I sit back with a beer in hand, watching Vix so carefree and alive, I can’t help but grin so hard my cheeks are sore. Watching her move her body to the music so seductively has me in a trance. It’s like she’s a snake charmer luring me to her with each sway of her hips, and I’m the snake hypnotized by her song.
She moves effortlessly, throwing her hands in the air and closing her eyes. It’s easy to see she’s feeling the rhythm ofthe music moving through her as if she and the beat are one. I could watch her dance all night.
The girls sing over the music, spinning each other around and hanging off one another. They fall into fits of giggles, and it makes me feel so whole. You would think they’ve known each other for years, and not just one day. Kash joins me at the table, and I notice he’s come back alone.
“Strike out with the blonde?” I tease.
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “I wasn’t feeling it. She’s not my type,” he lies through his teeth, and I scoff, trying to suppress my laughter.
“Since when?”
“I don’t know, man,” he says, and his eyes drift over to the girls. Something in my stomach tightens, and an uneasy feeling washes over my body. Maybe I’ve had too much to drink.
We both turn back to the crowd, and rage immediately takes over my body. I slam my glass on the table and jump to my feet.
“What the fuck?” Kash shouts, noticing the commotion and barrels towards the girls. Two drunk slobs are getting handsy with Vix and Leah. Lee is pushing one away, shouting at him to get the fuck off of her, while the other is attempting to grab at Vix, assaulting her despite the warnings she’s yelling at him to back off.
Kash rips the first guy off his sister, landing a sucker punch to his face, sending the guy staggering backwards, hitting the ground. He’s towering over the asshole, yelling all sorts of threats and promises. I don’t hear him, though, because I’m seeing red. I’ve never been a violent guy. I’d rather verbally spar than ever put my hands on someone else. But seeing this guy trying to touchher… I feel murderous.
He doesn’t see me coming. I tap the guy on the shoulder,grabbing his attention, and when he turns, I knock the ever-loving shit out of him. One swing. One hit. That’s all it takes, and the guy goes down crying out like the little bitch he’s proven himself to be. I crouch beside him as he cowers on the ground, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt so I know I’ve got his attention.
“Think fucking twice before ever touching anyone again without their consent,” I snarl and drop him back down, giving him a sadistic smile and then turn myself to Vix. She nods at me, a silent thanks for helping her. I know she could have handled it herself if given the time to do so, but I wasn’t about to stand by and watch as this asshole kept forcing himself on her.
She turns to Leah and hugs her, giving her comfort that she herself doesn’t seem to seek. She’s still that strong, independent girl I’ve always known her to be, always looking out for others before herself. Vix claps her hands together.
“Let’s do a shot, yeah?” She won’t let this moment spoil her night out. We head back to the table and order another round of well-needed shots. Vix starts telling Leah and Kash about the time she punched a guy in the face when we were teens, and I can’t help but chuckle. It’s a day I’ll never forget. My heart swells with pride at the way she’s always been able to handle herself, and I know without a doubt, I wouldn’t survive losing her again.
VIX
