“Want a drink?” Gwen holds up an already full glass. I’m assuming champagne by the little bubbles cruising up the sides of the flute.
“I’m good.” I hold up my water. It’s not like I never drink, but I’m not going to be drinking here. Not around a bunch of strangers.
I take another look around, avoiding the area where black T-shirt was. I don’t want to know if he’s still there. He’s way too distracting. Guys that disrupting are trouble, not to mention he takes the bad boy thing to a whole new level. He’s not the kind of guy you walk away from. I bet he has women crawling after him.
Seeing the way everyone is dancing, drinking, and having a good time just further shows me how different I am. I should be able to relax and let go for a little while. I’m sure half of the people here have problems just like me, but it seems like I’m the only one who is dwelling on those issues right now.
My phone starts to ring again. I hit the button on the side so it will stop, but the light on the back continues to glow. I can’t talk to Winger here. I would never be able to hear him. I can’t just ignore his call either. “I’ll be back in a minute,” I tell Gwen, already turning to walk away. I don’t have a solid plan yet. If I go outside, I may not be able to get back in, but would that really be so bad? I could call Winger and find out what he needs or deal with the fact that Masher might have told him I was at The After Party, then call Gwen and let her know I can’t get back in. She would have to come out then.
With my mind made up, I head toward the exit. It’s a long, empty hall a few feet from the entrance. The only light is from the glow of the red neon exit sign stationed above the door. The moment my hand hits the bar to push the heavy metal door open, a wave of cool air circles my face and neck.
I’m only about ten feet away from the entrance, and there’s still a line to get in. After a quick glance at the guys working the door, I see Masher is gone. Good.
I’ve never called Winger before unless it was to tell him I was sick and couldn’t work, so it feels strange to hit his number. He answers quickly, and he’s breathing a little heavily. “Felony.” The one word is filled with so much. He’s mad, maybe even disappointed.
“Sorry I didn’t take your other call. I was inside. What’s up?” I’m not playing dumb, but I’m not giving everything away either. Maybe his call is just a coincidence and Masher didn’t rat on me.
“Inside? Would that be inside The After Party?” I can tell he’s clenching his teeth by the way his words are half hissed.
“Yeah,” I admit. It’s not like I have any other options. “I came with a friend. I didn’t even know where we were going until it was too late.” Winger has been good to me, so I owe him an explanation, even if his demand to stay out of the city was a bit overbearing.
“You shouldn’t be there, Fel. I can’t keep an eye on you there, and if something happens… Where are you? Why is it so quiet?”
“I’m out front.”
“Hold on,” he orders, and the line goes silent. I lean back against the wall and take another look around. Down the side of the building, I see a shape separate from the wall. It’s too dark to make out much more than it’s certainly a person, probably a man. I look away so they don’t think I’m staring.
As the seconds tick by, I grow impatient and uncomfortable. I feel like someone is watching me, but the people in line aren’t paying me any attention. I end up stepping a little closer to the entrance, creating some space between me and the edge of the building.
I hear heavy breathing on the other end of the line, telling me Winger is back.
“Hello?”
“I expect a text when you’re on your way home. And no more unplanned visits, Fel. I’m not kidding.” His voice is calm, even, but there’s still a warning in his tone.
“I have to get my friend,” I protest, not willing to leave without Gwen. The door behind me opens. Gwen is being half guided, half pushed out the door by a man in a staff shirt. “Hey!” I bark.
The guy just crosses his arms over his chest, barring the door as if one of us might try to get back in. “Get home safe, Fel,” Winger says through the phone, then hangs up. This was him, he had Gwen kicked out.
“What the hell just happened?” Gwen straightens the hem of her dress.
“Tell your friend she can’t come back,” the bouncer says while looking at Gwen, so I know his words are about me. Gwen comes to the same conclusion and looks over at me.
“What the heck happened? Did you punch someone for touching you or something?” Gwen scans me, seeming more concerned than angry. I was worried she was going to be mad at me for getting her booted.
“No, nothing like that. I’ll tell you later,” I assure her. Hopefully, it will give me enough time to come up with a half-truth. I don’t think Gwen will understand if I tell her my boss told me I wasn’t allowed in the city and he’s why we got sent packing. I would need to tell her Winger is like an older cousin who thinks it’s his job to take care of me, and he takes his job very seriously. Even then, she would probably think there was more going on between us.
She finally getsher ass moving. Her friend is teetering along beside her as they make their way down the block. I had no idea she was even in the city. The GPS I put on her truck never moved, so I thought she was safely tucked away at home. Maybe the cameras aren’t a bad idea. I could put one or two outside. I know I would still check them way too often, but then she wouldn’t get away without me knowing.
I stay a good block away from them, but I track their movements all the way to the lot and watch them climb into a newer model Camry. I lean against the building on the corner and pull one of the joints I rolled earlier from its case. I flick the lighter just as the car rolls by. When I look up, her eyes are on me as she stares out the side window. I know the flame would have shown her my face. I wonder if it will haunt her the way hers does me. I take a deep drag and hold the smoke as her taillights disappear around the corner.
“See you soon,” I promise and finish my smoke before heading back inside to find out what the fuck Jayson is doing anywhere near her or anyone in her life.
“Areyou going to make me ask again?” Gwen looks over at me before focusing out the front windshield.
I was hoping she would just forget about it. “Sorry to put an early end to your night,” I deflect.
“Quit stalling, Lucy.” She knows me so well.
