Addicted to You(17)

So I had two options: I could work harder to stifle the emotions, which would be no easy task. After all, years of feelings didn’t enjoy being silenced. Or I could embrace them, and see where they led. If Colby let his guard down once, who’s to say he wouldn’t again? And maybe that’s what he needed. Maybe he’d never love me like I loved him, but we could potentially have more than a friendship. And I was okay with that place in the middle. It was better than nothing, and after the way he’d just looked at me, it seemed safe to say he wouldn’t mind this place in the middle either.

When I finally stole a glance back in his direction, he was watching me. But that let-me-do-bad-things-to-you look was gone, replaced by what looked like anger. Yet even though he looked mad, his grip tightened on my hand as if he had no plans to ever let it go.

He led me through the swarm to the table where several of the guys had already congregated.

And as soon as we parted the mass, he dropped my hand and my heart sank right with it.

Maybe the first look I’d seen was just my own wishful thinking, which was more than just a little depressing. I said a quick hello to the guys, then leaned closer to Taylor so she could hear me over the music.

“I’m going to go say hi to Landon.” And by that, I meant get a break from the mixed emotions Colby had once again stirred.

“I’ll walk with you,” she offered.

“Be right back,” I announced to anyone who actually cared, which clearly wasn’t Colby because he didn’t even glance my way as I departed. Seriously. What was his problem?

We weaved our way to the bar and though it was packed, I was able to catch Landon’s eye.

He nodded his head, ignoring the girls vying for his attention directly in front of us, and asked, “What can I get you?”

“Water,” I shouted back.

The girls in front of me angled around to get a look at me. I couldn’t decide if the ugly stares were from stealing Landon’s attention or for skipping ahead of the line to order water, though I suspected it was both. I didn’t doubt Landon would serve me a real drink if I wanted one, but I wouldn’t do that to him. I wasn’t a big drinker anyway, no point in putting his job in jeopardy for a beer I’d just end up nursing all night.

Landon nodded, grabbed a glass then tilted his head toward Taylor.

I turned to her. “You want anything?”

She shook her head. “I’m good.”

Landon raised my glass of water, then motioned to the side where the waitresses loaded their trays, but which was currently empty.

We squeezed past a group of guys who were already leaning toward obnoxious drunk, and slipped up to the bar.

Landon handed me my glass. “If you guys need anything tonight, just wave me down or let your waitress know to give the order directly to me. I’ll hook you up.”

“You’re the best, Landon.”

He grinned, then glanced at Taylor. She was once again focused on the singer of the band, who was in the process of a sound check.

“I can introduce you later if you want.” He nodded toward the stage. “He’s a friend of mine.”

Her smile widened “That would be awesome.”

“Yeah, no problem. When he has a break between sets, I’ll bring him over.” He tapped the bar. “Well, I need to get back at it.”

“I’ll see you later.” With my water in hand, I started nudging my way back through the throng of people.

I wasn’t a huge fan of crowds, and this was definitely one of the worst. If I made it back to the table in one piece, I had no plans to navigate through this again. It’s not like they were exactly cautious with the height challenged such as myself. Granted, most of the bumps and bangs I received were followed by quick and authentic apologies, but still, I’d prefer to make it out of there with no black eyes. So I kept my head tucked and focused on finding a clear path.

The mob parted, and I was relieved that I just might be able to make a break for it and arrive back at the table injury-free. But then I realized why. Some guy stood in front of me, parting the masses like freaking Moses.

Taylor nudged me, not once but twice in the back, and I finally looked up to put a face to the sea-parting skills. And to my surprise it was Mr. Wannabe Rock Star. I stepped to the side as the rest of the group had done—assuming this was protocol—but he moved with me. So I attempted the other direction, but so did he. Dammit. We were stuck in one of those annoying I’m-just-trying-to-get-around-you dances. The best thing to do was stand still and let him move around me. But when I looked up to make it clear I wasn’t moving again, he smiled.

“I said ‘hi.’ ” His voice was smooth and deep, and caught me slightly off guard. Mostly because it took a second to register that he was, in fact, talking to me. When I made no response, he went on, “To you. I said ‘hi.’ You moved so I tried again…and then again.” He chuckled. “So either you really can’t hear me over my drummer’s warm-up, or you really, really don’t want anything to do with me. Which if that’s the case you can just keep pretending you don’t hear me and move to your right. And I’ll move to mine. Less awkward for everyone involved.”