Enraptured(32)

I leaned my head against the seat and slouched. "I wish I didn't."

"The first step is admitting it." She grinned and I couldn't help but think about Dee. I really had to introduce these two. They were so similar I knew for a fact they would either hit it off and become the best of friends, or they would hate each other. Either way, I was going to try. I didn't reply and she continued. "I cannot believe Dace didn't knock Greg out tonight."

"I thought he was going to." I said without amusement. That had pissed me off. I didn't condone violence.

"Technically, he's not allowed to fight outside the," she closed her mouth as though remembering herself and I narrowed my eyes.

"Outside what?"

"Never mind." She shook her head. "It's nothing."

"No," I spoke slowly. "What were you about to say?"

"Dace can't fight." She said almost bluntly. I could tell she wanted me to drop it but I couldn't.

"Why not?" I pushed.

"He's part owner of the club," she scoffed. "Can you imagine the lawsuit?"

"Oh," I shook my head. Obviously, I was paranoid. I thought she was going to say something inconceivable. She'd made a big enough deal out of it.

Gia continued as though needing to clarify. "You know Dace has a quick and violent hand, right?" She winced as though knowing she shouldn't talk about it. As though she was breaking some unsaid rule.

"I've heard." I replied dryly.

"So long as you know."

"So long as he can control it, I really don't care."

"Control it?" She frowned. "He doesn't."

"He just did tonight." I defended. "He wanted to fight with Greg, but he did the right thing instead."

Gia shifted uncomfortably. "And what's the right thing?"

"He didn't fight." I said simply. "He acted maturely and had complete control over his anger."

"Right," Gia sighed.

I took charge of the silence and changed the subject from Dace. I didn't want to talk about him anymore. "Are you going to school?"

Gia shook her head. "I'm undecided. I figured I'd live it out in the real world for a bit."

"Is it helping?"

Confusion screwed her face as she flipped through radio stations, trying to find one she liked. "Is what helping?"

"Living in the real world? Do you know what you want yet?"

"Nope." She settled on a heavy rock gothic station I never would have listened to on my own. "I still don't have a clue."

I laughed. "I'm going for my BA in English."

She waggled her brows. "I hope it's worth it."

I nodded adamantly on a deep breath. "It will be."

Gia turned her wiper-blades on and the frost covering the window pushed to the side. "We're ready to roll." She backed out of the parking space without checking behind her and I subconsciously clutched the edges of the seat. "You want a coffee if I stop somewhere?"

"Is there anywhere open this late?"

"It's early, Ella." She grinned and I stared flatly out of the windshield. "You'll get used to it."

"I should get to bed."

"You don't have homework?"

"I should study." I winced on a sigh. Maybe taking this job was a bad idea. It was almost two in the morning and I had to be up for school by seven at the latest. I highly doubted this was something one could just 'get used to'.

"Then you'll definitely need a coffee." She stated adamantly. "We'll stop at Mikky D's."

"Where?"

"McDonald's." She laughed. "They have great coffee."

"Oh,"

Awed eyes searched my face as she flicked her blinker to turn left. "You don't get out much do you?"

"I get out plenty." I assured. "I just call McDonald's McDonald's."

"Ah," she laughed. "You're funny. Normally I don't get along well with girls, but I like you."

"Thanks." I replied dryly. "You're not so bad yourself."

"Tyson has to meet you." She exclaimed. "Maybe if you and Dace get together we'll go on a double or something."

"That's not going to happen." I laughed. "Don't get your hopes up."

"As I said," she pulled into the drive through. "Let me know when you've made it a week."

"I haven't forgotten."

"What do you like in your coffee?"

"Milk and sugar."

I let my eyes close as Gia ordered the coffees and I wished I was at home in bed. I was exhausted. The night had been anything but what I had been expecting. From Dace showing his true player colors - to his possessive need to keep me away from other men - to my new friendship with Gia - the night had been a mental overload. And I was still coming down from the high of it.