“What?” I all but yelled—not intentionally, of course. Something cold and metal was placed in my hand, and when I looked down, I caught the glint of a knife in the strobe lights. What the hell?
“I can’t tak—”
“You can, and you will. You need it in case something happens to you. I can’t believe Zerro didn’t give you something already.”
Holding the knife in my hands, I gently slipped it into my boot without another glance. The last thing I needed was someone thinking I actually had a weapon.
“You’re right… I don’t understand why he hasn’t given me a weapon yet…” The more it sat on my mind, the more it started to bother me. Did I still love Zerro? Yes. Did I think he would be able to adjust the changes? I didn’t know. I didn’t know what the future held for either of us.
“He’s Alzerro. He doesn’t really answer to anyone,” Devon kind of joked. I say kind of because it actually seemed more like something was bothering him, deep down.
“I’m thirsty… and I want to dance,” I said into his ear as I watched the couples out on the floor gyrating against one another. My eyes were mesmerized by their very movements, some I had never seen before.
“Drink first, and then maybe, if you’re lucky, dancing.” He winked dragging me through the deep crowd. People surrounded us on every angle. My eyes roamed over every single object.
“I need a beer, and…” He trailed off looking at me for an answer. Like I had one. I had said many times before I hardly ever drank. Any time I did, I regretted it. To be here doing this caused a ting of guilt to form in my chest. Was it okay to be moving on from things days after your supposed father’s death?
“And a Malibu and Pineapple.” He finished his sentence as he slammed back the beer the bartender had sat in front of him. I didn’t stare at him as he did, simply because it felt wrong.
“What’s that?” I hadn’t heard of the drink before.
“It’s a girly drink and will be perfect for someone who looks like an ounce of liquor will knock her over.”
Narrowing my eyes, I whispered, “Are you making fun of me?”
“Quite possibly,” he said back in a much flirtier tone. What was his antic? What was he attempting to do by all of this? Hanging around Zerro made me think everything over so much more than I should.
A drink was pushed in front of me so I took it. It looked like pineapple juice, and as I put the straw to my lips and sucked, I waited for the awful burn to come. When it didn’t, and my taste buds were met with a tangy pineapple flavor, I all but sighed. It was delicious, tangy reminding me of the beach.
“Good?” he questioned his own eyes roaming over the dance floor. The club wasn’t overly huge, simply a two story building with a long ass line outside.
“Very,” I mumbled taking the straw between my teeth for another sip, which turned into a gulp. The pounding of the music drowned out all other thoughts, and for a moment, I slipped into another form. Someone I didn’t even know. My body swayed to the fast beat of music, and all I could think of doing was getting up and grabbing someone to dance with.
“What were your real reasons for coming with me?” Devon yelled though I could barely hear him. I loved this environment. The darkness, the smell of sweat, and the smoke in the air. It was exhilarating making me forget about my past until Devon brought it up.
“First, I wanted to get away from Zerro. He’s up my ass all the time and, believe it or not, it surprised me he let me run.” Pausing for a moment, I took another drink completely dismissing the straw.
“Secondly, I needed out. I needed air, and I needed to see things differently.” My head was getting a little fuzzy, but I still wanted to keep going. One drink wouldn’t be enough for all I had been dealing with.
“You know he loves you, right?” Devon asked, but it was more all matter of fact like, the amusement leaving his voice as he took the empty glass from my hands. I wanted to say something like get me another, but I knew it would be rude.
“I know he loves me. Not like I don’t. I just think if he expected me to let things of the past go, then he should, too. His mother was murdered by my father, and he killed him in cold blood. It’s okay for me to have to move on, but it’s not okay for him. He’s been holding the grudge since like forever.”
Another drink was placed in my hands, and I turned to Devon rewarding him with a smile. He was earning huge brownie points from me. Even if he had the chance of not walking tomorrow. Zerro would kill him if he knew where he brought me. I sipped my second drink a little slower and moved to the beat of the new song some more.