Ruining Me(10)
The drive took a little longer because of traffic. When I left I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going. I didn’t want to go to O’Malley’s because that is where Kane would be and Rhye would be at Vortex. There were several more bars downtown, but those two were my favorites. I decided on Vortex and I didn’t want to think too hard on why.
I found a parking space at Vortex and flipped my ID to the bouncer outside. He stamped my hand with an “over 21” stamp. The bar used to be an old warehouse that was converted to a large room. The stage is on one side and the bar on the other. In between are tables and booths and a small dance floor in front of the stage. Until the band goes on they have rock music playing overhead.
Since it was eight o’clock it was still early, Rhye’s band, “The Mavs”, wouldn’t go on until ten. For now, I knew that the band would be in the corner hanging out in their booth. The guys in the band are older than Rhye and me, but I had gotten to know them when I dated him before. When I walked in I see a good number of people already hanging out.
Walking directly to the bar I did not look to see if Rhye was around. The bartender was a different girl who I didn’t know. She looked at my hand stamp to verify my age.
“What can I get you to drink?”
“Vodka and cranberry juice please.”
She fixes my drink and I hand over money for the cocktail plus a great tip. My mouth puckers as I take a sip of the stout drink.
“Thanks,” I say and turn around. A couple of cute guys were checking me out, but all I could think about were vibrant green eyes and that tattoo on the side of Kane’s neck. I should have read it, because now it’s driving me crazy just thinking about it. The stool next to me was pushed back as someone steps up next to me at the bar.
“Well, well if it isn’t Jay.”
I turn to that voice that still makes my body come alive. Rhye was smiling at me. His eyes were a little glassy, but I could tell he was still lucid. He looks over my body and his gaze lingers on my breast a little longer than the rest.
“I’m just here for the music Rhye. Not to be your fuck buddy.” I take a sip of my drink and glance at the people starting to move on the dance floor. Flyleaf’s “Something I Can Never Have”, starts to play. He grabs my drink and sets it back on the bar so he can reach for my hand.
“Come dance with me Jay?” His question caught me off guard. Rhye never liked to dance unless he was totally out of it.
“I didn’t think you danced?” I was curious as to what his answer would be, but he didn’t say anything.
He pulled me to the dance floor and straight into his arms, moving his body fluidly against mine. I’m stunned for a second, because he has learned a few moves since we were last together. My hips rock against his and I follow his lead letting the music take over. He sings the song gently in my ear and I close my eyes praying my knees will not give out.
Towards the end of the song, warm lips touch my shoulder. The first song turns into the second and it was a slower rock ballad. I was already lost in dancing with him. This is what he always offered me, a chance to forget everything. Both of his hands move down my body and grip my hips.
“Tell me what it will take Jay?” His voice whispers in my ear. “I want you.” His lips rub back and forth against my neck.
I raise my face and his dark eyes bore into mine. We stop moving and I shake my head at him. This was a mistake. Rhye must have guessed that I was going to pull away because in that moment he captured my mouth with his. His lips were hard against me and he nipped at my upper lip when I didn’t open up. I jerk away from him.
“Damn it Rhye,” I shout at him and break away from his grip so I can walk away. Heading straight to the bar, I order a beer. When I turn back around he is gone. I glance in the direction of his booth and see he is sitting with the band, staring at me. He knows if he pushes me, I will leave and for some reason he wants me to stay to hear him sing.
At about fifteen after nine my phone buzzed with a text.
Kane - Where R U
Ignoring it, I slip my phone back into my jeans pocket and take a drink of my beer.
The next hour passes pretty quickly. Rhye never tries to talk to me anymore. A couple of the guys in the band did walk over to say, “Hi,” but that was it. The bar started to fill up the closer it was time for the guys to go onstage.
When Rhye walked out on the stage everyone went crazy. He has so much charisma that it really did light the stage up. He waved his arms downward to try and silence the crowd.
“Hey Guys. Glad you all could join us at the V tonight. You want to hear us play some music?” The crowd screams for them. The first two songs must have been new because I didn’t recognize them. Right before he started the second one he hushed the crowd.