Trouble(64)

We follow Beth over to the doorman, and thanks to Toni putting us on the guest list, we don’t have to wait in the huge line.

I’ve only ever been in a club one time before. It was with Forbes and his rich douchey friends. That club was a bit nicer than this place, but I actually prefer this club. It looks how a club should look. All dark and grungy. Floor sticky from spilt drinks.

It feels real.

The bass is pumping loud, vibrating up through my feet, and I feel a tremor of excitement at being here; doing something out of my ordinary.

The club is packed; a sea of people. I notice most of the girls are dressed in fewer clothes than me, wearing shorts and cut-off t-shirts. I wish I could wear shorts as short as they are, but the scars on the back of my thighs prevent me from doing so as does my severe lack of confidence.

My good feeling instantly disappears, leaving me feeling dowdy and out of place, and wondering just why the hell Jordan is here with me. A sudden urge to leave so I can hide away and comfort eat myself until I’m sick compels me.

I curl my fingers into my hand, pressing my nails into my skin, trying to expel the urge.

As if hearing my pain, Jordan squeezes my hand. I glance up at him. “Hey, you okay?” he mouths over the music.

With a fake smile, I nod.

He looks at me for too long, suspicion curving his mouth. It feels like he’s trying to see deep inside me, and it makes me fidgety, so I look away.

He moves closer. I know he’s going to question me further. I feel his body press against my side, and my body goes to war with my mind. I want him close, yet I want him to go away.

I’m saved by Beth, when she comes bounding over.

“Toni’s coming out in ten, so let’s get a drink first, then we can go see her,” she yells over the music.

Jordan steps back giving me space. I almost exhale in relief. I can feel his eyes burning into me, but I can’t bring myself to meet his stare.

Smiling at Beth, I say, “Sure. Sounds good.”

Beth leads the way to the bar. Jordan is close behind me. When we reach the bar, I stand beside Beth. Jordan comes up behind, hands either side of me, placing them on the bar and caging me in.

My body is fully aware of how close he is and wants him closer. My hands are itching to reach back and pull him to me.

“Drinks are on me, so what do you both want?” Beth says.

“I’ll get the drinks,” Jordan’s deep voice comes between us.

Beth’s eyes flicker to him. “No way! Deal was that I’d buy your drinks tonight for coming with me.”

“Deal’s off. Now tell me what you want?” There’s an air of authority in his voice, which I surprisingly like. It has my skin tingling, and other parts of me.

Beth, seemingly unaffected by him, says, “Fine. I’m not gonna argue with you. Saves me a few dollars. I’ll have a whiskey and soda – make it a Fireball.”

“Mia … what do you want?” he speaks in my ear, his voice deep and breathy. It makes my toes curl.

I feel like he’s not asking me about choice of drinks right now. And I know exactly what I want – him.

I turn my head, only to find my mouth now dangerously close to his. And by dangerously, I mean dangerous because of my insistent need to kiss him right now. If that’s going to happen tonight, then here at the bar is most definitely not the place.

My eyes meet his, just in time to see them darken. He feels it too … wants this … me.

My body goes into overdrive.

Quickly gathering myself, I say, “Beer. Bottled. Please.” And I face forward.

Casting a sideways glance, I see Beth smiling happily at us. I’m kind of getting the feeling she likes me with Jordan.

Jordan’s hands come from around me. He moves to the side and leans up against the bar to get served. I feel a tap my shoulder, and turn to a smiling Beth. She moves back a little away from Jordan, so I follow.

“How are you finding Durango?” she asks.

I smile, thinking of Jordan—the one thing that I really like about this town. “I like it.”

“Yeah, it’s not so bad. But when you’ve lived here your whole life, like I have, it becomes a bit boring.”

I get that, knowing how it felt to be trapped in Boston my whole life.

“You’ve never been anyway else?” I ask.

“Sure, I’ve been away on vacation, but nowhere exciting. I’d love to go to traveling.”

“You should.”

“Jordan’s been traveling.”

“Yeah, he told me. South East Asia, right?”

Beth looks a little surprised at my knowing this, which quickly morphs into a smile.

Before I get a chance to consider her reaction, a high-pitched female voice grabs my attention. Mainly, because she’s screeching Jordan’s name.