Page 4

Bryn

A solid hour. I stared at the timestamp on my phone screen. How on earth had I survived that long? My best friend was relentless. And, even now, as I slunk into the closest chair, she continued to shake her groove thing to what sounded like the same four country songs over and over.

Giving my jeans another upward tug over my more than generous stomach pudge, I slumped backwards. I knew I was going to be sore tomorrow, and I would be guilting Tiff all day long for it.

She meant well, but, sometimes she could be a bit short sighted. She couldn’t see past her own preference for curves to realize that she was the only one who found me remotely attractive. Too bad I’d always had a thing for men.

With a sigh, I stuffed my phone back in my pocket, pulled down on my top until it almost covered all of my flesh, and crossed my arms over my chest. For the most part, Tiff kept me entertained. She kept groping random people as she danced all around the scuffed wood floor with no particular person. Every time her hand would close around another person’s bits, she would peer straight at me and feign innocence. Zero shame.

“Anyone sittin’ here?”

I startled at the male voice so close to me. I snapped to attention, my gaze immediately going to the chunky guy standing beside the table. A worn camouflage hat hugged his head and a toothpick stuck out between his lips.

It took me a minute to process his question. Shaking my head, I glimpsed at the empty seat beside me before looking around the bar. It was only then that I noticed the crowd had doubled, and no other seat was available.

“Um, no. You can take it.”

Knowing Tiff, she would sit on a table if she had to.

He nodded, a half-smile curling his lips.

“Well, alright.”

His gaze cut to a few tables over before he sat down.

“You here alone?”

Feeling my brows furrow, taken aback, I shook my head negatively. “No.”

When he continued to stare expectantly at me, I returned the question. “You?”

“Nah. I’m here with a buncha fellas from work. Nobody I’d wanna take home, if ya know what I mean.”

He wagged his brows suggestively.

Is he trying to flirt with me? It wasn’t that I discriminated against men with curves, but, you couldn’t start a fire without a spark. The stranger beside me had extra round baby cheeks, an overly chewed toothpick he tried to speak around and no sex appeal.

Calling on all my years in customer service, I smiled politely.

Abruptly, he sighed.

“Sorry ‘bout that. I’m new at this.”

He extended his hand towards me but pulled back at the last second when I flinched.

“Um, how ‘bout I buy us a round ‘a drinks. Ya know, my way of makin’ things right.”

“Um.”

I worked my bottom lip, uncertainty eating away at me. I was probably overthinking it. Heck. If Tiff was over here, she already would have agreed on my behalf. Crap. I really was uptight and in need of a good lay.

At my hesitation, he continued.

“It’s just a drink. No strings attached.”

I looked for Tiff on the dance floor, but the crowd had thickened too much, no longer giving me a clear view. Looking back at the guy, I quickly assessed him. He didn’t seem dangerous, and certainly didn’t fit the stereotype of a predator. Surveying the crowd once more, I gave in.

“Okay. Thanks.”

I doubted he would try anything with so many witnesses. After all, when I’d bucked, he’d backed down, proving he had some sense about him.

His smile was wider this time. “Great.”

He stood.

“You just wait right here, little lady.”

Where could I go? There was barely any room to force your way through the throng of bodies now. I didn’t know much about building codes, but certainly the bar was close to maximum occupancy, or over it.

Deep down, I was regretting not driving myself. I would have left by now if I had. But Tiffany had insistently deemed herself the designated driver so that I could get plastered. Apparently getting shit-faced drunk was her idea of celebrating. Then again, she was two years younger than me. Of course, she was also further in life than I was. She had a solid IT career, a car newer than five years old that she owned outright, and a wardrobe most skinny men would lust over.

I watched as he made his way into the masses, disappearing from my line of sight quickly. It made me wish I’d snagged another high top. I was beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic with all the bodies cutting off my view of the exits.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. It was one night. I could handle one night.

Opening my eyes, I did my best to relax. It wasn’t too long after that the guy returned with our drinks.

Setting down a bright pink and orange concoction before me, he slid into the chair beside me again.

“I figured you’d like the fruity stuff.”

He took a long sip of his beer, staring intently at me.

Giving him a small smile, I lightly shook my head. “Thanks.”

Lifting the short glass, I took a sip. A strong sour citrus taste hit my tongue. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting.

“I feel like I should know your name. We are drinkin’ buddies now, after all.”

He held up his beer bottle.

Taking another sip, I nodded in agreement as I swallowed.

“I’m Bryn. What’s your name?”

When had it gotten so hot in here? Perspiration began to lick my skin. I’d been a bit sweaty after dancing, but had since cooled off. Hadn’t I?

Suddenly, the noise level doubled. Everything seemed louder, closer and yet somehow further away. Conversations buzzed annoyingly, like a bee that wouldn’t stop flittering near your head. I winced, which had me swaying dizzily.

A strong hand closed around my forearm.

My vision blurred. I struggled to focus on the hand tightening around my skin, tearing at my flesh, shaking me. Oh, God.

My heart took off, racing rapidly. It beat wildly against my rib cage, threatening to beat its way out of my chest.

I gasped for air, feeling more than a little disoriented. I needed to get out of here.

The blurry figure yanked on me, sending pain shooting up my arm. The pain registered, but I couldn’t react. I couldn’t figure out how to stop it.

Panic shot to my surface. I tried to shove at the hand but my limbs didn’t respond.

Oh, God.

The room began to spin. It was loud, louder, even louder and then nothing. Everything went black.