Page 91 of Consumed By You

“Why do they always stop for you?” I ask, climbing into the car behind him.

“Who? Taxis?” He taps the driver’s shoulder. “Dawn. It’s a club.”

“Sure thing.” The man starts the meter and puts the car into drive. Here we go. No escaping.

“It’s a confidence thing, babe. If you have confidence, they’ll notice you,” Kevin says in a ridiculously cheerful voice, projecting an unhealthy amount of ebullience. “Don’t worry, Darcy. You’ll be oozing confidence by the time we leave this club, I promise you.”

“Club Dawn? What kind of name is that?”

“An awesome one, you old grump.” He laughs. “And it’s open till dawn.”

I cross my legs. “Ah, I see.”

“Now…I don’t know if you want the bad news now or later,” Kevin nudges, taking my hand. I know already it has something to do with Benjamin. This trek to a sanctuary of booze and rumbling bass lines now makes sense. “I don’t want to ruin your night, but I don’t want you going home sad either.”

“Just tell me now.” No point in putting off the inevitable blow I know I will feel.

“You sure?” I nod hesitantly and he takes a piece of paper out of his pocket. I take the paper and unfold it carefully as if it were carrying the most sacred information in the world.

“He’s seeing someone.”

My heart stops beat by beat as my eyes scan over the short paragraph on a page from a magazine:

“The bachelor of the decade seems to have been snatched up! Sorry, ladies! Multibillionaire and ladies’ man Benjamin Scott, known for parading through supermodels, appears to have been seeing someone closely for the past month. A source tells us they are hot and heavy and he couldn’t be more head over heels for her. We can already hear the hearts breaking all over the world.”

Yes, I hear them too. One heart in particular.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Kevin apologizes, laying a gentle hand on my thigh.

The picture above the paragraph is of Benjamin. I can tell it’s recent because his hair is longer. He looks stunning as usual, even caught off guard. He looks like he’s leaving a club or something. He’s sporting a black leather jacket and blue jeans, looking very much like the dark and mysterious guy he is.

“Darcy.” Kevin squeezes my leg.

I force my eyes from the picture and look up at him. “It’s fine. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later.”

Seeing someone?He doesn’t date! Who the hell is she?

“We’re going to find you a perfect fling tonight so you can forget all about him.”

“No,” I whisper, handing him back the paper. I don’t even want it in my sight anymore.

My throat is constricting violently. I know that if I let out another sound, I’ll weep. Fortunately, Kevin stays quiet the rest of the ride there.

***

“Tequila! Lemon!” I holler above the noise to the bartender. He eyes me suspiciously, clearly contemplating whether or not I have a serious drinking problem.

This is my third shot tonight, no, fourth. Wait, fifth!Shit.

“Damn girl, you better slow down. I don’t wanna have to carry you out of here.” Kevin grins, downing the rest of his first rum and coke.

I raise my shot glass to him in a toast. “To you! This was the best fucking idea ever.” I giggle then take the drink quickly, grimacing at the disgusting burn cascading down my throat. It may be revolting, but it’s making me feel pretty fantastic. “You know, there’s a guy that’s been checking you out for hours over there.” I point stupidly for a moment before I force my hand down.

“Yes, I know.”

“So why are you still over here?” I scoff, flailing my arms.

“Because you’re drunk.”