Page 8 of Petals of Blue, Part One (Wilted Duet #1)

Three

BLUE

Ilied. Nothing ruins my day faster than the horrible downward spiral of not knowing what to wear.

It always starts with not knowing, then goes to hating every piece of clothing I own, and ends with feeling hideous. I've worked hard for the wardrobe I have, and it's stupid that I can't figure out which sexy outfit I want to wear.

For years my closets were bare, and what I did have was threadbare and one puff of wind away from disintegrating.

All of my money and shopping were saved for Violet. Keeping her dressed, warm—especially through those Minnesota winters—and fitting in at school was my goal. I didn't care if I froze to death on the street walking home from another shift at the disgusting bar I worked at for way too long.

My aunt, on the other hand, didn't give two shits about me or V. That woman hardly looked twice at me since my parents died. God, I was just a kid when my mom and dad passed away.

For a long time, before Violet came along, the only hugs I got were from the guys—

My throat closes over with an emotion I'm well acquainted with. What did I do to push them away? Why would they do that to me?

Cursing, I throw my mascara back in its pouch because what's the fucking point if I'm just going to throw a pity party and probably cry myself to sleep like I've done so many times.

Again, what is wrong with me?! All these years later and I still get sucked into those assholes. The slightest inconvenience and I'm pondering all the ways I was unlikeable.

Honestly, I don't want to go out at this point. My room is a mess of outfits, and my skin fucking itches from all the fabrics.

Why is everything so unflattering tonight?!

In a thong and baggy T-shirt, I collapse onto my bed. "I'm not going." I snatch my phone and send that exact statement in the group chat. Bethany responds saying the same thing. Then Janine and Dakota are on our asses, deciding who's coming to me and who's going to Beth.

Apparently, they have just the thing to cheer us up. Cue my eye roll.

Vodka and a mini black dress were their bright ideas. I'm only slightly annoyed that it worked.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, Janine breezed through my bedroom door with a grin on her face. I made a note to talk to Violet about letting people into the apartment after nine at night.

That's a problem for tomorrow though because right now the drinks are flowing and the bass is thumping. Serpent's Kiss is absolutely feral tonight, and I'm so here for it.

We started at a different club, but nowhere else provides the hype of a dance floor like our place of work. Plus, we get discounts. We'd be dumb not to whoop it up here off duty.

Since Janine started me on vodka first, I've stuck to that. While I might have a night shift tomorrow and could sleep in, that's just not my life. Violet will probably rope me into something in the morning, and I'd rather not be fucked up on a bunch of different liquors.

I'm twenty-nine, so I know how to drink the right way. Dancing, on the other hand, not so much. Grinding and jumping around is all I’ve got. Bethany is sensual as hell tonight in her silver ruffles, though. She's such a kick ass dancer, it's no wonder everyone glances twice at her.

Since I'm trying not to be a piece of shit tomorrow, I'm the most sober of the group. My job is to pay attention. So every time Beth is approached by wandering hands and lingering glances, I watch her cues. I'm hyperfocused on the scrunch of her nose and the cowering of her shoulders.

I weave and jump around her until the icky ones find their next target. While I love protecting my girls, Janine makes it a bit harder when she grinds on anything solid.

Her running rule is that we stop her if the guy or girl isn't her type.

Janine's specific, so I'm always tugging her away and shaking my head.

Every single time, she pouts, but once she gets a glance and sees that her dancing partner doesn't look exactly like the guy who broke her heart last year, she scowls and kisses my shoulder.

To anyone else, our show of appreciation might be strange, but it's our way of showing affection. I will love these women until my dying breath; you bet your ass we give each other kisses.

With all three of them solo and dancing within our mini group, I relax and let my head fall back on my shoulders. The music sounds like one loud noise, but I'm not in the sea of bodies for the lyrics. I'm here for the pounding of the bass and the sweaty bodies surrounding me.

It's a vibe that chases away the melancholy.

For now.

Heat scorches my tummy as a large hand splays across it. I suck in a gasp, shocked that I let someone sneak up on me. Beth, Janine, and Dakota are twirling around in a drunken circle, none the wiser to my predicament.

"Relax," an incredibly masculine voice rumbles in my ear. I stiffen for a moment, but when his hard body curls around me and the beat drops, I press my ass against his very hard cock.

The man groans, and I grin, getting lost in the feel of letting loose. If it were my night to go wild and not babysit my friends, I'd for sure drag this solid man to a dark corner and let him pull my wet panties aside.

I'm incredibly distracted, so much so that I jump when I see Beth right in front of me. Her eyes are wide, staring over my shoulder at the guy whose hand has shifted over my pelvic bone.

"What's your name?" Beth slurs loudly.

If his pinky slips just a little lower...

The man bends so Beth can hear him, making me shiver in delight when his scruff tickles my neck. "Felix!"

His answer is like a bucket of ice water being thrown over me. I'm going to be sick. Flinging myself away from him, I rush through the crowd with tears streaming down my cheeks.

I'm such an idiot. Many people have the same names as the assholes who broke my heart. The fact of the matter is, my sexual partners are nameless, so why would I stay?

That's what I tell myself as I scurry toward Kevin by the side entrance. I've had him on my radar all night, knowing where my safe place is. I really need my protector right now.