Clarity Page 4

  Since .my idea of dressing down was vetoed automatically by both Sarah and Katie the moment I suggested it, I’m now wearing a tight black mini-dress, which shows more skin than I wish to expose. Somehow, it manages to emphasize what little I do have in curves. The moment Katie spotted it, she said it was perfect for me, but I’m still trying to see the “me” in it, besides the reflection staring back at me from the mirror.

  “You look like you’re about to walk straight into a torture chamber,” Katie comments from my doorway while I’m trying to zip up my dress. The darn thing is winning as I struggle with the zipper.

  “Here let me help you,” she offers.

  The sound of a zipper still sends chills through my blood, an unwelcome reminder of Josh. “Now let’s get your hair and make-up done, or else we’re going to be late,” she urges gently, shoving me out of my room.

  Heeding her command, I follow her into the bathroom. Better Katie than I when it comes to styling my hair. She knows how to work magic on the simplest person, which would be me. After impatiently sitting, grinding my teeth not to complain about the fuss and prepping she’s performing, she eventually finishes. The moment I take in my reflection it’s hard to recognize myself. Katie has done a stunning job of highlighting my eyes so they pop, as my hair falls down my shoulders in a wave of amazing loose curls.

  Placing her hands on my shoulders, she stares at my reflection. “If we don’t find you a guy to get you laid tonight, then I’m definitely losing my touch,” she comments.

  Her remark makes me grimace. “I’m not looking for a one night stand tonight, so don’t feel disappointed since I’m telling you right now it’s not happening,” I reprimand as I return to my room in search of my heels—another selection by Katie.

  Following closely behind, she leans on the doorframe as she crosses her arms over her chest while watching me attempt to stumble into my heels. “I don’t know why you’re against having fun.”

  Sighing, I clarify to her, “I’m not trying to avoid having fun. I’m just not looking for a fast screw like everyone else in the world.”

  “You can’t let your past determine your future, Taylor. Not every guy is him.”

  Her lecture takes me back to all the times I’ve tried having a relationship, only to discover it was difficult to do with me always comparing them to Josh and his actions. My trust issues wouldn’t allow anyone to hold me, let alone kiss me, which quickly had them running in the other direction. Eventually it was easier to not date than to wallow in self-pity from disappointment.

  Seeing the offended look on Katie’s face, I quickly correct myself. “I’m sorry, Katie. It might work for you, and I have nothing against it if that’s what you choose, but we both know it’s not going to work for me so let’s not fight about it, okay?”

  Nodding her head in agreement before turning to walk away, she looks disappointed, most likely from my comment. I have a bad habit of always speaking my mind, which usually ends up getting me in trouble.

  Katie goes off to work on herself, finishing much faster than she did on me, of course. Soon we’re exiting our apartment and taking a taxi ride downtown. We haven’t quite arrived yet and my stomach is gradually beginning to knot with dread over the night’s possible outcome.

  We arrive and the bass of the music pumping from inside the building seeps into the taxi before we even get out, intensifying my nerves. Katie loops her arm with mine and has to practically drag me to the entrance. With a line already formed around the block as we approach the entrance, we get plenty of nasty glares when we completely bypass it straight to the front door. Katie informs the bouncer that we’re on the guest list by giving him our names and handing him our IDs; verifying the information, he lets us in.

  As we enter the club, darkness engulfs us completely with only the flash of the strobe lights to lead our way. It takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the darkness to locate Sarah. From the sway of her dancing and the delighted beam in her eyes, she’s clearly drunk. I would know, the demeanor is forever engraved in my mind.

  She reaches us within seconds and the alcohol is emanating from her mouth as she speaks. “Hey, you guys finally made it!” she shouts, trying to yell over the pounding of the music.

  Sarah’s sister, who is now trying to hold up her drunken body as Sarah loses her balance, looks over in our direction. “We got here an hour ago and she was impatient. We started right away,” she sympathetically says as she looks back at Sarah, who is now trying to catch the straw in her cup with her tongue.

  When Sarah realizes what her sister has said about her, her mouth drops open. Offended by the statement, she tries to shove at her sister, but fails as she loses her balance, forcing Katie to catch her.

  “Hey, it’s my night to party,” she scolds. “It’s not my fault you guys didn’t get here sooner,” she says, directing the comment at Katie and me.

  She looks down at Katie’s hands, which are now attempting to balance her. “Why is your hand without a drink? Let’s get you a drink,” she shouts at Katie as she looks around the club, probably trying to find a waitress to fulfill her order.

  Her fast movements cause her to slosh her fruity looking drink all over the floor, adding to the stickiness we’re standing in. It’s evident she needs water instead of alcohol at this point, but I’m frightful of what she’ll do to me if I tell her so.

  Instead, her sister proceeds to pull her towards a short staircase leading to a raised area off to the side of the dance floor, giving Katie and I a quick tilt of her chin to follow. Making our way to a table, my eyes take in everything sitting upon it: bottles of vodka, tequila, and juice; everything but water, unless you count the ice cubes sitting in the bucket. I wasn’t going to wait for them to melt to quench the thirst I arrived with.

  Searching around for a waitress, I don’t spot one right away, so I inform Katie I’m headed to the bar for my water. Giving me a nod, she acknowledges my comment. I make my way through the crowd of dancers, politely shoving my way through before finding the only open spot in a corner to patiently wait. As I stand there waiting to catch the attention of the bartender, I feel a hand on my ass, and I instantly react by slapping the hand away before turning to face a guy who looks completely wasted.

  “Hey baby, you don’t have to play hard to get,” he says as he steps closer.

  Trying really hard to put distance between this jerk and myself, I lean back as far as I can, hitting the wall. His persistent smile goes up to one side as he reaches out his arm to grab me. Pushing it away, I warn him, “Don’t touch me.”

  He looks frustrated. For a moment I believe he’s about to turn and leave, but I find I’m mistaken when he tries once more.

  “Come on,” he cajoles, leaning forward, trapping me between his body and the wall.

  “Get off me!” I yell as I try to shove him off.

  It does no good as he laughs at me.

  I’m about ready to deck this guy with my fist when I feel him being pulled away from me. Stunned, I realize someone is now between me and the drunken jerk. His back is towards me, obstructing my view of his face.

  “She’s obviously not interested, so I suggest you back off unless you want me to kick your ass,” I hear the stranger growl to the drunken man. It only takes me a couple of seconds to register who the voice belongs to.

  Leaning my head to the side to take in the view in front of him, I see the guy already holding his hands up in surrender as he backs away and leaves. The guy takes one quick look over his shoulder before he disappears into the crowd of dancers, leaving me there alone with Nick, who turns to face me with a look of concern.

  He gently rests his hands on my hips as he looks down into my face. “Are you okay?” he asks, his anxious tone calming me. I nod my head, unable to answer him just yet. From where I’m standing, I can see behind Nick. Katie is rushing towards me shouting my name. “Taylor!”

  She quickly reaches me and engulfs me in a hug. “I’m so sorry. I saw ever
ything. I tried getting here as fast as I could.” She tightens her embrace to comfort me.

  “I’m fine,” I mumble into her hair.

  Releasing me, we both turn to face my hero, her eyes going wide when she takes him in. “Nick, I didn’t know you’d be here,” she purrs up to him, reaching in to hug him next. He half-heartily returns her hug. Seeing them embraced stirs an unfamiliar emotion inside of me, fueling a hatred and envy I hadn’t known existed within me.

  Nick sees my narrowed eyes glaring at both of them as he pulls from her arms. “So it’s Taylor? You never did tell me,” he remarks with a sexy half smile. His eyes are hooded as they graze up and down my body, staring directly into my eyes once he finishes his perusal.

  Leaning down, his mouth reaches my ears and I can feel his warm breath gliding across my skin. “The name doesn’t suit you. You’re much sexier than a typical Taylor,” he claims. I can’t help but blush from the husky tone he delivered the comment with. The room may be warm, but there are shivers running down my spine as my cheeks turn a bright shade of crimson. I’m thankful we’re surrounded by the darkness of the room. It disguises how much his attention is affecting me. His knight in shining armor persona is working to his advantage at the moment.

  Katie yanks at his arm, drawing his attention back to her. “Do you want to go back to our table?” she asks, her lashes batting as she extends the invitation.

  Nick glances in my direction as he answers. “Sure, why not?”

  Katie’s eyes light up and her smile widens in triumph as she loops her arm into Nick’s and begins to tug him away. “You coming, Taylor?” she shouts over her shoulder as she drags Nick behind her.

  I’m internally fuming as I watch them disappear, my mind still trying to process what had suddenly transpired. Not wanting to risk another confrontation, I am left with no other choice but to follow, my wayward emotions rising with every step as I trail behind them towards the VIP area.

  Reaching the entrance, Nick pauses and waits until I reach it before he proceeds to enter. The thought of his action has my heart fluttering, until Katie tugs him over to the only couch available to seat the two of them alone and immediately beginning to work her flirtatious charms on him. The sight of Nick responding with a smile fills me with disgust as I take my seat on another couch. It then dawns on me that I never did get my water. I force myself to push my irritation aside and start to check my emails on my phone, using it as a distraction. It’s bad enough I don’t want to be here, but to have to endure watching everyone drool over Nick, since he’s the only male surrounded by a flock of drunken females, is irritating.

  “What’s wrong?” Nick shouts from the other end of our section. I ignore it, not once thinking he’s speaking to me.

  “Taylor!” I hear Katie shout right after him.

  My head irritably snaps up at her to find Nick’s casual form leaning back with his arm thrown over the back of the couch. He is staring at me with a question in his eyes as he too waits for my answer.

  “Katie, you know I don’t want to be here,” I say. The roll of her eyes reveals she isn’t satisfied with my response.

  “Have a drink. You’ll be having fun in no time,” she claims, already shoving the drink in my hand. Pushing it back at her, I refuse to take it. “Why are you being a party pooper?” she asks then frowns with a childish pout.

  “Yeah, Taylor, why are you such a party pooper?” Nick mockingly asks, fueling my anger. I can easily handle Katie’s shit because I expect it from her, but I refuse to put up with Nick.

  Standing up, I look for Sarah, finding her on the dance floor with a group of girls. Without notice, I make my way down to them, feeling the need to remove myself from the source of my frustration. Approaching her, she happily smiles at me while leaning in for a hug. I use the opportunity to say to her, “I’m going to head home.” She’s taken aback, staring back at me with a frown.

  “Why?”

  “I’m sorry, Sarah. I tried, but I just don’t feel comfortable here.” I glance back in the direction of where Nick and Katie are sitting and find them making their way down to the dance floor, hand in hand. “Who’s that guy?”

  “Nobody,” I croak out, attempting to mask my wounded emotions I’m feeling within. Looking back at Sarah, I realize my broken-hearted appearance must have given me away. A frown is still marring her face, but this time it’s full of sympathy.

  “Oh, Taylor,” she says as her eyes look in their direction.

  Shaking my head in denial, I say, “It’s no big deal, Sarah. I’m just going to leave.” Turning to depart, I push my way through the crowd of dancers. As I near the exit, I’m brought to a halt and turn to face Katie.

  “Where are you going?”

  Nick walks over to us, stopping to stand behind Katie. “I’m leaving,” I tell them, aiming my answer more at Nick than Katie.

  “But we just got here, Tay,” she whines. Nick’s deep voice speaks up. “I can give you a ride home if you want.”

  “No, thank you,” I throw back at him then quickly look at Katie. “You stay and have a good time. You know this isn’t my kind of scene.”

  The hand wrapped around my arm is lightly tugging at me as she comments, “Just come back to the table and have a drink. Before you know it, you’ll be drunk and you’ll start having fun,” she encourages, grabbing Nick with her other hand then tries to drag the both of us back to the table.

  She’s finally crossed the line with her comment. Yanking my arm from hers, I make a beeline for the entrance of the club. I don’t care what she thinks at this point, I just want to leave. Behind me I can hear her yelling my name, but I ignore her, needing to escape. I don’t need this shit. This is what I get for coming? It’s not worth it, or my time.

  The minute I make it outside, the cold night air hits my face and I welcome it as I take in a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

  “Hey, slow down,” Nick yells behind me, encouraging me to quicken my steps. Some of the bystanders outside recognize him and instantly start to swarm him, allowing me to put distance between us. I try flagging down a taxi, to no avail. It’s a busy night so I don’t have any luck right away, but I don’t give up. There has to be at least one that is going to stop in front of the club to drop someone off, so I keep trying.

  A couple of minutes later, with no luck, I feel Nick walk up next to me. “Taylor, what are you doing?” he asks, confused. I probably look more like a hooker trying to get my next John with the dress I’m wearing, but that’s also not my fault, either. I blame Katie for that.

  “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m trying to get a taxi to take me home,” I sarcastically respond, like he’s the dumbass, which I’m sure he’s probably thinking I am at this point.

  Frustrated with my results, I give up on the taxi idea and start walking down the sidewalk towards the L. It’s still kind of early and I’d be able to get home that way. Nick’s hand wraps around my arm, stopping me in my tracks. Angrily, I turn to face him for trying to stop me.

  His pleading eyes are bearing down into mine. “I just want to make sure you get home okay and I don’t trust public transportation to do it. Let me give you a ride home,” he states. “Please?” This time he pleads.

  Standing there eyeing him up, I’m debating whether I can trust him. “I promise to keep my hands to myself if it makes you feel better,” he conveys, his head tilting in his signature pose I now associate with him. He’s taunting me, but it’s amusing at the same time.

  I hope I won’t regret what I’m about to do. “Okay,” I reply, knowing I’m taking the biggest risk I’ve taken in the last six years, but I would rather get a ride home in a car than take the L, or a taxi, by myself.

  He doesn’t hesitate to release my arm and take my hand as he leads us to his car. I’m not used to wearing heels so I struggle to keep up with his brisk steps. I soon stumble, forcing Nick to catch me before I land on the ground.

  “You okay?”

  “You were
walking a little too fast for me.”

  Resuming our steps, he apologizes. “I’m sorry.” Slowing his pace to match my own, he keeps me tucked at his side. I know I should pull away, but his embrace makes me feel safe. I can smell the tantalizing scent of his cologne with him so close at my side, and it slowly arouses my senses.

  After a couple of blocks, we reach a private parking garage, entering it through a secured door that leads straight up some stairs. There are only half a dozen, but he takes the first two steps in one, yanking me with him, making me stumble again. I practically twist my ankle on the way up from him dragging me to keep his pace. If he keeps this up, I’m going to be the one giving myself physical therapy for the same type of injury he has.

  “I’m sorry. I’m used to taking stairs two at a time,” he says, helping me stand up straight.

  “That’s bad for you, especially with your ankle in the condition that it’s in. You’re going to end up fracturing it again since it’s still very sensitive.”

  “It feels fine to me.”

  “Whatever,” I sarcastically reply. “Who am I to tell you how to treat it?”

  From the corner of my eye I see his lips curve up. “The last time I checked you were still my physical therapist, so technically you have every right to lecture me,” he answers. His admission makes me smile in return as we walk side by side.

  Before long we reach a caged off, private section of the garage containing an array of expensive cars. Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less of Nick Hunter. Entering a code into the lock, he leads us to a shiny black car in a corner then straight to the passenger side to open the door for me. His action surprises me.

  “It’s very rare when men still act like gentlemen and open car doors for girls,” I comment, smiling at his gesture.

  “I only do it when she’s worth it.”

  His response leaves me shocked as I step into the car and he shuts the door behind me, making me wonder what he meant by the comment. When he climbs into the car, I stare at him, still curious about his remark. Catching me gawking at him, I blush from being caught.