Having had enough of our little staring contest, I break eye contact and look away, bracing myself to shut him out for the rest of the night.
7
HUXLEY
Ican’t believe Selina dragged me to this fucking place. I stick out like a sore thumb, and the only reason the bouncer let me in dressed in my tattered jeans and combat boots is because Selina works bottle service here on the weekends.
When I asked her why on earth she’d want to go out to the club she works at on her day off, she looked at me as if I were insane. I guess I don’t understand the service industry since it seemed obvious to her. She never did give me an answer. Not that I really cared in the first place.
Selina and I met a few months back when I worked a construction job near her condo complex. She’d walk by the site almost daily and stare at me as she passed by. It took me a while to realize she might be into me—around the same time she walked straight up to me when I was on my lunch break and gave me her number.
My work crew gave me shit for weeks after that. I almost threw her number away out of spite. Told myself I wasn’t looking for any distractions, but I did text her eventually. Out of boredom, mostly. We’ve been hooking up for a little over two months now. We both agreed it was nothing serious.
Especially because I only got off probation back in October. I still walk around with paranoia clinging to me like cellophane; one wrong move and I’m back in prison for another five years—or worse, for life.
I haven’t gone out drinking much either.
But the thirst to just fuck it all to hell and drink until I black out is particularly strong tonight.
When I first spotted Connie strutting up to her table, I thought I had plucked her straight out of my overactive imagination. But then I realized even my imagination couldn’t have conjured her up looking this good, with her tight black pants and a top that clung to her perfect tits.
I knew it was her birthday today. She wasn’t very subtle about it online.
Twenty-nine … and way out of my league.
The thought makes me bitter. Angry and pissed off with myself to even think I’d have a chance with her when she’s done nothing but pretend I don’t exist.
I was a big, fatmistake.
Story of my fucking life.
And who gives a shit anyway?
I barely know the girl. She can fuck right off for all I care.
Doesn’t prevent me from spending the night tracking her movements from the corner of my eye, though. Selina is near the bar dancing with some friends. I’m sitting alone at our booth, stewing and drinking a watered-down rum and coke I made ages ago from the bottle at our table.
I should leave.
I should stop staring at Connie.
I do neither.
Looks like she came here with friends but has been flirting with anything that moves since we locked eyes a few hours ago. She hasn’t glanced my way since. Now, she’s dancing near theDJ booth, a gaggle of losers around her as if she’s the star of the fucking show or something.
I swipe my hand over the bottom half of my face, groaning under my breath. Finally having had enough, I leave the table and walk up to where Selina’s dancing.
“I’m out of here,” I say into her ear so she can hear me.
“What? Why?” she shouts back over the music, followed by a sexy pout. I can tell she’s high and definitely not following me out of the club.
I make a face that sort of explains that I’m just not feeling it anymore.
She winds her arms around my waist and pushes her body against mine. Giving me a sultry look, she asks, “Can I still come over later?”
I consider saying no; the idea of having someone in my bed tonight feels suffocating, but I swear I can physicallyfeelConnie on me. I need to get her out of my system.
“Sure,” I say before giving her a quick kiss on the lips. “Call me when you’re downstairs.”
