“Wow, Chase, fancy seeing you here. Hey, are you guys on a date?” Bailey smiled a little too brightly, the blonde girl beside him tugging on his arm when a table became available. He ignored her, his eyes fixed on mine.
“We are, yes. Hey Cindy. Wow, are you guys public now?” Chase shot back with a grin.
Cindy.
Cindy shrugged her shoulders coyly as she ran her hand down his arm, making him tense.
“Bailey just wanted to get some Chinese food.”
“I think you mean Japanese,” I muttered, and she scowled at me.
“Let’s go, Bailey.” She moved towards the empty table, and he backed away slowly.
“What is with him?” Chase muttered as he swigged his drink. Finally, the food came, and we managed a civil conversation, enough for me to know I felt nothing in the way of romance for Chase, but it had been a nice enough evening. We split the bill upon my insistence, making our way out of the restaurant. I felt Bailey’s eyes on us the whole time, but when I turned to glance back, he was deep in conversation with Cindy.
Chase pulled me towards him, and I panicked—was he going to try to kiss me? I had never kissed anyone and had no idea what I was doing. I had read about it in books, but doing it is a different kettle of fish altogether. Suddenly I was pressed against him, his eyes on mine as his hands circled my waist.
“I had a really good time with you tonight,” he murmured as I attempted to wriggle from his grasp.
Say something! Anything!
“Me too. Chase, I’m sorry, but I’m just not that into you.” I blurted out as he blinked, tightening his arms around my waist.
“What? Are you playing hard to get?” He pulled me closer, and I pushed him further away.
“No.” I gasped as I pushed him away, harder this time.
Is he crazy?!
“Look, you come out with me for dinner, you act all coy and interested—”
I stopped him then, my hand in front of him.
“I havenotacted ‘all coy’! I agreed to come with you for dinner; that doesn’t mean I want to jump into bed with you, Chase.” I snapped, irritated.
“You know something? I just wanted a bit of fun, and I thoughtyou, of all people, would be grateful.” He rolled his eyes, and I stared at him in horror. He didn’t wait for me to respond before walking over to his car, opening the door, and glaring at me.
“Are you getting in or what?” His tone was bored and cruel.
I shook my head, tears burning in my eyes as he shrugged.
“Suit yourself.”
He got in the car and drove off as I stood and watched his car fade into the distance. I was glad I had worn a coat. I wrapped it around me as I searched for the bus stop, annoyed with myself for proving Ray right. Theywerejust airheads with no respect for women. I trudged down the dark street, trying not to shiver as I cursed myself for not having a mobile phone.I could call Ray; she would come for me.I glanced at the bus timetable and groaned. Forty minutes until the next bus home. I decided I could walk it in less than an hour and began walking in the direction of my house. I walked everywhere usually, so I didn’t mind the silence of the night wrapping itself around me for comfort as I stared up at the sky, stars glittering above me. I became aware of a car pulling up beside me, and I braced myself for more abuse or worse, some pervert trying to drag me away with him. One pervert was enough for the evening.
“Anna?”
I whirled around at the voice, and my stomach dropped when I saw no other than Bailey Fenton staring at me from the driver’s seat, his expression unreadable.
“Anna, where are you going?”
I shook my head as tears spilled over my eyes, the concern in his voice tipping me ever so slightly over the edge. I was determined not to let him see me cry, so I refused to look at him as I called back that I was okay. I heard the engine shut off and a door slam as my heart pounded in my chest. His hand touched my back as he moved in front of me, his eyes full of concern.
“Shit, you’re crying.” He suddenly pulled me into his arms, and I let myself breathe him in, his hands running through my hair as he held me.
“Did he hurt you?” He demanded, his voice suddenly cold.
I shook my head, not wanting any fuss.
