It was a hot Tuesday afternoon, and seated at a table with Ivy and a few acquaintances, laughing as I listened to them recounting their awkward sex ordeals, I felt refreshed and genuinely happy for the first time in three weeks. I’d been so bittered by Max’s accusations and the whole drama surrounding Finn that I’d forgotten what it felt like to have fun. This is exactly what I needed to clear my head. It was almost four thirty in the evening and the restaurant we’d chosen to hang out in was suspiciously becoming empty. Cora was slated to bring Finn home today, so I could stay till six, but I figured I might as well go home early to try and catch a siesta.
“Over there, Elaine,” Ivy whispered, elbowing my side softly, her face radiating with an uncommon excitement. “Look at those hot guys there. They’ve been staring at us all afternoon, and the dirty-blond one seems to have his eyes on you. Why don’t we go say hi?”
I rolled my eyes, lifting my face from the fruit salad I’d been munching idly. A subtle glance across and I allowed my fork to fall, clattering on the glassware’s edge.
Shit.
Sky Walker.
I lowered my gaze, my appetite gone as I wrung my hands intermittently on my lap. God, why was I so unfortunate? After what transpired last time with Max at the office, I didn’t expect to see him so soon. He had a couple of plasters on his face and they made his face somewhat rough, but aside from that, he looked impeccably healthy. Too healthy for someone whose life was almost punched out of him. This solidified my resolve to leave quickly. Max wasn’t close, so he could harm me if he wanted. I was practically in danger.
God, save me.
“They’re coming over!” Ivy whisper yelled, hastily straightening her dress and trying her possible best to look natural, failing miserably at it. I shook my head and pasted on a straight face. I could handle this. I could handle him. There was nothing to be afraid of.
“Good evening, beautiful ladies,” the first man – tall, with black wavy hair, a chiseled jaw, and a smile that screamed all shades of insincerity singsonged. Sky stood directly behind him, his eyes narrowing at me. I struggled not to show my fright by clenching my fists tighter underneath the desk. “How’s the afternoon treating you all?”
“Ugh, terribly,” Ivy sighed, pretending to be tired. “We’ve just eaten and we’re tired of relaxing, right Elaine?” she elbowed me once more. I held myself back from slapping her hard. The other girls shared glances between themselves and nodded reluctantly.
“Well, in that case,” Sky said, stepping forward with his hand extended. “Why don’t we keep you girls company? We’re bored and tired as well,” he grinned at me devilishly, and I felt as though a stone was dropped in my stomach. I knew that this would be his game. “Can we… sit here?”
I raised a brow suspiciously. “No, you guys can’t – ”
“Oh, that would be absolutely delightful!” Ivy cut me off, clapping delightfully. I contemplated pressing my knuckles on her lap tight but thought better of it. Fuck, she was so thirsty for their dicks, it was so shameful. I’d thought she’d be sensible company. “Sure. We have no problems with you boys sitting here.”
While they went back to bring their chairs over and the other girls made space, I dragged Ivy away to a corner. “What do you think you’re doing, Ivy? Those boys are trouble. I know you’re enthusiastic about finding a good match, but trust me on this, they’re all bad news.”
“Oh, spare me the details, Elaine,” she scoffed, folding her arms over her chest and widening her stance. “Ever since you’ve been love buddies with Mr. Sturm, you think all other guys can’t match up. You haven’t met those boys before, yet you have a lot to say about them.”
“I’m telling you to stay away because Max and I had an encounter with one of them the other day, and it didn’t end well,” I exploded, exasperated. “What’s the matter with you? You’ve become so… desperate. They’ve been watching us for an hour, and suddenly they come over, asking to sit with us and you think they’re just interested? Grow up, Ivy. Those boys have something up their sleeves. We should leave immediately.”
She hesitated, staring at me for a long moment. At last, she sighed. “Alright, fine. We’ll leave. But can’t we sit with them just for twenty minutes?”
“No.”
“How about ten? Please,” she prodded, batting her lashes, lips drawing into a ridiculous pout. “Let’s just have a drink or two with them. It won’t look good if we just walked out without a good reason.”
I considered her words carefully. I could survive through a glass of drink with Sky seated close by. How hard could it be?
“Okay,” I blurted out last.
Ivy brightened, slinking her left arm together with mine. “Good. Now, let’s go.”
The boys proved themselves to be harmless enough, contrary to what I’d thought. Their sex jokes were bearable, and a bit hilarious – don’t get me started on the constant flirting from the tall, black-haired dude. I knew that Ivy was a goner the moment they’d walked up to us and she’d set her eyes on him, but I just didn’t consider the extent she would be willing to go to get into his pants. They were basically the only ones talking, with Ivy being silly and hanging off his every word and the dude – he told us his name was Mark – leaning his elbows on the table and squeezing her hand.
Sky ignored me the whole time, and I got carried away, drinking shot after shot of cocktail. The drink was surprisingly more fuzzy than normal, and suddenly it felt as though I was levitating. I managed to stand up, pressing a palm to the side of my head, my vision blurry. “Guys… I have to… go,” I slurred. “I’m not feeling too good.”
“Stay for another round of drinks at least,” Mark persuaded, latching a strong hold on my wrist. I wobbled from side to side, trying to wiggle off his grasp.
“Let me go,” I murmur weakly, almost doubling over. A strong arm caught my waist, and I whirled around, connecting a palm to a hard cheek. Sky groaned, letting me go, temporarily blind.
My eyes widened. “Oh, shit. Sky, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean – ”
“It’s fine,” he straightened, trying to hold me again. “Let me drive you home. You’re disoriented.”
I shook my head. “No, no, I’m good. Thanks.”
I made my way out the door with a goofy smile on my face, my headlight. Staggering down the streets slowly, a rush of color and inebriation filled me. God, how on earth did I end up getting so drunk?
The streets were bustling with moving cars, and a traffic jam, the car honking, and chaos made my head shake. I held my head as I tried to steady my footing so I could flag down a cab but to no avail.
I decided to go down the street a little more, bumping into a few people on the way. “Sorry,” I muttered quietly, tears streaming down my cheeks as I fell on my hands, almost kissing a pair of sparkling black loafers. I glanced up, but couldn’t make out the face of who it belonged to. “Are you alright, Miss?” a deep voice boomed, one I barely recognized.
I shook my head, my head beginning to tumble, and groaned. “I’m in pain. Help me.”
Slowly, my sight began to darken, and I couldn’t hear his voice anymore. The world seemed to tilt for a few minutes, then it went still.
I fell backward, crashing my head against the concrete. Pain shot up, spreading from my head to other parts of my body.