Drawn to you (10 page)

Brad is the first to break the growing silence.

“Wow, you look amazing.” Gaby clears her throat.

“I mean, you both do.”

Feeling my cheeks flush, I thank him, and offer the same compliment back.

They’ve all made an effort, wearing dress pants and dress shirts. Finlay’s is charcoal in color, which makes the green in his eyes stand out in contrast.

Gaby nudges me out of my trance. I hadn’t realized I’d been having a stare-off with Finlay. Brad looks at us both with a dipped brow.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, of course,” Finlay answers. “So, we ready? Don’t you two need sweaters, coats or the rest of your dresses?” he adds, waving his finger between Gaby and me.

“Nope, let’s go.” Gaby beams, turning to exit. Mike’s eyes widen when he notices Gaby’s bare back and unconsciously licks his lips.

A warm hand graces my lower back, leading me out. A small smile tilts the corner of my mouth. I chance a sly look to my right only to see that it’s Brad, not Finlay.

Shit! I need to have that talk with Brad after all.

When we get to the club we’re let straight in despite the huge queue and people moaning as we’re ushered past them. We’re guided down a few steps into a huge room where a dance floor occupies the center of the space, and low eastern style tables set a stylish boarder.

The bar runs right along the back wall with a flurry of barmaids busying themselves with customers behind it. There’s a stage to the left, which has a band playing a cover of Imagine Dragons tracks.

Gavin reserved us a table in the VIP section, which is up a few steps overlooking the dance floor.

“Fuck, ladies! You trying to kill me? You both look super hot!” Gavin says, gaining an eye roll from Gaby and me. Finlay heads to the bar for drinks. Brad takes a seat next to me and places his hand on my bare thigh.

Argh awkward.

I need to let him know this can’t happen, Finlay may have made a semi good point when he accused me of leading Brad on. Not that I meant too.

When Finlay comes to the table and notices Brad’s hand staking a claim, his eyes narrow and his jaw tightens.

His fists clench and by the way his eyes zeroed in on Brad’s hand if some one could kill with look alone Brad’s hand would be dust.

The color has drained from Mike’s face and he can’t look away from his shoes, apparently assuming he’s the reason for Finlay’s cold attitude.

Mike hasn’t said anything to Gaby since he showed up at the apartment; he can’t sit far enough away from her.

It’s like she doesn’t even exist to him and behind her happy exterior I know she’s hurting because of it.

My eyes flicker over to her to see her knocking back shots like water and flirting with Gavin.
Gavin!
She’s definitely not herself. I become so wrapped up watching her I don’t notice Brad becoming more and more touchy feely as the night flows on.

“Smile!” a girl demands, pointing a Polaroid camera at us. Brad pulls me into him as she clicks and prints the image. Gaby tugs her arm, shouting for her to take one of her and Gavin.

She wraps her arms around him, pulling his head right up to hers and giggling. Mike’s color hasn’t retuned despite drowning enough whiskey to ignite a fire in his veins.

“Take one of me and Antonia.” Gaby doesn’t let the camera girl leave us.

“I’ll have a copy of that one,” Gavin says, sticking out his tongue.

“Do you ever stop?” Gabe pipes in from the corner of our section. He looks like a security guard standing there to protect us all. He’s so tall and broad, but he’s the quiet one and rarely says anything so Gavin’s flirting must be extra bad tonight.

“I’m only joking. I only like BOPS pictures,” he bellows, clinking his glass with some of his friends who had joined us as the night progressed.

“BOPS?” I ask, completely stumped.

They all look between themselves bemused.

“Bent over, pussy showing.” He grins making his friends laugh even harder. “And I would kill to have one of those of you, Antonia.”

A loud bang makes me jump. Finlay’s fist rests on the table. He’s just slammed it down, causing the drinks to spill. “Enough, Gavin. You’re overstepping, now back off.”

“She knows I’m playing around, Hayes,” he defends

“Just stop, Gavin,” Brad and Mike say in unison.

“Fine. Fucking hell, what’s everyone’s deal tonight?” he asks.

“Come on, Antonia. Let’s dance.”

Gaby pulls me up and to the dance floor.

It’s nice to get away from Finlay’s glare and Brad’s over-familiar hands. The bands are fantastic and I quickly become lost in the music, dancing, letting myself move to the music. Arms suddenly appear around my waist, pulling me into a body; Brad has decided to join us on the dance floor.
Too keen.

Gaby smiles, raising her eyebrows. “I’m going to get a drink.”

Brad’s a good dancer but he’s enjoying being this close to me a little too much.
Yes, that’s penis digging in my spine.
Uncomfortable is an understatement. It doesn’t help knowing Finlay will be having a fit over at our table. Once the song finishes I break away from Brad and make my way back to join the others.

Finlay’s nowhere in sight and Gaby has turned up her flirting with Gavin a notch.
Gross.

“Where’s Finlay?” I whisper to Mike.

“He bumped into Julie and took off,” he mutters. “I’m leaving too.” He doesn’t elaborate or say anything to Gaby or the other guys as he leaves.

“Antonia, you’ve gone white. You okay?” Gavin asks, pulling free from Gaby’s arms.

“Who’s Julie?” I try to sound as normal as possible.

“Julie? She’s a friend of Hayes,’ and by friend I mean a fuck friend.” He winks and my body turns to lead as my stomach jolts and threatens to empty right here. “They hook up now and then when they need to get laid.”

Tears spring in my eyes and all the noise becomes distorted around me. I turn my head so he doesn’t see my reaction.

“I’m just going for some air,” I say, and almost run from the club.

It feels like I’m suffocating as I try to push my way out, and when the air finally hits me, tears fall down my face. The drinks I’d guzzled repeat on me, rushing out of my body.
Retching into the gutter on the sidewalk. Nice.

I can’t control the emotions crippling my mind and body.
This is what you get for opening up and sharing yourself with someone.

The thought of Finlay touching someone else is unbearable. I need to go home, rip up his sketches, and cry into my pillow.
Pathetic.

“Hey, are you okay?” Brad calls out from behind me, grabbing my arm and trying to help me stand straight.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I must have drunk too much I guess.” I shrug, wiping my hand across my mouth.
Classy.

“Okay, well let’s get you home.”

He grabs a cab and ushers me inside then begins climbing in after me.

I place my hand on his chest to stop him. “Please stay. Make sure Gaby gets home safe.”

“Gabe will do that. I want to make sure you get home.”

He smiles and I get that he’s trying to be sweet but my insides are in pieces and I just don’t feel the same way about him as he does about me. Finlay was right. It’s leading him on. I need to be truthful and put an end to this.

“I really like you, Brad, but I just feel like friendship is all I want right now.”

Okay, so half truthful.

Disappointment reflects in his eyes as he whispers,

“Oh. Right. Well, as a friend I would still make sure you get home safe, Antonia.” He gives the driver my address then slips in next to me.

We sit in silence. Dread fills me the closer we get to the apartment. I send up a silent prayer that Finlay couldn’t be that much of a dick to bring Julie here to his bed where the scent of us still lingers.

Brad insists on walking me right into the apartment. I thank him as politely as I can manage with my world spinning, hoping he’ll take the hint, but once he hears voices from inside, he walks straight in and through to the living space.

I don’t want to follow him but morbid curiosity overrules me.

In the kitchen Finlay is pouring a glass of wine and there’s a dark-haired attractive woman sitting on the couch. My heart pounds inside my chest.

“Hey, Julie, what’s up?” Brad asks slouching next to her.

“Not much, just catching up with Fin. It’s been a while.” She smiles up at Finlay like they share secrets
.

She’s slightly taller than me, maybe five seven, she hold a little more weight on her frame and she’s all kinds of pretty.

I hate her.

“Hey, I’m Antonia.” I offer my hand even though I want to wrap both around her neck to throttle her. I hope she doesn’t hear the slight edge in my tone, but she offers a polite handshake in return.

“I’m Julie. Nice to meet you.”

“So where’s everyone else?” Finlay asks, looking between Brad and me.

“Oh, we left them so I could bring Antonia back.”

“I wasn’t feeling well,” I interject so as not to give the impression I came back “with” Brad. He might be able to sleep around but I would never do that.

Memories rush back to me of the amazing morning that changed me forever and that’s when I realize Finlay didn’t use protection with me earlier.

Crap. You stupid, stupid girl.
If he would sleep with two girls on the same day unprotected, I’m going to have to get tested. I’m on the pill so pregnancy isn’t my worry. I’ve been on the pill since turning eighteen, hoping James would take the hint.

“You’re looking pale again, A. You okay?”

I pull myself out of my fear of having to get checked at the clinic. Finlay watches me intently.

“Yeah, I’m just going to get some water and change my clothes.”

I head to Finlay’s room, where most of my clothes still are. His “catching up” with Julie will have to wait. I head straight to his bathroom to brush my teeth, fresh tears staining my cheeks.

I remove my make-up and slip out of my dress; a tap at the door churns my stomach.

“Are you okay in there, Antonia?” Finlay’s voice penetrates through the divide.

“Yes,” I choke out.

“Can I come in?”

“No, I’m naked. Go away.”

He opens the door and comes in anyway and I curse myself for not locking the door. Boundaries mean nothing to these people, apparently.

“Do you need your bag?” he asks, handing it to me. The fire is back in his eyes as he rakes them over my nearly naked frame. I take my bag with a puzzled look on my face.

“I thought you might need your medication.”

Throwing my bag to the floor, I push past him into the bedroom and sit down to unbuckle the strap on my heels, kicking them off. I stand to pull a silk camisole over my head and slip the matching French knickers on.

“Brad’s worried about his new girlfriend. Should I tell him it’s okay to come in and see you?”

How old is he? He’s acting pathetic.

“Grow up, Finlay. I told Brad I just want to be friends so stop being a petty dick.” My tone is shaky as I speak the next sentence. “Are you going to be using this bed or can I go to sleep now?”

He rushes over to me, pinning me against the wall, holding my hands up on either side of my head. “Do you know what it was like for me seeing him all over you? You looked amazing and I didn’t even get to enjoy you. I wanted to break his fucking face, Antonia, and he’s my best friend. How fucking shitty do you think that made me feel?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to let him down. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.”

“You just fucking tell him! Fuck his feelings.”

“I have told him.” His face is almost touching mine, his hot breath heating my skin. He drops my arms and cups my face with both his hands, his lips brushing mine, and as much as I want to taste him, I push him away.

“Your friend is waiting for you, Finlay. You’d better get back to her.”

“She’s no one.”

“That’s not what your friends say.”

I couldn’t look at him. How could he have made me feel so special this morning and make me feel like just another notch on his bedpost now?

“She’s no one that matters. We used to spend time together sometimes, and she’s with a friend of mine now. She just wanted to talk.”

“I don’t believe she would come back here just to talk, Finlay.”

“Well, I needed to get out of the club where Brad was practically fucking you on the dance floor.”

I ignore him and leave to go to the kitchen for a glass of water.

He follows me through, and Julie and Brad are still talking when Finlay walks over to Julie and tells her she needs to leave.

“I know you needed to talk, Julie, but now is a bad time so I’ll ring you a cab and catch you later.”

She’s totally shocked, her jaw looks unhinged its hanging so low. Brad looks over to me and all I can do is shrug my shoulders, as I don’t know what to do. I feel almost sorry for her . . . almost.
No, you don’t.

She stands and picks up her purse, not looking at anyone. As she leaves, Gabe waltzes in with a few other people I don’t recognize. He picks me up into a bear hug and swings me around. “How’s the stomach, lightweight?” He laughs into my ear. This is friendly for Gabe; he’s always so quiet and reserved.