Ruining You (18 page)

“Sure, but you know what you
have to figure out?”

“What? The path I decide to
choose?”

“Yeah, and the person. You
know I believe it’s Kane that you truly want. But I have to admit that you get
this gleam in your eye when you talk about Rhye. Sexual attractions can
sometimes be just that and nothing more. No substance, but sometimes it can
light a fire inside that burns everything in its path. But right now, you’re a
single lady, and I think it’s about time that you acted like one. So, get
dressed.

“Eli,” I start to say.

“No, listen. I don’t care if
it’s been weeks, months, or years. You’ve mourned. You’ve moved on. Now go
live. Just a little. Listen, you don’t have to date. Just go out. Have a good
time.”

“Okay, but I don’t want to
go by myself. I want you to go with me.”

“Why? Are you scared? Has
Branch attempted to talk to you again?”

“No, he hasn’t. but...”
Looking down, I stop myself from continuing because it sounds stupid.

“But, what?” Grabbing my
chin, he tugs my face upwards.

“It’s crazy. I’m just
paranoid. Every time I go out to the store, school, or anywhere, I feel like
someone is watching me. It’s crazy, and it’s driving me crazy.”

“Have you said anything to
the police or at least to your parents?”

I shake my head.

“It’s not crazy, Jay. He
could be watching you. Waiting.”

“No, it’s me. I think I’m
losing my mind. Agent Morris is pressuring me to testify. The D.A., Mr. Reeves,
came with her last time, and well, they both emphasized the reality of what
could happen without my cooperation. It scares me, Eli. To death.”

Wrapping his arm around me,
he kisses my forehead. “Okay, we are going to get you dressed up and hit the
town. All our troubles are going to disappear, at least for tonight anyway.”

He stands, pulling me up
with him. “Actually, you get cleaned up, and I’ll be back. On the way out, I’ll
ask your mom if it’s okay if I crash here tonight. We are going to party it
up,” he yells, walking out of my room.

Shaking my head at him, I
realize that I’m ready, ready to live a little again. I haven’t let go and
danced in so long. Jumping up, a spark of excitement makes me giggle. I head to
my closet to think about what to wear. It definitely has to be something sexy,
but not for a guy, for me.

Several hours later, I take
one final look in the mirror. Last winter, I bought this dress on clearance,
and then I completely forgot about it. It’s a body-hugging beige leather
mini-dress with long sleeves and a scooped neckline. After digging through my
closet, I found my leather knee-high boots and pulled them on. They are the
perfect complement to my dress. Brushing my hair out, I leave it loose and let
it cascade down my back. I hear Eli laughing in the kitchen with my mom and dad
when I enter the foyer. I step through the door, and everyone stops with mouths
agape. Eli lets out a slow whistle. My mom swivels her hand around, wanting me
to turn, and I do. My father clears his throat, so I turn back around.

“Absolutely, not Jay. I’m
not letting you out of the house in that,” he says, but his soft tone
counteracts his statement.

“Leave her alone, Dale. You
look so beautiful, Jay.”

“Thanks. So what’s the
plan?” I ask Eli. He’s dressed in the usual country boy chic with a red
baseball cap pulled low, black long-sleeved thermal shirt, and jeans.

“Dinner, then dancing. Well,
you dancing and me sitting, because I don’t dance. Slow dances only.”

I shake my head at him.

“What time should I have her
home?” he asks my parents.

The shock on their faces is
priceless. I’ve never really had a curfew. It’s never even been discussed.
Things have been different since I’ve been home, but I still haven’t had a
curfew.

My mother looks at my father
who shrugs his shoulders, and then turns back to us. “Not too late. Just be
safe.”

“Well, I don’t drink, so no
worries there. I just thought we would hang out downtown then head home,” Eli
answers.

“That’s fine, Eli,” my mom
replies.

I walk out of the kitchen to
get my jacket, and Eli follows.

“Have you ever had a
curfew?” he asks.

“No,” I answer.

“That would explain the
confused looks.”

Laughing, I grab his hands
and pull him outside. Winter has finally arrived in Georgia. I pull my jacket
closed as Eli opens the passenger door of his blue 2010 Toyota 4Runner for me.
Going back to his side, he gets in, and turns the heater up.

“Where do you want to eat?”

“How about we stop at that
new hamburger joint?”

“Sounds good,” I say.

Turning up the music, we jam
out as the latest rap song thumps through the speakers. I lay my head against
the headrest, letting the anticipation of the night settle in my stomach.
Bouncing my head to the beat, I sing the lyrics. It’s going to be a good night.
We grab something to eat and then head downtown. I’m ready to feel tonight.
Only one choice comes to mind. “Ever been to Vortex?” I ask him.

“Not really my scene. They
don’t play any country, but I’ll sacrifice myself for the greater good
tonight.”

Laughing, I look at him.
He’s become one of my closest friends, and I’m so thankful he is in my life.
It’s still early, so there is not a line when we arrive. I leave my jacket and
purse in the car because I do not want to keep up with them; however, I do grab
my I.D and phone. Giving my I.D. over to Eli, he shows them to the bouncer, and
our hands are marked with an “under 21” stamp. Being here feels like yesterday,
but it also feels like I’m a world away.

Walking in, I look around at
the crowd starting to amass. Rhye’s band goes on stage later in the evening.
Overhead, an assortment of rock, rap, and pop music plays to buy time before
the live performance. Right now a mix of Santigold’s “Shove It,” blares in the
background. Vortex is a converted warehouse. The stage sits on one side,
opposite from the bar. In between, there are tables, u-shaped booths, and a
small dance floor.

Eli reaches for my hand and
maneuvers us to one of the u-shaped booths. My eyes immediately go to the back
corner booth where five guys sit, cutting up around the table. Several girls
are nestled in between them and laughing at whatever they are saying. Rhye sits
to the side, nursing his beer and peeling the label; I immediately notice that
none of the girls seem to be with him.

Sliding into the cushioned
booth, Eli follows me in. The way we are seated, I can still lean over to see
Rhye, but he can’t see me.

“Do you want something to
drink?” he asks.

“You have a fake I.D. that I
don’t know about?”

He laughs saying, “Fair
enough. I’m going to go get me a Coke. I’ll be back.”

The music changes over to
Bruno Mars “Locked Out of Heaven.” I mouth the words and tap my foot to the
beat against the floor. Eli returns with a Coke for himself and a Sprite, which
he sits down in front of me. Sipping the cool beverage, I lean back to see Rhye
again, but he’s not there. Looking around, I don’t see him anywhere; he must
have gone into the back. My phone buzzes with a text message.

Rhye – Be My <3.....come
listen to me 2night at V

He’s referring to next week
being Valentine’s Day.

Me – What’s in it for me?

Rhye – A song

Me – Is it going to piss me
off?

Rhye – Probably....most
everything I do does.

Me – Ass

Rhye – Tease

Me – You never know...I
could be here now...listening to Bruno Mars

Out of the corner of my eye,
I see him come rushing out of the back, wildly looking around.

“What are you looking at?”
Eli follows my line of sight. “This should be good.”

“Let me out,” I say. Eli
slides out of the booth with me behind him. Once I stand, he sits back down.
Smoothing my dress, I continue to stare at Rhye who is still looking though
groups of people. He looks back down at his phone, like it will lead him to me.
An outburst of laughter escapes from deep within.

My laugh must carry over the
music because he turns right towards me. Our eyes lock. He reaches my side in
seconds, barreling through people to get here. His grin widens as his eyes
finally leave mine to travel down my body and back up.

“Damn, Jay,” he says in awe.
“Damn,” he repeats, looking at me again.

Returning the favor, I see
that he is dressed in a black Mavs t-shirt and black skinny jeans, his normal
wardrobe. The only difference for his stage presence is a couple of silver
rings, a black wrist band, and a silver chain hanging from one belt loop to the
other.

“Like what you see?” I can’t
help but ask.

“Hell, yes,” he replies
playfully.

I hear coughing behind me as
Eli signals for introductions. Instantly, I remember that I’ve told Eli about
Rhye but not Rhye about Eli. Turning, I look down at Eli, and Rhye does the
same. His cheeks redden with anger. He’s pissed.

“Rhye, this is my friend
Eli.”

Eli sticks his hand out to
shake Rhye’s and replies, “Hi.”

Ignoring the formalities,
Rhye looks at him and then back to me. “Are you on a date?”

“No, we are just hanging
out.”

Eli speaks up from his seat,
“Just friends.”

“Thanks Eli. I think I’ve
got this.”

“Did you come here to see me
tonight?” Rhye asks.

I take a deep breath.
Answering this will probably damn me. Oh well. Either way, we will both likely
get hurt. So here goes nothing. “Yes,” I reply.

Smiling, he finally reaches
his hand to Eli. “Rhye.”

“I know,” Eli replies.

“Let me get you both
something to drink.”

“I’ll take something sweet,”
I say, figuring just one drink can’t hurt.

“I have something already.
Thanks though,” Eli says.

As a waitress passes, he
orders us both something and turns back to me.

A slow and easy melody
starts playing, and I hear Rhye whisper, “Perfect.” Turning towards me, he
grabs my hand, looks into my eyes, and says to Eli, “Excuse us. They’re playing
our song.”

Rhye pulls me through the
throngs of people until we reach a corner on the dance floor. He places his
hands on my hips and pulls me close. Bringing my face to his, I circle my arms
around his neck. We sway to the sexy beat as he rubs his pelvis against mine.
Moving his mouth to my ear, he softly sings the lyrics, “How dare you say it’s
nothing to me? Baby, you’re the only light I ever saw.” He hums the remainder
of the song, and the vibration of his voice tickles my ear. I stroke the soft
skin on the back of his neck with my thumbs, and goose bumps emerge. His lips
trail down my neck as he draws me closer, leaving no space between us.

I’m hyperaware of every
breath he takes, every stroke of his hands, and every subtle movement. I never
want this to end. This closeness of being with someone is addictive. Our bodies
move gracefully, in sync with the music, as John Mayer sings, “Slow Dancing in
a Burning Room.” In this moment, the lyrics make so much sense. Rhye was right;
if we had a song about our relationship, it would be this one. I lift my head
and look into his eyes. The truth greets me, but choosing to ignore it for now,
I rest my head on his chest.

The song plays out and
another slow one replaces it, but the intimate moment is over. Pulling back
slightly, I look up at him. “What’s the song’s name?”

In confusion, he asks, “What
song?”

“The one you’re going to
sing me tonight.”

“Oh ‘One More Night’,” he
answers.

Not knowing exactly how to
reply, I change the subject. “Were you surprised to see me?”

“Yes, and you almost started
a bar brawl. Damn, I thought I was going to smash that kid’s face in.”

“What are you talking
about?”

“Jay, had he been your
actual date, it would have been on. You’ve been holding me at a distance, and I
respect that, but it better apply to everyone. You feeling me on this?”

I know what he is saying,
and it pisses me off. “We are not in a relationship, Rhye.”

“And we probably never will
be,” he finishes, confirming what I saw in his eyes earlier. “I’m okay with
that, Jay. But understand this: the times we do hang out, it’s just us. I don’t
need or want to hear about anyone else, and I sure as hell don’t want to see
them. In fact, send Eli home, I’ll take you home after my set.”