Chasing Rainbows (19 page)

"You got any family?" I asked, and watched as his grin deepened. He seemed pleased that I'd finally asked him a question about himself.

"Yeah, a mom and dad and a couple of younger sisters. So, I know all about douche bag boyfriends and PMS. See, I'm perfect for you," he teased, and I laughed. I couldn't help myself.

He was just the right amount of dangerous sex appeal and comforting sweetness rolled into one heart-stopping package that was getting to me. I should just enjoy tonight. Enjoy my time with him. See where it went. It didn't have to mean anything unless I let it. Unless, I wanted it to.

The conversation started flowing fairly easy between the two of us. I began to talk more. I hadn't meant to. It just sort of happened. When he pulled up in front of the club, I wanted to tell him to just keep driving; to keep talking to me, but I couldn't because I was sure once we were inside he'd find someone else to keep him occupied. Someone who wasn't as messed up as me.

The place was packed. It was madness. There was a line waiting that stretched halfway down the sidewalk. Two burly menacing bouncers guarded the club's main entrance. I wasn't sure if we would even get in or not. It wasn't looking good for us.

Lights flashed in the rearview mirror as Devon's truck pulled in behind us. I glanced at Jake. He was sitting silently with his keys in his hand watching me with interest. Under his regard, my nerves returned; the easiness of the last forty minutes with him was gone in the blink of an eye.

I was aware of him, too much so. My insides clenched at his heated stare and I realized that he scared me far more than Chance ever did. I wanted to run. I didn't want to feel this way. These feelings were beyond my control, throwing me off balance. Chance had already fractured the broken shell I'd hidden behind for so long, and I was so afraid that Jake would finish destroying it and me in the process.

"It's all about you tonight, Addie," he said breaking the stretched silence between us. "I can tell by that expression on your face, you're already thinking too much."

A series of rapid pecks landed on my window, and I jumped, twisted around in the seat and heard Jake sigh. Kara stood beside the truck smiling back at me. I opened the door and climbed out without commenting on Jake's observation. He saw way too much when it came to me.

I did tend to over think everything, but I wasn't going to tell him he was right. I almost stumbled on the curb in my haste, but Kara grabbed my arm and yanked me against her. She laughed and then screamed in my ear, "Let's do this, Liz Emmy!" When she let me go, she was wearing a silly smile. She rubbed her hands together as if she'd discovered something either sinfully good or sinfully wicked. Either way, I knew Kara was up to no good.

Devon strolled up behind her bending down to kiss her cheek. "Calm down, babe," he urged, taking her hand in his. She was super excited, and I turned around then searching for Jake.

He was walking around the front of the truck heading our way. "Everyone ready?" he asked, stepping up onto the curb to join the three of us on the sidewalk. I nodded my head. Here goes nothing, I thought.

Kara and Devon walked in front of us holding hands. I watched as Devon leaned into Kara and whispered something in her ear which made her laugh. I glanced over at Jake, who had been suspiciously quiet since we began walking toward the club, and he just happened to be watching me.

"Do you think we'll get in?" I asked, since there was a really long line ahead of us, and he grinned at me as if he'd thought what I said was funny.

"See that big guy with the red hair?" he asked; his face suddenly dangerously close to mine. His breath smelled like butterscotch. I swallowed, nodding my head yes in reply even though I didn't see him since I was too busy focusing on Jake. "That asshole is my second cousin. He used to beat the shit out of me growing up, but I love that fucker. He taught me how to fight. Don't worry. We're definitely getting in."

We were standing in line waiting when Kara looked over at me and rolled her eyes for about the fiftieth time. She was so impatient. Devon and Jake were talking shop, and I'd tried to listen in, but I didn't understand half of what they were saying and had grown bored of trying to figure it out.

The sidewalk was a steady stream of people who were moving like ants at a picnic, and I managed to keep myself occupied by people watching. I tried to step aside, but every now and then I was jostled by someone walking by. I moved closer to Kara, who was now busy texting Brandon on her phone. We'd completely forgotten all about the spillway, and I'd left my phone at the apartment. I hoped that Brandon wasn't too upset.

"Is he mad?" I asked Kara as she typed, her fingers quickly flew across the small keypad.

"He's cool. Said he was gonna hang with Cal." she snickered.

"You're evil," I replied with a smile, and she looked up at me and stuck out her tongue then started texting once again. I stumbled when someone bumped into me from behind.

"Watch where you're going, asshole." Jake warned.

A muscle-bound guy grabbed him by the front of his shirt and drew back his fist. He was going to hit him! There were gasps and distantly, I heard Kara screech.

Instantly, the crowd parted like the Red Sea, moving away from the chaos about to unfold. I didn't understand why I did it, but I stepped under the big guy's arm and planted myself directly in front of Jake. It was an act of temporary insanity.

The guy was huge; mammoth compared to Jake, and I found myself up close and personal with a massive freckled fist, which had the word SORRY tattooed across the knuckles. If he hit me, he would knock me into next week. My eyes ran up the bulky tattooed arm, past a Tweety Bird, which caught my attention and landed on his broad face. He looked mean and angry. He wore a low buzz cut, which made it seem as if he were wearing a bright red toboggan when in fact it was actually his natural hair.

Narrowed pale blue eyes examined me from under thick bushy red eyebrows. His expression was cold, and I began to worry. A multitude of tribal tattoos encircled his thick neck. He seemed really pissed, but then he surprised me with a sudden bark of laughter.

He let go of Jake, and I took a step back, feeling confused.
What the hell was
going on?
Jake walked around me, and was now standing in front me. Then he turned wearing a smile, and grabbed my hand pulling me forward. His arms wrapped around me, and his chest was pressed against my back. It was shaking. Jake was laughing.

"This one yours?" the mammoth guy with the red hair asked; his voice deep and burly — and filled with humor. He held out a meaty hand to me. It was obvious he intended for me to shake his hand.

"Addie, this is my asshole of a cousin, Shawn," Jake said, and my eyes met his then I looked down at the guy's big hand in a daze. It had all been a joke. "Today's Addie's birthday," he informed the hulk called Shawn.

Tentatively, I laid my hand in his, and vaguely heard Devon mumble to Kara. He was also laughing, but I did manage to hear Kara exclaim in a pissy tone, "That was so not funny!"

"Happy Birthday," Shawn said, smiling down at me. His hand swallowed mine whole. Then, his attention shifted to Jake, who still stood behind me. "She's a looker, Jakey Boy."

"Thanks," I whispered causing those sharp eyes of his to slide back to me. He released my hand and Jake moved to stand beside me.

"Follow me, it's time to celebrate," Shawn announced. Then he smacked Jake on the back so hard I could have sworn I heard him rattle.

Jake grabbed my hand, seeming unfazed by the blow that would have knocked a lesser man to his knees. I followed after him, his fingers entwined with mine as he maneuvered us through the crowd in pursuit of Shawn. Once we were safely around the side of the building, I glanced over my shoulder just to make sure that Kara and Devon were right behind us, and they were.

Shawn stopped before a metal door near the back of the building and knocked three times in a rapid succession. Then, magically it opened. We were greeted by a tall curvy woman with dark hair and killer stilettos, who wore a skin tight white bustier that screamed cleavage and a black leather mini-skirt that barely covered her panties. She smiled warmly back at us.

"Thanks, Sky," Shawn said, then she winked at him before she stepped aside and allowed us to enter. I went on in, stepping around Jake, who paused near the doorway to talk to Shawn. They were both laughing. Jake nodded his head at Shawn then he looked up and caught me watching him and walked my way.

"Bathroom first!" Kara exclaimed just about the time Jake reached us.

"First door on the left," he said, and it became obvious that he was all too familiar with his surroundings.

"We'll be at the bar, babe," Devon told Kara.

She nodded and pressed her lips against Devon's smooth cheek. I could feel Jake gaze, but I was too afraid to look at him, and instead let Kara drag me up the narrow hallway.

The door was discretely labeled Gals, and when she pushed it open, she staggered back bumping into me. "Oh, my Gawd! My eyes!" Kara screamed, giggled, and I shoved her further inside the restroom as we both laughed. For all the expensive tile and beautiful fixtures that made up the room, the walls were painted an obnoxious Pepto Pink.

"I don't know what you have against that color," I told her, eyeing the floor to ceiling mirrored wall directly in front of us. "It's the same exact shade as your Goddess Pink."

"Shut your mouth, Addie," Kara laughed, pretending to be offended and darted away from me into one of the empty stalls. "So, what do you think about Jake, now? He's awesome, right?"

I pretended not to hear her. Even through the thin walls, the music pulsed, seeping through every crack and cranny bombarding my senses. We'd be deaf by the time we got out of here. Self-consciously, I looked into the mirror and tugged at the bodice of my dress watching as my hem line climbed exposing more thigh. It was a no win situation, and the fact that I hadn't been able to wear a bra with the dress was just one more strike against it. I don't know why I ever listened to Kara.

"You look smoking hot," Kara said, dismissing my discomfort. She walked up to the marble countertop and laid her purse down. The faucet handle squeaked as she turned on the water and washed her hands. When her gaze met mine in the mirror, her beautiful face was flushed with excitement. "Jake can't keep his eyes off you."

It wasn't his eyes that I was worried about, but I didn't say anything to her. Kara's smile slipped a notch when she noticed my troubled expression. "It's your birthday, Addie. Let Jake be your present, and I'm not just talking about a birthday gift either. You're still alive, Addie. Live. If Chance was really interested in you, then you wouldn't have to second guess his every move. Let that rollercoaster ride leave without you."

"But — but…" I stammered, and she held up her hand silencing me.

"There are no buts, Addie. Don't make excuses for his sorry ass. He's as much of a douche bag as his asshole brother. Don't get sucked down that rabbit hole."

She was right, but I had thought that Chance and I had a connection, but his behavior left me feeling confused and scared. There were so many unanswered questions. Kara opened her clutch, and I watched as she pulled out her signature tube of lipstick. She took off the lid, twisted the tube and held it up against the wall.

I was right
, I thought smugly. It was the exact same shade, but I didn't have to say a word. I couldn't hide my satisfied smile. Her narrowed eyes met mine in the mirror and she stuck out her tongue at me before applying a fresh coat of Goddess Pink.

Chapter sixteen

T
HE MUSIC'S BASS THUMPED AGAINST MY BODY
like an overzealous massage chair, sinking into my muscles, making me feel all loose and limber like Jell-O. The lighting was almost nonexistent, except for the subtle flash of glowing lights reflecting off the mirrored walls surrounding us. The club was spacious, but one wall was entirely devoted to an impressive bar.

Among the crowd, there wasn't a sign of Jake or Devon anywhere to be seen. Bodies were crammed into every available inch of space and they were drinking and dancing in wild abandonment. A DJ was positioned over head like a god; a king observing his loyal subjects as he busily busted tracks. I recognized this song; it was one of my favorites. I glanced over my shoulder to find Kara happily smiling. I could tell by the gleam in her eyes she remembered it too. It had been our theme song eighth grade year.

"I love it!" Kara screamed at me. Her face was flushed with excitement. She was literally bouncing up and down in time with the music. Someone accidentally stepped on my toes making me wince. I didn't really love it as much as she did.

"Do you see them?" I asked loudly looking all around, but once again Kara had fallen under the spell of the music and the buzz of the club and my words were lost in the speakers booming behind us.

We made our way slowly around the outskirts of the room, passing tiny tables full of people. The place was crammed to capacity and I was so busy looking around the room that I didn't see Jake until it was too late.

When his hands curled around my bare upper arms holding me in place, I gasped in surprise. My head jerked up and my eyes met his. Self- consciously, I realized just how close he actually was. For all intents and purposes, I was pressed flush against him. My heart jumped in my chest.

"I'm sorry!" I yelled, but he was unable to hear me over the noise. I took a step back but instead of him letting me go, his hands slid slowly down my arms and he caught one of my hands in his.

"Come on," he shouted.

I couldn't hear him, but I easily understood him. Kara and I had perfected lip reading; we did it all the time, especially during class. I nodded my head in agreement and glanced over my shoulder trying to find Kara. I didn't want to lose her in all of the craziness. I was sure if I did, I would never see her again.

Oblivious to my panic, Kara followed behind us dancing along the way wearing a carefree expression. It was obvious she had found her happy place. Her hands were in the air and she was shaking her hips. Her long blond hair swayed around her slim shoulders. Her skin glowed with dampness. I knew that I didn't look half that good. I didn't glow, I sweated. The back of my neck was wet and tendrils of hair were already plastered against my forehead.