Midnight Ballerina (10 page)

She squealed. “That sounds awesome. As long as you’re sure.” I nodded my head and she looped her arm through mine so we could head back to our table. When I sat down, I noticed Carleton drinking another glass of something expensive, and knew I definitely wasn’t going to catch a ride with him anyway. Amelia whispered to Franklin and he smiled politely at me from across the table before motioning for the server who promptly brought our bill. Carleton made a big show about paying for everything and I tried to contain a groan. I would’ve happily paid my own check, but I’m sure that happiness would’ve been short-lived when I saw how much a simple salad and a few glasses of wine cost.

Franklin and Amelia said their goodbyes and I watched as she practically skipped out of the restaurant clutching his hand. She
seemed
so happy; hopefully it was for real and not just to please her parents, though.

“Well, I guess I should get you home then, unless you want to go back to my place.” My hand paused in my purse where I was searching for my phone.

“Seriously? What gave you any idea that I would want to go back to your place?”

“Um….” He scratched his head before grinning and taking another sip of his drink to finish off the contents. “At least let me get you home then.”

“I’m fine taking a cab. You might want to, too.” I tipped my head toward his empty glass. “Haven’t you had a few?”

“I can drive,” he replied with just a hint of smugness. Standing at the same time as I did, he placed his arm around my waist when he wobbled slightly on his feet. Yeah, he was totally fine to drive. I didn’t much care for the guy, but I at least wanted to make sure he made it home okay.

“Look, why don’t we share a cab? I’d drive your car home for you, but I’ve had a few glasses of wine.” He seemed to think about it for a few minutes before he finally nodded his head, and then I dialed the cab company I’d used a few times since being on campus.

We walked out of the restaurant and I leaned against the brick wall, waiting for the cab. I hoped it would show up quickly because things were getting a little awkward. Carleton was blatantly staring at me and I kept waiting for the drool to start dripping down his chin.

“You’re a very beautiful girl, Monroe. I’ve wanted to tell you that since the first time I saw you.” He took one step closer to me.

“Um…thank you. Could you give me a little bit of space?” I held up a hand, but it didn’t do anything, he kept moving closer until our bodies were mere inches apart, and I pressed my back against the building even harder, causing the lacy material of my dress to dig into my skin. “And what do you mean, the first time you saw me? Have you seen me around campus before?”

“Nope,” he answered with a pop. He placed one hand above my head, the smell of liquor heavy on his breath. “At your place of employment. What do they call that place…Pure?” He snorted. “Far from anything pure, but I don’t mind.” My stomach dropped into my toes and I froze. I knew something like this was bound to happen, even going a couple of towns over from the university. I needed to make sure he didn’t tell anyone else. There was no way Franklin knew or Amelia would, too.

“Please don’t tell anyone that I work there. I was strapped for cash and I took the job as a last resort.”

He laughed, tipping up my chin with his finger. “Isn’t that what they all say? They only work there because they have to? That’s bullshit, you have a choice. Not that I minded seeing you in those tiny shorts with half your tits hanging out.”

I sucked in a breath, not liking the way he was looking at me or his assessment of me at the club.

I had truthfully never been in a similar situation. Back home, Carter was always with me and no other guys paid attention. I ended up being one of them most of the time. And now, I was too busy with school and work to even notice if anyone was interested. Carleton was interested and a whole lot more. He was the kind of guy that got what he wanted and I was scared it might not matter how he got it. “I’m just not interested in a relationship right now. Amelia kind of sprang this—”

“I don’t need a relationship to get a good fuck,” he interrupted, pressing two fingers to my lips. I turned my head away quickly, squirming in place, but not making much of a difference. Both of his arms were caging me against the wall, his body pushing up on mine, and he was a whole lot bigger than me. “I could tell that you were just playing dress up. This might be expensive.” He touched his fingers to the hem of my dress before letting them fall onto my bare leg. I craned my head around, looking for anyone to come to my rescue, but it seemed as if the area was completely vacant at the moment. Just my luck. “But what’s underneath isn’t? You’re just a cheap slut, aren’t you? Not looking for a relationship? I know what you’re really looking for. And I don’t have a problem giving it to you, so let’s go back to my place. Or we could just do it right here. A girl like you would probably like that.”

“Stop it!” I demanded, pushing forward but barely able to budge him from blocking my path, fear coursing through me. “I’m not a slut and nothing is happening, here or anywhere. You’ve had way too much to drink. Please, quit being an ass and let me go home.”

“You think I’m being an ass?” He laughed straight into my face. “Sweetheart, this is me—”

Carleton was abruptly cut off by a quick shove from the side and someone shouting, “What the fuck are you doing?” The voice filled the silent, dark night and my whole body sagged in relief when I heard what sounded like a fist connecting with flesh. My body collapsed against the wall, my back scraping against the brick as I slid down to the sidewalk.

Everything seemed muted and fuzzy, and I couldn’t pay attention to what was happening. Someone waved a hand in my face and then grabbed both of my shoulders, gently lifting me up.

I turned my eyes forward to find Miller standing in front of me, his hands dropped down to his sides, his chest heaving and those warm brown eyes looking so concerned. I didn’t see Carleton anywhere and the relief that washed over my body caused my legs to give out again, but luckily, Miller caught me. It was like straight out of a movie, the way that he held me, dipping me backward and staring deep into my eyes. I wish I could’ve appreciated it, but I was just happy that I didn’t have to deal with Carleton any more.

“Thank you,” I whispered and he nodded his head before straightening us both up, keeping one arm wrapped around my waist.

“Are you all right? He didn’t do—”

“No, he was drunk and being stupid, thinking I’m a whore that was going to put out for him just because he wanted some. That’s not me.” I crossed my arms over my chest, more angry than anything now that the danger was gone.

Miller’s lips mashed into a thin line, his jaw clenched tightly. He held out a hand to me. “Let me get you home, all right?” I nodded my head once and let him take my hand.

Miller began to mess with the radio and soon some sort of classical music drifted quietly through the speakers. It was quite soothing, exactly what I needed. I gave Miller directions to my apartment, quickly zoning out after that and replaying everything that happened tonight in my head. I should have went with my gut on Carleton. But no, I had to be the nice girl and make sure he got home all right. Guys were complete assholes, only wanting one thing. Well, except maybe Miller. So far at least, it seemed.

“We’re here.” Miller pulled into the parking lot of my apartment complex and shut off the engine. He jogged around the front of the truck and opened my door to pull me out. My body didn’t want to cooperate, suddenly completely exhausted and Miller must have understood because the next thing I knew, he was cradling me in his arms and heading toward the stairs. He took my purse out of my hands when we got to my door and searched around for my keys before opening it.

Without asking, he walked down the hallway, finding my bedroom easily since there was only two doors to choose from. He laid me on my bed, pulling a blanket over me, before looking down with a concerned expression. I could see his warm, dark brown eyes searching mine in the darkness, asking if I was okay without saying the words. In the short amount of time I had known him, I learned that Miller wasn’t much of a talker, he was a doer.

“I’m okay,” I said quietly, not knowing who I was trying to reassure. “Honestly, I’m just overreacting about the whole thing.” I closed my eyes, shaking my head before letting myself collapse back onto my pillow. “Nothing happened, so I should be happy about that. Thanks for coming to the rescue.” I attempted a smile, but my lips just formed into something awkward—I wasn’t even sure what it resembled.

“You’re not overreacting. That asshole should’ve taken no for an answer and left you alone.” He cautiously reached out a hand to stroke my cheek and I was surprised that I didn’t flinch at the touch. Carleton’s hands briefly being on me without my permission was still fresh in my mind, but there was something about Miller that was comforting.

“I’m not that type of person, Miller. I don’t do the whole ‘poor me’ thing. I don’t have time for that.”

“I get it. You’re a strong girl. That’s a good thing, but it’s okay to let go sometimes. Do you work tomorrow night?”

“Yes.”

“Not any more. You’re taking the night off.”

“What? I can’t afford to do that. Look around.” I motioned toward my sparsely furnished bedroom. The rest of my apartment pretty much matched it. “Does it really look like I can take a day off? I said I was fine. There’s no reason I can’t work. I’ll be there.”

“No, you won’t,” he snapped and I closed my eyes once again, not wanting to argue with him. I would just show up for my shift like I normally did. Miller was rarely there and Randy wouldn’t care. He always complained about being short-staffed anyway. “Do you need anything before I leave?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks for bringing me home.”

“It was the least I could do. I’ll make sure the door’s locked when I leave. Try to get some rest, Monroe. I’ll see you soon.”

And with that he was gone.

And so was that warm, comforting feeling he brought with him, which led to the situation that happened slamming straight to the front of my brain again, causing tears to freely flow from my eyes and run down my cheeks. I wasn’t a crier, but with the thought of what I went through and how it could’ve escalated, I deserved a good cry. I dragged the blankets over my head after turning my phone off, really not wanting to have to explain anything to Amelia. I’d deal with it in the morning. First, I needed sleep, and luckily when my eyes finally drifted closed, instead of Carleton’s rotten self popping into my dreams, it was Miller and that warm sensation I got when he was around that let me have a peaceful sleep.

I SLAMMED MY car door shut, pulling my ringing phone out of my purse at the same time, and physically cringing when I saw Amelia’s name pop up. I’d been avoiding her all day. I think I lost count of how many times she actually called. I worried she knew what happened and would tell me that I was a bitch or something, Who knew what Carleton had already told them? I was afraid he had called Franklin and blamed everything on me somehow. Amelia probably hated me; it might have ruined things between her and Franklin.

I didn’t really have time to deal with her. I was already running behind, but I figured it best to just get it over with instead of letting my imagination get me more worked up about it.

“Hello?” I briefly closed my eyes, bracing myself for what she was going to say.

“Monroe!” she screamed through the phone. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day. I looked for you all over campus. Are you avoiding me? What in the hell happened between you and Carleton? He showed up at the frat house with a black eye. I know your tiny tush didn’t do that. I need details. Now.”

I still couldn’t tell if she was angry with me or just wanted the juicy gossip, but I explained to her exactly what happened as quickly as I could while I walked into the club through the back entrance. Vanessa was fixing her hair and she mouthed something to me as I pulled my jacket off and I held one finger up as I finished telling my story to Amelia. I left out the details of
why
Carleton assumed I would be more than willing to be an easy lay. I was surprised that he hadn’t told Amelia my secret himself. I would most likely be on edge around her all the time, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I just needed to come out and tell her the truth about my job.