The Enchanted Crossroads

by Dora Blume

  “That was brutal,” he chuckled.

  “What?” I asked, hoping he wasn’t talking about the guy who just left.

  He dropped his hand from his chin and gave me a knowing look. “Nothing, I’m sure he’ll be right back over once he checks with his friends.” His deep voice was melodic as he spoke.

  “I’m not worried about it.” I shrugged. “I’m here to see the band, not to deal with young boys looking for an easy hookup.” I rolled my eyes and turned back to my beer.

  “Interesting,” I heard him mutter.

  My attention was averted when the band walked out on stage. One man stepped to the mic and introduced the band. I turned to get a better view and realized the man I had been talking to had disappeared. I looked around the room, but he was nowhere to be found. I turned my attention back to the band. Angie pulled out the chair next to me and sat down.

  “So, how was your meeting?”

  “Great, I gave him my number and promised him a dance later. I didn’t want to leave you sitting over here all by yourself for too long. Who was the tall drink of water you were talking to?” She smiled at me.

  “Oh, ah I don’t know. He didn’t stick around long.” I shrugged and turned back to see the stage.

  “Did you tell him you were a lawyer? You need to stop telling guys what you do right away. Talk about something interesting for once. There’s nothing interesting about being a lawyer.” She rolled her eyes at me.

  “He asked me what I did. What was I supposed to do?”

  “Lie, change the subject, flirt, god anything but telling him you’re a lawyer.” The band kicked up into the next song. It was an upbeat tune so our conversation ended. I glanced around the room again looking for the dark-haired stranger. There was something alluring about him. He must have heard me tell the other guy I was a lawyer, yet he hadn’t run away.

  Instead, he had struck up a conversation with me, albeit a short one. I looked around one last time, then focused on the band. Angie grabbed my hand and pulled me up to dance with her. We both danced to the fast paced banjo. I loved dancing, there was something so freeing about moving your body to the beat. It felt so natural. Others were dancing around us. Angie laughed as I crossed my eyes and stuck out my tongue at her. I was having so much fun.

  When we were both tired, we walked back to the table and sat. A waitress ambled over and asked, “Can I get you ladies a refill?” She pointed at the empty glasses.

  “Yes, please. A Public Persona and People Person.” Angie answered quickly and leaned further back against the chair.

  “Coming right up.” She smiled and flitted away. After a few moments, she returned with our drinks. I handed over a twenty before Angie could reach for her purse. The waitress headed back to the bar, returning to give me change. When I handed over a tip, I felt like someone was watching me again. A shiver ran down my spine. I whipped my head around quickly trying to see if anyone was looking at me. It was so weird to feel like I was being watched, but not a single person seemed to be looking at me, which was strange.

  Angie cocked her head when she looked at me. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I said, forcing a smile.

  “I know you better than that?” she responded lifting an eyebrow and giving me a speculative look.

  “Oh it’s probably nothing. I just felt like someone was watching me. I got a chill, it’s probably nothing.” I took a sip of my fresh beer, trying to push away the feeling.

  “There are lots of people watching us. Some of them are even hot, like really hot. We had some amazing moves on the dance floor. Now, we have some admirers. That’s probably what you’re feeling.” She shrugged and took a pull from her own beer.

  “You’re right. It’s probably nothing.” The band announced they were taking a break. Angie glanced around the room again. Her eyes stopped. I turned to see what she was looking at. The man she was talking to earlier was looking over at her with a smile on his face.

  “Are you ditching me?” I asked. I cocked my head to the side in annoyance. She always did this. She would beg me to go out, then she’d ditch me for some new random guy she met. Sometimes, I wondered if we even were friends. I was starting to think she used me to go out so she could hook up with guys. She sure did leave me behind enough times.

  “No, it’s girl’s night. I can’t believe you’d even ask me?” She fluttered her lashes and glanced at the man again.

  “Right, you can go with him if you really want to. I understand. I’ll find my way home.” Under my breath I said, “I usually do,” I patted her hand on the table.

  “No, no I couldn’t.” She flicked a glance from me to him as she bit her lip. You’d think she was making the most important decision of her life, the way she looked from me to him.

  “You can, and you should. He’s hot. One of us might as well get lucky tonight.” I wiggled my brows at her and smirked.

  “Whatever, you could get lucky.” She sat back and looked around the room. “Look at all the eligible bachelors here. All you have to do is not mention you’re a lawyer, and bam, you’ve got yourself a man.” She looked at the crowd with new interest. “Come on, let’s find you someone delicious to take home.” Her eyes began scanning, and I shook my head.

  “I don’t want to take anyone home. I’m not interested in a one-night stand. If I meet someone I want romance. I want to go on a date. I want to get to know someone before I take them to my bed. I’m so sick of this hookup culture. I miss old-fashioned dating. I love the thrill of getting to know someone. Those first months of slowly learning about someone is fun. I’m not interested if I don’t get to date the person first. It’s probably why I always end up with guys who were my friends first. I like to know someone before I sleep with them.” I huffed out a frustrated breath.

  “Okay, okay, I get it. I on the other hand, am looking forward to taking that hot man to my bed. I couldn't care less if he even remembers my name tomorrow. I mean, he will remember,” She winked at me before going on. “But I’m certainly not looking for anything serious.” She raised a brow and looked over to the blonde again.

  “So, you are going to go then?” I asked. I already knew the answer. I had probably known the answer before I even got dressed up to come here tonight. Same old Angie.

  “I didn’t say that.” Angie said.

  “Angie,” I huffed out. “You should go. I promise I will be fine. He’s hot, you should go enjoy yourself.”

  She studied my face. “Are you sure?” her voice perked up.

  “Oh my God Angie, just go already, before he finds someone else to spend the night with.” I rolled my eyes and took another drink of my beer.

  She smiled at me and squealed. She stood up, her beer in hand and swaggered over to meet up with the man who was still watching her. I shook my head and moved to take her seat. If she wasn’t watching the room, it felt weird to have my back to it.

  While I sipped my beer, I took out my phone to order a Lyft home. I entered my information and set my phone on the table facedown when I was finished. I glanced around the room again. I was surprised only one guy had walked up to talk to me.

  I wasn’t sure why it seemed weird, but usually I had to fend off at least a few guys. No one had even tried to come up to me after the last guy. There was the one who had joked about my awful encounter, but he had disappeared after his mocking. I hadn’t seen him since. Maybe I didn’t look as good as I thought I did.

  I looked to my phone again. My driver would be here in about twenty minutes. I debated on ordering another beer before I had to leave. I stood and walked over to the bar. I ordered another People Person from the bartender and he gave me a sweet smile as he poured my beer. I took a seat at the bar to wait. A couple sat to my right, and I heard the dark-haired girl talking about her students.

  I smiled at the adoration in her voice as she spoke. The seat next to me was empty. I looked back to the stage as the band continued to play a beautiful bluegrass song. I couldn’t help
but tap my foot against the stool as I listened. The dark-haired man from earlier, slid onto the stool next to me.

  My eyes widened in shock. I recovered quickly and smiled at him. “Well, hello again.”

  “Hello,” he smirked. “Enjoying the music?” he asked, looking down at my tapping foot.

  “Yes, I like this band, I believe I said that already.”

  “I believe you did. Where did your friend go?” he asked.

  “Oh, she’s talking to someone. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.” I shifted nervously in my chair. I didn’t want this guy knowing she had left, and I was alone.

  “I’m sure she will.” He eyed me and took a drink from his beer.

  Butterflies in my stomach fluttered when I looked over at the man again. “So, who are you?” I asked. My tone was a little more biting than I wanted.

  “Why do you want to know?” He eyed me. The way he looked at me made me shift slightly in my chair.

  “I don’t know, it seemed polite.” I shrugged. “I’ve never had anyone question the simple asking of their name.” I turned my attention to my beer and away from him.

  “Yeah, well I’m different.” He chuckled darkly.

  “So, you’re really not going to tell me your name.” I asked skeptically. I’ve never met anyone who wouldn’t freely give their name.

  “Oh, I’m sure you’ll get it out of me soon enough. Why spoil the surprise by making it easy for you?” He wiggled his eyebrows at me and sipped his drink.

  “Okay,” I rolled my eyes at him. “You have quite the ego thinking I’m going work to find out your name.” I took another sip of my beer.

  “Oh, I do and you will.” His voice was low so only I could hear, and my head snapped in his direction. He stood and walked away from me again.

  Who the hell was this guy? I thought. I’ve never met anyone who caused me to feel both annoyed and aroused at the same time. I looked down to my phone. Five minutes before my ride would be here. I downed the last of my beer and got up from the bar. I walked to the door, slinging my purse over my shoulder.

  There was a group of guys smoking next to the building. I took a few steps forward and looked down the street. Home sounded better by the minute. It was nice to be out, but now I just wanted to be at home. I walked further down and waited. I hated smoke, so I tried to stay away from the smokers. I watched as they put out their cigarettes and went back into the building.

  Alone in the dark, I watched the road, hoping my ride would be here soon. I looked down to my phone and sighed. The driver should be here already. Swiping my finger over the phone I checked the Lyft app. I tapped my foot on the pavement, waiting.

  I heard a noise coming from the garage below the building. I figured it was the door and someone was driving up. I looked back toward the street and felt a shiver again. Clutching my purse with my hand, I slipped my other hand in and gripped my pepper spray. I kept my fingers wrapped around it as I looked around me. A car came up the ramp, and I stepped away instinctively. The car stopped in front of me.

  The dark haired man from the bar stepped out of the driver’s seat and smiled.

  “Kaira, I presume?” he smiled.

  “Yes, how do you know my name?” I asked.

  “I’m your Lyft driver.” he smirked.

  “You’re kidding.” I laughed.

  “Afraid not, you getting in or are you going to stand there all night?” he asked.

  I huffed. “I guess I’m getting in.” I took a step toward the car and opened the back door.

  “Oh no, you don’t. You sit up front with me.” He rushed around and opened the door for me. I stood frozen for a minute at the gesture.

  “I’ve never sat up front of a...um...driver’s car.” I wasn’t sure what to say.

  “Well, I thought we had a good conversation. Are you too good to sit up front with me?” he tapped his finger on the top of the door, waiting.

  “No, of course I’m not too good to sit up front. I always thought drivers preferred to have customers sit in the back. Isn’t the front seat for your friends?” I asked, blushing.

  “Well, consider yourself a friend.” He tapped the door again, and shifted his eyes to the seat, then back to me.

  I rolled my eyes and got into the car. He quickly ran around and got into the driver’s seat next to me. I took a deep breath and looked out the windshield. “If you were my Lyft driver, why didn’t you say anything inside?” I asked.

  “I didn’t know I was your driver. I stopped in before I took another fare.”

  “Do you always have a beer before driving someone home?” I quipped.

  “If you noticed, I was drinking a Coke. I wasn’t drinking a beer. I know the bartender. Sometimes I stop in to say hi and bring customers over when I can.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t drink and drive.” His tone was firm, and I watched as he tightened his hands on the wheel.

  “Oh,” was all I could think of to say.

  “I thought you said your friend would be back shortly.” He smirked as he took a turn.

  “I lied; she went home with some random guy. I wasn’t interested in doing the same, so I decided to go home.” I looked out the window.

  “Really? Not into one-night stands then?” He raised a brow and looked over to me.

  “No, I’m not an easy girl.” I said.

  “I bet not.” He chuckled.

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  “Nothing, I’m simply agreeing with you.” He smiled, and I noted the slight sarcasm in his tone. He meant much more than he was saying. I sat up straighter in my seat. If he was going to play, so was I.

  “Sure you were. So, I still didn’t catch your name.” I glanced over to him.

  “I still haven’t given it.” He glanced over to me then took another turn. We were only a few blocks away from my place. I was irritated with this man. I couldn’t believe he was still keeping his name from me. I looked down to my phone, remembering his name would be under the driver’s information. I opened the app, and he looked over to my hand. “It’s not on there either. You think I give just anyone my name?”

  “Don’t you have to give them your name, since you work for them. What’s the big deal anyway? You know my name. Why is yours such a guarded secret?” I studied him as he drove. He had a calm presence behind the wheel. Some people get nervous as they drive, but he was utterly calm. I guess when you drive for a living, you’d have to be calm.

  “Names, true names hold power where I’m from. It’s not something we give freely.” He looked over to me, gauging my reaction to his words.

  “So, what am I supposed to call you if you’re not going to give me your name?” This whole conversation seemed ridiculous.

  “You can call me Razor.” He smiled wickedly at me.

  “What? That’s not a name. A nickname maybe, but not an actual name.” I eyed him. After a few moments of silence, I said. “Ugh.” I threw up my hands and turned away from him.

  “That’s the name you're getting from me tonight. If we meet again, maybe I’ll tell you my real name. Only if you’re good of course.” He winked at me and I stared in bewilderment. Did he think I would see him again? He seemed rather sure I would. I shook my head. He pulled up to the door of my apartment. I reached for my door handle, coming out of my thoughts, but he was already there. He held the door open for me and I stepped out. I was shocked by his gesture. He hadn’t seemed like a gentleman, but here we were.

  “You’re such a conundrum. I’ve never had a Lyft driver open the door for me. Am I to believe you’re a gentleman?” I cocked my head to the side.

  He took a step toward me. His cedarwood and orange scent enveloped me. I took a deep breath and felt his next to my ear. His voice dropped low as he spoke. “I’m hardly a gentleman.” He whispered against my neck. I felt his hot breath and drew in a sharp breath. He took a step back and winked.

  I felt a tinge of pleasure run down my body at his words. A part of me wanted to ask him to come up. I
wasn’t a girl to invite someone I just met up to my apartment, but there was something both appealing and unsettling about him. I took a shaky step back. I needed to get with it. “No, a true gentleman would have given me his name.” I smirked. “Thanks for the ride.” I hurried up to my door.

  “My pleasure, Kaira,” I heard him say as I slid the key in the lock and opened the door. I closed it quickly and leaned against it taking a deep breath. I ran up the steps to my apartment. When I opened the door, I felt a chill again. I flipped the switch for the light but nothing happened. What the hell? The lights are working in the hall. I flipped the switch back and forth again. Nothing but darkness. I went for the phone in my purse. It had a flashlight I could use.

  Suddenly, I heard someone take a step to my left. “Kaira, it’s about time you came home.” A deep voice spoke. A shiver ran down my spine and I froze.

  CHAPTER 2

  I turned, gripped for the door handle and began to turn it. A strong body flew against me, holding me against the hard door. “Bitch, you can’t run from me,” he spat.

  I shook as he gripped my hands, and I felt the weight of his hard body against my back. I screamed. One of his hands moved from my hand and gripped my hair. I screamed again as he flung me away from the door. “Stop screaming bitch, I’ll make your death painful if you keep screaming.”

  I crawled away from him as he moved to stand over me. I stopped screaming as I tried to scramble away in fear. My body shook, and I kept stealing glances toward the door. I was trying to figure out if I could get around him and out the door. I looked toward the kitchen. Maybe I could get to the knives. If I could make a mad dash, maybe I’d have one in my hand by the time he got to me.

  I kept glancing over, hoping he couldn’t read my train of thought. I needed to find a way out of here. My purse lay next to the door, so I couldn’t get to my pepper spray. Blinding him and running would have been a nice option. My mind was racing through the possibilities in seconds.