Take Me Home Tonight (Wild Nights Book 1)

by Trista Jaszczak

  “You’ll what, pretty boy?” Jonah taunts, smiling.

  I make an attempt to step between them to diffuse the tense situation, but Remy places his hands tenderly on my shoulders and moves me gingerly out of the way. “Remy, really, we can just go,” I glare at Jonah, “I can’t believe you followed me all the way to fucking New York. Furthermore, I can’t believe you actually fucking found me,” I snap. “You are out of your fucking mind. You’re even crazier if you think I’m going anywhere with you.”

  Jonah makes another grab for one of my arms and Remy immediately steps in and pushes me out of the way. “I told you not to fucking touch her.”

  “And just who the fuck do you think you are?” Jonah huffs.

  “A better fucking man than you.” Remy replies, giving me another little push out of the way.

  “Remy, he’s not worth it,” I tell him. “If we keep this up, they’ll kick us out, maybe even call the police.”

  “Let them call the police,” Jonah says, “if macho man here touches me, then I’ll slap him with assault charges.”

  “You’re such a fucking asshole Jonah,” I holler. “You’re fucking mental. I’m not leaving with you so you might as well make this easy on yourself and get the fuck out of here.”

  “You mean to tell me that you’re going to stay here with the fucking Lone Ranger?” Jonah snaps looking at Remy.

  “He’s Zorro!” I scream. “What the fuck is wrong with you people? He’s fucking Zorro! How in God’s fucking name do you mix those two up?”

  I hear Remy let out a little chuckle as Jonah clenches his fists.

  “You are a fucking cheating pig, who cheated on me with a fucking beast,” I snap, “you made your fucking bed, now you get to lie in it.” I reach for Remy’s hand and begin to walk away feeling better than I have than all day about Jonah cheating. He’s a dick, a crazy one at that, and that is something I most definitely do not need in my life.

  “Well, maybe if you’d have gotten yourself in the kitchen more often and made me a fucking sandwich then I wouldn’t have cheated.”

  Before I can turn to say a word to Jonah, Remy steps in and takes care of it for me. He doesn’t even open his mouth, instead he punches Jonah square in the head. My mouth drops and my eyes grow as big as saucers. It’s absolutely not funny but for some reason I can’t help to giggle seeing Jonah with a well-deserved bloody nose.

  “You are a fucking worthless bitch, Ember. You’re no good to me or anyone else,” Jonah snaps.

  Remy moves in for another punch, but I hold him back for a moment and smile. I turn and clench my own fist as Jonah walks away. “Oh, Jonah,” I sing, softly making his turn around. “You’re the fucking worthless bitch.” I say just before my fist flies into his face.

  Remy gasps and lets out a loud laugh as Jonah clutches his already bloody and beaten nose. “Nice right hook you have there, gypsy.” Remy praises me.

  “Why thank you,” I say, “you’re not so shabby yourself.”

  Before Remy and I can turn and high tail it out of the club, I hear a familiar laugh. It’s loud and ringing over most of the club. “That’s for what you did to my best friend, you cheating bastard!”

  I immediately turn and gasp. “Oh, my God, Cindy!” I see that she’s leaning over Jonah pushing the taser into his side. I grab for her hands, “One stick is enough!” I cry out, grabbing her arm as Remy reaches for me.

  Jonah is wriggling on the floor when I see why Remy is beginning to tug at me. It seems a though this club doesn’t take too kindly to people causing a ruckus. Cindy reaches for the Lone Ranger and we all bolt for the door. She’s three sheets to the wind and I can’t even believe she’s still walking on her own. We make it outside just in time and even though we know they’re probably not going to chase us outside we still run for at least another two blocks in the opposite direction.

  We stop for a moment so that we can all catch our breath. My feet are killing me and I’m starting to get cold again. I pull Remy’s cloak around me again and I look around. There’s only four of us. “Where’s Lucy and Tonto?”

  Cindy gives me a wobbly shrug. “They ran off somewhere.”

  I look at Remy who just smiles, “he really is a good guy. I promise you that she’s in good hands.”

  “Just as long as they’re not passed out somewhere on the street.” The Lone Ranger laughs. He’s drunk as a skunk. He and Cindy both need to go sleep it off but we’re both a member down in our trios.

  Remy makes a little face. “I’ll try calling Eddie, see if he answers.”

  I give him a nod and stare at Cindy who is practically using the Lone Ranger as a crutch. My God, what are we supposed to do with these two? We could put them in a cab and send them back to our hotel, but how would I even know they got there safe? It’s not like I can trust two drunk people. It’s like the blind leading the blind. It’s bound to end badly!

  Remy looks at me and gives his head a shake. Great. “I’ll try Lucy, maybe she’s sober enough to answer her phone.” Remy nods and I pull my phone out, swiping along the screen to find her number.

  Of course there’s no answer. I give my eyes a little roll. We should have had a better plan than this. I feel like I could just kick myself. People who come out on a night like this have plans! They don’t just run around acting like nuts and get split up from the group.

  At this point Cindy is looking like she could drop at any minute. It’s getting close to three and the clubs will all be closing. We need a plan and fast. I purse my lips and look back at Remy. He can see that the Lone Ranger and Cindy are in no shape to help us find anyone. I’m not even sure they could find the hotel room at this point, but it may be a chance we have to take.

  “Okay, so here is what we’re doing,” Remy says, “we are getting you two a cab. You’re not much help to us being as drunk as you both are, no offense.”

  “And you two can just use our hotel that we have,” I say, “by all means, just crash and sleep, but one of you guys has got to call or text us to let us know that you’re there.”

  Both of them nod in approval but I have to wonder if they even understand what I’m saying.

  Remy nods in agreement and begins scouring the streets for any signs of a cab that’s in service.

  “How are we going to find Lucy?” Cindy slurs.

  “Remy and I will try to find her and Tonto. I’m sure wherever they are that they’re together.”

  “It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack!” The Lone Rangers eyes get so big I’m honestly not too sure if he really knows who we’re looking for.

  “Well, we can try,” Remy says, flagging down a cab finally.

  We tuck Cindy and the Lone Ranger in the cab. I make sure to give the cab driver the hotel directions and ask if he could be kind and just remind her she has her room key. He gives us a nod as Remy shoves some twenties in his hands. I let out a little breath. I hope this isn’t a bad idea. I feel the pit of my stomach tie up into a big knot as I watch the cab drive off with Cindy and the Lone Ranger. I feel Remy’s hand come down tenderly on my shoulder and I glance over at him.

  “Are you alright?”

  I’d almost forgotten about Jonah. I can feel my cheeks flaring up. I give him a little nod. “I am so sorry that you had to see all of that.”

  He shakes his head, “please don’t apologize for his actions.”

  “I didn’t mean to get you kicked out of a club tonight,” I say softly.

  “It was worth it, he deserved that. I’m still blown away by your right hook.”

  I let out a little laugh and pull his cloak around me. It’s nearly three in the morning, we have no idea where Lucy and his friend Tonto are, and not only am I getting colder but I’m also getting tired. “He did deserve it.”

  “You’re freezing,” he tells me, “and a little tired.”

  “I won’t lie, I could warm up and get comfy.”

  “I swear to God I should have put trackers on the guys.” He says dropp
ing an arm around me as he looks around.

  I pull out my phone and try calling Lucy again. Maybe this time by some miracle she’ll answer. His friend was right, it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I certainly didn’t think we would add having to find our drunk friends to our list of happenings tonight. I mean, at this point it doesn’t surprise me, but as we stand on the side walk it’s easy to tell that we’re both absolutely clueless.

  It’s almost three so we can’t exactly go to every club in the city looking for them and with them not answering their phones we’re helpless. I release a sigh. Remy is right. We needed tracking devices on them. Who knew you could actually lose drunk people?

  3 a.m

  Rather than stand around on the side walk just waiting for something to happen we decide that moving around is best. If anything it keeps me a little warm, although my feet are begging to be out of these heels and lying in a bed.

  I’ve tried called Lucy at least twenty more times and Remy has been calling Eddie as well. I’m starting to feel the night. The whiskey sours that I’ve had throughout the night and sitting on my brain and putting me in a comfortable daze. One that if you curl up in bed you’re asleep within five minutes. We’ve gone into one other club nearby with no such luck of finding Lucy or Eddie. Another club wouldn’t even let us in since we’re close to last call.

  When my phone starts ringing I almost drop my purse trying to get it out. While I hope that it’s Lucy so that we can go crash under some warm blankets, it’s not. Rather it’s Cindy and the Lone Ranger. They’ve just gotten to the hotel and they’re going to go to sleep. Honestly, I have no idea what to do. I thank her for the call and remind her no more booze. I let out a sigh and look at Remy. I think he’s just as clueless as I am.

  “Well, I have to say, this has got to be a first,” he laughs shaking his head.

  I let out an exasperated sigh. “I’ve never actually lost track of people before. Right now they’re drunk and helpless.”

  “I’d like to think that even though they’re drunk they’re smart enough to find a safe place to crash.”

  I laugh. “This has been a hell of a night, I’m so sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “Jonah, the fake cop, losing your friend, you are probably never going to want to see me again.” I feel my cheeks heat up.

  He stops me and smiles. “That’s where you’re wrong. This has been the most eventful nights of my life. From the bathroom to everything in between.”

  I release an embarrassed chuckle. How in God’s name could I forget the bathroom? What was supposed to be my wild and free one night stand is now my date that I want to see again. “At least there were never any dull moments.”

  He shakes his head, laughing. “I say we just keep walking, head towards your hotel, and hope that Lucy and Eddie just show up.”

  I’m so tired right now that all I can think about it just curling up in a nice warm bed. I feel bad flaking on Lucy but just how in the hell are we supposed to find them in this huge city? I look at Remy and nod. It’s not much of a plan to find them but what more can we do. He takes my hand we hang a left in the direction of our hotel.

  “If we spot a cab that’s in service we can grab it.” He tells me.

  I nod because that sounds like the best idea ever. Honestly, my feet are killing me and I’ve been yelling at myself since midnight for wearing heels in the first damn place. I glance out of the corner of my eyes and see Remy peeking at me nonchalantly. He is really cute and sweet, most are just starting out though. We’ve had a hell of a night together, I will say that much. I give him a little smirk and he squeezes my hand in return. “Maybe once we wake up today we can go have coffee together.”

  He gives me a nod. “I would absolutely love that.”

  I feel a rush of warmth hit my cheeks and release a little sigh. I smile as we pass the little old lady on the street but before we walk away she stops us. We both turn and she grins. She’s elderly and seems so frail it’s a wonder she’s out this late at night. She’s dressed very well in a plum skirt and matching jacket, sensible shoes, and a little hat that matches. “Would either of you know how to get to Maude’s Coffee Shop?”

  We both shake our hands. “We’re not from here either, we’re just visiting for Halloween.”

  She gives us both a bright grin. “Well, then, let me give you a welcome!”

  Remy and I exchange looks. We can’t deny this seems out of place. A little old lady out this time of night alone. I take a breath and hold it as I see she’s now brandishing a small pistol at us. You have got to be fucking kidding me. Remy grabs onto me and uses his body in an attempt to shield me from the gun. “Ma’am, we don’t know what you want.”

  The old lady interrupts him immediately, “Zip it, punk.”

  My mouth drops. We are about to be shot and killed by a little old lady.

  “Ma’am, we’ll do anything that you want.” Remy tells her, holding up his hands.

  “Your cash.”

  “We don’t have any cash,” I tell her softly, “we’ve been out most of the night.”

  “That’s enough of your lip, missy,” she waves the little gun at me.

  My shoulders drop and I can almost feel tears in my eyes. This is not how I pictured my death. This cannot be happening. She has to be at least eighty years old!

  Remy moves slowly and retrieves his wallet from his back pocket. He carefully opens it and shows her the inside. “Look, no cash.”

  “Then give me your credit cards,” she demands.

  Remy begins pulling a card from one of the pockets in his wallet and extends a hand to her. Before they can make the exchange the quick blip of blue and red makes us all jump. An officer, this time a real one, pops out of his cruiser with his weapon drawn. He orders the old lady to put down her weapon and I nearly collapse on Remy. He spins around quickly and catches me in his arms. “Talk about a wild night.” He says in my ear.

  I give him an exhausted nod. Now, as horrible as it sounds I don’t care about Lucy and Eddie, now I want to get back to the hotel and lie in bed. I don’t want to move, I just want to sink into the depths of the blankets and relax on a nest of pillows.

  The old lady obeys the officer and drops the gun as he begins walking over to move the weapon and calling for back up on his walkie. He glances at me and Remy, “are you kids alright?”

  I swallow hard but we both nod as he walks over to apprehend her. I guess the best part about her being elderly is that she couldn’t run from him too quickly. Remy takes a moment to tuck things back into his wallet and place it back in his pocket. He gives his head a shake. “You know, not too much people can say they were mugged at gunpoint by an old lady.”

  I stare at him unable to speak as he pushes a bit of my hair out of my face.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nod slowly. “I am so ready for bed.”

  The officer has now cuffed the old lady mugger and is now putting her in the back of the police car. His back up is also arriving, which I’m willing to bet we’ll be out for another hour or two. I

  “Have you two kids been drinking?” The first cop asks.

  Remy and both nod. “Halloween parties, that’s why we’re walking, trying to get to our hotel, when she happened.”

  He lets out a little laugh. “I have to say this is a first one for me.”

  Remy and I nod again. I think at this point we’re just speechless. Who gives someone that old a gun?

  “Well, I just need to get some information and then I should be able to let you two finish your night.”

  Over the course of a good half hour Remy and I both give our accounts of what happened. From her stopping us and asking where a coffee shop was and then pulling the gun on us.

  After repeating ourselves at least three times, to check accuracy I’m sure, but now I’m ready to just collapse on the curb. The officer makes sure to double check our names and numbers before giving our ID’s back to us. He gives us a lit
tle grin, “if you didn’t mind riding in a patrol car, I can have Carter,” he nods to his back up, “take you back to your hotel.”

  Remy and I both jump at the chance and it makes both of them laugh. “You look completely exhausted, it’s the least we can do.” Carter tells us.

  I lick my lips, “it’s been an eventful night. First guys dressed as cops tried to arrest us.”

  “Then we had this really creepy cab driver who took us to a BDSM sex club,” Remy adds. “Then we ran into her ex.”

  “And, now we’ve been mugged by a little old lady.”

  “Wow, you two have had a hell of a night.”

  Carter’s eyes grow large, “and I thought my night was insane.” He nods to his cruiser. “Come on guys, let’s get you to your hotel.”

  I smile brightly and begin digging in my clutch. “I’ll be honest with you, I can’t remember where my hotel is,” I say, pulling out my key card, showing it to him, “but I have the name.”

  He chuckles, “don’t you two worry, I’ll get you there. I just appreciate that you’re not out driving right now.”

  Finally, relief washes over me and I smile at Remy. A warm car ride straight to the hotel. He’s looking pretty tired himself and I just know that he has to be freezing because of me. He takes my hand and leads me to the cruiser. Carter opens the back door for us and Remy lets me slide in first. I never thought I would appreciate a warm car ride so much in my entire life. Not to mention, I seriously doubt anything horrible can happen to us in the back of a police car. You know what? With the night we’ve just had, maybe I should just keep my big mouth shut.

  4 a.m

  Officer Carter takes us right to the front door of the hotel. My body immediately relaxes and we both thank him profusely as he lets us out of the back of the car. “You two have a good rest of your night.”

  We both smile and thank him once more as we rush inside of the hotel. That bed has never sounded so good. I smile over at Remy, “I was thinking because it’s so late and after getting mugged by a granny, if you wanted to just stay here with me?”