Escaping Trouble

by Dee Bridle

  Later on in the night, Ava wanted to surprise the guys who were also out seeing a band, so I found myself following her into a club full of metal dudes, moshing out to the band Death Angel.

  Ava grinned wickedly at me and led me over to the bar, excited at the prospect of surprising Zac.

  I didn’t know if guys like Zac and Noah liked surprises on a boy’s night out, but I went along with it, just to be part of their circle. She obviously trusted him not to be up against a wall with a girl during their night out. I also wondered about Noah, knowing I wasn’t keeping him at all satisfied in any department. He might be enjoying the boys’ only night out and doing what he needed to do. He would hate me being here if that was what he was doing. But fuck, what did I know? I had trust issues with guys and had never met any decent ones until I stumbled across Noah, Zac, and Will.

  I knew Zac had texted Ava a few times over the last couple of hours, but I had heard nothing from Noah. I had deliberately not sent him anything, because I didn’t want to appear clingy or needy; that just wasn’t me. But it didn’t stop me from wondering what he was doing and with whom.

  The last few nights had been quietly amazing for me. We chilled together, talked, and just enjoyed each other. I hadn’t had that in my life before, and it was something I could end up wanting forever if I wasn’t careful. He didn’t push for more and didn’t pressure me for my secrets. He just spent time with me and cherished me. The thought of him here tonight with another girl sent familiar dread down my spine.

  We made it to the bar, and I looked around as Ava ordered drinks. I searched for familiar faces from my past and wondered if my ex was here tonight. He was never one to let a metal gig go by without going, and he usually worked late enough to head straight there from his tattoo shop.

  Ava returned and passed a shot of tequila into my hand with a wicked smile. I smiled and knocked it back, knowing I was well on my way to being drunk. Noah had never seen me properly drunk, and I would probably surprise him with my wildness. I had always been the one to let loose after I had a few drinks in me and spent most of my relationship with my ex in that state. I didn’t know if I really wanted Noah to see that side of me.

  Ava passed me another shot with a grin. Fuck it. I took it with a smile and downed it quickly as I looked over at the band playing hard. The crowd was a mass of bodies jumping against each other and going wild.

  Ava shoved another shot at me, and I shook my head. She pleaded with me, the loud music taking up any sound her mouth was making. I gave in, took it, and knocked it back.

  I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and pulled it out to see the screen.

  Noah: Hey

  I looked back up and around to see if he had seen me here, but I couldn’t see him. He sent another text.

  Noah: Everything good?

  Ava leaned over and looked at my screen with a smile and passed me a beer. I was going to be off my head if I drank all of that after the shots.

  I responded back to him.

  All good – having fun?

  I waited for his response as Ava pulled me through the crowd, looking for them. I knew he surely wouldn’t be in the mosh pit while he was texting me.

  Noah: I am…what are you up to?

  I took a sip of my beer as I looked around, maneuvering my way through sweaty bodies before Ava stopped and pointed with a smile. I followed her direction to see Noah standing and watching the band with Zac and Will to the side. Two girls were standing next to Noah, but I didn’t know if he knew them or they were just hanging around wanting to know him. Ava didn’t go any further and got her phone out and watched them. I saw Noah check his phone, obviously waiting for my answer, and I smiled as I responded.

  Having way too many tequilas…

  Zac finished his beer and then moved away from the group, obviously on his way to the restrooms as Ava winked at me and went to follow him. I looked back over at Noah and saw him type another response to me.

  Noah: I haven’t seen you drunk

  Ivy: It’s not a pretty sight

  I looked over and saw a girl standing next to him looking him over and smiling to her friend next to her. Noah didn’t take his eyes off the screen in his hand.

  Noah: Enjoying the club?

  Ivy: Yep, lots of HOT metal dudes

  Wait, what? Did he know I was here?

  He looked up from his phone and scanned the club. I put my head down, not ready to give myself up yet. I moved behind a large metal head who put his hands up and cheered as the band finished a song. Had he guessed I was in here, or did he already know somehow?

  Noah: See anything you like?

  Ivy: I have…one really hot guy actually

  Noah: So you’re drunk…and have a hot guy in your sights

  Ivy: That about sums it up…you?

  Noah: Come over here, then I’ll tell you if I’ve seen anything I like

  I laughed to myself, as I moved away from the large guy beside me and headed over to him. He was looking over the crowd for me, and then his eyes connected with mine. I made my way over to him, past the girl beside him, and watched as his eyes were totally focused on me.

  His arm went straight out to me and he pulled me to him. My body was up against his, and I looked up at him with a teasing smile.

  He leaned down and shouted into my ear, “Now I’ve seen something I like.”

  Tingles of happiness flooded through me, and I couldn’t help but laugh. His lips met mine and he kissed me, like he was truly happy to see me.

  I pulled back slightly and said into his ear, “You don’t mind us crashing your ‘boys’ only’ fun?”

  “Fuck no,” he said kissing my lips again. “Much rather you be here.”

  I glanced at the girl still standing beside us and said, “I’m not interrupting anything?”

  He cocked an eyebrow and said, “You think I would come out tonight and be with someone else?”

  I gave a shrug and looked down at the beer in my hand. His fingers went underneath my chin and pulled my face up to look at him.

  “I don’t do that shit, Ivy.”

  I didn’t meet his eyes as I turned in his arms to face the band. I hated that I had even brought it up, because I didn’t want to be insecure around him. His arm pulled me back against him while his hand rested on my hip. I felt myself relax against him as I watched the band. The mosh pit was crazy and bodies were flying around everywhere.

  He leaned down and kissed my neck softly.

  “You make me want to hunt down every fucker who’s hurt you,” he said into my ear.

  I closed my eyes for a moment, liking his words, liking his lips on me, and needing his arms around me. A girl could get used to this.

  Will leaned over and clinked his beer bottle against mine with a grin before he turned back to watch the band, moving his head in time with the drums.

  With the security of Noah’s body encasing mine, I listened to the music and let the double kick drum vibrate through my chest. I had drunken memories of a time when I used to be out every night with Sean, my ex, and his friends, drinking and going wild. I escaped my reality with drugs and alcohol and lived each night with abandon.

  Will was suddenly in front of me, passing me a shot with a wicked grin.

  I shook my head and shouted, “I’ll be wasted.”

  He leaned into me further and shouted, “That’s the point, sweetheart!”

  I laughed and knocked back a shot with him, feeling the heat of the tequila flowing down my throat. I was going to get messy tonight, and I suddenly realized that it didn’t matter. Why not? It had been so long, and I knew my guardian angel was with me. I was safe to have a little fun.

  Noah

  After the band had finished their set, we grabbed a booth in the dark metal club and continued on with our night. A metal hardcore DJ had taken the stage and was getting everyone up and moshing to his music. I sat in the booth and watched Ivy at the bar with Will. He was buying her more shots, and they were laugh
ing about something together. I knew Will had my back and I’d never think otherwise, but it still slightly pissed me off to see him laughing with my girl.

  She had been drinking solidly since she had arrived and I saw the wildness firing up that had been buried within her. Only I wasn’t enjoying that wildness, because I was watching my best friend enjoy it instead.

  The only good thing Will was doing right now was stopping the advances of every other guy around her. I knew how desirable she looked standing there with her bright red hair, covered in tattoos. But fuck, she was mine.

  Ava giggled next to me as she kissed Zac, and I let out a resigned sigh.

  I stood up and said to no one in particular, “Going for a smoke.”

  I went in the opposite direction of the bar and headed to the smoking area that was outside in a caged balcony. I took a deep drag and let the smoke out into the night air, catching the eye of a girl across from me. I looked away, my mind too engaged with the red-haired beauty inside.

  My phone vibrated.

  Ivy: I’m drunk ;(

  I replied back – I noticed

  Ivy: I also have a secret…

  I sighed, too annoyed, mainly with myself to play games – You want to screw Will?

  There was silence and no reply to that one. I rolled my eyes, feeling like a proper douche. I was acting like a fucking sullen seventeen-year-old again. I was never like this. I loved and left them and didn’t care in the slightest who the hell they flirted with. Ivy had gotten under my skin.

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  I turned and saw her beside me, her eyes alight with anger. She looked fucking gorgeous, and I wondered what her eyes would look like when she came undone.

  “Forget it,” I said taking one last drag.

  “Fuck you,” she said, turning away from me.

  I grabbed her arm and stopped her from moving away.

  “What was the secret, then?”

  “I was going to say how horny I get when I’m drunk, but just fucking forget it,” she spat, trying to get her arm out of my grasp.

  I threw my cigarette down and moved out of the cage, pulling her into a darkened spot beside the stairs.

  “You get horny when you get drunk with Will, or just drunk?”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore,” she spat with fire in her eyes. “You’re an asshole.”

  I chuckled and said, “I am not an asshole, but I’m sorry if I can’t enjoy watching you laugh and have the fucking time of your life with my friend.”

  “Are you kidding me right now?” she asked in disbelief.

  “Who the fuck knows,” I mumbled letting her hand go. “I’m annoyed and fucking confused. Just forget I said anything.”

  “No chance,” she said angrily, turning away and storming off.

  I let out a frustrated sigh and knew I should go after her, but I didn’t. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Way to go and fuck everything up.

  Hands suddenly grabbed my T-shirt and her fiery eyes glared at me before her lips clashed with mine. She kissed me wildly and my hand went up to the back of her neck and kept her in place while my other hand pulled her against me. Our tongues clashed in anger and desire before she pulled back with a quick bite of my bottom lip.

  “I only have eyes for one guy. Don’t ever think any different,” she whispered angrily.

  “You are so fucking hot right now,” I muttered before my lips collided with hers again.

  I turned her and pushed her against the wall, covering her body with my own. She met every one of my tongue licks with one of her own, pulling at my lips with her teeth.

  Excitement and lust filled my brain, and I no longer cared where I was as I pulled her hips against mine. I let her feel just how excited she was making me. She returned the action by grinding herself against me, her hands running down my chest as she felt me all over.

  I moved from her lips down to her neck, kissing her as she let out a soft moan. The sound almost made me black out, and I tried to take a breath. I needed to get some sanity back into my head as all my blood went down south.

  She let out a frustrated moan, and whispered, “We have to stop.”

  “I know,” I breathed, still holding her tightly against me. I leaned my forehead against hers and said, “You’re mine.”

  “So remember that,” she whispered, kissing me once more, before slipping under my embrace and heading back into the main section.

  I tried to rein in the hot desire coursing through my body as I leaned against the wall. She was the hottest thing I had ever had in my arms, and I really wanted more.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ivy

  I headed directly to the restrooms and locked myself into a cubicle, breathing heavily. I had nearly lost myself in his arms against a club wall, and I wondered if I had lost all sense of sanity. It scared me, knowing what he could do to me with a kiss.

  My head spun and I steadied myself with my hands on the wall that was covered in graffiti.

  “Hey, Ivy, you okay?” Ava hollered inside the restroom.

  I swallowed and said, “Yeah, I’m good.”

  I took a deep breath and then unlocked the cubicle door. I watched as Ava stood at the sink applying more lip gloss. She looked at me with a drunken smile.

  “There’s some guy outside waiting for you. He was asking about you when I followed you in here.”

  I panicked and asked, “Who was it?”

  She shrugged and said, “He didn’t say his name, but my goodness, he was hot. Seemed to know you. Has tatts up his neck.”

  Fuck. Sean. It had to be him. I let out a frustrated sigh and wondered what to do. There was only one way out, and I didn’t want to speak to him now, especially with Noah being in a possessive mood tonight.

  Ava frowned and said, “Is he bad? Shit, I didn’t even think. I’ll text Noah.”

  “No, it’s okay. I think it’s my ex,” I said quickly. “I’ll deal with him.”

  I opened the door, stepped out, and saw Sean leaning against the wall with a grin.

  “Wow, Ivy, you’re looking good.”

  “Thanks,” I said without a smile. “How you been?”

  “I’ve been good, you?” he asked with a knowing smile.

  I shrugged and said, “Life’s been shit, but what else is new?”

  He chuckled and said, “It’s because I’m not in your life anymore.”

  “I distinctly remember that me being in your life wasn’t enough for you, ” I returned cattily.

  “Aww, Ivy, I’ve missed you,” he said with a gleam in his eyes.

  I folded my arms across my chest and said, “Your cock misses me, but that’s about it.”

  “Ouch,” he said with a grin. “I won’t deny that he misses you.”

  I shook my head and said, “The fact that you’re referring to your appendage as a ‘he,’ like he has a life of his own, concerns me, Sean. Maybe that’s the reason I’m no longer around.”

  “I’ve got plenty to keep me occupied,” he said, stepping closer to me. “But he would love to be inside you again,” he said smoothly.

  I raised my chin, and snarled, “Tell him he’s kidding himself.”

  “Why? You moved on?” he asked stepping even closer.

  I stepped back, bumping against the wall behind me.

  “I have.”

  “So where is he?”

  “Around.”

  “Does he like my art on your body?” he asked. “Is he man enough for you?”

  “He’s more man than you’ll ever be,” I returned looking into his eyes.

  “So he’s got a big cock, then?” he grinned.

  “The biggest.”

  He huffed with a smile, looking into my eyes.

  “Who’s the friend?”

  I turned to see Ava beside us, watching everything, her phone in her hand. “She’s not interested.”

  “Don’t you think you should let her be the judge of that?” he asked.

>   “She’s not interested,” said Noah’s deep voice.

  I looked over Sean’s shoulder and saw Noah leaning against the wall. I wondered just how much he had heard of our conversation.

  Sean turned his head and looked at Noah.

  “You want to step away from my girl?” continued Noah with a deadly calm.

  “Or what?” grinned Sean.

  “I’ll show you what happens when guys get too close to her.”

  Sean chuckled and took a step back, eyeing him over.

  “You threatening me?”

  “If you want to play it like that,” returned Noah, his voice full of steel.

  Sean chuckled again and said, “You’ve got some balls threatening me.”

  “Balls and a cock,” said Noah, not moving from his position. “The biggest…”

  I blushed and cringed at the same time. He had heard everything. I was going to die right now.

  With a smirk, Sean shook his head and it looked like he was about to say something but stopped when he saw a tattoo on Noah’s arm. His smile was instantly gone.

  I looked at the symbol and wondered what it meant. Had Sean done the tattoo? What did it mean? Zac appeared beside Noah, glaring at Sean, as well. I realized he had the same tattoo on his arm.

  Sean put his hands up with innocence.

  “I’m just talking to an old friend,” he said, stepping back completely.

  I had never seen Sean step back from a possible fight and wondered why the tattoo had spooked him.

  “Conversation is over,” said Noah.

  Sean sighed in frustration and turned to me.

  “Good to see you, Ivy.”

  I nodded and watched him leave, passing in between Noah and Zac. Noah’s eyes didn’t move from me as Ava stepped over to Zac. What the hell had just happened? Should I be running the other way if Sean, of all people, had been spooked by him?

  “Let’s go and do karaoke at the club down the street!” said Ava.

  Zac groaned and said, “No fucking way.”

  “Oh, come on! We’re all drunk enough,” she pleaded.