Embracing Trouble (Trouble Series)

by Bridle, Dee

  I opened my eyes and saw a familiar face at the bar and I softly gasped. He was watching me as he sipped his drink, and he gave me a wicked knowing grin. I couldn’t help the burst of excitement within as I pulled out of Tyler’s embrace and headed straight over to him.

  “Beautiful Ava,” grinned Will.

  “Hi,” I said, instantly throwing my arms around him and hugging him.

  He hugged me back.

  “You’re looking every shade of hotness tonight.”

  I smiled in delight.

  “Why thank you.”

  “Drink?”

  “Sure,” I said, while looking around the club.

  He ordered one for me and then turned back to me.

  “He’s not here.”

  “Why are you here? I thought this would be the last place you would come.”

  He motioned over to the bar girl with red hair and tattoos.

  “I’m picking my friend up. She finishes in five minutes.”

  I looked over to the totally cool and alternative girl who was so unlike me. I looked back at him and smiled painfully. I had missed him so much.

  “I see you’re with pretty boy,” he teased, passing me a drink. “All his wet dreams must have come true.”

  I glanced down at the ice in my whiskey.

  “How did you know about Max?”

  He stopped teasing and looked serious for a moment.

  “Word gets around.”

  My eyes narrowed.

  “I only talked to him.”

  “You shouldn’t have even done that,” he said sipping his own drink.

  “It doesn’t really matter anymore. I’m no longer with Zac,” I said looking up at him.

  “You still need to stay away.”

  I sipped my whiskey.

  “How was the big Graduation Ball?” he asked with a cheeky wink.

  My lips curled slightly.

  “It was amazing,” I replied with heavy sarcasm.

  He chuckled and sipped his drink, looking at me with knowing eyes.

  “Your pretty boy is getting his knickers in a knot.”

  I turned to look over at an annoyed Tyler and motioned that I would be two minutes. I didn’t want him over here, because I wanted to soak Will up for as long as I could.

  “So I’m having a party next weekend for my birthday at Hell Nightclub, you should come,” said Will.

  “I’d love to,” I said instantly.

  “I’ll text you the details,” he said finishing his drink and nodding to the bar tender who was grabbing her bag.

  He turned back to me and then looked over to Tyler.

  “Well, enjoy the vodka cruisers and…dancing.”

  I knew it was an inside joke and it reminded me of everything I was missing as tears pooled in my eyes. I suddenly didn’t want him to leave. I wanted my connection with my big Will with the tattoos on his neck and wicked humor. I wanted him to take me back to the group where I felt I belonged.

  His eyes rested on me for a bit longer, and I was sure he could see my eyes pleading with him. He smiled with a little regret and maybe even sadness.

  “Take care, beautiful Ava.”

  He gave me a wink and then left with the girl as I let out a silent sigh. I wanted to follow him, ask him where they were going now. I turned back to see Tyler still watching me, and I motioned I was going to the restroom. I moved away into the crowd where he could no longer see me and then quickly ran through the club to the entrance and stepped outside.

  With my heart racing, I looked up and down the street to see if I could find Will. Then I spotted his friend’s red hair as she crossed the street further down. I ran in my heels and stopped when I saw the black WRX across the road. My heart stopped entirely when I saw Zac leaning against it having a cigarette and laughing at something with them.

  As if we were still attuned to each other, his eyes suddenly locked on mine. He looked surprised for a second before he frowned. It hurt to look at him but I still did. I took in his jeans and fitted black T-shirt, his strong arms and perfect body. I felt myself start to crumble as he stared at me in silence and I stared back.

  I wanted to run away but also run over and kiss him senseless all at the same time. His eyes held me spellbound and I couldn’t move as all the hurt came flooding back. I felt paralyzed, not knowing whether to smile or cry.

  His passenger door opened and I expected to see Noah, but to my dismay, a blonde girl got out. Unaware of what was going on, she went to him and snuggled up to him as she said something to the redhead.

  Pain smacked me in the chest and I wanted to double over with its intensity. He had moved on. I was forgotten and there was the proof. I sobbed silently and turned away, blinking back my tears. I pushed my way through the smokers who were out on the pavement. I found my way back to the club. I didn’t even want to go back inside, even though I knew Tyler was waiting for me. Sweet, safe Tyler.

  I wiped my tears and turned away from the club entrance and put my hand out for a taxi on the street. I just needed to get out of here altogether. A hand grabbed my arm and I turned to see Zac in front of me.

  “Go back into the club with him. You shouldn’t be out here by yourself,” he said.

  I looked into his eyes, not able to breathe and not able to look away. He had come after me.

  “Why is he even letting you out of his sight?” he said next, anger in his eyes.

  My phone started to ring and he let my arm go. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to see it was Tyler calling and I put it to my ear.

  “Where are you?” asked Tyler.

  “I’m outside,” I replied, ending the call.

  Zac looked like he wanted to say something else, but he stopped himself. Then he ran his hand through his already messy hair. He turned to look at the entrance of the club and then back at me as my insides clenched at the sight of him.

  I was angry and hurt and so happy to see him. He looked at me once more and then turned away and disappeared amongst the large group outside. I instantly felt bereft and wanted to run after him.

  “What are you doing out here?” asked Tyler coming up to me.

  I swallowed, “Having a smoke.”

  “Are you done? It stinks out here,” he said taking my hand and leading me back inside.

  I went back inside to the loud music and heard Tyler talking into my ear but I couldn’t make out his words. I looked at all the dancers in a daze, not really seeing any of them. I couldn’t comprehend Zac’s anger and his protectiveness. I longed to be back out there with him again, to have the opportunity to do it differently and actually talk to him. Nothing made sense anymore.

  Tyler tried to pull me back onto the dance floor, but I refused this time. The music suddenly grated on my nerves along with the people.

  This club didn’t make sense to me, and I longed to see a metal band in a small club filled with metal heads. I wanted that part of my life again where it was more dangerous but where I felt the safest.

  Chapter Sixteen: Heaven and Hell

  Ava

  The week passed slowly and I tried not to think about him. I finished my last exam on Thursday night and felt like one big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was now free.

  Tyler hated the idea of me going to Will’s birthday party and I was annoyed that he thought he had a say with any of it. I wanted to go. Hell, I needed to go.

  I knew it meant I would be crushed if I saw Zac with his new girl, but like an addict, I no longer cared about the consequences. I still wanted to see him, and I wanted to hear his voice. I yearned to see him face to face again, because I was clearly crazy.

  On the night of the party, I dressed up in a tight black dress with my boots and styled my hair in messy curls, ready to go to Hell.

  As the four of us stepped into the club that night, I heard the heavy music and my blood started to zing. Zac and the boys were in here somewhere and I suddenly felt very excited. The dark heavy music thudded through me and I hid
a smile because it felt like coming home.

  We walked through the main crowded area, past people with piercings in all areas of their bodies, different colored hair and a myriad of tattoos. I headed towards the private function doorway and spotted Janey laughing with security.

  She squealed in excitement as she saw me.

  “Ava!”

  She threw her arms around me and hugged me hard.

  “I’ve missed you so freakin’ much!”

  I laughed happily, and answered, “Me, too.”

  She touched my hair.

  “You look fucking hot!”

  “So do you,” I laughed, realizing just how much I had missed her.

  I was soon introducing her to Tyler, Sam, and Sophie. She didn’t miss Tyler’s hand take hold of mine. She looked at me and grinned before turning and motioning for us to follow her into a large room with a bar and a stage.

  Dancers were dressed in S&M outfits, swinging on poles and dancing on podiums. I looked around in awe; the music even heavier in here. It was perfect for Will, and as I turned back to Tyler, I saw that he wasn’t comfortable. But before I could say anything, Janey was pulling me further away.

  “Look who I found!” shouted Janey.

  Will appeared in front of me with black devil horns.

  “Beautiful Ava!”

  “Happy Birthday,” I said hugging him.

  “You look edible,” he said into my ear. “You’re going to kill him.”

  He glanced over at Tyler and the others and sniggered at their obvious discomfort before giving me a wink as he turned to greet someone else.

  Janey grabbed my hand again and pulled me away, over to the bar. She ordered a round of shots and turned to me.

  “So, Tyler looks like a hottie.”

  I looked over and saw him watching me as he talked to Sam. She passed me two shots.

  “Is it serious?”

  “He wants it to be,” I said downing the first shot.

  “He doesn’t want to be here at all, does he?” she stated before downing her own shot.

  I shook my head and downed the second shot.

  “Where’s Zac?”

  “He’s around,” she said lightly, not meeting my eyes.

  “Beautiful Ava!” said Noah coming over and hugging me.

  I hugged him tightly, having missed these guys like crazy.

  “You’re here with pretty boy, I see,” he said motioning to the bartender and ordering more drinks. “He looks fucking over the moon to be here,” he said sarcastically, playing the drums on the bar to the heavy song playing.

  I knew it, everyone knew it, but he wanted to come and I knew it was to keep an eye on me. He slugged back a shot and looked at me, his eyes assessing me for a moment. Did he realize I was only trying to fill the deep dark void that Zac had left in me? It wasn’t working, nothing would.

  As if on cue, Tyler appeared beside me and put his arm around my waist possessively, pulling me to him. Noah pulled his shoulders back to his full six feet height and glared at Tyler. He looked quite menacing for a moment before he looked back at me.

  He leaned over and whispered into my ear, “Good to see you again, Ava. You should stick around. We’ve all missed you.”

  His words made me long for what I had before it all had gone wrong. I smiled up at him as he gave one more glare at Tyler before disappearing back into the crowd.

  Janey caught my eye and winked at me cheekily before she turned to the others next to me.

  “What are you guys drinking? Vodka cruisers?”

  “I’d love a vodka cruiser,” Sophie piped up as I hid my own smile at Janey’s in-joke. Vodka Cruisers were for the young and uninitiated and had been a long standing joke within the group.

  “Nothing for me,” said Tyler. “We’re leaving shortly.”

  Janey turned back from the bar.

  “You can’t go yet. We have so much to catch up on!”

  The lights suddenly dimmed and a spotlight highlighted the stage across the room. Janey turned and whistled as girls clad in leather masks and nothing much else walked out to the beat of the music and started to dance. Everyone cheered with Will up at the front cheering the loudest.

  Janey grabbed my hand and pulled me away from Tyler, leading me closer to the stage. I watched the girls dance down to Will and then they got him up on stage.

  I laughed and clapped as they sat him down on a chair and started to dance around him. Some touched, others kissed, and others caressed him, while Will sported a grin from ear to ear. As the crowd cheered, I looked at their bodies, thinking how beautiful the girls looked. It was a lavish dance that was meant to induce lust, but there was nothing crass about it.

  I went to smile at Janey and then caught the pair of deep brown eyes that I had been longing to see. He was off to the side, leaning against the wall, and sipping a beer. He watched me and looked like a dark devil.

  My lips trembled at the sight of him and my skin tingled all over, my body still so attuned to him. The familiar sparks licked at my skin as his eyes bore into me knowingly. Everything around me fell away and it was just us.

  I didn’t look away, I could only stare back at him, with lust and a little defiance in my eyes. He continued to watch, and his eyes heated me up to the boiling point, but I wasn’t going to look away first as his eyes challenged me further. I slowly moistened my lips and he couldn’t help but watch the trail of my tongue as it darted out. I smiled a little, the vixen in me feeling powerful.

  He sipped his beer and then looked past me with a sudden scowl.

  “You ready to go?” asked Tyler into my ear.

  I jumped slightly and tried to focus on him. Tyler. He wanted to go. I shook my head.

  “I don’t want to go yet.”

  “Everybody else does,” he said back into my ear.

  I looked toward the direction where Zac had been standing, but he had disappeared from his spot and was nowhere to be seen.

  “But these are my friends and I want to stay.”

  “We’re your friends too, Ava,” said Tyler annoyed. “Sophie’s uncomfortable and so am I.”

  “I want to stay, Tyler,” I said determinedly. “Just go and I’ll meet up with you later.”

  “That’s just great,” he said shaking his head. “I knew you would do this!”

  “I haven’t done anything,” I said back to him, angry now. “I’m seeing friends I haven’t seen in a while!”

  “Friends that dumped you the minute he left you!” he shouted.

  “That’s got nothing to do with you!”

  “It has everything to do with me,” he snapped. “I was there from the start, remember? When you were so fucking heartbroken you wouldn’t even talk!”

  I pulled back from his anger, disbelief in my eyes.

  “You’ve been waiting for this. Waiting to see him again. Everything else between you and me has been a load of shit!”

  I gasped.

  “Say it!” he said to me angrily. “Admit it, Ava!”

  Everyone cheered around us as the floor show ended and Will jumped down from the stage. Heavy music returned and people started to move to it around us.

  “Have you seen him? Is he here tonight?” asked Tyler suddenly.

  “Just go, Tyler,” I shouted.

  “You have, haven’t you? You’ve seen him. That’s why you want me to go!”

  “Everything okay?” asked Will coming up beside me and looking at Tyler.

  He was no longer smiling.

  “Everything’s just fucking great,” returned Tyler eyeing him with anger.

  Then he turned around and walked away.

  I felt angry and annoyed at myself for upsetting Tyler, because he had been nothing but sweet to me, and I repaid him like this. I went to follow him and Janey grabbed my arm.

  “Let him go and have some fun with us.”

  I was torn. I wanted to go wild and have fun with Janey, while my conscience demanded I follow Tyler.

&nb
sp; “I’ll be back,” I said to them both as I quickly pushed my way through the dance floor. I caught up with them at the door as they were leaving.

  “Tyler,” I said, grabbing his arm.

  He turned to me, hurt in his eyes mixed with anger.

  “I’ll meet you at Salt in an hour,” I confirmed to him. “I’ll have a few drinks with Janey and then I’ll come to you.”

  “Whatever you like,” he answered. “I don’t care anymore.”

  I felt like the worse type of friend imaginable, because he had finally had too much of me.

  Looking defeated, he said softly, “Call me when you finish here, and I’ll come and meet you.”

  I nodded as I watched him walk away and then stop.

  “Just remember what he did to you and how fucked everything has been for you, Ava. We are good together,” he confirmed leaning down to kiss me once on the lips.

  I watched them leave, feeling terribly confused. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. These two worlds didn’t mix.

  “He’s kind of sexy when he’s all angry and pouty,” said Janey next to me.

  I glanced at her and then couldn’t help but smile.

  “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Tell me about it. I’ve been dying to hang out with you again,” she said putting her arm around me. “Let’s have some fun.”

  I was soon downing another shot with her and lining up another one. We then headed up to the small roof terrace where groups were standing around and smoking. Janey lit up a joint, passed it to me, and I dragged on it, feeling the welcome numbness.

  “So he really likes you, huh?” she asked looking out over the city.

  “Yeah, but I don’t deserve him.”

  “Why?”

  I took another drag.

  “Because he’s waiting for me to fall for him. He’s the perfect guy, but it feels like I’m only using him to try and get over Zac.”

  “Is it working?”

  I shook my head with resignation as Noah appeared beside us. He took a swig directly out of a vodka bottle and silently passed it to me. I took a swig and then passed it to Janey.

  “Where did you swipe this from?” asked Janey taking a swig.