Page 31 of Come Back To Me

“You girls having fun?”

We nodded emphatically, and I was still trying to catch my breath after all our dancing. Going to Four wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I told Maddy we needed a night out, but when she mentioned we’d be able to enjoy ourselves without being hit on, I shrugged and said, “Why not.”

And I was so glad we decided to come.

After what Maddy called our come to Jesus moment in the kitchen two days earlier, I suggested that we spend some time out of the apartment and get a change of scenery. Between my morning classes, my afternoon’s at the hospital, and Maddy’s dancing, the only time we saw each other — and got to relax — was late evenings. And what we both needed was fun.

So Maddy hailed us a cab, and brought us to Four, the most popular gay bar in Denver. We got all dressed up too, both wearing little black dresses that cut off at the knee, and peep toe heels. I’d straightened my hair, and pushed it back with a thin headband, and Maddy had left her curls the way she liked them — wild. And compared to the men in the club, our make-up was minimalist, but classic. It was very Sex and The City.

“I’m parched,” said Maddy. “What do you recommend?”

Joe, our bartender, gave her a sneaky grin, and went about making what he called a ‘dirty dick’. I watched him flit along the bar, collecting several different liqueurs and spirits, all while wearing a corset, matching underwear and eight-inch stiletto heels. He reminded me of Frank N. Furter, from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, right down to his dramatic make-up.

He placed the blue drinks in front of us, and when I tasted it, I moaned.

“So good,” murmured Maddy. “Thanks Joe.”

Joe winked, and drifted along the bar to serve a few other patrons. I watched them, the gay men on the dance floor, and found myself enjoying the overall atmosphere. My gaze travelled over the ostentatious sea of people, and when I spotted a dark head of hair, taller than everyone else, I froze. It was instinctive. Automatic.

“Crap,” I breathed. Maddy looked at me, and then out at the crowd. I knew the moment she caught sight of who I’d seen.

“What are the chances,” she muttered under her breath.

I watched as Vaughan made his way towards the bar, a tallish blonde walking in behind him. The same blonde I’d seen him with at Stella’s. His roommate, he’d said. But I didn’t know that kissing your roommate was part of the lease agreement. I wasn’t allowed to be mad, but I was. Which was stupid, really. Not to mention unreasonable.

I placed my half-empty glass on the counter, and felt the unexpected need to run and hide. Maddy called out behind me, but I was already pushing through the throng of club-goers in search of the bathroom. My pace quickened when I looked over my shoulder, and saw Vaughan approach Maddy. I slipped in through the bathroom door, shut it, and leaned my head against it, wondering why my heart felt like it was ready to jump out of my chest.

A throat cleared behind me, and I spun around, my eyes widening when I realized that I was standing in the men’s bathroom. A tall guy with sandy blond hair dressed in black jeans, and a grey t-shirt stared at me, his cheeks turning bright red. His zip was down, and he was commando.

Crap.

“Hi.” He cleared his throat, and I shut my eyes, covering them with a hand. I caught a glimpse of his dick, and felt the heat in my face intensify.

“Shit, sorry! I should have checked…”

He chuckled, and I heard the tell-tale sound of a zip being closed.

“I’m decent,” he replied. “You can open your eyes.”

“I don’t want to,” I squeaked. God, this was embarrassing. “Are you the only one in here?”

“Yeah.” Another chuckle. “This is the staff bathroom. I snuck in because it’s quieter than the main bathrooms.”

I fell silent, wondering how in the hell I got myself into such shitty situations.

A hand touched my face, and pried my fingers away from where they covered my eyes.

“I’m decent. I promise.”

I slowly opened my eyes, and found a pair of brown ones locked on my face.

“I’m sorry, I should have checked the door before I came in. I’m hiding…” My words trailed off. The longer I spoke the dumber I felt.

“Ah, you have a stalker?”

I shook my head. “He’s my…” What exactly was Vaughan? My ex? Ugh! “I don’t know what he is actually, but he’s here with someone else.” My mouth snapped shut before I ended up spilling my guts to this stranger.

“Poor guy,” he replied. “He must have done something really wrong if a girl who looks like you has to hide in the men’s bathroom.”