An Open Sky

Chapter Thirty-Two ~Alexa~

“Dani,” he said, inclining his head as a greeting, “and oh-“ he paused, “a friend? I don’t believe I know your name.” His voice was smooth, just like his features. His eyebrows were set inquisitively, a very appealing look on him. His silver eyes were locked on mine, his lips spreading into a crooked smile. Tia reached over and cupped her hand over the nape of his neck, sliding up into his short blonde hair.

He flashed Tia a wicked grin and turned back to me. He held out his hand.  

“Brendan Clomer, and you are?”

“Alexa Cohen,” I replied, slipping my hand into his. His cool skin pressed up against mine, even his hands were rigid with muscles. The earring in his right ear lobe glittered with the nauseatingly quick flashing lights illuminating the club.

“Nice to meet you, Alexa,” he grinned. Tia’s hands now traced his shoulders, flipping up his collar in the process. Brendan reached back and flipped it back down, taking her hands and pulling her around to face him. “Why don’t we go inside?” He was talking to us, but kept his focus on sliding his hand to the exposed skin on Tia’s back. Now I knew what Dani meant. They were a cute couple though.

“Please,” Dani said, pushing past them to the door. I followed. I almost wished Jay was there with me, even though I had Dani, I still felt alone. I wondered if she felt the same way.

Dani pulled open the large entrance doors and entered the hazy room. I followed, almost blinded by the strobe lights. I’d almost forgotten what a club was like. The many bodies gathering on the dance floor swayed and convulsed together in rhythm with the music. I could barely even hear Dani shouting at me to follow her to the VIP room. I had trouble following her through the herd of bodies. I stumbled up some stairs until it finally cleared out at the top. Brendan stepped out in front of us. I hadn’t realized he’d been behind me the whole time.

“They’re with me.” The cliché, muscular security guard nodded as Brendan stepped past him. Dani and I followed, Tia bringing up the back, but not for long. Soon they were back together, hands searching each other once again. The smoke followed us up from downstairs, slightly clouding the VIP room. I sat down on a puffy brown couch next to Dani. I prayed that I sat more gracefully than she did.

“Would you like something to drink?” Brendan offered, sitting on a matching couch across from us. Tia sat next to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He smiled.

“I’ll take a margarita, you know how I like it,” Dani said next to me, glancing over at the handsome bartender across from us.

“And for you?” His silver eyes glittered as he watched me.

“Um, do you have Coke up here?” I asked. He laughed at my honest question. I could feel the heat of embarrassment pulse through me.  

“Of course.” Dani eyed me. “Don’t tell me you’re just going to stick with soda. You can get just a little alcohol, you know. That’s how I drink. I have about ten margaritas with like less than a shot of alcohol in each.” A wicked smile spread over her lips. “Or have you never had a drink?”

“I-“ I couldn’t say I’d never had a drink before. “I’m the designated driver, remember?”

“Come on, this is what clubs are for!” I noticed Brendan silently laughing at us on the other couch.

“Maybe later,” I said, trying to please her.

“Fine,” she sighed. “Brendan, I hope this club of yours can teach her how to live.”

I opened my mouth to act offended. Dani turned, winking at me, and patted my shoulder with her hand.

“So one Coke and a virtually alcohol-free margarita, I can do that.” Brendan stood, grinning, and cast a parting smile at Tia, “And for you, it’s a surprise.” He leaned down to give her one last kiss and turned toward the bartender. I caught Dani staring at him again.

“Who’s that?” I elbowed her.

“I don’t know, but I’m totally flirting with him later.” Her tone was so nonchalant I couldn’t help but laugh.

Tia’s eyebrows knit together. She tried to focus on us, but her eyes kept flicking to something just behind me, making conversation with her nearly impossible.

“What?” Dani leaned over toward Tia, “Is something wrong?”  

“That guy back there,” she started, “Alexa, I’m pretty sure he’s looking at you. He’s kind of cute, actually. Maybe cute isn’t the best word, more handsome, well-built, hot even.”

“Says ‘Miss I have a boyfriend’,” Dani mumbled to me. I grinned, turning back at Tia. She was still glancing behind us.  

Dani and I turned around at the same time. At first I didn’t notice his broadened figure; the strobe lights behind him were blending him in with the darkness. But the infinitesimal flecks of light were enough.

The recognition hit us both at the same time.

“Jay?”