Drawn to you (20 page)

“I just want things to be how they were meant to be, before that stupid man stole so much from us. Finlay’s not right for you.”

“What does that mean, Mom?”

“I’m going to be honest, Antonia. I can’t see this lasting. He never has girlfriends, his mother says he is a bachelor who likes it that way and she doesn’t see him ever settling down. He plays the field and he has the opportunity to do it all the time he’s away, so when he breaks your heart don’t say I didn’t warn you. We need to discuss a trip home. The police need to see you.”

I can’t believe I let her say all that to me. I’m going to blame shock for keeping me mute. My whole life my parents appeared to have a happy, healthy marriage, so her outburst is unlike her and unjustified.

“Fine, Mom.”

I leave her in there while I make my way back to the table, where Finlay’s deep in conversation with Dad. He looks up at me as I approach the table and smiles. “You ok, baby?” he asks, reaching for my hand

“I need to pop into school. I forgot some work I need.” I turn to my dad. “Daddy, make arrangements for when I need to come home and let me know, okay?”

I kiss my confused father on the cheek and walk from the hotel as quickly as my legs will carry me. When the fresh air hits my face I inhale it into my lungs, bringing my shaking hands up to rub my face.

“You okay?” Finlay’s anxious voice fills my ears

“No. I’m angry. I don’t understand what my mom’s problem is with you. She thinks with you working away so much I should be worried about other women.”

He flinches like he’s just smelled something bad. “Why would she think that? Do you think that?”

“No, of course not! He just thinks I’ll end up like your mo-” I stop myself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean . . . there’s nothing wrong with your mom, I just . . . I’m sorry. I’m on edge. She makes me so mad I’m not thinking straight.”

“My father didn’t cheat with other women, my mom was the cheat and if your mom thinks you will end up like her, she doesn’t have high fucking hopes for you, does she?” His face has transformed from gentle to seething mad. “Is that why she’s pushing James on you? I don’t get why they like him so much, and for the record, yes, my dad did travel for his job. Where’s the fucking crime in that? He gave us a good life, we didn’t want for anything, he was a good man and a good dad. He didn’t deserve what my mother did to him!” He shouts his voice cracking. He’s angry and I can’t blame him. He doesn’t deserve her judgment but I don’t deserve his anger. I’m glad he’s opening up about his mother, even if it’s hard to hear. Diane always played the perfect housewife. Supportive, devoted to her husband, loving soccer mom to her two children, and loyal friend. To learn parts of that were a façade leaves me uneasy.

“I know your father was a good man, Finlay. I’m sorry my mom is acting unfairly. She just thinks they know what’s best for me. They’re both panicking that I’m growing up. I’m their only child.” I shrug, smiling up at him, trying to lighten the mood, but he doesn’t smile back.

“I’m going to call you a car to take you where you need to go. I need to go to the office for a while.”

His tone is all business. My caring, loving Finlay has left the building, and it makes me shiver, like winter has crept into my skin.

“Finlay,” I mutter, but he doesn’t answer. He takes out his phone and paces while he speaks. I don’t hear what he’s saying, all I hear is my own breath going in and out. He’s shutting me out, and it’s agonizing. I can’t keep enduring these mood shifts of his. I love him, and the love he has for me impacts my soul with such intensity that when he pulls away it’s like a part of me bruises and never heals.

“Antonia! Are you even listening to me?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“The car will be here in a few minutes. I have a lot to sort out and I’ll be late tonight so don’t wait up. I’m just going to crash at mine.”

Wow. He has never stayed away from me when he’s been in town. My fear of him closing me out is magnifying but I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to deal with me or the baggage that comes with me either, then be judged and discarded as boyfriend material by people that have known you your whole life, and why? Because you work too hard, earn too much and are good looking
. Wow, what a mess my life is.
I’m getting real tired of people leaving me for things out of my control.
Does he even notice the damage he is causing to my soul?

“Antonia, your car is here.”

“I’ll walk, and see you when I see you.”

I don’t wait for a reply. I begin the walk home, the scenery passing like a DVD on fast forward, and before I realize I’m there, staring up at my apartment building.

“Hey, beautiful. You okay?” Gavin’s broad profile fills my vision as he walks towards me. He looks neat and tidy as always, in a light grey suit. His gelled dirty blond hair and the naughty glint in his blue eyes give him an alluring presence.

“Gavin, hey. What are you doing here?”

“I was just checking on Gaby and inviting her to the club tonight. We have an awesome band about to go big time playing there tonight.”

“Really? Wow, sounds great.”

“Yeah, wow. It’s okay to be impressed by me, Antonia,” he says, grinning from ear to ear, making me laugh a little.

“So . . . house call not a text or phone call?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

“Listen, I know the boundaries. I crossed them once and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my friendships but I won’t just ignore her like Mike. It’s not fair, and I care about her, which is rare, by the way. So I’m being her friend because that’s all she wants from me and I’d rather be a good friend to her than a bad boyfriend, because let’s face it, I suck at that shit.” He picks some invisible lint off his sleeve, looking down to the ground.

“I think you underestimate yourself. I’m glad you’re being her friend. Mike needs to give her a break. It’s been weeks. He’s being a dick. Why do they do this? Torture us, keeping us hanging by a thread. He should suck it up and forgive her, or cut her loose.”

“Fuck, you okay? Everything good with Hayes?”

He reaches a hand to pat my arm and looks down at me, concern arching in his brow.

“Yeah, peachy.” I shrug

“Okay, well why don’t you come tonight with Gaby? You haven’t been to the club for ages. It’s going to be a good night and your drinks are on me.” He raises both his eyebrows and brings his hands up to make a thumbs up gesture, grinning like a schoolboy who has seen boobies for the first time.

“Haha, okay. I could definitely go for a drink and let loose.”

My insides are coiled tight, my nerves grinding against my sanity for relief. Between my parents, Finlay, James, and the news they brought with them, I’m going to go postal.

My mind plays over what Gavin said about a band playing that’s about to go big time.

“What’s the band called?”

Please don’t say The Blazers. Please don’t say The Blazers.

“The Rush, why?”

It would be too much of a coincidence if it were James’s band but life has a way of screwing me over so I had to check.

“I just wondered. I’ll see you tonight, and thanks, Gav. You’re a good friend.”

“Good enough for a boob flash?”

“Wow, you lasted ten minutes before you went from good friend back to being a perv.”

“Hey, I’ve got a reputation to keep up! See you tonight.”

“ANTONIA ARE YOU READY?
”

Taking one more look in the mirror, I can’t help but smile at the girl looking back at me.

I’ve curled my blonde locks into tighter curls, leaving tight spiral corkscrew curls flowing down my backless silver dress. The dress like a second skin, showing all my curves. It comes to just above the knee, making me grateful for my toned legs. I feel attractive and this is what I needed—a boost.

Teaming the dress with black suede boots that have silver heels, and a silver clutch to match, I apply my lipstick to complement my dark, smoky eyes.

“I’m ready,” I say, leaving my room to find a glamorous Gaby wearing a dark blue satin dress ruched at the bust, giving her a much needed boost to her cleavage. Her dress is shorter than mine, showing off her amazing long legs. Libby’s wearing a black and gold dress the same length as mine, teamed with killer heels.

“Wowzer, you look amazing,” Libby says. Her date with Gabe had gone extremely well, leaving her a little smitten with him.

“Back at you, Libs. Gabe’s going to have a fit when sees you.”

She bounces on the spot, squealing. She and Gaby are so similar in personality it doesn’t surprise me that they have become friends so quickly.

“Car’s here, girls. Let’s go,” Gaby announces, opening the front door.

When we arrive at Gavin’s club, the queue goes all the way around the building, but Gaby walks over to the bouncer who recognizes her straight away and drops the red rope to let us pass. She reaches up to drop a sweet peck on his cheek, making his harsh glare brighten into a warm shit-eating grin.

“What the fuck?” a few girls at the front shout as we shimmy in behind Gaby.
It pays to know people.

The music is loud with bass bouncing off the walls, making them vibrate and thud like a pulse. The sound of people talking leaves a humming sound in the air as the music’s too high to actually hear the words people are speaking. Gaby reaches her hand behind her for me to take as she weaves us through the packed club. Hot, sticky bodies keep gyrating against me until we finally make it to the bar.

“Can I buy you lovely ladies a drink?” a guy wearing a designer suit and loafers asks as soon as he sees us. He’s not bad looking but he clearly loves himself. His eyes can’t seem to decide which one of our asses to stare at. Even if I were looking to be hit on, which I’m not, he would be an instant turn off.

“You here to see the band? Because I’m their manager. I could get you a meet and greet?”

“Oh my God, really?” Gaby asks, acting like Justin Timberlake just showed her his trouser snake and said she can touch it.
When did she become a groupie?

“Sure, what are your names? I’ll add them to the list.”

“Their names are off limits to the likes of you, Anderson. Back off,” Gavin interrupts, stepping in between Gaby and the suit.

Gavin signals the bar maid with a hand wave then a come here finger crook which she instantly obeys, despite the customers all waving their money at her to take their orders.

“These girls drink on the house. They’ll be up at the VIP area. Make sure you keep them serviced, I don’t want them having to come to the bar, okay?”

“Yes, boss,” she replies with nod and a
please take me now
stare.

“Should have known you would keep the hottest women in here to yourself, Gav,” the suit shouts over the music. “Spread the love.” He looks us up and down before continuing. “I’ll take legs and you can have busty, or vice versa. They’re both smoking hot. The other one will have to hold the camera,” He points to Libby, sniggering.

“I’ll fucking spread your nose all over your face if you talk about them like that again.” Gavin glares, his jaw tensing as he leans into the suit’s face.

“Chill, I was kidding. Fucking hell, you used to be able to handle a joke.” He raises his hands in defeat.

“I can handle a joke but these are my friends and I have limits. You just insulted them.”

“Okay, shit. Sorry, girls. I was just being a jerk having a bit of fun.”

I look around Gavin so I can be face to face with the jerk. “With banter like that, you must get all the girls. You’re a rude, vulgar pig and I don’t care if you’re the manager of this band or any other, I wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s hands, let alone my own. My friends are so out of your league it’s shocking you even had the balls to address them. They’re state champions celebrating a win, you’re something the litter collector has to come along to clear once everyone’s left.”

I pick up my drink and walk to the VIP area. I hear Gavin burst out laughing and the hurried footsteps of Libby following behind me.

Gaby and Gavin join us; there’s a buzz in the atmosphere from my outburst to the jerk in the suit.

“That was brilliant. Damn, I wish I could say stuff like that when guys are being jerks.” Gaby beams.