Trance (12 page)

“Try it.”

I placed the glass back down onto the table. “I might have a juice instead.”

“It’s only one. Live a little. Imagine you’re in Mexico.”

I looked around at the families. A woman at the next table was feeding her baby mush from a
kiddy bowl. “I’m not sure this is the time and place for shots.”

“Suit yourself.” He took my glass, repeated the salt routine and downed my tequila with the lemon chaser.

I stared at him with disbelief. Was this the same person that I was on the date with last night? The same Mr Nice Guy that I could finally see myself falling for? Where was that Jason? Who on earth was the person sitting opposite me now?

Jason was right about one thing - the food at the restaurant was superb. Our host, Gabriela, bought out tiny bowls of all manner of dishes - from enchilada’s to corn cakes, Shrimp ceviche to Spanish rice. All perfect portions with flavors to die for. The whole restaurant was scented with warm delicious spices.

I was thankful I wore a dress, as I could feel my stomach expanding with every mouthful. Even when I was overstuffed, another bowl would come to our table that I absolutely had to sample. Each mouthful more wonderful than the next. If I ate like this all the time, I’d never fit into any of my clothes.

Jason had barely touched his meal. He’d pick and choose from the bowls that were delivered, but mostly he just talked. He did, however, order another drink - another shot of tequila. Was he not worried that he’d driven here, and from the amount he’d downed, probably not likely to be able to drive home?

I didn’t want to get into a car with someone who had been drinking. Hell, I didn’t want to be on a date with someone who was drunk. I looked at his eyes, there were still clear (and still gorgeously bright blue).

I struggled with what I should do. Leave? Stay? I didn’t want to be on a date with someone whose purpose was to get drunk. It showed me how little I knew about Jason Green after all. I thought back to every other time I’d been with him. Apart from the first time we met in the mirror maze, he’d been drinking every other time.

Well, if he thought he was driving me home tonight, he’d be sadly mistaken. That didn’t mean I was going to waste all this delightful food though.

To his credit, Jason was still coherent and charming. If you hadn’t seen him take three shots, you’d have thought he was as sober as I was. It was that fact that was scaring me more than anything else, and I started to doubt who the real Jason Green was. Had he been himself last night? Just who had I slept with?

The bill came and he paid it with a credit card.

“Told you the food here rocks,” he said.

“Well, you were right about that.”

“Where to next?” He reached over and grabbed my hand. “Somewhere private sounds good about now.” His finger caressed the back of my wrist sending tiny tingling goose bumps up my arm. My body was betraying me. My skin craved his touch, but I couldn’t.

“I might catch a cab home.” I pulled my hand away and opened my purse pulling out my phone. “You should probably catch one too.”

He looked shocked. “What’s wrong? I thought you were having a good time. Didn’t you like the food here?”

“Yes, the food was wonderful, just like you said it would be.”

“Then what is it?”

“You really have no idea why I would be annoyed?”

“Here we go again.” He rolled his eyes at me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The hot and cold routine. You want me, you don’t want me, you want me. For fuck’s sake, Scarlett, make up your mind.”

I felt like I’d been slapped. I couldn’t say anything. My mouth hung open. I grabbed my purse and walked out as fast as I could. I didn’t look back, I just walked out.

I was shaking. When I was far enough away that he couldn’t seem me, I pulled out my phone and dialed. “Lacey, come and pick me up. Right away.”

I shrank back against the terracotta brick wall of the building. The brick was smooth, worn over years of rain and sun beating the side of it. I pressed further into the shadows away from view. No streetlight reached me here.

Jason called my name, searching for me up and down the road to see which direction I’d gone. He couldn’t see me here. So close, yet for all he knew, miles away.

“Scarlett? Scarlett, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.”

Then why did you say it? I didn’t move. Lacey would be here soon. She’d be here, and I’d be able to get away from him. I didn’t need someone in my life with a drinking problem.

My phone buzzed. I’d put it on silence, but the vibrations hit something in my purse that caused a rattling sound. I looked down at the message he’d sent. ‘
Please call me. I need to know you are safe. This is a dangerous neighborhood
.’ Safe. Ha! Safe from another man ruining my life. I shook my head. It made sense, after Dean, but Jason had always been nice to me. Perfect even. Ironically, I knew that no one was perfect, not even me. But still, I didn’t want to see him. Not if he drank every time we were together.

I looked up. He’d disappeared. Back in the restaurant probably, or maybe his car. I hoped he’d be safe as he drove. Above all else, I wanted him to be safe still, from hurting himself or anyone else.

I stepped further out onto the path, trying to see where he had gone. His car was still in the parking lot. There was no sign of him there. I hoped he’d taken my advice and went to ring a cab, after all.

A shuffling sound to my left made me jump. A man of about thirty appeared from nowhere. He looked as surprised to see me as I was to see him.

“Sorry Miss.”

“That’s alright.” I stepped back to let him pass. He didn’t move.

“Whatcha doin’ here all alone?”

“Just waiting for my friend to pick me up. She’ll be here any minute.” I clutched my bag to me tightly, wondering if it would be rude if I reached inside and grabbed my phone again. Just act natural, I told myself.

“Want me to wait with you? You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“Suit yourself.” He walked a few steps passed me. I didn’t even realize I had been holding my breath, but once he had begun to walk away, my chest heaved in relief. I reached down to grab my phone after all. Where was Lacey?

The man doubled back. He placed his hand on the wall in front of me. “You know, I might wait with you after all.”

“No thanks. You be on your way.”

“Nah. I’m
gonna stay.”

“Fine, then I must get going myself.” I stepped away from the building and began to walk back to the restaurant.

He grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to him, and pushing me against the wall. It didn’t feel smooth anymore. It felt rough, hard.

His face was close to mine, close enough that I could smell the alcohol lingering in a cloud around him. His eyes were glazed, red, unfocused. Stubble clung to his cheeks. He looked older this close, and stronger.

“How ‘bout a little kiss?”

“I don’t kiss on first dates.” I turned my head to the side trying to look down at my phone and scroll with my free hand. My hand was jittery, and I couldn’t press the buttons properly.

“Maybe you just wanna fuck then?”

Suddenly he was no longer pressing against me. It was like he’d been flung backward by an invisible force landing on the concrete on his back.

Jason was standing over him, his fists clenched. “Get up. Get out of here.”

The man stood and hesitated as he looked between
Jason and me, as if sizing up the situation, then took off at a run down the street away from us.

“Are you alright?” Jason came over to me, his hand on my cheek.

I fell into his chest. My whole body tense, my heart thumping, my skin crawling. I didn’t want to think about what could of, would of, happened if Jason hadn’t found me.

I couldn’t speak, I just let Jason hold me close, letting myself try and come to terms with how stupid I was to run and hide in the shadows in an unfamiliar area. Didn’t every girl know that was the worst thing you could do? I’m such an idiot.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I’m sorry I snapped. But, god, I am so happy that you’re okay.” He stroked my hair, as I snuggled further into his chest. “Why did you run? What did I do?”

When I finally stopped gulping for air I looked up at him. “Not important.”

He held my face in his hands. “It’s very important. It was so important that it made you take off and put yourself in danger.”

I shook my head. “I know. I was mad.”

“Why?”

“
Your drinking.”

“My drinking? I only had three shots.”

“You’re drinking every time we are together. You have a problem.”

He laughed. In a situation that wasn’t even the remotest bit funny, he laughed out loud.

“It’s not funny.”

He got a hold of himself and stopped, pressing his lips together as if suppressing another chuckle that threatened to erupt. “I’m not a drunk.”

“Are you sure?”

“Scarlett, did you look closely at the champagne that I served last night? At the label?”

“Um, no.”

“It was non-alcoholic.”

“That’s not true.”

He nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

I could feel my cheeks get red. “But, I felt tipsy, that’s why I was so…flirty. And why we, you know, did it on the first date.”

“That was all on you. Can’t blame any alcohol for that I’m afraid.”

“But, what about tonight?”

“Yeah, three shots is enough to get a buzz, but it’s not going to make me drunk - at least not the watered down version that Gabriela serves at her restaurant.”

“She waters down the tequila?”

“She comes from a family that struggles financially. I let it go.”

“Oh.”

“So I’m not the drunk you think I am.”

“Oh.” How could I have gotten this so wrong?

“The only reason I had any shots at all tonight, was because… damn, because you make me so nervous.”

“You don’t get nervous, you said so yourself.”

“Around you I do.”

I swallowed. My phone buzzed. I looked down to my hand. Lacey was just about here.

“I rang Lacey. To pick me up.”

He stepped back from me. He was no longer laughing, his eyes had turned serious. “I think you should go back with her tonight.”

“I can’t go now. Not after I was so wrong.”

“Go. I’ll wait with you until you are safely in her car. I think we’ve both had enough drama for one night.”

I nodded. I didn’t want to go now. I reached up and kissed him. “I’m sorry,” I said.

“So am I,” he said.

I watched out of the window as I buckled my seat belt. Jason’s arms hung loosely by his side, his shoulders were hunched. “What’d you do to him?” asked Lacey.

“I can’t believe I’m such an idiot.”

“Not true. But I will of course, reserve judgment until after I hear the deets.”

I slunk back into my chair as the car drove away. “How did I mess up so bad?”

“Again, don’t have all the details, so can’t offer my friendly wisdom.”

“And he was so sweet. I think I just scared him off for good.”

“Doubtful. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Start at the beginning, from the moment he picked you up.” She turned the corner. She was heading to her apartment rather than my house, which, given the circumstances, I was grateful for. I couldn’t explain to my grandparents why I was home so early.

She kept silent for the short ride home, as did I. I looked down at my hands, watching how the streetlights strobed light on and off them. She knew I’d tell her. Even though patience wasn’t her strongest attribute, she gave me the courtesy of quiet on the ride to her home.

When we got to her place, I curled up on the couch, holding a cushion over my face. Lacey sat beside me, pulling her legs up underneath her.

I took the cushion away and told her everything, from the moment he picked me up and took me to the restaurant, to my accusations. I told her about the man who attempted to attack me and probably would have if Jason hadn’t found me. And I told her how stupid I had been,
given that I ran away, making accusations without asking him outright what was going on. When I had finally finished I had half a mind to place the cushion back over my face and press as hard as I could.

“Have you told him about Dean, yet?”

I lifted the cushion. “Of course not.”

“I think you should.”

“No way. That part of my life is over. I don’t want to talk about it, think about it, let alone admit I was ever with him.”

“He might know already.”

“He doesn’t know. He would have said something, or mentioned something. He wouldn’t want to date me if he really knew.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “How much do you really like him?”

“I don’t know, we’ve only started dating.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Of course I like him. Why do you think I’ve gone batshit crazy again. I always get this way when I’m falling for someone.”

She grinned. “So you're falling for him.”

“Whatever.”

“The first step to any good program is to admit you have a problem.”

I groaned and rolled my eyes.

“No really,” she continued. “I’m serious. You need to tell him. Because if you do get involved with him, you don’t want him to stumble across it, either somewhere online or by someone mentioning it in public.”