Page 38 of Trusting the Fall

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Westley already informed me the salon was a no go for the next week.

How long will you grace me with your delightful presence?

Claire

17

I’vealwayshadahigh sex drive, but I think I might actually have a problem.

It’s the first weekend in a month that Lex has had off from the nightclub. Even better, it’s one of The Wayside’s exclusive themed nights. Yet all I can think is: I could be riding Leif’s cock right now.

I still don’t know if I’ve cracked the password code. But I’m completely relying on getting in to be the distraction I need, to confirm that I haven’t, in fact, gotten myself addicted to some Viking’s battle sword.

“Password?” a monotone voice sounds from behind a door.

Only a set of shadowed eyes become visible through a viewing window. I lean in, covering my mouth from the rest of the line still waiting, and whisper, “Honky tonk honey.”

I feel Lex jump beside me and latch onto my arm as a guy steps out of the shadows, gesturing for our wrists to stamp before we’re ushered through a door. Thank God whiskey will distract my sex-addled brain, I’m sure.

Lex tugs on her frayed mini skirt, the sound of our matching cowboy boots bouncing off the bare walls of a dark hall.

Time seems to pause for a moment before we’re thrust into a second room, and the honeyed twang of country music fills the air.

Lex squeals beside me as she takes in the room. People dressed in an array of chaps and cowboy hats, tasselled vests and big buckled belts. I jump along with Lex, matching her excitement.

This is what I needed. Not a fucking man. Just time with my best girl where we can shake our arses and sling back some shots.

We race straight to the dancefloor to join the sea of people, getting lost in the surrounding energy.

Sweat glistens on our necks, and our mouths dry out before we fight our way through the thick crowd to the bar to order some drinks.

While we wait for our whiskey sours, I laugh when I notice the big, tattooed bartender from last time sporting his own cowboy hat. I didn’t realise it was possible for the guy to look even more grumpy. Once we have our drinks in hand, we snag a high-top table to dance around while we sip at our drinks.

“Thanks for convincing me to come out tonight,” Lex shouts to me over the music.

“We needed this! I miss you now that you’re working most weekends.”

I’m not entirely unhappy with the company I keep as an alternative to my bestie, but I needed this reminder that men are not the centre of my world. Never have been. Never will be.

Lex smiles over at me right as the beat changes to a punching synth riff that demands our presence front and centre on the dancefloor. I let myself get lost in the rhythms, moving with a freeing grace. Lex and I grin like goofballs at each other until the smile halts on her face.

“Hello, Siren.”

I whip around to the cool tone and see a tall guy dressed in a vest and tie, even though the rest of the bar is thick in our western era. Shit, it’s that Caleb guy, her hookup from last month. Just like I suspected, he’s here. And it looks like he’s been hoping to see her, too.

“I’m just going to get a drink.” I try to catch Lex’s attention, wanting to make sure she’s okay for me to leave her, but the two of them only have eyes for each other.

A satisfied smile covers my face as I make my way over to the bar for a drink. Ordering another whiskey sour, I turn back to check on Lex. Caleb has his hands locked around her waist, entirely wrapped in her orbit. While I wait, the tattooed grump that said he was brothers with Lex’s crush stands next to my bartender.

“Does your brother ever not wear a tie?” I shout to him.

His eyes fly up to meet mine before they search behind me. He must spot his brother in the fray. I see his eyes flare in surprise before they hurriedly return to the cocktails he’s mixing.

“Doesn’t really know how to loosen up,” he says.

“My friend as well. Guess they’ve found something in common then.”

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