Page 46 of Quake

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“It’s a rock ‘n’ roll bar,” he explained. “A little hole-in-the-wall that has live music and good drinks. You look like the kind of woman who likes a little alternative music, so I took a punt. Besides, I really want to take you out tonight.”

It must be the dyed black hair that tipped him off. Being the polar opposite of my sister, I was into quirkier stuff than the mainstream surfer chick lifestyle she had chased. Books, music, art, writing, and creative pursuits were my thing. The playlists I kept on my phone were full of indie, quirky folk and electronic bands, some alternative rock, and a little punk. In another life, I would’ve already been to a place like Cherry Bar ten times over if I had the confidence.

“How…” I began, really wanting to go but not sure about the shadows.

“Don’t worry about anything,” Caleb said like he was able to read my mind. “I’ll make sure you get home okay. I’ll be with you until you want me to fuck off.”

“How do you always know what to say?” I asked, staring up at him.

He shrugged, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“No, really. How?”

“Boxing,” he said mysteriously, grasping my wrists and holding up my gloved fists. “So? We’re going to train for an hour, then shower, then dinner, and then go see some brilliant music. Sound like a plan?”

Date night with Caleb Carmichael? I wanted him any way I could get him, and if it meant being glued to his side all night and experiencing a facet of Melbourne I’d been too afraid of to immerse myself in, then I’d go. I wanted to live.

“Yeah,” I murmured, completely under his spell. “I’d go anywhere with you.”

18

Caleb

I’d go anywherewith you.

All night, her words rang in my head, sending me into a spin.

Juliette and I stood in the middle of Cherry Bar, the place absolutely packed and sweltering like a sauna. The first band had just finished playing, and we were edging toward the bar for a drink, along with everyone else.

We’d had a good time so far. We’d finished training and gone to her place so she could change. Then we had dinner at a little Chinese restaurant on Little Bourke Street in the city, which had the best all-day dim sum, followed by an easy stroll to Cherry Bar, which was spent hand in hand all the way.

It’d been the perfect date. Textbook perfect. Life felt good despite both our lingering issues, but I suppose that was what this crazy ride was all about. Moments like these.

It was too loud to talk inside, so we stood nestled together as we moved closer and closer toward the bar. Finally, Juliette leaned against the edge, next in line.

A man stood beside her, a tall, lanky Goth bloke with dyed black hair, black guyliner, and a torn-up T-shirt. Looked tough but had absolutely no muscle on his arms. When he turned and stared at Juliette, completely unblinking, my hackles rose.

“Hey, you look familiar,” he said, peering at her. “Have we met before?”

“I don’t think so,” she replied, angling herself away. We’d become separated in the crush, and I placed my hand in hers, trying to squeeze in next to her.

“Yeah, I have seen you someplace,” he went on, his words slurring together. The guy was drunk as a skunk and in no way needed to plaster himself with another pot of beer. “Have you been on my cock?”

I scowled at the guy, but he was oblivious to my towering presence, his gaze fixated on Juliette. I didn’t like where this was going.

“Gross,” she said, making a face as I edged closer to her through the crowd.

“Nope, must not have,” he said to himself. “Oh, I know…”

Juliette turned her face away and looked for the bartender, attempting to give the guy a hint she was done trying to humor his drunken ass.

“Yeah, you look like that girl who was murdered,” he drawled. “Except for the hair.”

He reached out to grab her hair, and she jerked backward, her eyes wide with fear.

“Hey,” I said, forcing myself between them. “Hands off,mate.”

The guy took one look at me and held up his hands. “Easy buddy, just chatting with her.”