Page 48 of Stroked
Lucy jumped from her stool. “No, we appreciate you coming out! There’s no shortage of bands to come play but none have brought that crowd. I bet you’ll be hearing from Adam soon. Just don’t forget about us.” Lucy winked, then finished her beer. “I’ll touch base this week, but just, same stuff as last time. We’re gonna run home. Long day.”
Jason tucked a curl behind her ear. “I keep telling her she doesn’t have to stay at the station. She’s running herself ragged.”
Amy chimed in. “She loves it. She’ll leave if she wants to.”
Lucy rolled her eyes, then leaned to hug Amy. It looked like she whispered something in her ear and Amy rolled her eyes back at her.
“Val, we’ll chat in a few days. Y’all have fun.” Lucy grabbed Jason’s hand and they left.
“It is late. Should we head back to your place?”
Amy slid off her stool, put some cash down on the bar, and waved to the bartender, Jaz. She turned and put her hand out to help me down. All the beers must have gotten to me because I placed my hand in hers and slid off the stool.
I didn’t immediately pull away and our eyes locked, the lights behind me from the small stage making her eyes shimmer. After several seconds, shepulledher hand from mine and turned, but paused.
I looked in the direction where her eyes were fixed; it took me a moment, but I recognized the blonde girl from The Lounge the night we met. Just like on that night, it looked like she came in with a group. Amy turned back to me but the girl had already seen her and was making a beeline to us.
“Amy!” the blonde squealed. “I didn’t know you came here.”
Amy turned and nodded with a polite grin. “Sometimes, but I was actually just leaving. Have fun, Julie.”
Amy went to walk past her, but Julie slinked her arm up and around her neck. Heat rushed to my neck and cheeks. Amy gently pushed her arm off from her shoulder, glancing at me with a slight nod as she did. I took the hint and made my way to her, trying to unclench my jaw.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were here with someone,” Julie said.
Blue Moon must be stronger than I thought because, before I knew it, I was face to face with the blonde. “Well, sheis, andweare trying to leave. Good night.”
I grabbed Amy’s hand and pulled her from the club. Once we were outside, I took a deep breath and gently loosened the grip on her hand, letting it fall from mine.
We walked quietly to her apartment, the hot humid air not helping the feelings swirling inside me. Once we got there, she closed the door behind me and gently walked past me to the fridge.
I put my bag down and fumbled with my fingers. “I am sorry.”
Turning from the cabinet, she smiled. “Sorry? For what? Water?” She held the glasses up, then turned again to get water from the fridge door.
I let out a huge sigh. “I am sorry I acted that way to that girl. And to you.”
She put one empty glass and one half-filled glass on the counter, then walked to me.
“Valentina,” she said, almost in a whisper as she pushed hair off my shoulders. “Are you apologizing for getting jealous? Because I kinda liked it.” Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.
“Really? You are not mad?”
“Mad? Why would I be mad? Honestly, I was a little shocked at how you dragged me out of there. I thought we weren’t doing PDA. But I don’t mind one bit.”
“I…wanted her to know you were mine.”
Amy’s mouth fell slightly open, and her hands dropped.
“I am sorry, I keep doing and saying the wrong things–”
Before I could finish, her lips were pressed firmly to mine, then we stayed tangled up in each other for the night.
???
After a late night, we lay lazily in bed the next morning.
Amy was running her fingers lightly over my exposed back as I lay on my stomach, watching her from the soft pillow. “Can I ask you something?”
