Page 102 of Eye of the Hurricane
“Yeah. Makes you look less like a frat boy with wings,” Sebastian adds.
“Still seems girly to me.” Roman shrugs.
“Careful, you’ll get a lecture about the female gaze vs. the male gaze for that. Ask me how I know.”
“Theyarevery different,” Roman agrees. I just laugh.
“Are we waiting for them to be ready or are we just going?” I ask.
“Up to you guys,” Roman tells us.
“I’d rather wait for them there than wait for them here,” Sebastian replies.
“Let’s head out then,” I say, nodding my head toward the door.
“I’ll call the Uber.”
“I’ll tell Auds that we’re going now,” Roman adds on our way out of the door.
We don’t have to wait long for the Uber to pick us up which seems rare considering it’s Halloween, one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. Not only that but it falls on a Saturday this year. It feels a little silly getting into an uber with wings strapped to my back.
The drive is short, we’re only going into the heart of town. It’s only about ten minutes from Roman’s house. Still, better than anyone having to stay sober to be the designated driver for the night.
The Sand has a strict ‘No Costume, No Entry’ policy for Halloween. Which in turn means that every single person in this bar is dressed in some costume. Some are simple like a certain style of clothing to represent a character. Some are entirely unrecognizable in costume.
I’ve never seen The Sand so packed. I have to imagine this is great for business. Especially considering the line we’re waiting in just to order a drink.
I scan the room and think about how excited I would have been a few years ago about all of the women in corsets and tiny little skirts. Now they might as well be in paper bags for all I care. All I can think about is Kat. She’s all I ever think about anymore.
I’m equal parts excited and nervous to see her. I haven’t seen her since the day of her interview. I’ve also been waiting on bated breath to hear if she got the job. Every day that I don’t hear the good news, my heart sinks for her.
The way Kat and I left things is weird. Uncomfortable to sit with at the very least. We’re in this weirdpurgatory where we’re both aware of how into each other we are. Yet somehow there is no guarantee that we’ll ever be together.
The idea that Kat and I would never end up together feels far away. Like some worst case scenario that would never happen. I don’t know what that says about me.
I don’t know where she’s at. All I know is where I’m at. And where I’m at is that I know exactly what I want. If I tried to dream up a perfect woman, she still wouldn’t be as good as Katherine. She’s as good as it gets. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to find something that feels the same when I already know it’s not out there.
Finally, I get to the front of the line and I order myself a beer. I also have the foresight to order Katherine an espresso martini so she won’t have to wait in the line that I just did.
The girls walk in, laughing loudly. It doesn’t draw much attention because they’re not being any louder than everyone else in here. My eyes are glued to them though. Well, let’s be really honest. My eyes are glued to Katherine.
As if she isn’t angelic enough on her own, she’s dressed as one. She’s got on a tight, white, corset with all kinds of lace on it. It’s complete with the tiniest mini skirt I’ve ever seen to match. And to top it off, tights that have little tiny diamonds running up and down her legs.
I see now that this night out will be short-lived. Why? Because I’m taking her home and throwing her on the bed the first chance I get. I can’t think straight looking at her, maybe because all of my blood is rushing in the opposite direction.
Before I know it she’s standing in front of me with a bright smile on her face. I hold the martini glass out to her and she takes it from me.
“Line was crazy, I didn’t want you to have to wait in it,” Itell her, leaning down to her ear so she can hear me over the crowd.
“Thank you.”
“You look really fucking good, Kat.” My voice rasps in her ear. I lean back, gauging her reaction. A light blush blooms on her cheeks.
“You look sexy like this,” she replies, pushing up on her tiptoes to get closer to my ear. Now I’m the one blushing. And picturing myself carrying her ass out of here, but that’s neither here nor there.
“Happy Halloween, shithead,” Ravyn says, nudging my arm harshly.
“Happy Halloween, Ray.” She slips through the crowds of people and makes her way to the line for drinks.
