Page 34 of Without Bound
I pull back, looking into his eyes and tell myself this is the kind of guy I should be with. Someone young and carefree with his entire life still ahead of him. But nothing about a guy who is still figuring out what classes he wants to take next semester attracts me. I may only be nineteen, but I’m a mature nineteen and I know that I want a man. Not a boy who chugs beers from a funnel with his bros.
“I don’t know you, and my mom told me to never go home with strangers.” I play coy and bat my eyelashes at him.
The flashing lights throw a variation of colors across his face and he smirks. “Well then let’s get to know each other better and I won’t be a stranger anymore.”
He slides his hand across my jaw and it tangles into my sticky strands. Our eyes search one another and I swallow, deciding to let whatever happens happen. He moves closer until our lips are centimeters apart. I close my eyes and feel his mouth take mine.
Our tongues twist and I taste the beer that lingers on his tongue. His kiss is neither soft nor hard with just enough pressure to make me moan. I feel his hands splay across my lower back, his fingertips brushing the top of my ass. I take a step back, breaking the kiss and put room between us.
“Just let me go to the restroom. Then we can talk more. ‘K?” He answers with a smile and I step past him and off the dance floor.
The song changes and I stumble, listening to the words and taking it as a sign that the guy waiting to take me home for a mediocre fuck is not the one I want to waste my time on.
I pull my phone from my pocket and send a text. A link, no other words, with hopes he’ll follow.
Me:
I hit send and watch as the text shows delivered. I wait for him to read it but after a few minutes, the status doesn’t change. I push my way to the bathroom, stepping behind a line of girls who all giggle and sway where they stand.
The line moves slowly as girls probably take their time talking from one stall to the other and fixing their faces that are melting from the heat of too many bodies crammed into one place takes effect.
My phone buzzes and I quickly pull it out to see a response from Bishop.
Bishop: What is this, Anais?
I bite my lip and type back.
Me: A song. Did you listen?
Bishop: Yes. I know that. But why are you sending it to me?
I toy with the idea of playing it off like I just heard it and thought he may like it, but I say fuck it and tell him the truth. I’m sure it’s the alcohol making me brave, but I’m tired of pretending like I don’t need him.
Me: Because it’s what I feel…for you.
Bishop: Anais, you can’t say that.
Me: Why? Why can’t I, Bishop? It’s how I feel. I know you want me.
A tap at my shoulder pulls me away from my fixation on the phone screen and I look over my shoulder. The girl points ahead of me to show that the line has moved while I’ve been standing, and I tell her to go ahead and move to the side, suddenly needing to finish this conversation more than I need the restroom.
Bishop: Stop it. You’re nineteen. You’re my best friend's niece.
Me: The age excuse is played out. And I don’t hear you denying it.
Minutes pass without a response, so I pocket my phone, realizing I pushed too far. I get back in line but then decide to try once more.
Me: I heard you. In the shower when I was at your place. I heard my name, Bishop.
This gets the dots bouncing. I wait with anticipation to see his response.
Bishop: Where are you?
Me: Why? You gonna come get me?
Bishop: TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE
The all caps can either be a good thing or a bad thing. He’s either really excited about what I told him and wants to ravish me, or he’s pissed and I’m about to regret every word in this text.
