Page 14 of Play Hard
He released my hand and turned to start walking before I could say anything else, so I simply followed him. Stefan had been right, there was a good crowd in here tonight, so many that I bumped into a few as I tried to keep up with a fast-moving Rock. The crowd which seemed to part for him, immediately reconvened as he passed, leaving me to mumble “excuse me” and “sorry” more times than I liked. Again, I hated crowds. So, I kept one hand over my purse, holding it in front of me now as I needed to use my other arm to extend and help me through the crowd.
The front entrance was behind me, as Rock had guided us toward the back of this lower floor. The stage was in thisdirection, and as I moved, I caught a closer view of the young lady just finishing up her turn at the mic. I had to admit I was curious who would come next and what they’d sing. I did enjoy karaoke…not performing but certainly watching. The bar, that seemed to stretch almost the full length of this floor was now to my left. To the right, past rows of high-boy tables with red leather cushioned chairs, was a wall where a dozen TV screens were mounted.
World news was on one of the televisions while various sports games were on others. I didn’t think they were all live games, or current ones for that matter since one seemed to have an old winter Olympics ski race showing. In addition to the music, there was lots of chatter in the space. Glasses clinked, servers moved about, a few people were on the dance floor while another group in the area I just passed started to sing happy birthday to someone at their table. When I heard them, I glanced back to see a double tiered cake decorated in multi-colored polka dots and with three lighted sparklers sticking out from the top. The sight made me smile, happy to see that someone was having a good time—a good life.
Then I tripped and almost fell on my face.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist, hoisting me back against a firm chest. “We meet again, pretty lady,” the male voice sounded in my ear.
I whirled around, heart still thumping wildly after my almost faceplant into the floor. “Oh, hey,” I said breathily. Flattening a palm on my chest like that would calm the beating, I managed to smile. “Thanks. I should’ve been paying attention.”
“No problem,” he said, smile spreading immediately. His face was familiar, but I struggled with recalling his name.
“Timmy,” he informed me as if reading my confusion. “We met the other day at the municipal building. I saved you from the elevator.”
I nodded, putting the name to the freckles and sandy brown hair. He’d been wearing a dark blue firefighter’s uniform that day but tonight he was dressed in blue jeans and a gray sweatshirt. “Yes, yes. Well, thank you again. You just keep saving me and I appreciate it.”
“Oh, I love saving pretty women.” He grinned and it was at that moment I realized he still had his arms around me.
“Did you come here tonight to get some shit started?” another familiar voice asked from behind me.
Before I could respond, a huge hand was planted in the center of Timmy’s chest, pushing him back with enough force to send him stumbling. “Stay over there if you don’t want Noah sending you a clearer message,” Rock told Timmy.
I felt my frown and knew a few choice words were about to fall from my lips when I sensed him. It was like everyone else in the room disappeared and there was only him. His presence draped like a warm blanket over my shoulders.
“Timmy’s a smart dude,” Noah said coming forward until he was partially blocking me from Rock and Timmy at this point. “He knows to leave his hero act down at the fire station unless someone’s life is in jeopardy.”
Timmy had finally righted himself, tossing Rock and Noah weary glares. “Thought you two were too old for bullying.”
Rock chuckled. “You haven’t been bullied, just warned.”
“And your drinks were on the house the other night, so that was all the payment you were getting for your assistance. Tonight, though, you might end up needing one of your paramedics on duty if you touch her again,” Noah said.
Timmy held up both hands in surrender. “Nah, man, if she’s taken, that’s all you had to say. We don’t have to get to embarrassing you in front of your lady.”
I couldn’t tell if this scene was serious or if these guys knew each other and were joking. I mean, it was obvious they kneweach other but was there real animosity here or was this a joke? I needed to figure it out before I reacted. For one thing, Noah had no place telling another man to keep his hands off me. We weren’t together anymore. And for another, I also didn’t take kindly to being part of somebody’s joke.
“Excuse me,” I cleared my throat. “I just came here so we could talk. But if you’re busy handling some sort of schoolyard squabble, I can go.”
Noah turned on me quicker than I expected and grabbed my wrist. “Stay,” he said, his tone urgent.
“You can go now,” I heard Rock tell Timmy.
“Yeah, a’ight. Remember that the next time you’re stuck in an elevator, Noah!” Timmy yelled.
I knew he’d walked away, even though I couldn’t see him with Noah’s body blocking anybody else from my view.
The young lady who’d survived her first song had apparently decided to stay on stage for an encore. I recognized her voice as this time she’d selected Whitney Houston’sI Wanna Dance With Somebodyand I felt a little nervous for her. I didn’t have time to wonder if she could deliver because Noah’s grumbled, “Let’s go in the back,” tore my attention away.
I let him keep his grip on my wrist as he guided me farther toward the back of the restaurant. I had no idea when he’d joined us out there or if Rock had continued walking until he found Noah, then both of them returned to see me with Timmy. And I guess it didn’t matter at this point, since he had opened a door, and pulled me inside before I could ask the question.
I heard the door slam and a lock click into place. Saw a desk with a small lamp at one end, stacks of papers and a large monitor on the other. Then I felt my back slamming against the door and Noah’s body pressing against mine. “You stood me up,” he said, his lips only inches away from mine. “Now, you owe me.”
CHAPTER 7
Serra
And just like that I was back on the campus at Cheyney, in Noah’s apartment. The memory came so stark and clear it took my breath away.
