Page 5 of Imbalanced Minds

Both of his arms wrap around my body as we become one and intimately sway to whatever music is now playing. A rush of heat rips through my core and I’m certain it’s a mix of both alcohol and arousal.

It’s homely and inviting.

Ripped from our moment, Nat arrives back much too soon with our drinks carefully held between her two hands. One for Cory too it seems, whiskey neat, his favourite drink.

“I’ll let you girls have a moment, I need the men’s room anyway,” Cory says slowly.

Letting me go and accepting the drink, he throws it back in one hit then kisses me on the cheek before heading toward the restrooms. I stand frozen in time with my palm placed over the searing spot where Cory’s lips had just been.

“Holy moly, Iris, what the heck was that?” Nat squeals over the top of her glass, also scaring me out of my fantasy.

“I have no damn clue chick, but I’m going to find out because you interrupted us and he distracted me from my question. Hold this.” Shoving my glass back at her then changing my mind, I down my vodka-lime then make a move toward the restroom after him.

One part of me is paranoid he’s changed his mind. After all this time and effort I’ve thrown toward him, it’s definitely in the forefront of my mind that he’d be second-guessing the situation.

Blurred by my thoughts, I’m not prepared for the sudden change in direction. I find myself being spun around and slammed up against a tall gangly body, one who does not resemble Cory. No, this one I recognise by his possessive hold and stench of strong deodorant; disgustingly so, one I used to like.

“Let me the fuck go, asshole!” I yell at him. Fuelled by alcohol I fight against his hold, only making his hold on me increase.

“Oh, baby. I’ve been watching you. How come you’ve been shaking that fine ass in front of me all night, yet, you haven’t noticed me in here at all. Then, when that dick comes and takes hold of what’s mine, you whore it up for him—” His words are cut off as a burly fist flies past my head and connects with Tyrell’s jaw.

“Ah, fuck.”

The sound of bone crunching brings me back to the now as I turn to see Cory ready with another fist aimed his way, his nostrils flaring, and eyebrows pinched together in anger. His fist shoots past my head once again and with another crack to his head it causes Tyrell to lose balance and stumble back into the bar.

Trying to scramble out of this mess is impossible as my ex starts to retaliate. All I can do in this moment is start screaming for them both to stop.

Tyrell’s nose has to be broken and blood, there’s so much of it.

Nat comes up and pulls me out of the brawl that just erupted into utter chaos. Before I can gather my focus and talk to her, another person comes barrelling past with his arm cocked back ready to throw down with Cory.

“Don’t you ever touch my sister again, you piece of scum. She’s not yours anymore, you sack of shit! Stay the hell away from her!”

“What the hell is happening? Nat, what the shit?” I’m beyond mad and confused right now. For starters, with the fact Tyrell is here and claiming I’m his, then, with that little stunt Justin pulled by setting me up with the strip club, and now for both him and Cory being here.

As she pulls me away from the fray, I look to Natalie for answers and surprisingly she spills the beans. “I checked my phone when I was at the bar. I didn’t know Justin was here until I read his message. Babe, he was called into work tonight and my guess Cory knew about that prank, so he was waiting here for us to arrive. I’m not sure Cory even knew Justin was on the door.”

Letting out a sigh, I figure it’s easier if I let this slide—for now—because none of this makes any sense.

As my buzz takes a turn for the worst, I look around for the safest route to the bar but before I can make my way, Cory and Jay arrive at our side’s moments later. As Justin notices me, he also takes interest in the extra attention Cory is giving me while looking me over.

“Bro, I got them. Let’s get them out front. You’re on shift I take it?” Cory motions to Jay’s uniform while Jay shakes his head out of his contemplation.

“Fine, but hurry it up, shits mental in here now.” Justin huffs angrily. “What the fuck happened?” He looks at me accusingly just as we make it out the main door.

“Hey, that’s not fair! That fuck-face man-handled me while I was walking to the bathrooms. I did fucking nothing!” Anger starts radiating from my voice as I look to Cory. “This He-Man decided it was okay to throw down when I had it completely under control.” I sass at everyone except Nat, who then turns on me too.

“Ah, from where I was standing, he wasn’t letting you go, babe. Cory did you a huge favour in there. We’re also lucky Justie’s bouncing on the door so he can get us out of trouble, although you know as well as I do, he’d stay in the mosh pit of fisty cuffs if he had his own way.” She states all the while making goo-goo eyes at my brother. No doubt greasing on my behalf like she normally does.

“Well, I’m so glad Justie was here to save the day then,” I emphasise his nickname from Nat because I’m about to go full bitch mode and get all up in his face for his previous comment.

“Ahh… Oomph...” Is all Cory manages because Nat just elbowed him in the stomach.

“Iris, don’t be a bitch,” Justin scolds.

“Coming from the person who sent us to a strip club thinking it’d be funny! Seriously, what the hell!” I’ll forget about this eventually and I do admit it’s funny—just a little. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun with it, especially considering my night is now ruined.

“Maybe I should go back there and check it out. After all, if you sent us there it can’t be all bad. Right?” I look at Nat and wink to her. She knows what I’m doing and although I have my bad days, when I have good ones—well—they’re bloody epic and full of mischievous behaviour. I’d put this night into the category of sexy turned disastrous, but the night is still young, and I’m suddenly feeling extra sassy.

As Nat and I start winding the boys up my ex-boyfriend, Tyrell walks past in the hold of security. Haha, dick, I think to myself. For all those times you manipulated me and for all those times you thought I wouldn’t fight back. Shame on you.

“Okay, time you ladies went home. Cory will take you. No arguments, okay. Babe,” he turns to Nat and softens his tone, “you’re staying at mine tonight. Warm my bed for me.” With a smouldering wink, he turns and heads back to his post, leaving us standing on the footpath with the man of the hour and a bewildered looking Natalie.

My mind is racing as I become aware of our close proximity from earlier and the unanswered questions that still linger between us. Also, the amount of alcohol I consumed tonight hasn’t helped with my mood or the fact this night is going to end worse than last weekend. Natalie was right. I’m an emotional disaster.

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