I have no idea what to wear. I texted Bailey to ask where we’re going, but her reply was no help. Apparently, we’re going to a pub to watch some bands perform for some charity gig her current fling, Mark, has organised. She told me he won’t actually be attending it, though. That has me wondering if Bee’s dragging me to this thing on the hunt for her next guy. Either way, her text tells me nothing useful about what to wear. Is this a jeans and Converse thing, or dress and heels? Watching live bands very rarely calls for heels, right? I spent the past hour and a half curling the ends of my long blonde hair, which hasn’t left me much time to pick an outfit.
I grab skinny blue jeans and a grey Ramones vest top. I quickly slide my feet into my black Converse, pick up my black blazer and my bag, then head out of my room. I want to be waiting on steps out front when Bee pulls up.
I stop hurrying when I reach the lobby area and see Bee’s black hair through the little window in the front door.
She grins as I pull it open. “Great timing.”
Her lips are bright red, as always, and her black hair hangs straight over her yellow jacket. I look behind her, wondering where her car is.
“We’re walking. I want to drink, and so do you,” she announces. She links her arm through mine and starts walking me out the door and into the cold, windy night.
Great. There go my curls.
“I want to drink?” I ask with a smirk as we reach the yellow gates of The Driftwood.
“After what you've told me about that guy, yes, you need a stiff...drink.” She laughs.
She might be right. Fin has been on my mind more than I’d like to admit today. Maybe after a couple drinks, possibly flirting with some random guy, I won’t be wondering who Fin is out with tonight...like I am doing right now.
After walking for fifteen minutes, I’m thankful I didn’t opt for heels.
“Where the hell is this pub your boyfriend is sending us to, Bailey?” I whine. I don’t need to look at her to know she's scowling at me for using her full name.
“Right here,” she snaps, stopping in front of a red brick building.
I look up at the sign hanging above her head. Crossed Keys Inn. There's loud music and voices coming from inside.
I'm actually happy to be here. I’m looking forward to having a drink with my best friend and enjoying a Friday night for once.
“Shall we?” Bee opens the door to let me walk through first, which she knows I hate. However, I’m dying for a drink after the day I’ve had. I don’t drink often, and when I do, it’s still not a lot. I leave that to Bee.
When we walk in, it’s like walking into a wall of heat. Probably because I’m frozen to the core from the wind coming off the sea.
The smell of booze is intoxicating and inviting. The bar is to my left, then the pub opens a little to the stage on the far right of the door. There are a few people, but it’s not as busy as I thought it would be for a charity night. Bee takes hold of my shoulders and manoeuvres me to the bar.
“Are you feeling better now? A little less tense?” she asks, biting her lip. I’ve told her all about my encounters with Fin. She thinks I should go with it, “relieve some tension”, as she put it. I don’t know why she's bothering. She knows that’s not me.
“Yeah, I guess,” I say, tapping my foot to the song playing through the pub’s speaker system.
“You know the best way to relieve a little tension, right?” she says loudly, nudging me playfully.
The guy standing in front of us at the bar turns and looks over his shoulder, probably to see what female would say something so forward. A sideways grin spreads across his face.
Fin.
“Small world,” he says to me, ignoring Bee. I don’t know how I didn’t recognize that worn black leather jacket from the back.
“Hey... Alex!” Brad exclaims when he turns to see why Fin has turned around.
“Hey, Brad,” I reply flatly, my eyes still glued on Fin. “Bee, this is Fin.” All I can see out of the corner of my eye is her grin getting wider as she eyes up the guy I’ve just spent the past fifteen minutes moaning about on our way here.
“You got a seat yet?” Fin asks, looking around the pub.
“No, we just got here,” Bee answers, still grinning. She’s enjoying my misfortune way too much.
“I don’t suppose you'd let me buy you a drink, would you, Alex? I’m sure your boyfriend wouldn’t like that.” He glares at me.
“Sure, she would. Vodka, lemon, and lime,” Bee answers, turning to grin up at Brad, not asking about the boyfriend comment. She'd freak out if she knew she was the boyfriend. “And I'll have a white wine.”
Brad turns back to the bar and orders the two drinks. I smile. I can see Mark, Bailey’s current boyfriend, making a swift exit out of her life, as usual.
Fin carries my drink, along with his own, to a booth where Cole and Jay are sitting. They smile when they see me. Brad and Bee slide into the other side of the booth, drinks in hand.
The announcer gets up on stage, talking a bit before he introduces the next band. Fin places his hand in the small of my back. I shiver when I feel his breath on my ear.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you… I wanted to tell you,” he whispers.
I turn around to face him. He looks worried. “Tell me what? What are you sorry about?” I notice he hasn’t sat down. We’re still standing next to the table, and I have no clue why.
“If you knew why we were really in Blackpool, I thought you wouldn’t let us stay.”
I stare at him, confused. I turn around and realize the other guys have stood up. Bee is sitting alone in the huge red booth.
“They’ve travelled a long way, so please, give a huge welcome to The Dukes!” the announcer says. Everyone in the room claps.
“Sorry,” Fin says again.
I watch him walk to the stage as the guys take their places. Fin shrugs off his leather jacket and turns to look at me, giving me a small smile. He steps behind the drum kit and picks up his sticks. Cole and Brad grab guitars, and Jason picks up what I think is a bass.
Stunned, I slide into the booth next to Bee, who instantly wraps her arm around mine excitedly. My eyes are still glued to the stage.
“Did you know?” she asks.
I just shake my head. I’m in too much shock to say anything, my eyes firmly glued on Fin. He looks so at ease. He's not putting on a show or being cheesy. This is just…him. I also realise just how much trouble this guy could be for me. I think it’s time I finally admit to myself I am attracted to him.
“Hi, everyone. We are The Dukes, all the way from Oxford,” Cole says, then strums a couple chords on his guitar. “We’d like to dedicate our first song to our friend, Alex, who looks like she’s in shock right now.” He laughs. All the guys look at me, but Fin’s reaction is the only one I really notice. He smiles sweetly, happy with the shocked expression on my face.
“Oh, my god!” Bee says, clapping excitedly.
The Dukes start playing Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town”. Fin gives me his sideways smile, making me melt. Cole’s singing voice is deep and raspy. It suits their indie image so well. Bee starts dancing in the booth, but I just sit and stare. What else can I do? Fin is sexy as hell up there!
My eyes land on his arms. He's a drummer, which explains the amazing arms I’ve been drooling over since he got here.
By the time the song ends, my shock has worn off. They’re a band.
They start playing “Message in a Bottle” by The Police. I don’t know whether it’s the music, the vodka, or the fact that I’ve come to terms with my attraction to Fin, but I start to bop along to the music.
After the song finishes, Cole announces they are going to play some originals. Fin leans down to his right and picks up his pint, sipping it. I was too in shock when he took his seat up there that I hadn’t noticed he took his glass. He looks up at me and smiles that sweet smile. A hot shiver runs through me…and I don’t think it’s because of the vodka at all.
The guys play five of their own songs.
“Fancy another drink?” I ask Bee, my eyes still glued on the stage. Not getting a response, I turn to look at her. She just nods, also staring at the stage. I can guess who her gaze is on. I give it about another two hours, if that, before Mark is kicked to the curb and Brad takes his place.
Cole announces their last song and thanks everyone for coming to see them. I walk to the bar, looking back at the band every now and then as they start playing “Pinball Wizard” by The Who. The queue to the bar is pretty long, so I stand and bop about as I watch them play. I feel like such a groupie right now as I think up bedroom scenes, all involving their drummer.
The song finishes just as I reach the bar. I lean on the top as I contemplate what drink to get next—another vodka or a diet Coke.
“Um, one white wine, please,” I tell the bartender. He sets off to get the wine as I stand chewing my lip, still deciding.
“Are you going to kick us out?” His hot breath brushes the back of my ear, making me shiver. I turn to look at Fin, but keep my arm on the bar.
He looks nervous and a little breathless. I think he ran straight to me after they finished playing.
“Kick you out?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah. I didn’t think you'd want a rowdy rock band staying in your B&B.”
He thinks it’s mine? I love that someone actually thinks I could own a business.
“Alex, I wanted to tell you, but we all agreed the owners shouldn’t know we’re in a band or they might think we're trouble and kick us out. Honestly, we’re not trouble.”
I already know he could be trouble for me personally. He pauses to study my face.
“So… Can we stay?” he asks with a raised eyebrow as the bartender places the wine on the bar.
“A vodka, lemon, and lime, please,” I say to him, then turn back to Fin.
The thought of winding him up briefly crosses my mind. It’s so tempting, but I just can’t.
“Yes, you can stay.” I can’t help but smile at the sheer relief that crosses his face.
He rests his hand on the small of my back yet again, a delicious, hot shiver running through me. “Thank you,” he whispers into my ear. His breath on my skin causes my body to react yet again.
“You do realise it’s not my B&B, right?” I ask, smiling. His eyes widen, looking shocked.
When the bartender places my drink on the bar, Fin's hand quickly grabs mine as I try to pay. His skin makes mine hum again, like electricity just ran right through me. I look at him to see if he can feel it, too. If he can, he's doing a great job of hiding it.
“Please, let me get these,” he pleads, his gaze soft, his eyes bright.
“Okay. I think maybe you owe me a drink after your little surprise.”
He gives me his most sincere smile and orders two beers to go with my order.
When the bartender puts the two pints down, Fin grasps one, staring at the booth. Or, more specifically, at Bee. Of course, guys always do. She’s the fun, carefree, attractive one, and I’m just…I don’t know...her sidekick.
“Who’s your friend?” he asks, lifting his drink and gesturing toward Bee with it, then taking a sip.
I smile as best as I can, trying not to show him how disappointed I am that he’s given up on me and moved on to my best friend.
“That’s Bailey,” I reply with what must be my version of his sideways grin. I watch his face as realisation kicks in. He grins when he realises she's definitely not my boyfriend.
“Why does she have a boy’s name?” he asks, his eyes still on Bee.
I laugh. “If you’re trying to impress her, maybe don’t mention she has a boy’s name. She hates it.”
He looks at me, smirking. “I’m definitely not trying to impress her, Alex.”
Does that mean he is trying to impress me? Part of me hopes so. His stare makes my mouth run dry, so I take a sip of my drink. I’m not ready to give up this time with him just yet, which is crazy! He’s only here a week. The last thing I need is to get drawn in.
“It’s not a boy’s name,” I finally clarify. “Her mother never wanted kids. To this day, she still vows if it weren’t for the copious amounts of Bailey’s Irish Cream one Christmas, Bailey wouldn’t be here at all.”
He laughs. I think it’s the best sound I have ever heard! Deep, yet light hearted.
“So she said the name Bailey seemed very fitting.”
Fin nods and picks up the other pint. He motions for me to follow him back to the booth.
I'm not at all shocked to see Bee sitting next to Brad, chatting away. Everyone looks up as I start to slide into the booth.
“So… Can we stay?” Cole asks, looking a little nervous. I had almost forgotten the whole conversation about them being able to stay at The Driftwood.
“Of course.”
Fin slides into the booth next to me. Heat runs through me as his thigh presses against mine.
“Do you have any questions?” Jay asks, looking from me to Bailey.
“Um, y-yes…,” I stumble, trying not to focus on Fin’s thigh rubbing against mine. “How long have you been playing together?”
“Seven years,” Fin answers and sips his drink. “We all...work in a factory together.”
I nod and study them. Guess I wasn’t too far off when I thought they looked like a designer boy band.
“Who’s your inspiration?” Bee asks, flipping her black hair over her shoulder, her focus purely on Brad.
I grin and sip my drink. Yep. Bye, Mark.
A tiny detail like the guy only being in town a week isn’t enough to stop Bee from having fun and enjoying him to his full potential. For me, though, it really is. I can’t do what Bailey does with guys. Guys have never really interested me too much. I was always busy working toward my main goal in life—working at The Driftwood and saving money so I…
“We all have different bands that lead us to learn, I guess,” Cole answers, bringing me out of my own thoughts and back to the conversation…and to the fact Fin’s thigh is still tightly pressed against mine and I really like it there. I smirk into my drink. Cole is speaking, but Bee’s staring at Brad.
“Mine’s Nirvana,” Brad answers.
I nod, using all my energy to try and keep still. I’m scared if I move even an inch, Fin will take it as a sign that I need space and move his leg away. I really don’t want that. God, I wish I weren’t so attracted to him. I feel like a schoolgirl with a crush right now.
“The Beatles,” Cole answers. I raise my eyebrows. I didn’t see that coming.
“Guns ‘n’ Roses,” Jay says with a huge grin, giving Brad a high five.
I turn to look at Fin to find out his answer, but he’s sitting so close, it brings my face right to his.
“H-How about you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, failing miserably. I don’t want him to notice I’m staring at his lips. I remember watching him drink yesterday and how much I desired to taste that bottom lip. That feeling is now magnified as his mouth is only three or four inches from my face, taunting me.
He smiles, probably noticing my reaction. “I guess I can’t name just one. Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Foo Fighters.” He shrugs.
God, that smile makes me want to get closer. I look away from him because my head is swimming…or maybe it’s the vodka? How did I finish that last drink already? I hadn’t noticed how quickly I drank it, but every time Fin speaks or moves, his thigh rubs on mine, making my mouth dry...so I drink.
“Thirsty?” he asks, noticing me studying my empty glass.
The music suddenly gets louder and the lights go down. The pub is turning into a disco.
Great.
“Oh, I love this song!” Bee exclaims excitedly. She starts patting the table with both hands.
My stomach flips. This is the point in the night where she usually forces me to dance. I really don’t want to.
“Dance with me, Brad?” she asks, turning to face him.
He looks as terrified as I would if it were me. I can’t help but laugh. I know there is no escaping her when she wants to dance, especially when she’s had a few drinks. Brad stutters, trying to find the words to decline, but I know there are no words when it comes to Bee.
“Please. Please!”
And there’s the begging. Cole and Jay smirk and shuffle out of the booth to head for the bar. Bee starts shooing Brad out, like she's forgotten I’m even here.
Within minutes, I’m alone with Fin. The feeling of his thigh against mine is more intense because I know I should move away. There’s plenty of room now, but I like having his leg on mine. I think I’d like any part of him touching me.
“Would you like another drink?” he asks.
I smile and shake my head. I don’t usually drink much, and my head’s already swimming…or maybe that has more to do with who I’m sitting next to.
“I don’t think so. I can already feel the effects.” I’m scared to turn and face him because I know it will bring his lips dangerously close to mine.
“All the more reason to have another.” I hear the grin in his voice. I don’t need to turn see it. His leg moves, rubbing against mine, making my mouth run dry. Honestly, I’d love another drink, but I don’t want him to move.
“Would you like to dance?”
I look at him, laughing. “Sorry, no. I don’t really do dancing…unless Bailey forces me to.” He nods, like he understands.
After a few minutes, I ask, “You were really scared I'd kick you out for being in a band?”
He nods. “Yeah, we all were. You run a respectable business. A band staying in your place has to put you on edge.” He drains the rest of his pint.
“As I said, it’s not my B&B.”
“Whose is it?” he asks, fiddling with his empty glass.
“My aunt's. I run it during the week, and she runs it during the weekend.”
I turn to look at him. I want to tell him everything I’ve been keeping from everybody…how I won’t be living there much longer…but I can’t. The thought alone makes tears threaten to sting my eyes, which is crazy when it’s all I’ve wanted since I was fourteen! No, I can’t tell a stranger. I can’t talk about it with the people I love, let alone some random guy I just met! I think I need a subject change.
“So, the band…” I attempt to smile. The grin that crosses his face instantly tells me it’s something he loves. “The Dukes. Interesting name.”
“Yeah. It took us ages to come up with it. It’s really stupid on how long it took us to pick it when it’s so simple.” He smiles at the memory.
“I love it.”
He laughs. “No, you don’t, but thank you. It’s sweet of you to say.”
“Actually, I’m serious. It’s my last name.” I smile softly and swallow. He’s so close, I can see his eyes are a golden brown. They are…perfect. I can also see the red flecks in the dark stubble across his cheeks.
“Really? Alex Dukes?”
“Alexis Duke.”
He grins. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Alexis Duke.” He sticks his hand out for me to take. I look at it. I’ve touched this hand twice so far, and each time, there has been a delicious shot of electricity that shoots through me.
“Lovely to meet you, too, Fin.” I take his hand.
There it is. That deliciously addictive shot of electricity mixed with adrenaline. This time, though, just by the way he stares at me, I know he felt it, too.
He swallows. “Finnley.”
My eyes widen. “Finnley? You don’t look Irish,” I say with a cheeky grin.
“It’s my last name. I don’t use my first name.”
“I like Finnley. It’s short, sweet...like Madonna.”
He laughs. It’s such an amazing laugh. I make it my mission to think of more to say to make that laugh reappear, mainly because it causes his thigh to rub against mine. Even though we’re alone in the booth, I realise neither of us have moved to put space between us.
“I'm glad you like it, Alexis.”
Jesus, he needs to stop saying my name. I may just melt right into the seat…or explode.
“Want another drink?” I ask with a sigh.
He turns his body to face me, his leg pulling away from mine. I miss the feeling of it already, but the way he's looking at me makes my breath halt in my throat.
“You want to buy me a drink?”
Uh-oh, I’m in trouble. He thinks he's wearing me down, but he’s wrong. As much as I am completely attracted to him, this can’t go anywhere. I know this. I need to let him know it, too.
“No, you’re right. That’s a bad idea.”
His hand lands on mine. I stare at it. God, his skin on mine feels amazing. It’s addictive.
“I’d rather you let me buy you a drink.”
My heart beats through my tongue, through my hand, everywhere!
“You already did.” I hold up my glass.
He shakes his head, removing his hand from mine. “No, I bought you, your friend, and Brad a drink. I want to buy you a drink.”
I look at the table “No. If I let you, I’m not giving you the right impression,” I mumble. I hear his laugh and look back up at him. I can’t believe he's laughing at me right now.
“Come on. It’s just a drink. We’ll call it another apology for not telling you about the band sooner.”
I know what I’m going to answer…
“Okay, Finnley.”
Dammit, mouth! You betrayed me. I thought we had a plan!
He gives me a sideways grin. I already know I've given him the wrong impression.
* * *
“We should just go,” I snap at Bee as we sit in the booth. The guys are up on stage, gathering their equipment. I watch Fin dismantling his drum kit.
“Oh, come on. Have some fun,” Bee says. I think she's having too much fun. I’d like to blame the alcohol, but I know her well enough to know this is just her.
“How’s Mark?” I ask, raising my eyebrow at her.
She frowns. “Who?”
Yeah, that’s exactly the response I expected from her. I can see the second it dawns on her.
“Oh, Mark. Yeah, I think that’s kind of had its day,” she slurs.
I’ve lost count of the number of drinks she's had. I know she isn’t drunk, but she is indeed merry. I've had three drinks. I know I shouldn’t have let him buy me that last one because I can tell he’s reading more into it.
“Come on, boozy. Let’s head outside, get you some fresh air.” Bee giggles as I push her out of the booth.
It’s freezing outside so I pull my jacket tighter. It feels like we’ve been standing here for ages, waiting for Brad to bring the van around. Bee stands on her tiptoes, looking around for it. Fin, Jay, and Cole stand near us, but I'm trying to put some distance between me and Fin.
When a van rounds the corner, the three guys cheer. It’s just a plain white van. No writing or anything on it. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe something more…glamorous? Maybe the name of the band on the side or something?
Brad stops the van, leaning toward the passenger window. “Hey, guys, I think I should drop Bee off first, since she lives in the opposite direction.” Jay laughs and Fin smirks, looking at the ground. Bee claps happily.
“In that case, I think we’re just going to walk,” Cole says and starts across the road. Once on the other side, he looks back at me. “Alex, which way is it?”
Fin looks at me and shrugs. Looks like I am now in charge of getting this bunch of merry men back to The Driftwood. I don’t care about that right now. I care about Bee.
“You okay with this?” I ask her, already knowing the answer. When it comes to guys, Bee is the expert. If she says she can handle Brad, then she can, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying.
She rests both hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. “Stop worrying so much. I’ll text you when I’m home.” She kisses my cheek, probably leaving a red lipstick mark. I lean through the van window, glaring at Brad.
“I’ll be up waiting for you to come back. If you’re not back in forty minutes, I’ll call the police,” I threaten, but Bee laughs behind me, making my threat feel rather moot. She opens the van door, forcing me to move out of the way as she gets in.
“Stop being so dramatic. I want to go with him, muppet.” She giggles and shuts the door. “Text me when you get back.” Before I have time to answer, Brad pulls away from the curb.
“Alex? Which way is it?” Cole asks again, making Jay, who is very drunk, laugh.
“That way.” I point. Cole starts walking. I look to my left. Fin stands next to me, his hands shoved deep in his leather jacket pockets.
“Shall we?” he asks with a soft smile. I let out a huge sigh. So much for distance.
At every road, Cole and Jay stop and ask which way. Once I tell them, they don’t wait for us to catch up. They just keep going.
“Are you drunk?” I ask Fin as he walks next to me. My voice sounds so loud in the dark quiet of Blackpool’s back streets. It’s the first thing I’ve said to him since we started walking.
He shakes his head. “Nope.” He turns to look at me. “Are you?”
“No.”
“You’re worried about Bailey, aren’t you?”
The wind blows. I suddenly smell his aftershave, which knots my stomach. He smells as sexy as he looks! I wish I weren’t so attracted to a stranger in such a short period of time.
I nod. “Yeah, I guess. Which is so stupid. She has a different boyfriend every week, and I…” I stop, realising what I sound like describing my best friend as a man-eater when his friend just took her home. Eyes wide, I look at him. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that. I just meant—”
He laughs. “Brad's a grown man, Alex. He can handle himself. How about you? Do you have a boyfriend every week?”
I turn and look at him as we walk. I see his shoulders tense up slightly as he waits for my reply.
I shake my head. “Fin, don’t…”
“What? I’m making conversation.” He shrugs, his hands still in his pockets.
“Making conversation? Okay then. Do you?” I snap.
He grins. “No. I definitely do not have a different boyfriend every week.” He bites his lip to stop himself from laughing. I can’t help but laugh.
“Left or right?” Jay shouts from up ahead, using his arms as directional signposts.
“Right, you prat. It’s right there,” Cole says, grabbing Jay’s right arm and pointing at The Driftwood with it.
I let out a grateful sigh as we walk through the front doors. Jay stumbles on the first step of the main stairs. Cole laughs and picks him up, dragging him toward their room.
“Night,” Cole whispers loudly.
Judging by the dynamic of the group, I’ve already guessed that Cole is sharing a room with Jay and Fin is sharing with Brad.
I turn the light on in the lounge and jump out of my skin. I hadn’t seen Fin walk past me. He’s now sat at one of the breakfast tables, looking at me, his elbows resting on his knees.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
He unzips his leather jacket, shrugging it off so he's just in his black t-shirt and black jeans.
“You’re waiting for Brad to get back, right?” he asks, putting his jacket on the back of the chair, then settling in.
“Yeah, I am, but what are you doing?”
“Ouch, Alex.” He holds his hand to his chest, like he’s just been wounded. Then he smiles. “I Just thought I’d keep you company.”
“I don’t need company,” I say, moving behind the bar.
He lets out a heavy sigh. I hate that I’m being such a bitch to him when he's been nothing but sweet. I feel myself being drawn to him, which wouldn’t end well for either of us. It’s easier to push him away now.
“Okay then. I’m...waiting for my roommate because I’m worried about him.” He grins, walking over to the bar I’m now hiding behind. “If your friend’s the man-eater you claim she is, I have the right to be worried.”
He folds his arms on the bar and looks at me, his face serious. I don’t know if I’m relieved he’s staying or annoyed he’s not taking my warning.
“Liar.” I squint at him.
He cocks his head to the side. “Prove it.” He almost winks at me. Something about the challenge in his voice sets my pulse racing.
I turn my back to him, pour a shot of vodka, and down it. I compose myself before turning to face him again.
“I thought you said you don’t really drink.” The corners of his lips turn up slightly.
“Felt like I needed it.” I shrug. I hate letting him see how much he gets to me because I know that will make him keep trying.
“What’s your story?” he asks.
I just stare at him, then give a short laugh. “I don’t want to ruin your buzz.”
He frowns, like he’s trying to figure me out.
“What about you, Fin? What’s your story back in Cowley, Oxford?” I ask.
He gives me a sad smile. “I could tell you…but I wouldn’t want to ruin your buzz.”
Now I want to know more. This is why I didn’t want to spend time with him. I don’t want to get sucked in.
I turn back to the spirits at the bar and pour two vodka shots, passing him one.
“You think this will make me confess all?” he asks as he eyes the clear liquid. I shrug and down my shot, making a face at the burning in my throat.
“No. But if Cowley really is the buzzkill you say it is, I thought you could use it.”
He picks up the shot, his eyes meeting mine. He downs it, not once taking his gaze off me. I gulp. The air just got thick in here. It’s hard to breathe. His eyes look so dark right now, they are nearly black.
I clear my throat. “How many gigs have you guys booked while you’re here?”
“Three, but Cole’s working on more. That’s why we might be here a week, maybe more.” He shrugs. I don’t know which I hope for. This guy could be so dangerous for me in just one day.
“Would you like a pint while you wait?” I ask.
He looks at the clock behind me and points at it, giving me a cocky smirk. “Bar hours are over.”
I look at the clock. 1am. I shrug. “That just means I can’t charge you for it.” I think those two vodka shots have gone straight to my head because it feels like I’m not really thinking at all.
“Just half.”
I pour him half a pint and hand it to him. He smiles as he leans on the bar and sips the drink.
When the front door opens, we stay silent and watch as Brad breezes in and past the door. Seconds later, he takes a few steps back. He looks at Fin, then at me, then back at Fin.
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Fin says, lifting the drink.
“Okay. Bee got home safely, Alex, so don’t worry.” He smiles. His lips seem to be stained red…Bailey red.
“Yeah, looks like you didn’t get away unscathed, though.” I nod toward him.
He lifts his hand to his lips and wipes them off, then glances down at the red lipstick on his fingers. He smiles, then looks at me as innocently as he can.
“Honest, she said she's going to text you. Promise.” He holds his hands up, but all I can see is the smeared lipstick. It makes me laugh. Fin laughs, too.
“Anyway, good night, Alex. See you up there, Finnley.” He waves and takes the stairs two at a time.
“So, Finnley, what would it take for me to find out your first name?” I ask, leaning toward him. I think the vodka is clouding my judgment.
He laughs, sips his drink, and looks me in the eyes. “Nothing could make me tell you my first name.” He gives me that crooked smile, making me swoon. I think I just became a groupie.
“Does Brad know your name?”
“Yes. He’s my closest friend. Trust me, nothing could make him tell you my name, either.” He smirks, so sure of himself.
“I wasn’t thinking about him telling it to me. I’m sure Bee has ways to make him confess anything she wants him to.” I stand straight and fold my arms over my chest. I revel in the look of insecurity that just crossed his face.
He downs the last of his drink, then pushes himself up off the bar and walks to the table to retrieve his jacket.
“Well, it’s been a lovely night. We'll have to do it again soon, Alexis Duke,” he says, probably to show off that he knows both my names and I don’t know his.
“No, we won't, Finnley.” I shake my head, making him laugh.
“Good night, Alexis. See you at breakfast.”
“No, you won’t, Finnley,” I whisper as he takes off up the stairs. I stand and bite my lip for a few seconds. I may need a cold shower if I ever want to sleep tonight.