Found in Understanding: Refuge Series Book Three by Debbie Zello (8)

Chapter Eight

“We’re going to The Anchor only because we can walk there. We go together and we leave together,” Ashley said.

“I’ve never done this so I’m not saying a word,” I said.

“You’ll do fine. Just show your ID when the server asks for it and then put it in a safe place,” Emma said. We walked down College Street and right into the bar. It was a cute place with lighthouse shaped lamps and turquoise booths. There was a jukebox in the corner with neon lights. We grabbed a booth and my girls got ready to order. I went with a beer.

The drinks arrived and I took a small sip of my beer. “Yuck! How can you drink this?” I asked, looking around the table.

“What? It’s good. Takes a while to get a buzz but you’ll get there. Just keep drinking it,” Emma said.

“No thanks,” I said pushing the glass to the center of the table.

“Fine, I’ll drink it,” Ashley said.

“You should have gone with a glass of wine. It costs more but you might like it better,” Crystal said.

“I don’t think I’m much of a drinker.” I decided the next time the server comes over I’m getting a soda. We’re all talking when the music from the jukebox starts. It’s an oldie from the nineties.

“Let’s dance! Loosen up some of these old farts,” Crystal said.

“I want to throw some shapes and wiggle some ass!” Ashley added. Up from the table we ventured out on the small space to dance. I mostly stood there swaying hopefully in time with the music. I wasn’t much of a dancer. I spent my spare time reading the classics.

“Put some hips into it girl,” Crystal said, putting her hands on my hips to demonstrate. I began to loosen up a bit and I put my hands in the air mimicking Emma. I closed my eyes to try to feel the music more. Crystal put her hands on my hips again. She spun me around to face her and I felt an arm circle my waist and pull me close. I opened my eyes to see a man leering at me. He smelled of sweat and alcohol.

“Get away from her,” Ashley, pushed him back. She had her arm around me. “Leave her alone, Ray. She is out of your league.” I’m staring between them.

“Who is he?” I ask her.

“That’s Ray. Remember I told you about him,” she said giving me a signal with her eyes. Then I remembered our conversation when she was crying. “That’s right girlfriend…Ray.”

“Don’t touch me you…bad person,” I said. As soon as I said it, I felt stupid. I don’t know what to call someone that sleeps with you and then gloats.

“I’ve been called worse, baby. It looked like you wanted to have a good time. I was going to help you with that,” he slurred.

“You thought wrong,” I said walking back to our table. The girls followed me back. I sat through Ashley’s explanation of who Ray was. Then I got up to use the restroom. I wanted to go back to my room desperately. I’m not a party girl, sorry to say.

I took my time in the bathroom. I was trying to figure out how I could suggest we leave. I want to go back and write to Sky. I want to reread the letter he had just sent to me. I needed my hideaway.

I dried my eyes, washed my hands, and then opened the door to leave. “What are you doing here?” he said as I looked into his deep-blue eyes.

“I was using the rest room.”

“What are you doing in this bar? I know you aren’t twenty-one. How did you get in?” Royce Kane asked. Every hair on my body stood up. I was less than a foot away from him and he smelled soap and leather. His face was passive. He wasn’t angry, just asking.

“I have a fake ID like every other college student. I’m sure you had one too.” He smiled.

“I suppose I did. It didn’t look like you enjoyed the beer. Or the guy that was pawing you.”

“I suppose you’re right, I didn’t,” I said looking down. I wanted him to touch me the way Ray did. Just grab me and hold me.

“I was just leaving if you want a ride back to your dorm,” he said.

“Is that allowed?” I asked looking back into his eyes.

“Not usually. But under the circumstances, it will be fine. Say good-bye to your friends and I’ll meet you outside.”

“How will I find you?” I said.

“You’ll find me,” he said, turning and walking away. I made it uninterrupted back to the table and took my coat and purse.

“Where are you going?” Emma asked.

“I found a ride back to the dorm. I’ve had enough for my first night out. I’m sorry to bail on you, but I’m tired,” I said.

“Okay. As long as you’re okay,” Crystal said.

“I’m good. Have fun and don’t stay out too late,” I said smiling.

“Yes, mom,” Ashley said.

I walked out to the front and looked around for Royce. There was a sleek cherry black Harley parked at the curb. The streetlights bounced off the chrome and paint like fireflies. Sitting on the seat was Royce. “Ever ridden before?” he asked.

“Yes, but nothing like this. What is it?” I asked in awe.

“‘82 FXR Superglide. It was my father’s. When he stopped riding, he gave it to me,” he said proudly.

“Some people have all the luck. I don’t want to insult you by saying it’s beautiful…but it is!”

“Get on and I’ll take you home,” he said standing it up and starting it. It purred to life and the ground under my feet rumbled. How I love that sound and feeling. He handed me a brain-bucket and tied a do rag around his head. I swung my leg over the seat and settled my legs around him. Leaning in I circled my arms at his waist. I had all I could do not to rest my cheek on his back.

He dropped it into gear, looked in his mirrors and glided away. When I walked to the bar, I was glad it was so close. Now that I’m riding this sweet thing behind this sweet man, I wish it was further away. “Which dorm?” he asked.

“Stiles!” I yelled, over the engine. He pulled up to the curb in front and killed the engine. I got off and handed him his helmet. “Thank you for the ride. I didn’t know how I was going to get out of there.”

“You’re welcome. Stay out of the bars. It’s not your thing, Neomi. I’ll wait here until you get inside. Good night.”

“Good night,” I said walking away. When I got to the door, I heard him start the engine. I didn’t look back because I didn’t have a right to. He wasn’t mine as much as I wanted to explore that possibility. He was a man with his master’s degree and close to his doctorate. I’m a freshman with no prospects.

October gave way to November. Everyone was excited to go home for Thanksgiving; that is, everyone but me. I said nothing as they clattered on about what their mom was making. I missed mine so much. The letters from home kept coming with the retelling of Sky’s escapades or some other interesting story. I longed to sit at our evening fire and discuss the day.

My suitemates went out every weekend without me. I was tired so it wasn’t a lie. Working twenty hours a week and keeping my average up was enough of a good time for me anyway.

The day before the holiday, I was in the main library using the computer to do a search for my history paper. It was so quiet with only me and a few foreign students that didn’t beg for an invitation to someone’s house. My girls asked but I loved the idea of having the whole place to myself for five days.

From behind me, I heard. “You’re not going home for Thanksgiving?” I turned around and saw Royce standing near with an arm full of books.

“No. How about you?”

“No, too much work to do,” he said, lifting the books for me to see.

“I’d offer to help but that would be fraternizing and against school policy,” I said, smiling.

“Helping isn’t against any policy. Being in my apartment helping is.”

“Okay. Need some help?” I watch his face as several different thoughts pass over him. I think he’s looking into the future to see if it’s a good idea or not.

“What are you working on?”

“Sparta. I’m sort of over swords and shields.”

“How do you feel about Jane Austen? I’m going to watch Sense and Sensibility for the tenth time.”

“I simply love her. We have a huge TV in our TV room with a DVD player. I can make popcorn.”

“Sold. Give me an hour. See if you can round up at least one more person so we have a chaperone.”

“We need a chaperone? We’ll be in a public room where anyone could walk in.”

“I would feel better if you can find someone. Both of us have a lot to lose, Neomi, should someone want to make trouble for either of us.”

Jeremy was playing pool, alone, when I walked into the TV room. “Hey!” I said excitedly.

“Hey, yourself. You didn’t go home for Thanksgiving?” he said.

“No, too far for such a short time. You didn’t go either?”

“Nope, Alaska, remember?”

“Sorry, that’s right. You’re in the same boat I’m in. Want to watch a movie with me? I’m making popcorn.”

“What movie?”

“Sense and Sensibility,” I say watching his face.

“English Lit, right?” he said smiling.

“Yes. Sorry.”

“I’ll watch it if you watch one of mine Friday or Saturday night.”

“Deal. I’ll be right back with the popcorn and soda.”