Chapter Three: Peyton
Why did I agree to this? I was fine staying at home, curling up with some popcorn, and watching old movies. I could admit I was a nerd. It’s why I wanted to be a teacher so bad. There was nothing comparable to the feeling of showing students the art of science and watching them get it.
I was never a big party person, something Julie knew good and well. Yet, I was stuck in a booth, while my best friend flirted with the VIP section bartender. She was supposed to get us more drinks. That was ten minutes ago. So much for celebrating my last days of work freedom. I slid out of the booth and walked over to them.
“You must have some strong muscles lifting all those liquor boxes without breaking them,” Julie said, drawing out her words so they sounded more seductive.
The bartender grinned. “Well, I don’t like to brag.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m going to the restroom,” I said, hoping to get her attention.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll have our drinks when you get back,” Julie said. She waved me off and scooted closer to her target. “So you’re a big, bad bartender, huh?”
“I prefer the term mixologist,” he said, leaning over the bar.
I sighed and made my way to the neon signs that said restroom. I loved Julie, but once she set her sights on a guy, there was no bringing her back from the hunt. I made the decision to check with her when I got back. If she was still more interested in the club staff than hanging out with me, I was going home.
I was surprised to see that the bathroom was fairly decadent with dark red colors throughout. It was a stark contrast to the neon colors outside. The walls were covered in some kind of fabric, and a small bench sat to the side of the room. A moment of peace was shattered when I saw the attendant standing near the sinks. Of course, the VIP bathroom would have an attendant.
“Good evening,” she said. Her smile seemed genuine but exhausted, probably from having to greet every woman who walked in.
I nodded. “Hello,” I said, before darting into one of the stalls.
I always hated the clubs that had attendants. It was weird to try to use the bathroom when you knew someone was out there listening. I finish quickly so I could leave the awkward bathroom silence and head back out to the club area.
I washed my hands with my head down. When I was done, I looked for paper towels only to find none.
“Would you like a towel, Miss?” the attendant asked.
“Thank you,” I said, taking her offering. I dried off my hands quickly, and she tossed it in a nearby hamper. I fished out a couple of bills from my purse and dropped it in her tip jar.
“Thank you, Miss,” she said.
“No problem.” The drinks were already hitting me hard as I tried to find balance. I rushed out of the bathroom as I put my wallet back in my bag. I didn’t see the man I ran into until it was too late.
“Whoa,” a man said with a slur. “Where are you going, beautiful?”
“Sorry,” I said, trying to move away from him. His fingers dug into my arms, keeping me from moving.
“Not so fast, honey,” he said. “No need to rush off. You can make it up to me.”
His liquor breath made me want to gag. I turned my head and tried to shrug him off me, but his one-handed grip was too strong. He held a drink in his free hand.
“I’m not interested,” I said. “Let me go.”
“That’s no way to treat a guy who’s trying to be nice to you. How about a drink?” His drink sloshed on my shirt, soaking it.
“Hey! I said no.” I made my voice as stern as I could so he’d get the point that obviously wasn’t sinking in his inebriated brain.
“No need to be a bitch,” he said.
His fingers dug into my flesh to the point of pain. Before I could try to knee him in the groin and show him how much I appreciated his bitch comment, he flew away from me.
It took a minute for my eyes to catch up to my head. Then I saw the drunken man pushed up against the wall with his feet dangling in the air.
“I believe the lady said she wasn’t interested, asshole,” the man holding the drunk guy up said.
I couldn’t see my rescuer’s face, but I could swear that his voice sounded familiar.
“I didn’t mean anything by it,” the drunken guy said.
“Then apologize to her,” the man holding him said. “Apologize and maybe I’ll consider not beating your ass.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Lady, I’m sorry.”
He was quickly dropped to the ground, and I wondered if he was hurt from the loud sound it made. He hobbled off, and I saw the bouncer from outside the VIP area waiting for him. The big guy grabbed the smaller one by the collar and escorted him out.
At least they were efficient here.
“Are you okay?” the familiar voice said again.
I turned around to see the one person I never expected. My breath caught in my throat. Scott Mitchell was the boy I always wanted but knew I could never have. As one of Julie’s older brothers, I knew he was off limits. That didn’t stop me from crushing on him all through middle and high school.
Now, he was standing in front of me with the club lights highlighting his face. It had been almost five years since I’d seen him before Julie and I went off to college and he took off to join the Marines. He was handsome then, but the way he looked now overshadowed it. He was a man with some new growth on his face, but it was still styled neatly. His chestnut hair was cut short and the muscles in his arms and chest made him looked like a guy you didn’t want to mess with. No wonder the drunken guy freaked out.
“Peyton?” he asked. “Is that you?” His eyes lit up as he took me in from head to toe.
My body warmed, and I knew I was blushing, or maybe it was the alcohol finally catching up to me.
“Scott?” The music, the lights, the alcohol, and him. It was all too much, and I felt lightheaded. I didn’t know I was falling until his arms encircled me.
“Whoa. I got you.” His voice sounded like velvet, and I wanted so much to hear him talk again.
“I’m just a little dizzy,” I said. This was why I was a homebody. Clubbing was so far from my norm for a reason.
Before I knew what was happening, he had me in his arms.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Taking you home,” he said. “Looks like you’ve had enough partying tonight.”
Wait, what? I’d just seen him for the first time in forever, and he was taking me home like a child? No way.
“Put me down, Scott Mitchell. I’m fine.” I tried to shift out of his grip, but he wouldn’t give.
“No,” he said.
“What do you mean no?” I asked.
“Exactly what you think it means. No.”
“I can’t just leave Julie. I came with her.” We were moving through the dance floor, and people looked at us as Scott carried me. It was embarrassing.
“Julie will be fine,” he said. “She seemed busy with the bartender.”
“That’s not the point. She doesn’t know where I am.”
“I’ll text her when we get to my car.” A smile played on his face. It was like he was enjoying this.
I’d forgotten how much of a party pooper he could be, and it didn’t seem like military life changed that. The more I tried to get out of his hold, the more he kept me close to him. He felt even harder with me up against him. If anyone punched him, it’d be like hitting a brick wall.
“This is ridiculous. You know that, right?” I said, giving up the effort. What was it with grabby men tonight? I’d dodged one only to end up with another.
“If I remember, you were never good at holding your liquor,” he said
“That was years ago.”
“Guess it hasn’t changed.” He smirked and stared right at me, which made my belly tighten. My anger disappeared and was replaced by something else, something a lot more sexual. Damn, he could make a girl forget herself, even if she was angry or irritated at him.
Julie was always doing things to annoy him, and I happened to be in the crossfire.
One weekend, when we were teenagers, Julie snuck some tequila out of her parents’ liquor cabinet and demanded we drink it. Julie could always drink like a guy, which she proudly credited to her Irish roots. Me? I was the lightweight after one shot. Who was the one to catch us in the act? Scott.
He was still cute yelling at us for being so reckless. At least I think he was angry. I’d watched his lips move until I fell asleep. That was me. One strong drink and I was out, which was why I appreciated girly drinks. They didn’t do such a number on me.
The cool air hit me as we got outside, bringing me back to the present.
“What are you even doing here?” I asked Scott.
“Max sent me,” he said.
“To what? Spy on us?”
“No,” he said, “but good thing he did, since someone had to save you from yourself.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He didn’t answer. Before I could ask again, a car unlocked, and I realized it was his. Car was too small of a word since he had a behemoth black SUV.
He finally sat me back on my feet and opened the door.
“Get in,” he said.
“And if I don’t?” I challenged. I was tempted to run back into the club and find Julie.
“I’ll be happy to put you in myself.” His body moved closer to me, invading my space. A mischievous smile crept on his lips, and something in it said if I ran, he’d be more than happy to catch me.
I would be lying if I said the thought didn’t thrill me a little, but I complied and got in the car.
Scott closed my door and went around, getting in from the driver’s side. He pulled out his phone and texted something before he started the car and turned on the GPS.
“There. I sent Julie an update. What’s your address?”
I had a big urge to rebel. Maybe if I said nothing he’d let me go back. I stayed silent and crossed my arms.
“Peyton, where do you live?” he asked.
I stared at him and kept my mouth shut.
His grin came back in full force. “Fine. Have it your way.”
He started driving, and I couldn’t stay quiet anymore.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Since you won’t tell me your address, there’s only one destination I can drive to,” he said with a proud smirk.
“Where is that?”
“My place.”