Chapter 9
Sydney
I followed Dane out of the pub, only to realize that it had gotten chilly now. The nip in the air had just crept up on us, or maybe I was just shivering from all the emotions rushing through my veins. I was in a sort of daze. Leo had hugged me, too tightly, and I’d nearly melted in his arms. Then he had walked right off and to the group of women in the other corner.
I’d watched the way those women greeted him. How he was quick to place a hand on one of their waists. The one with the thick blond curls and tiny breasts. I’d remained standing there for a few moments, watching them as Leo flirted with her, with the others too. No doubt they were paying him compliments and he was lapping it up. The blond girl even nuzzled her face into his shoulders, she had been drinking. Leo took it in his stride and responded with an arm on her bare shoulders.
In that moment I had felt like someone punched me in the gut. I couldn’t believe that Leo would just forget about me in a matter of seconds. I felt like the center of his world when he was talking to me, and in the next instance he was gone.
I couldn’t be sure if Dane knew what was going on. How angry and upset I felt. We were both just standing outside with our drinks in our hands in silence.
“You’re shivering. Unfortunately, I don’t have a coat to give you,” I heard him say after a while and I shook my head.
“I’m fine,” I said hoarsely, just as a soft breeze blew into my face and ruffled my hair. The pub barely had any lights outside and our small town streets were entirely empty by now. Only the recorded music inside could be heard. I sensed Dane looking at me. I didn’t want to look at him. I didn’t want him to see how emotional I was.
“Sydney…” he said in a soft voice, and I knew he’d seen the envy in my eyes. I was embarrassed and I snapped at him again.
“I’m fine, Dane. You can leave if you want to,” I said and he closed his mouth.
The next moment, the door of the pub opened, and a stream of light from inside spilt out. We both looked and saw Leo walking out, with his arm around the blond woman he was flirting with earlier. I couldn’t hold it back, my mouth fell open as I watched them. The girl was unsteady on her feet but clinging to Leo.
“Hey guys! I’m just taking Melissa here back to her hotel room,” Leo said and the woman drunkenly burst into laughter. Leo laughed too. He didn’t seem to care, or even know what he was doing to me. In his books, I was just a friend to him.
Dane and I were silent but staring at them, walking away in each others arms. We could hear them laughing and talking loudly in the dark. I could do nothing else but stare.
“He was quick,” Dane said finally, once the two of them had disappeared out of sight. I gulped and looked at him. My eyes were strained. I was harboring such hopes for tonight. I had managed to convince myself that Leo did actually want me. That his reason for inviting me to his gig was more than just for the music.
“He’s always quick,” I said to Dane and he placed his drink on the pub’s patio ledge.
“You seem to be keeping a track of his social life,” he said and I rolled my eyes and looked away. Dane looked like he was mocking me and I suddenly felt a surge of anger towards him.
“And you’re very nosey!” I snapped and he held his hands up defensively.
“Just making an observation,” he said and stepped closer to me.
“You shouldn’t be hung up on him, you know?” he added in a softer voice and I jerked my head up to look at him. This dashing, rich, successful man…what did he know about being infatuated with someone? He could obviously have anyone he chose to.
“You don’t know anything about me, Dane!” I said and took a few steps back.
“Who gave you the idea that I’m hung up on him? Leo is a friend, we’ve known each other for three years. I came to the pub for a drink and you’re here on vacation,” I said. Only later did I realize that the whole speech didn’t necessarily make complete sense.
Dane was standing and staring at me silently, with a soft grin forming on his face.
“You’re right. I don’t know you. I shouldn’t have presumed you have a thing for him,” he said.
“I don’t,” I said, in a much louder voice.
Our eyes were locked. My nostrils were flared and my shoulders were heaving. I was worked up while Dane was calm.
“Okay, then prove it,” he said and arched an eyebrow at me. His sharp chiseled jaw stuck out, while his dark eyes were focused on my face.
“Prove it how?” I said, looking confused. I knew I wasn’t thinking straight.
“I don’t know. Prove me wrong,” he said, and I gulped.
“Fine!” I said and with my shoulder, I shoved him aside and marched past him. Dane followed me, as I walked towards the beach deliberately. It would be deserted now. The sand would be sparkling and we’d be all alone. I had no problem proving that I didn’t have feelings for Leo. Dane would see that he was completely wrong about me.