CHAPTER TWELVE
KYLE
A ‘Knight’ To Remember
†
COMING HERE WAS NOT my idea, but a bet was a bet and I had lost. I snickered, shaking my head at the thought of losing my three-week unbeaten record as king of predicting basketball scores to Brian, a fellow colleague of mine. He introduced me to the small group of enthusiasts who would get together to watch the game, the betting somehow adding an extra dimension to the experience.
My game was clearly off this week. I missed the signs that the Terriers were losing focus after being beaten squarely by The Connecticut Huskies. Something that I’d usually factor in before hedging a bet.
“Kyle, over here!” Brian shouted, hand in the air motioning me to join them, the other holding his half-empty beer glass.
I knew why I lost this time. My head was not in the game. I had been too distracted.
Eris hadn’t answered my call yesterday or read the text I sent her. She forgot her laptop on my couch a couple of days ago and I’d found it strange and puzzling that it would slip her notice. It was so unlike her. She’d most of her textbook on her laptop. Why hadn’t she make more of an effort to get it back from me?
Shit, why didn’t I have her dorm room number? I knew more-or-less where she was staying, and that she shared a room with her friend Lisa, but that was about it. We’d always meet at my place or go down to the coffee shop she loved so much to work on her assignment or just hang out, it just being the more convenient option. Anyway, it would raise too many eyebrows if I went to her dorm. I hadn’t caught sight of her around campus either.
This was just so unlike her, something was going on. I felt an uneasy feeling settling at the pit of my stomach and vowed that I’d get hold of her the next day, even if I’d to go over and knock on every damn dorm room door. To hell with what anyone thought.
“So Kyle, how does it feel to be knocked off that throne of yours,” Brain snickered when I reached the bar table, openly reveling in his victory, but I didn’t mind. He was a good guy and I enjoyed his good humor and friendly way. I pulled out a high chair and perched myself on it.
“Well, the one thing you need to know about me pal is that I am a very resilient man. Let me buy you guys that round you earned as trust me, your victory is going to be short-lived and it will be you paying next time,” the joke making the three of them laugh gleefully.
The place was packed. “Sorry guys,” Brian apologized. “I didn’t know it would be this crazy. I’d no idea that some indie band was going to perform here tonight. It’s always busy, but never this full!”
“Yeah! But the booze is still good and the view even better!” Alistair smiled; his already red eyes scanned the club as he glared at the dancing bodies in front of us, moving in rhythm with the pulsating music. I was not a stranger to the nightlife scene myself, having to entertain clients extensively, so I was used to it by now. I could thank the corporate lifestyle for that!
I was restless, but I decided to enjoy the moment and relax with the boys as I took another sip of my drink.
†
Fuck me!
I drew in a sharp breath at the sight a short distance to the right of me. I didn’t recognize her at first glance. Gone was the innocent little college girl. In her place stood a gorgeous, sexy vixen. Her blond hair hung over her shoulders in curly, natural waves. The silky green dress molded to her curves accentuated the sway of her hips, her sleek thighs and slender legs. The material of the dress left little to the imagination as it stretched taut over her voluptuous breasts, her nipples pressing against the soft fabric.
Could that dress be any more revealing?
I felt like a fucking idiot for feeling so possessive about the way she looked.
And who the hell was that asshole with her, holding her too close, his hands possessively draped around her waist as if he had some claim on her. He was cocky and fucking presumptuous.
It took everything for me not to march over there and pull his hands off her, but that would’ve just caused an unnecessary scene.
A firm slap on the shoulder from Alistair had me tearing my gaze away, but only for a moment. I responded with a robotic smile as the others laughed at some joke he had told. I threw back the drink left in my glass before turning my gaze back to Eris.
She was clearly into this little shit, talking animatedly, hanging on him as if her life depended on it and laughing at everything he said.
God, no one could be that amusing.
I struggled to stay in the conversation, my eyes moved to where she was still draped over his shoulder near the dancefloor. The blonde with her seemed overly eager, feeding her one drink after the other.
†
“You guys go ahead, I’m picking up the tab, remember?” I said as the three of them waived their goodbyes, thankful that they decided to leave when they caught sight of the band making their way towards the stage.
I couldn’t leave then and thank God, I didn’t.
I’d a clear view from where I stood at the bar-end. I briefly dropped my gaze as I slid my credit card back into my wallet. Looking up again, I caught sight of him slipping something into a glass before handing it to Eris. The little fool took it without hesitation, throwing it back and drowning the content in one large gulp. I was livid and immediately moved toward them.
I lost sight of her as he quickly pulled her onto the dancefloor, swallowed up by the sea of thumping bodies.
A feeling close to panic grabbed hold of me. Where the hell was she? The floor was packed and the flickering strobe lights made it impossible to see. I knew she was in trouble. That was no sugar pill he slipped into that drink. I knew exactly what that little fucker did and what he was planning to do. I had to get to her!
Something dark inside me was released. The urge to get to her and protect her was overwhelming. I raised myself up onto the base-ring of one of the bar stools, pushing my hand onto the side of the bar to give myself a better view. Thank God the strobe lights stopped for a second. I caught sight of them at the edge of the dancefloor a few feet away from me.
He was clearly overly aggressive by then, pressing her hips against his and kissing her hard.
I leaped forward, making my way over to where they were, my hands drawn into fists.
“You piece of shit. Get your fucking hands off her!”
As soon as he saw me, he knew exactly what was going on and let her go; the expression on my face clearly telling him the game was over. I reached out and grabbed him by his T-shirt, ripping the material, this giving him the chance to move swiftly and slip into the crowd. The only thing that kept me from following him and punching him within an inch of his small, worthless life was the sight of Eris falling to the ground.
I quickly reached down to catch her, swooping her limp body into my arms.
“Kyle…” she whispered before losing consciousness.
†
She remained lifeless as I laid her down on my bed. I didn’t know whether the anger that still raged through my body was because of that dick at the bar or because of Eris putting herself in that position. He’d better pray to God that I not see his face ever again, as I would fucking snap him in two.
And what the hell was Eris thinking! She had no business looking like that and acting the way she did. I was not a praying man, but I thanked God I saw what he did, before… I couldn’t even entertain the thought. What would’ve happened if I hadn’t been there?
I moved to the side of the bed to remove her one shoe, the other must have fallen off in the car. I came around the side of the bed, the smell of smoke, alcohol and vomit lingered in my nostrils. I was grateful that Eris threw up as I helped her out of the car when we arrived at my apartment. It helped purge her system of some of the alcohol and drugs she ingested, but it left her dress smelling sour, the pungent smell had me hold my breath. I needed to remove it. I pulled at the strings of her dress, slipping it off her body before tossing it into the bathroom.
As I turned back, I drew in a quick breath at the sight of her half-naked body… the light streaming in from the lounge softly caressing her small frame, giving me a full view. I immediately reached over to grab hold of the other side of the cover, folding it over her.
“Kyle,” she caught me off guard. “Where am I… what happened… why are you here… I need to get out of here… what is going on?” She was trying to sit up, still disorientated and the sound of panic clear in her voice.
“Eris, listen to me sweetheart. Don’t be scared. You’re safe. Just lie back down. I am here with you,” I said as I tried to calm her down, keeping my voice as gentle as I could to reassure her.
She turned her gaze to me, squinting her eyes as she tried to focus, a confused look on her face.
“Kyle… is it really you?”
“Yes, sweetheart. It’s me.” She was still under the influence of too much alcohol and the drug she’d been given. Her body swayed slightly.
She surprised me with her next move as she threw her arms around my neck, pressing her lips against mine, the cover slipping down to expose her breasts.
“Kiss me Kyle… please… I want you so badly,” she muttered against my lips.
I took her by her shoulders and pushed her gently back against the mattress.
“No, Kyle… don’t you want me?” she cried. Her arms reached forward to grab hold of me as she tried to pull herself up again.
“Eris, stop this! You are drunk and you need to rest. You don’t know what you are doing, honey.”
“No, that’s not true… I want you… please.” She started to cry and it fucking broke my heart to see her in this state. I protested again, holding her down as gently as I could to keep her from trying to sit up again. She was clearly unaware of what she was doing.
“I know… you don’t want me… you don’t want me,” she whimpered. Tears filled her eyes once more as she started to slowly move her head from side to side, her hair falling across her face.
It was killing me.
“No!” she huffed, her behavior suddenly changed, sadness giving way to anger. She brought both her hands up, pushing her palms hard against my chest. “Get away from me… I hate you!” she cried between gritted teeth. “I fucking hate you!” She was clearly disorientated and now in a state of panic.
I quickly moved to the side of the bed. I grabbed hold of both her wrists, crossing her arms in front of her body and pulled her back against my chest as I sat down behind her, holding her tightly against me as I tried to calm her.
She struggled to free herself, screaming and sobbing at the same time.
“I know you don’t want a girl like me… you want all those other whores… I know it!
“Eris. Calm down sweetheart. It’s okay… shhh… you’re safe baby,” I continued soothing her, whispering reassurances into her ear.
I let her cry and eventually felt her relax against me, all the while holding her close.
“I’m sorry, Kyle. I’m sorry. I don’t blame you. It’s not your fault. Who would want a silly little virgin like me anyway?”
I was taken aback by her confession.
“Hush sweetheart. Close your eyes. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Just rest now, okay.”
She continued crying softly until she finally fell asleep in my arms.