“Daddy’s going to put you in a time out,” I said, looking back at Luke.
“Just remember your promise,” Luke said. “She’s sleeping with you tonight.”
Crap. He was right. But the sun was still up, and we had plenty of time before we needed to worry about that.
“No puking,” I said.
She laughed. “Come dance.”
The shot I’d managed to drink had warmed me enough that I nodded.
I loved music. I loved moving to music. Granted, usually my moves involved kicks or jabs, but I knew how to dance. What girl could work in Ethan’s bar and not pick up a move or two?
So for a while, I lost myself on the dance floor. There was no pain or sorrow, just the moves and the moment.
Bethi and I had moves. Gabby and Michelle...well, they tried. Eventually, Emmitt joined Michelle, and Thomas and Charlene gave the floor a try. It was fun. A lot of fun. Their laughter clogged the air as much as their happiness. I soaked it up without meaning too. They didn’t seem to notice. They kept being happy.
I slipped from the group and went to the bar. Carlos still guarded the shots. I took two and downed one after the other.
The last one made my nose burn.
“Ugh! Keep me away from exposed flames.”
He didn’t comment. I turned to face the room and stood beside Carlos. He had a view of everyone having fun. Even Grey was to the side, joking with Jim.
“Why aren’t you out there?”
He turned his head and met my gaze.
“Are you inviting me?”
“Is that what it takes? An invitation for you to have fun?”
He shrugged and went back to watching everyone. I shook my head at him, reached back, and picked up a couple more shots. I took a sip from each.
“These aren’t bad. This one’s minty. This one’s...” I took another sip. “I think my taste buds are checking out for the day because it doesn’t taste like anything.”
I held the two shots up. He glanced at them, looked up at me, then took both. After he swallowed, he set the glasses to the side.
“Second one was water.”
“Hope Jim didn’t pay for that.”
“Come on, Isabelle!” Bethi said. She was shaking it to some party rock. I went to join her.
I danced. I drank. I danced some more. Time slipped away as I let loose.
And I started to smile more than not. A warm glow filled my belly. I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the emotions of those around me. All I knew was that I felt happy. There wasn’t a smidge of negativity around me, not even from Bethi.
I grinned and made my way toward Carlos and the drinks. Carlos studied my progress across the floor. He was probably trying to judge just how far gone I was. Not too far. I felt like I was still walking fine, until I almost tripped.
I leaned against the bar beside Carlos.
“Done drinking?” he asked, looking down at me.
“Nah. Just wanted to relax and check out the view.”
Charlene laughed and danced with Thomas and Jim. Jim kept the shots lined up on the bar and his mom’s wineglass full. None of the werewolves seemed even the least bit tipsy. Bethi definitely was. She was surprisingly good at tricking Luke. Michelle’s cheeks were rosy as she swayed in Emmitt’s arms. Gabby definitely wasn’t drunk. However, I did see her sip from Clay’s beer a few times.
So much joy. I felt bloated with it. And I didn’t want to stop to spar with Carlos. So I exhaled and tried to push some of it away from me.
Almost everyone staggered. The bartender bumped against the bottles behind the bar and laughed.
In fact, everyone seemed happier. A weird, crazy, might-need-to-be-locked-up kind of happy.
I started to worry when I saw Winifred laughing and leaning against Sam. He supported her and laughed just as hard.
“Carlos?” I said, tearing my gaze from the pair.
Carlos looked at everyone with a frown.
“Did you do something?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe.” If I had, it wasn’t something I’d ever done before.
“I’ll take Thomas, Charlene, and Grey outside and see if that helps clear their heads.”
I nodded and watched him as he moved across the room and convinced the three to leave with him. When he opened the door, I noticed how late it had gotten and turned to the bartender.
“We’re ready to close the tab,” I said.
“He’s been paying along the way. No tab to close,” the man said, his random amusement still clinging to him. I tried to ignore it.
“Good. Make sure no one else buys any. We need to get going soon.”
He nodded. I looked at the seven shots still waiting.
“Can I get a glass of water?” He moved to get me one, and I downed two more shots.
When he brought the glass, I filled the shots with water.
“Bethi, come help me,” I waved her over.
Luke didn’t scowl at me this time. I handed her the waters, and Luke got two of the real thing. I grabbed another shot to join them. Bethi kept giggling and spilling her water as she tried to drink it. Luke helped her aim for her mouth, chuckling the entire time.
I needed to get away from everyone. The mad laughter was starting to grate on my nerves. I went over to Jim.
“Can I have your wallet?” He reached into his back pocket and willingly handed it over. He still had sixty dollars left. I took it all, since he seemed to be the instigator, then walked out the front door. The cool air felt good.
Grey, Charlene, Thomas, and Carlos stood near the road. They spoke quietly and no one seemed to be laughing anymore. I did, however, feel their lingering amusement. Whatever it was seemed to have faded for them. It gave me hope for everyone inside.
I leaned against the building and waited for the discussion to finish. They couldn’t blame me for what happened. I mean, I’d warned Jim. And I didn’t think spreading some happiness was a bad thing. Not with this group. Besides, I’d really enjoyed myself for the first time in a very long time.
The tension I’d held slowly evaporated, and I sighed happily as the world seemed to turn soft and wavy. Drinking was a great idea. I owed Jim big time. And I needed to tell him that. I stood and reached for the door. It moved away from me, and I had to reach for it a second time.
Inside, Jim was laughing at something Emmitt had said. He had a nice laugh. It made me smile.
Forgetting why I’d come back in, I let the song on the jukebox draw me to Bethi’s side where I started dancing again. I closed my eyes and just moved. Not too much though. I didn’t want Luke and his wild dance moves to take me out.
It took two fast beat songs for me to notice the laughing had stopped. And it took a slow song for me to open my eyes. The bar was empty. Except for Carlos. He leaned against the wall near the jukebox, and he watched me.
My pulse leapt and my belly warmed. He straightened away from the wall and held out his hand.
I gave him a small smile and moved toward him. Once I slipped my hand in his, he closed his eyes for a moment.
“Home,” he whispered.
I didn’t understand what he meant.
When he opened his eyes again, he pulled me toward him. We moved together to the music, a gentle sway that beckoned me to lean in further. I rested my cheek against his chest and sighed, floating in peace.
The music ended too soon. I lifted my head, but he didn’t stop dancing with me. Our gazes locked. Something there made my pulse flutter. In excitement or in warning, I couldn’t tell. My head was too fuzzy to think straight.
“I need some air.”
I pulled away from him, but he kept hold of my hand and led me toward the smoker’s exit near the back. Trees surrounded the overgrown patio, and he tugged me toward them.
We walked a ways into the woods then he stopped and turned toward me, only inches separating us. The distance reminded me of the night in the bathroom, and I tilted my face up toward him, wondering if he’d try something like he had that night. Part of me hoped he would. I didn't want to be alone. I wanted him to hold me, but I didn't want it to mean anything.