Back in the Saddle (Jessica Brodie Diaries #1)(58)

“Okay, I’m going to…” I gave a weird body point in the general direction of the section’s exit, as if I was revving up to head that way. When William didn't let on he knew what I was relaying, I started that way. I figured I might hit the bathroom, have a glass of water, then catch a cab.

Adam was still laughing as I walked away.

I stood on a very high precipice, looking down. It was jagged and rocky and extremely dangerous. It was the stairs. I was looking down at my early death

I looked across the expanse of the world and saw a few guys from our area standing at the railing, watching my progress. William and Adam probably made up two of those, though I couldn’t be sure because beer goggles tended to be near-sighted. Or was it far-sighted.

“I’m not good at math,” I muttered drunkenly, shrugging. I needed a seeing-eye dog.

“Problem?”

It was the gruff bouncer from the first roped hurdle into the VIP area. He was just cresting the stairs, his muscles bulging through his black t-shirt. Being that he was in his forties, that was an achievement.

“Well,” I began, clutching the railing in case I slid down, then rolled, then tumbled, then split my head open, “heels, steep steps—wow, that was hard to say—and drunk, which I am not, of course, is a terrible combination.”

“You’re not drunk at all, no. That’s obvious,” he said in dead pan.

“Exactly. So, kind sir, it has come clear to me. I wondered, in the most sincere sort of way, if you would be so kind as to help me down the stairs?”

“What do I get out of it?”

“Well, your face intact, for a start.” I curled a fist and mock growled at him.

Come morning, I would be embarrassed I did that.

His head whipped back as if I had struck him. He started laughing. “Feisty one, huh? C’mon.”

He held out his arm and I clutched it. Wobbly, but managing.

“How you gonna get back up?” he asked economically.

“Easy.”

“How?”

“Don’t know yet.”

He shook his head. “You should slow down or you won’t make the night.”

“Don’t I know it! Definitely. Gonna make an ass of myself on the dance floor first. Look for me!”

We reached the bottom and I headed off into the crowd.

Deep into the crowd. I was way more messed up than I thought I was.

A Madonna classic re-mastered came on. I danced like it was going out of style. Probably threw too much hip at it. Probably rubbed my body too much. Definitely threw one too many stripper moves in the mix. Obviously didn’t care. I was going for it!

Men came and went. Some more persistent than others. All turned away, of course. I was too drunk to make solid decisions and I didn’t have my girls to give me the yay or nay. Plus, new city; must be good.

“FOCUS!”

I just yelled that at myself. Embarrassing. I looked around at the bobbing, blurry faces. Nobody noticed.

Time to head away. Beer time. I felt more sober. Hopefully everyone else felt more drunk.

Man, I was sweaty. Dancing gets the heart rate up.

I made it to the stairs, dancing all the way. There was no one going up.

Precarious predicament.

*Giggle*

I saw the bouncer that escorted me down a moment ago at the top of the stairs. Like he was a bus about to miss my stop, I waved at him with both hands. He might have looked at me funny, but it was hard to say because there were two of him.

“Well, that sucks.” I took a big breath and put my foot on the first step. I could definitely make it. All I had to do was keep my focus the whole time.

“No issues.”

I moved toward the railing. I probably looked the fool. It was another thing I would care about tomorrow.

“Hold up. Hold on there, I’m comin’.”

The bouncer to the rescue!

He reached me in a bound and stuck out his arm. I loved Texas!

“I was nearly going to chance my life to the railing,” I gasped, winded from all the dancing.

He chuckled. “I saw that. You should wear smaller shoes.”

“And you shouldn’t mother me. You’re no good at it.”

He shook his head. “I come down to help you and see what I get?”

“Abuse. I am some bitch, aren’t I?”

“You got that right. Here, I’ll walk you to the back. You with the Chamberlin booth?”

“I don’t know who that is. Adam, Candace, Apollo, Ty, Brad...he has a girlfriend. Shame.”

The bouncer patted my hand. I noticed he had a wedding ring. Good. He wouldn’t hit on me. And if he did, I had a great excuse to jump ship without hurting his feelings.

We got to our area and Adam, William and Ty were looking at me from the railing. The bouncer nodded to them, smiled at me, and headed off with a “Ma’am.”

I walked in nearly a straight line to Adam and friends. “Hey boys. Nice guy, that guy. Didn’t have to brave the stairs alone. Now, where were we? Oh yes, that’s right, rules. Or am I too drunk?”

William held out my refreshed drink. It was a beer. How did he know I wanted to switch?

“Telepathy.”

That sounded too loud.

I shrugged. Everyone was staring at me.

“What is this, a wax museum?” I turned to William. “Thanks for paying attention. That’s awesome. Hug!”