Page 20 of Stag

Jeez, if he’s trying to catch me out in a lie, he’s going to think he’s winning here.

“I don’t know. It’s driving me insane. I met her that one night, never got to talk to her, because, well, you know. And I just wanted a chance to let her meet me, but not the prick from that night. The guy I am underneath.”

Grimm suddenly smirked at me, flashing those stupid fangs that the girls probably got all moist over.

“You think I’m that stupid? Pulling the heartfelt crap with me? I’ve met you, Stag. I know what you’re like. This? Nice try. Really nice fucking try. You’re barred, and if you try this again, I’m going straight to your Pres about it.”

Motherfucking pretentious twat. For once I was being sincere, for once I showed a brother, or a potential brother the real me, and that’s what I get? I slipped back into my fucking shell, the skin everyone saw when they talked to me, because a great idea just hit me.

“You do know it gets put to a vote, right? You want in at Phoenix, there’s a vote. I could be voting for you, or do you want a no vote fucking up your chances?”

He reached for me, and I batted his hands away, standing tall and glaring back at him. He wanted to try and beat on me, he’d have to try harder than that. I just took on a fucking mob enforcer the other day. I mean, I didn’t win, but I tried.

“You’re that guy? You’re gonna pull that bullshit on me? Give in to what you want, or you’ll vote against me? If that’s what your club’s like, I don’t even fucking want in.”

He called out to the bouncer who’d let me in, and he came over to us.

“This fucker here. He shows up again, call the cops. He’s not getting in.”

Fuck.

Claudia

Ican’t believe she did that! How dare she step in like that and ruin my fucking night? I was into that guy, I liked him, and I really really liked kissing him! How dare she take away the first guy I’ve liked in years?

*Claudia, he’s bad news.*

I ignored her, grabbing the phone he’d dropped as they dragged him out. It was intact, and kind of old school, probably why it didn’t break. It was a touchscreen, but when I pressed the button to wake it up, there was no passcode to get in. Clearly he had no idea about security, or maybe this was a throwaway phone.

Marissa grabbed my arm, and I lifted my eyes to glare at her.

“Just throw it away. He doesn’t deserve your help.”

I pretended I couldn’t read her lips, and while she was trying to sign, I disappeared into the crowd, tapping at the screen as I headed for the bouncers.

I held up the phone and let the bouncer read what I’d typed.

This phone belongs to the guy who was just dragged out.

He nodded and took it from me, and I hoped to god that it would actually reach him, even though I still didn’t know his name, or where he was from. I hoped this would at least get back to him safely, and all I could do is keep my eyes open in future. I’d be watching for him in here, and if he showed up again, maybe it really was fated.

I had another drink while I waited for a taxi to come for me, having booked via the app as soon as I reached the bar. Marissa stood beside me, a grumpy look on her face, and when the phone pinged to tell me my ride had arrived, I got up and walked away without a word. I knew she was following, but I didn’t want her to.

When I reached the door, I stopped and turned, holding up a hand.

“No.”

Her face dropped and she reached for me, but I backed up.

“No.”

She pouted at me as I turned and left, and even though I knew she’d be booking a car immediately herself, I still wanted to take my own taxi, and do this for myself. She was trying so hard to make me dependent on her, and I had to keep fighting for control of my own damn life. Maybe it was time to move back home, or at least get a room somewhere away from her.

She arrived home about fifteen minutes after me, and I was already curled up on the sofa in my pyjamas, with a hot chocolate, and some crisps, watching a movie with the subtitles on.

She dropped on the sofa beside me, and despite my anger with her, I let her have my attention for a moment.

“I’m so sorry,” she said carefully, tugging her beautifully wavy hair into a ponytail and sitting back, “I just worry about you, and that man was all over you!”