Smoke

CHAPTER 3

Around 1:00 AM, I decide after spending hours unpacking and getting our apartment situated, that I need to get some fresh air. I pull on some black shorts and a tight black cropped top with long sleeves; paired with some black leather boots. Lily passed out mid-way through trying to organize her room, so I am left to my own thoughts while wandering around this vast city, taking in the sites and the NYC night life. What else should I do in the city that never sleeps?

We live directly above a mom and pop grocery stop that carries the basics. Which is fine by me, because I can't cook to save my life. I have grown proud of my microwaving skills. I refuse to touch the big, angry box of fire, some would call a stove. I won't lie, I have caught a couple...few things on fire back in the day. Lily isn't much better. Although, she can put frozen meals in without needing a fire extinguisher. So, there's hope for one of us.

A couple blocks down, there are a couple small pubs and few restaurants. Catty-corner from the Irish pub "The Claddagh', seems to be a massive dance club with blacked out windows. The only reason I came to that conclusion is due to the lights and house music that seep through the doorway every time someone in line is granted access to enter.

As I am walking past the club, a group of four guys, who are seemingly 's**t-faced', are loudly cat-calling after women as they traipse by in their barely there, glittery dresses and pumps. Trying to keep my head down while passing, I am just hoping to blend in and go unseen - of course, I am their next target. Unlike the gorgeous, bougie girls prior to me who smiled and did their cliche hair flip, soaking up the attention during their 5 seconds of fame - I just ignore the calls and keep walking. If only it were that easy. Apparently, they didn't like being brushed off - causing them to start following me down the sidewalk yelling things like, "Hey honey, we just want to talk! Where are you going? Don't you want to have a good time? We can show you a good time, baby!"

Starting to panic and second guess my decision to walk around this city alone at night, I start walking a little faster in hopes they would take the hint. They don't. I have to try and keep myself calm because when I end up in positions that present themselves as a threat, I blackout and Rachel takes control - and when she does, all bets are off.

I spot a guy the next building over, leaning against the brick wall, looking down at his phone. I determine on a whim that he is going to be my saving grace.

Bee lining straight for him, I end up latching ahold of his arm with my right hand, bringing my left up and settling it to the nape of his neck - right below his jawline and lean up swiftly to plant a kiss on his unsuspecting lips. Clearly caught off guard, he freezes briefly before he begins kissing me back...deeper than I expected. Sparks of electricity begin coursing through my body. I quickly pull away, a little flustered, trying to hold in my surprise and say, "There you are baby! I've been looking everywhere for you!" I plead with my eyes for him to play along and the look of realization covers his face, but his shadowed eyes are still penetrating straight through me.

Nervously, I take a quick glance behind me at the group who were previously hunting me down like wild dogs. They all grow quiet, throwing out a "forget it' type of wave, grumbling something I couldn't quite make out. Honestly I am glad I can't hear it. I then turn to my poor victim with an apologetic look, realizing I targeted him just like that group formerly targeted me. A pang of guilt starts stirring in my stomach.

Momentarily dazed, I now have the time to take in his features. I see a puzzled look on his face. His hazel eyes watching the men leave and then making their way back to me, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. Heat swiftly rushes to my cheeks in embarrassment. He is incredibly handsome. He has dark brown, almost black hair with a dominate brow line, causing his eyes to be deeper set and more defined. His features are sharp but are countered with a pair of full lips that are naturally curved up at the corners - causing him to have a permanent playboy-like smirk on his face.

Mortified of my previous actions, I blurt out, "I'm so sorry! I didn't know how else to lose those vultures back there and you were here alone...I...I should get going." I quickly try to gather my composure and what is left of my dignity and take a quick turn on my heels down the nearest alley to make my way back to the apartment; away from the crowd gathered back by the club.

"So you're going to kiss me and just leave without telling me your name? I'm not going to lie I feel a little used," he shouts out to me with a chuckle, causing me to turn around, a little thrown by his comment. He starts heading toward me, making it within a few, swift strides, as he is about 6'2 and has the long legs to match. "Don't apologize for doing what's necessary to escape...vultures...as you so eloquently put it. I admit, I was a little surprised. But, I'd do anything to assist a beautiful lady in distress."

"I don't need you to fight my battles for me. I shouldn't have dragged you into it," I snap back, a little sharper than I intended. It's just that I don't ever want to depend on anyone apart from myself to be protected. I'm more so just aggravated with my prior actions and that I felt the need to reach out for help, instead of standing up for myself in the first place.

"Whoa whoa, I didn't mean to offend, I just meant the city can be a pretty unforgiving place. Sometimes people just need a little help. I'm Dawson by the way. Dawson King." He reaches his hand out in front of himself in a welcoming gesture. I take it, attempting to give it a quick shake and move along, but his long fingers wrap themselves around my considerably smaller hand and he does not let go. "And you are..." trying his best to coax it out of me.

I look at him a little confused, not sure what I should say next. I'm not one to make friends on the street and exchange life stories. I came here to be alone - well...alone with Lily. Making friends just isn't my strong suit. Back in Indy, my only friends were a handful of guys and Lily. I have a really hard time making friends with girls due to my insufferable inability to sympathize with emotional or sensitive people. Guys, their personalities are more in uniform with mine; you know...Bury your feelings and just have a good time. Be that as it may, I still try to keep everyone at arms length. 

Breaking away from my thoughts, I say the only thing that comes to mind, trying to cut off the introductions and just head home instead. "Well thank you for your chivalry Dawson, but I really should start heading home now. I've had enough excitement for one night."

"So you aren't going to tell me your name then?" His brows raise up slightly in surprise, yet the corners of his mouth turn upwards even further into a deeper smirk. He chuckles and takes a step closer, slowly as though he's trying not to frighten me. All the while, his hand is still wrapped tightly around mine. "How am I supposed to ask you on a date, if I don't know your name first, mystery girl?"

"I don't date. Plus, you could be some creepy stalker or serial killer for all I know. So no, I'm not going to give you my name," I state bluntly, even though this guy is beginning to slightly beguile me, I stick to my guns. I know this game all too well. Hell, I have played this game. Shit...I am a master of this game.

He laughs out loud, shaking his head slightly, finally releasing his grip on me and says, "Well I guess you have a point there. Maybe you should let me prove it to you over a drink. We can talk and get to know one another. Then - and only then, if you decide that I'm not a creep, you could give me your name. How does that sound?"

I contemplate for a moment, looking at my surroundings. If I agree, at least I'm in a public setting. If I don't like him, then the odds of me running into him again are slim to none in this monumentally large city, right? "Fine, but only one drink over at the pub. After my day, I could really use a beer." I slowly let out a breath that I didn't even realize I was holding, and give him a small smile, hoping to ease my own thoughts more than anything.

A big grin takes over his face, baring his perfectly straight, white teeth. "The beer is on me then. It's the least I could do after that kiss."

"Don't make me change my mind," I laugh and lightly smack his arm, leading him to let out a deep, award winning laugh. It really is beautiful. It rings through my ears like a bewitching melody.

Fuck! Get your s**t together Austyn!

He raises up his arms in a surrender motion, with a mocking look on his face that resembled the look of a deer in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. He then replaces the look on his face with a Cheshire-like grin and laughs out, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. I'll be on my best behavior...well I'll do my very best. I promise." He attempts to place his hand on the small of my back to guide me over to the pub, but then it is quickly removed once he catches the side-eye I send his way. He then makes a motion that resembles a half-assed bow, deciding to instead motion us forward with his outstretched arm and breathes out heartily, "After you."