Guilty Pleasure

Nighttime Shenanigans

"So, what do you say, Jalissa? Would you like to work with me?"

"Umm.." I think about working at the gym with Damon, and immediately imagine him half-naked, working out. 

"That's not the job I hoped for her. But it's much better than nothing."

Mom looks at me, frowning. "What do you think, Jalissa? Will you finally act like an adult? It's clear from your college reports that you're not taking it seriously..."

"Why should I care? You're the one who pushed me to go in the first place. If I can't handle the work, it's your fault."

"Jalissa, that's enough!"

I roll my eyes and walk away. "Jalissa, I'm not done with you!"

The last thing I want is to spend so much time with Damon. But considering how much of a b***h my mom's been, working with her boyfriend doesn't make me feel guilty.

Jalissa: Sorry I had to cut our convo short

Hailey: Apology accepted.

Hailey: So... wanna go out? 

Jalissa: Desperately. It feels like hell in here. 

Hailey: Awesome! Meet me at Medusa at 9.

I jump off my bed and look in my wardrobe. I should wear something nice to the club. Who knows what kind of hotties I'll meet.

I picked out my white short dress and smirked. Perfect. 

Hailey and I meet at our favorite club soon after and suddenly it feels good to be home again. "What do you want to drink?"

"Something strong. It's been a hell of a day."

"I like the spirit, girl. If the day's bad, make the most of the night!"

Hailey orders something for the two of us. And shortly, our drinks arrive. "Cheers. It feels so good to have you back for the summer!"

"Same, girl!"

Our glasses clank before we gulp our drinks. "WOO! How about another shot?"

"Sounds good to me." 

Hailey gestures to the bartender again. "You look down. What's wrong?"

"Well, I have no clue what my major is, and it will make my senior year hell. On top of that, I have my mom complaining about me not having a summer job and now my only hope is a part-time receptionist job."

"Sounds boring."

"At the gym where her boyfriend works."

"Lovely." She grins and I shake my head.

"In some ways, it could be exciting but I'm not interested in working there. Sounds so boring."

"Your fault you didn't find a summer job sooner. I told you that not having one was a bad idea."

"Hailey, that's not helping. Besides, you don't have one either. Right?"

"Wrong I got a job at Ava's Boutique downtown."

"Oh. You love that place!"

"Which is why I did my best to land that spot." She throws an arms around me and shakes me encouragingly. "Oh, Jalissa. I think your problems is that you don't know what you want out of life."

"Could be."

"I think you should take the job. It may not be ideal. But the gym might be a great place to meet a hot guy for a rebound."

"You're right. Maybe it won't be so bad after all."

"See? You should see this challenge as an opportunity."

"I'll try."

After a few seconds, Hailey's eyes wander to another part of the club. "Holy s**t!"

"What?"

"It's him?"

"Who?"

"Mike."

"We are so over. Long-distance didn't work for us."

"You don't get it. He... He's kissing a random girl. Look!" 

Hailey points at Mike, and my heart sinks when I see him kissing a girl. They grin at each other like two horny teenagers. 

The drink makes me a little tipsy, but I get an urge to go towards him. "The jerk moved on so fast."

"I thought you liked him."

"Not anymore."

"I was the one to break up. I mean, he never even visited any colleges near me and..."

"Exactly! I think you should go there and show who's boss."

"Why? You drank too much, didn't you?"

"Because he's a jerk. That's why. You need to talk to him."

"I could, but... now?"

"You want to give up or what?"

"I guess." 

I slowly moved across the club until I'm near him. "Hey, Mike! What are you doing this random girl?"

He smiles nervously. "It shouldn't concern you. We're over."

"You sure?"

"Jalissa, don't embarrass yourself."

"Who is she?"

"It's Jalissa, we're friends."

"No, we were dating. But Mike chose to be a dick."

"What?"

"Don't mind her, Zoe. She is very very drunk."

"I bet he was cheating on me before we broke up."

"Leave us alone. You're drunk!"

"I'm not. I just want to warn this poor girl."

Mike looks at Zoe, a little more nervously. "Sorry about her. Let's just go somewhere else. Somewhere more... private."

"I'd love to. I'm not letting your ex ruin our evening, babe." Completely ignoring me, they disappear into the crowd. I go back to Hailey. 

"I think I made it worse."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I should've known."

Hailey's eyes wander off before she looks back at me. "Hey, there's a hot guy at the dance floor who's been looking at me. I think I'm going to dance with him. That cool?"

"Sure. Have fun!"

"I think you should find someone too. You look lonely."

"No thanks."

"Well, you can't hide pain forever."

After Hailey left, I sighed. I think alcohol only made me more confused.  

*** Later that night: I stumble into my dark house. I'm holding on to the sofa as I make my way around the table. It's hard to keep my balance, especially after so many drinks and... I crash into someone, and my face lands just below his neck.

"Whoa!"

It's Damon and... He's in his underwear. And sexy as hell. "Are you alright? You seem tipsy."

I can feel his perfect abs under my hands. I can smell his aftershave and it smells so good. I want him to like me just as much as I like him. With alcohol clouding my judgement, it's so easy to relax in his arms. And so, I kiss his collarbone. 

"What the..." He pushes me away. His shocked expression startles me for only a moment and the embarrassment shoots through me.

I stumble up the stairs to my room and kick my heels off. What do I do now?!

Damon knocks on my door. "Jalissa, are you okay?"

I'm too dazed to answer. "Jalissa, is it okay if I come in? Please?"

"Yeah."

"Good." He slips inside and closes the door behind him. "How are you feeling?"

"Messed up. Are you upset with me?"

"I'm not. Let me get you some water." As Damon leaves my room, my eyes are fixated on his bare sexy back. I imagine my hands running down those rippling muscles... and blink the mental images away the second he returns.

"Here's your water."

"Thanks."

I gulp my water until some of the water drips to my chin. "You have a drinking issue, don't you?"

He grabs a napkin and gently wipes the corner of my lips, down to my chin. I want that hand to keep going down!

"Feel better?"

"Not quite."

"Why?"

"I think... I think you're hot. You're so insanely attractive and it confuses me."

Damon laughs and his voice brings me into another trance. "Jalissa..."

I don't know what's more intoxicating: the drink or his smile. "You're a beautiful girl, and I am flattered, but I am dating your mother. It's not right to even think about each other that way."

"But you think I'm beautiful?"

"I have eyes, don't I? But that doesn't mean anything. I'm not the cheating kind."

"I'm sorry. I drank a lot, and I..."

"Shh, it's not your fault." 

Damon wraps his arm around me and speaks gently. "It wasn't even a real kiss. Your lips landed on my collarbone. That's all I care to remember. So, don't worry... there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

He's so caring... 

"You should sleep it off and tomorrow, we'll both forget this happened. Alright?"

"Yeah."

"Goodnight, Jalissa."

"Goodnight, Damon." 

He leaves and I hear the fading sound of his footsteps. I can't believe I revealed my attraction toward him, and I've only been home for a day! It's going to be one long, hot summer...

*** The next morning: I go downstairs to get breakfast, only to find a sticky note on the fridge. 

"I've arranged for you to have a job interview today. See you at 2 p.m."-Damon

Uh, oh!