“Who the hell do you think you are?” I scream. My face is red, my hackles are up, and I’m ready to fight. “Touching me without permission, calling me names? Screw you, you good for nothing piece of trash! Haven’t you heard of the #MeToo movement? Well, eff you!”
But before the man can take another swipe, a huge hand lands heavily on my shoulder. I glance up to see the bouncer from earlier, his face a snarl of disapproval.
“You, out,” he growls. At first, I’m pissed.
“What? Why? It’s him! I didn’t do anything! I was just minding my own business and—”
But the bouncer doesn’t care. He won’t even meet my eyes as he pinches my shoulder, escorting me to the front door. Then he shoves me out onto the street and says, “Go home. Sober up.”
The wooden slab slams shut, and I’m left out in the cold. Great. I just made a scene, and now people are looking at me and whispering from behind their hands. I decide to own the situation and curtsey flamboyantly.
“Thank you for the fine welcome to your little town,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Much appreciated.”
The people outside merely turn back to their own conversations, and I’m left alone. What a shitty night. Maybe I should head home because obviously, this place sucks.
But as I walk back, the cool air helps me feel better. It’s crisp, and I can feel my lungs expanding with much-needed oxygen as my cheeks stop flaming. I’m definitely still intoxicated, but my brain feels less foggy and I no longer feel like picking a fight with strangers.
I make my way down the main drag in what I hope is the direction of my hotel. As I wind my way through the lamp lit streets, I decide that, aside from that one asshole, I had a pretty great night. Dancing always makes me happy, and I needed to get out a bit and let loose.
Deciding that I don’t want to head to my room just yet, I turn down a random street, letting the cool air work its magic on my overheated brain. Off the main road, the lights are fewer and farther between, although it’s still decently bright. Above me, stars sparkle in the night sky and I smile up at their brilliance.
I meander until I’m close to what appears to be a dimly lit park. The atmosphere in this part of town is peaceful, and I find myself wishing I had someone to share this walk with. It would be so nice to have a boyfriend right about now, walking down Lover’s Lane with our hands entwined.
But no such luck. My mystery man hasn’t shown himself yet and I’m just about to turn back in the direction of the hotel when the bushes rustle nearby. Slightly startled, but still too drunk to really process what’s happening, I turn toward the offending sound.
“Hello?” I call in a faint, wavery voice. “Hello? Hello?”
No one answers, but then my eyes focus in the stillness and I gasp aloud when I realize that there’s a woman kneeling in front of a man in the bushes. She’s clearly giving him a blowjob. The man has his head thrown back, his Adam’s apple going up and down with ecstasy as she fists his pole while lovingly taking him again and again into her mouth. OMG!
I back away slowly, giggling to myself and flushed by the eroticism of what I just saw. Well, I guess I found the dark side of Sheridan, I think as I sink down onto a bench, well out of view of the amorous couple. Who is she? Why would she give a man head here, in the middle of the night? Surely, a bedroom would be more comfortable?
Suddenly, a thought strikes. Holy smokes, was that woman a working girl? I turn my head to look, and sure enough, the man comes just as my eyes find them in the dark once more. He lets out a low, throaty groan as the woman sucks eagerly, drinking every drop. Then, to my amazement, the man reaches into his billfold and hands her something. It’s clearly cash, and as soon as the transaction is done, both melt into the darkness, likely never to meet again.
I sit there, utterly astonished. I just witnessed an illicit transaction and I should be turned off, but instead, I’m titillated! Who would have thought that this particular park is where hookers meet their johns? And what would that be like?
I kick my legs out while squirming on the park bench, giggling a bit. I’m shaking my head at what I just witnessed when suddenly, the sound of approaching feet on the sidewalk causes me to sit up sharply.
Two men are strolling my way, illuminated by the bright moon overhead. My mind still slightly addled, I watch as they stop before me. Their figures are huge, at least six foot four. Although I can’t see their faces, I glimpse the edge of a strong jaw, and the shadow of two massive pairs of shoulders.