I make my way over to the pair of them and grab a seat as they nurse their half-drunk beers. “Been here long?”
“Nah.” Dylan strokes the residue away on the glass before his gaze meets mine. “Just the second one of the night.”
“Night’s still young.” Liam chuckles as he holds his glass in the air.
“How’s the move going?” I ask over the commotion and cheers at the bar.
The lights start to dazzle across the room, as they reflect around the surfaces. The streamers lace the floor in multi-colored patterns. They paint a beautiful piece of art as people from the local area start to arrive.
“Good man, I actually quite like it here. I didn’t realize how much would be involved in the transfer from Chicago to Firehouse13 here in Armstrong. I’m glad the move is all coming together though, and I can start to become a part of the community. Are you still able to be there for that delivery?” Dylan asks, turning to see where my gaze has gone.
“Yeah, of course. Just let me know the time and date, yeah?”I mumble as I stand and wonder what has suddenly caused the influx of noise over at the bar.
The crowd splits and the figure appears in her full glory as dark hair spills over her shoulders. With a turn on her heel, she faces me and I smile.
The magnetic pull from across the room has the hairs on the back of my neck raised. One look again at Blaire, the woman who earlier asked me directions, and I’m unable to focus. I can’t figure out how this woman has managed to intrigue me without another word, mesmerize me even. The way she seems skittish and uncomfortable makes me want to wander over that way and find out why. I want to make my own judgements instead of having to listen to the likes of Simon and the other people in the community. Simon moves back toward the bar with a cocky swagger, not waiting for us to follow. I glance down at the half full drink in my hand and lick my lips.
“Guys, I’m going to the bar,” I utter but their replies are mumbles of incoherent words that my brain doesn’t want to pull together.
“Should I ask why?” Liam chuckles as he glances at my drink and then the bodies on the dancefloor until his eyes stop and focus back to me. “Ah, I see why now.”
“I’ve got to make a good impression. Now drink up, boys,” I blurt out with my gaze firmly set on the back corner of the room.
3
BLAIRE
The Cannon is the heart of Armstrong, the place where the community gathers, especially for an occasion. I hear once you get inside the place, the locals corner you and you have no means of escape – just the way Kennedy likes it. Well, that's what Simon says anyhow, but I didn’t think he would mean that in a literal sense.
A holiday with a new girl to the community. Well, I knew there would be questions, but I didn’t realize the suffocating presence so many people could have on you in a busy bar, in such a short amount of time. I blame Rich for that. I never used to be that girl. I used to ooze confidence, but he took it all that day.
I can’t control the panic I feel rise within me. My heartbeat races and I feel the uncertainty within me, allowing my mind to get the better of me by not being able to see the entry door. I always need to see an escape route, an option to get out quickly. I dread the thought of Rich finding me. With his cropped blond hair and muscular physical frame, it makes him an easy target to pick out in a crowd of strangers. Except now the doorway is obstructed with so many people in the confines of the room. I need to keep calm. I am safe and he doesn’t know where I am; it isn’t possible.
I repeat the words in my head that I am safely out of danger, away from Rich. I just need to settle into my own skin again and stop reacting at every unplanned moment before suspicions start to rise. The last thing I want is for Jake to play the hero big brother card and go all protective on me if he puts all the pieces together.
“Hey,” a voice shouts above the noise, making me jump and turn on my heel. I almost bump into the side of Simon. “Blaire, I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon. Did you find your way in the end?” He holds his hand out for me to move closer toward him as he pushes against the shoulders of the impending guys that surround me.
I grab it and accept the gesture, as I allow an instant relief to settle and wonder how many people I'm going to meet tonight. I could at least relax that Aiden seemed a friendly enough guy when I met him earlier. He didn’t need to come over to see me here but it’s like he could sense I could do with some moral support. Except the moment I touch his palm, my mind goes silent and the world starts to turn on its axis.
My heart is in my mouth as tingles shoot up the length of my fingers and along my arm. My gaze snaps directly to his, meeting dark chocolate orbs that suck me into the depths of his soul. Butterflies swim in the pit of my stomach. What is this magic?
I allow my gaze to trail up the length of his body. His tight clothes highlight his muscles, his scruffy, facial hair defines his jawline neatly and finally, I land on his dark brown, choppy hair.
“Who are they,” I stutter. My mouth suddenly feels very dry, like I have lost the ability to speak as I take a step back.
“Oh, those two are my friends, Liam and Dylan.” He points over his shoulder, as I watch them lift their brows. “Fancy escaping and having a drink over there?” He points at the opposite side of the bar which looks a lot quieter.I can see the door over there.
“Yeah, go on then, another one of these.” I raise my bottle of beer to him. Aidan looks at the bar and places two fingers in the air. He nods to a girl, who I think is called Lacey, as his friends make their way to sit down. “Thanks for the escape from the locals.”
“Oh, I’m a local too,” he chuckles before guiding me over to the other side of the bar. The heat of his body radiates close by but he never once touches me. “At least you can think without having to drown out the noise over this side.”
“It’s like you read my mind.” I look straight into his eyes as I speak before I watch the curl of a smirk raise on his lips.
“I’m sure things will get much rowdier very quickly. Kennedy will probably crank the music up soon when the final few get here. I’m going to enjoy the peace and quiet while I can.” Aiden pulls a stool out for me in the corner, which has my back to the door.
“Would it be okay if I take that one?” I point to the stool across from him, which isn't blocked by his friends whilst they continue their conversation. “I tend to like to see the whole surroundings.”
“Of course, anything the lady wants.” He smiles and swaps stools. He perches on the edge and scoots toward me and looks at me with a questioning gaze.