Between the Lives - By Jessica Shirvington Page 0,60

of my hospital gown. If there was any chance of ditching this joint, I was in. I didn’t think Ethan would actually take me dancing, but getting dressed at least meant going somewhere – even if it was just around the block.

I threw on the best of my limited supply of minis and the shortest of my T-shirts – it covered my bandage while still flashing a little belly skin – but then changed into a different one, chastising myself. Oh god, I was seriously crushing on this guy. I mean, he was basically my doctor and had done nothing to make me think he cared for me more than … doctor–patient stuff.

But … technically he wasn’t a doctor. And it wasn’t like he was treating me for a condition I was actually suffering from.

I groaned internally. What was I doing? As far as he was concerned, the night before I’d attempted suicide.

But true to his word, Ethan came back in a few minutes, pausing with his hand on the door when he saw me. He coughed lightly, looking down. ‘You might be cold outside.’

I shrugged, enjoying the little swing in power. If you’re gonna wear it, you gotta walk it. ‘I’m good. Don’t have a coat.’

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

‘You okay?’ I asked, smirking.

He nodded and stepped inside, pulling the door closed behind him.

‘I thought we were going out?’

He smiled. ‘We are. That is, if you feel up to it?’

I flashed him a wide smile. ‘Definitely.’

With that, he dangled a set of keys from his hand and made his way to the window, first unlocking the security grilles and then the window, sliding it open fully.

‘After you,’ he gestured.

I raised an eyebrow. ‘Don’t you have to work or something?’

‘They have someone else covering my other duties while I’m monitoring you. No one will notice.’

‘Is this meant to be some kind of bonding thing? You pretend to sneak me out, but really three doctors and a couple of security guys are tailing us the entire time.’

He gestured to the window again. ‘This is me trusting you.’

I climbed out the window quickly so he wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes.

It felt strange walking the city streets after midnight. Unlike most teenagers, I was routinely asleep at that time.

We must have walked for nearly twenty minutes in silence. The strange thing was, it was comfortable. Calming. But Ethan was right: it was cold. When he offered me his jacket, as much as I wanted to, I didn’t refuse. And when I put my hands in his pockets and felt his set of keys, I was very glad I hadn’t.

We passed a twenty-four-hour convenience store and a few late-night cafés, but Ethan didn’t stop. When we came across a bar that was still open, to my surprise he headed straight towards it. I was even more surprised when no one stopped me for ID at the door. I doubted this was an all-ages bar.

Inside, things were in full swing. I guess that’s what happens in the places that stay open latest – everyone ends up there in the end. Ethan pointed to a free table in the back corner and we made a beeline for it.

I sat down, but he stayed standing. ‘I’ll get drinks. What do you want?’

‘Rum and Coke,’ I said, wondering if it would taste different in this life. Things often did.

He raised his eyebrows. I raised mine back.

‘You’re underage, Sabine.’

‘I think I’ve proven that may well be debatable, Ethan.’ I held his gaze. I didn’t want to be treated like a kid tonight. At least for tonight, I wanted to make my own choices.

When I saw the tug at his lips I knew I’d won. He didn’t say anything more, just disappeared into the swarming crowd. I hoped I wasn’t going to get a virgin drink and a lecture on his return.

I relaxed into my chair. The music was loud and I let myself sink into it, my body starting to sway to the beat. I liked this place. I wished I could get out more at night. The city really changed at witching hour, in a good way.

‘Sabine?’

I flinched, spinning in my seat.

Oh, mother of all things that wreck my lives.

Shit.

‘Davis! Hi!’ I said, completely freaked out. I hadn’t even considered running into somebody. I was such an idiot. I should’ve at least looked around before sitting down – and Davis, of all people.

I plastered a cheesy grin on my face. ‘How are you?’ I yelled over the