don’t respond, he says, “Or not.”
He’s so quick to backtrack that I laugh. “No, it’s fine. Maybe company would be good too.” At least it would keep my mind off Collin and provide a distraction until I figure out how I’m going to get back home.
Chapter 11 – Brianna
The bar has loud blasting music and is crowded with patrons who are already full of drink. With a start, I realize it’s Saturday night.
The familiar feel of an eating establishment filled with customers and servers reminds me that I’m supposed to be working right now. Thank you, Macy, I say silently to her.
I’m going to do everything I can to make it to my shift tomorrow night so she doesn’t have to cover for me. Now, I just have to figure out how to get all the way back home.
“There’s a table by the wall. Want to sit there?” The guy who opened the door for me waves to it.
“Yeah, sure,” I reply distractedly. I follow him to the table and pull out a tall rickety wooden chair. Its leg catches and squeaks. I drop the heavy pack on it and finger my hair self-consciously. “Um, I’ll be right back.”
The guy picks up one of the menus stacked near the napkins and condiments. He nods, and I briefly contemplate that I’ve been hanging out with one strange man after another since my shift last night. WTF.
A sign for the restroom hangs near a hallway in the back, right next to a scarred pool table and a wall full of dart boards. A group of guys standing near the dart boards all stop talking when I pass. I can feel their eyes following me.
I sigh internally. Drawing attention from men is nothing new to me. I know my tall strong build and long hair have always been a natural magnet for attraction, but this time, I’m guessing it’s from my disheveled appearance.
Once in the bathroom, the mirror reveals exactly what I expected. My skin is dirty, tiny bruises line my neck where Collin’s wolf bit me, my wrists are chaffed from the restraints, some of my hair has dried blood in it near the goose egg, and my shirt is torn. All in all, I look as if I’m one step away from a body bag.
The faucet groans when I turn it on full blast. Leaning down, I splash water on my face and neck, then wash with the cheap hand soap that smells of chemicals. I wash away the blood in my hair as best I can. After that, I grab a handful of towels and wipe my arms and legs down until all of the dried blood and dirt are gone. I wince when I rub the tender skin on my wrists. Most likely, that skin will take a few more days to fully heal.
Once done, I thread my fingers through my hair until the tangles work free. I’m still in need of a shower, and I’m not wearing a lick of makeup, but at least I no longer look like I spent the weekend camping in the woods with a werewolf intent on murdering me.
A hysterical giggle bubbles out of me, and my heart lurches at the thought of Collin. I stare at myself in the mirror for a moment, my expression vacant. Is he still a wolf? Did he turn back to his human form? Where is he now?
Shaking my head, I throw the used paper towels in the waste basket and exit the bathroom.
The guys by the dart boards grow quiet again when I pass. One of them leans to his friend and whispers something. Both snicker, then the tall one smiles and nods in my direction.
I ignore them and push through a few more groups. When I get too close to the speakers, I subtly cover my ears. It’s freaking loud in here.
I finally make it back to the table. At least it’s in a section of the bar that’s buffered by a thick wall so the music isn’t overbearing.
The guy who accompanied me is sitting with his legs spread on the tall chair while one of his arms drapes casually across the table. He’s tall and broad, but a belly hangs over his shorts. I’m guessing a desk job or lack of exercise are to blame for the extra weight. His brown hair is a bit long by the ears, but his clothes are clean and he’s still sober. That makes him an anomaly in