My Life After Now - By Jessica Verdi Page 0,8

place you dance at,” Courtney said.

She was probably right. The band up on the stage was playing acoustic alternative rock, and the most anyone was doing was moving their heads or swaying the tiniest bit in their seats. But the drinks were strong, and my body was warm, and I didn’t care what anyone else was doing. I wanted to dance. So I did.

And guess what? Other people followed my lead. Soon there were at least a dozen people out of their seats and dancing. After a few songs, the band’s lead singer spoke to the crowd.

“We’re going to mix things up a little for you guys. This next song is for the girl in black.” He pointed to me.

He switched from an acoustic guitar to an electric one, and the band started playing a new song. It was loud and it was fast and it was the best dancing song ever.

“Woooo!!!” I screamed, jumping up and down. I wanted another drink, but I didn’t want to waste time at the bar, so I just grabbed Max’s drink out of his hand and chugged it down. My head was beginning to get fuzzy and spinny. But that was exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t able to think about anything but the music.

Courtney and Max joined in at last, and the three of us danced the night away.

After the band’s first set, the singer came over to get a drink from the bar. He was gorgeous—flawless hair, totally sexy stubble, vintage tee that showed off the tattoos on his perfect arms. I was shocked as all hell when he approached me.

“Your band rocksss,” I slurred.

“Thanks.” He grinned and extended his hand to me. “I’m Lee.”

“I’m Lucy,” I said. Crap. Samantha. Oh well, too late now. I made sure to wipe my sweaty hand on my jeans before I shook his.

“You gonna stick around for the next set, Lucy?”

“Absolutely.”

“Cool,” he said, and hopped back up onto the stage.

Courtney, Max, and I stared after him.

“That is one beautiful man,” Max said.

“Amen,” Courtney said.

I didn’t say anything. I just watched Lee retune his guitar, a smile playing at my lips, knowing I’d just found a surefire way to forget all about Ty.

• • •

One incredible set list and three tequila shots later, Lee found me again, his guitars slung over his back.

“Hey Lucy,” he said. “Wanna get out of here?”

I giggled. I’d thought people only said that in the movies. I nodded.

I got up to leave, but Courtney grabbed my arm. “Lucccy, wait…you sssure y’wanna go withhim?”

I laughed. “You’re so drunk!” That was the only answer I gave her. Max didn’t say anything because he was passed out on the table.

I took Lee’s arm, and together we left the club.

5

If My Friends Could See Me Now

A beam of warm, white light pierced my eyelids. I cracked one eye open, then the other, and blinked at the curtainless, bar-clad window.

Where am I?

I moved to prop myself up on my elbows, but the sudden shift in position made my body angry. My stomach heaved and I was weak and shaky. My brain felt like it was sloshing around in my head and crashing into the walls of my skull.

Then I remembered—I got wasted last night. This must be what a hangover felt like. All I could do was lie perfectly still, clear my mind, and wait for the nausea to subside.

When I was ready to try again, I carefully sat up and looked around.

I was in a small room, not much larger than the bed I was in. The sink was piled high with dirty dishes, and laid out on the counter were tiny little Ziploc baggies, needles, and pipes.

Under the unfamiliar sheets, I was completely naked.

I quickly pulled the top sheet up to my chin. The equally-as-naked, tattooed man lying face down beside me sparked a few more sparse fragments of last night. The club. The band. The singer. What was his name? Lee something. Through the filter of my drunken stupor, both he and his apartment had seemed a lot more glamorous last night. But now everything about this place felt dirty.

I shouldn’t be here. I have to go home.

As smoothly and quietly as I could manage, I slipped out of bed and gathered my clothes. I dressed quickly, found my purse on the stovetop, and crept out of the apartment, my boots still in my hand.

The door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against it, my heart racing. My mind was going