Cursed

❀Chapter Seven❀

Aurora

After Zach and I finish our pool game, he suggests we walk around the corner to grab pizza from his favorite dinner, Torino's. Part of me wants to stay and wait to see if Hayden shows up. But the loud gurgling noises coming from my stomach signal that it's time for food and I'm starving. I agree to go get pizza with Zach. He has been nothing but the perfect gentleman and being around him makes me feel safe. As if he's already an old friend. We laugh at the same jokes and he's quick to tease me about all of the awkward things I do. Conversation flows easily between us during dinner and before long our plates are empty.

At the end of our dinner of fried mushrooms and greasy slices of cheese pizza Zach generously pays for everything. Then he offers to walk me back to my car in the parking lot.

"I had a lot of fun tonight Rory. I don't have many friends in town right now and I would like to keep hanging out with you, if you want to?"

I look at the innocent questioning on Zach's face. He appears ready to handle my rejection if I decide to go that route.

"Of course I do! Who else is going to teach me how to be a pool shark?"

We both laugh and without overthinking it I follow my instinct to lean in for a hug. It was awkward at first. I could tell he isn't used to girls he just met touching him, but after a few seconds he returns the embrace. We let go, he quietly walks away from me and gets into his red pickup truck. He gives me a little nod from his window before driving out of the parking lot. I'm excited at the prospect of new friendship, even if it is only just for the summer break. Zach is way more decent than any of the guys I ever met from my high school.

As Zach and his truck's muffler fades away, I can hear more clearly the sounds of the bar. There's a crowd that has congregated on the patio. I mindlessly scan the faces, and catch myself wishing that Hayden is in there somewhere. He must think I'm crazy after the way I ran away from him the other night. I just need a chance to explain my behavior.

Recalling that electric feeling between us yesterday makes me shiver. I decide to ignore my feelings and go home instead of making a fool of myself at a bar I'm not even legally allowed to drink at. I shuffle through my purse, struggling to find my car keys amidst all the chapsticks and receipts.

"Hey girl hey."

I don't even have to look up to know that it's him. Hayden's leaning against the chainmail that encloses the outdoor patio of the bar. He's wearing a leather jacket over a plain white t-shirt and skinny jeans, smoking a cigarette. He's giving me the kind of look that mothers probably warn their daughters about. But there's something in his smile that draws me to him. I find myself walking up to the fence, interlacing my fingers in the warm metal that's been absorbing the sun's rays all day.

"Hey Hayden."

"I hope you'll come in and have a drink with me, and this time you should stay a while."

I blush, embarrassed by his remark. I at least owe him one drink and no touching this time.

"Of course I won't run away, but just so you know I'm only eighteen and I can't show them my ID or I'll get kicked out."

"Oh these rednecks? Don't worry about them. They don't give a shit as long as you're giving them money. Just come in here and I'll take care of the rest."

I've never had anyone be so forward with me in the way Hayden is. Almost as if he knows that I'm going to say "yes" to whatever he suggests. His confidence must come from age because my one boyfriend that I had in middle school certainly never spoke to me in that way. A small voice in the back of my head is telling me that his commanding energy is going to get me into trouble. But I decide to ignore it.

I walk a little further down the alley to the door of the Hideaway and hold it open for a group of girls who are on their way out. One of them gives me a mean look, but I don't know who she is. I give her a friendly smile and step inside. I walk past all the barstools and the pool table, straight to the back door that leads to Hayden. Outside the picnic tables are lined with mason jars. Some have candles while others are filled to the top with ash and cigarette butts. The wooden slats framing the open roof are strung with twenty-something edison light bulbs that give off a golden glow.

When I look around but I don't see Hayden, which is weird because he was just out here a few minutes ago. I decide to sit on the picnic table that's the furthest from the door so I'm less likely to be seen and called out for drinking underage. I wasn't prepared for it to get so cold and I rub my shoulders in an attempt to get warmer. My short-sleeved dress was perfect for the daytime but Iowa nights can get chilly, especially now that the sun has completely set. I stop shivering when I feel Hayden come up behind me and place his heavy leather jacket over my shoulders. My body delights in the heat radiating as well as the smell of Hayden's cologne.

"You looked cold."

He shrugs and sits down across from me. He empties his pockets of a pack of Marlboro Reds, a green lighter, two beers and two shots on the wooden table between us. I thank him as we cheers our beers. He is the epitome of cool and I couldn't be further from that. What could he possibly want from a girl like me?