Unexpected Encounters

Chapter 34

I came out to the kitchen later that day and both Gabbie and Kaia were at the counter eating dinner.

"Hey are we still going out tonight?" Kaia asked me.

"I'm sure that's not what she's concerned with right now," Gabbie said in a hushed voice.

"Gabs you don't have to treat me like some wounded child," I laughed, "I'm okay."

"And yeah I think so," I continued, "but it is that place Austin invited us to so I'm pretty sure Whitney will be there again, but it's fine I guess."

"Oh, well fuck," Kaia said, "we don't have to."

"It's fine," I shrugged, "we'll go."

They both gave me a look before glancing at each other out of the corner of their eyes. I wasn't really sure that it would be fine, but I'd get drunk enough that it wouldn't matter.

"If you're sure," Gabbie said.

"I am, I don't want to bail on Austin," I told them, "we'll leave in a while."

"Fine with me," Kaia shrugged.

***

I started to get ready about an hour before it was time to go. I went out to the kitchen and grabbed a few beers out of the fridge before going back to my room.

I needed to have alcohol in my system before we got there. I finished what I needed to do as I quickly downed the drinks I had brought back with me. By the time we got ready to leave, I was already feeling pretty good.

"Uh, are you drunk already?" Kaia asked as I walked out to the living room.

"How the hell could you tell I've been drinking? I literally just walked out here," I said as I looked at her.

"Call it a hunch," she grinned.

"Well I'm not drunk," I responded, "but yeah I had a few drinks while I was getting ready."

"Just going to go on record and say that this isn't a good idea," Gabbie said, "but let's go."

We made it out a few minutes later and walked inside to a large crowd.

"Damn there's a lot of people out tonight," Kaia said.

"Hey guys," Austin said as he walked over to us.

"No little sidekick Cam tonight?" I asked him.

"He's here," Austin said as he rolled his eyes at me, "over by the bar."

"Oh good," I said, "I hope I get the pleasure of seeing him soon."

"You don't have to be such an ass the second you get here," he teased.

"It comes naturally, don't mind her," Kaia said.

"Whatever," I shrugged, "we're going to get drinks and find a table."

Once we got settled, the drinks started going down way too smoothly. We all drank and talked, and it actually hadn't been as bad as I thought it would be.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be until I saw Whitney up by the bar.

"Fuck," I mumbled.

"What's wrong?" Gabbie asked.

"Whitney," I said as I nodded towards her.

They both followed my gaze before looking back at me.

"Do you want to leave? Or just drink more?" Kaia asked.

"Kaia..." Gabbie said as she glared at her.

She shrugged and I laughed at the two of them.

"Yeah I'm good with drinking more," I said.

Considering the fact that my head was already spinning, it probably wasn't my best choice. My head spun even more when I realized that Cam was the one standing next to Whitney.

"Jesus, really? She's here with Cam? That didn't fucking take long," I said as I put my hands on my head.

"Gross," Kaia mumbled.

"Let's go dance or something," I said, "I don't want to sit here anymore."

They both nodded and we made our way into the crowd. We danced together as I tried to stay steady on my feet.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and almost fell over as I turned around. A tall and very attractive man was standing in front of me.

"Dance with me?" He asked as he held out his hand.

Kaia and Gabbie watched me cautiously as I took his hand and agreed. I draped my arms over his shoulders as our bodies began to move together.

"Are you here with anyone?" He leaned down and asked.

"No," I shook my head, "just my friends."

"Good," he grinned.

He pulled me closer to him and I closed my eyes as I leaned against his chest.

"Hey can we step outside?" I asked suddenly, "I need some air."

"Yeah of course," he said.

He grabbed my hand and walked me towards the door.

I leaned against the side of the building, and he put his arm up next to me and came closer. He tilted my chin up towards his and slowly brought his mouth to mine.

I was too drunk to really enjoy the kiss, but hey, it wasn't that bad.

When he pulled away, he grinned at me as he started searching his pockets for something.

"It's good that you wanted to come outside," he said as he pulled a joint out of his pocket and held it up in front of me, "now we can enjoy this."

"Oh," I said hesitantly, "yeah...maybe."

He took a lighter out and put the joint to his lips, taking a slow drag as it started to smoke. I closed my eyes as the familiar scent filled my nose.

Fuck I wanted to smoke that so badly, but I knew that I shouldn't go down that road.

"Here," he said as he held it out to me.

I stared at it for a moment as I debated what to do. The alcohol in my system wasn't allowing me to think clearly.

"Shit, why not?" I finally said as I took it from his hand.

I hesitantly brought it to my lips and felt the substance start to pulsate throughout my body as I took my first drag.

The smoke curled around my face, and with each exhale, a familiar rush came back that I hadn't felt in years. My mind felt like it was in a haze as I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes.

"Fuck," I exhaled.

"You good?" He said with a laugh.

"Yeah, it's just been a while," I said as I opened my eyes and looked at him, "I forgot how good this felt."

He grinned at me as we passed the joint back and forth and I continued to feel my mind drift away. I let another deep breath out and watched as the smoke circled above us.

My eyes fell shut again, and I put my hands on the wall behind me, trying to keep myself upright.

I was finally able to let go of all of the thoughts that had been running through my brain, until I heard Whitney's voice.

"Bailey?"

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