Runaways: A Romeo & Juliet Story

Chapter 21

"Only you, baby

Can put out this fire

Only you, baby

Can put out this fire

Burning in my soul"

- Only You by Steve Monite

ROMEO

I knock on the door and walk into our room. She's sitting on the bed, doing the strap to one of her heels. She switches awkwardly to the other foot so I go over to help her. I rest her foot on my knee and do the strap up for her, my fingers lingering desperate to be close to her. I hold out my hand and she stands up. I survey this outfit– one of the vintage cocktail dresses from storage. She looks hot. She wore something like this the night we met. It's taking me back there. I adjust the strap on her dress and smile.

I notice she's wearing that gold bracelet we found in the car. "Does it go with my outfit?"she asks.

I nod.

"I have something for you. If you don't think it matches this dress don't worry." I reach into my back pocket and pull out a vintage set of rosaries. She smiles seeing it.

"I used to have one of those at home." she says.

I hang it over her head, twisting the cross to sit perfectly in the middle. My hands gently brush her chest. She looks up at me as if she wants more but then looks away.

"Also, I promise tonight, no Tybalt talk. Let's pretend we're just a couple. Not a married couple, even. Just kids the summer before senior year."

"That sounds really nice." she says, her voice cracking a bit. "Should we go?" she says, grabbing her purse.

"Did you really put pepper spray in there?" I ask.

She pulls out her pepper spray and switchblade. "Yup. I meant it."

"Good. Should I carry a knife too? I don't plan on carrying the gun."

"I'm sure Hammer has a knife he could spare."

♡♡♡♡

He did.

We're on our way to this party, Juliet and I riding in the back as Hammer weaves through the forest path in our bulletproof truck.

I keep looking over at her, but she's busy looking out the window.

We arrive at the address and there's a short line out front.

I pull out a small flask. "This is what I would usually have if I was back in Verona. You want some? It's tequila."

"Yes." she says, taking a swig. "Oh gross. This is tequila?" She takes another swig.

"We won't get wasted, to be safe. But we'll get a little tipsy." I say, my eyes floating to her cleavage and her legs in those heels. "Ready?"

"Yeah, let's do it."

Hammer walks us in through the back entrance. He knows the security guard– of course he does.

"I'll be in the car for the rest of the night unless you want me watching you in here?"

"Maybe some rotations of that?" I ask.

He nods and lets us walk in solo.

I lead Juliet through the dark hallway. Our hands are tangled together. We walk into the main room. I weave us through the crowd. We appear to be in a warehouse. There's barely any light, just this red glow from a few neon signs and lights on the DJ's booth. Everyone's dancing on top of each other. Bodies grinding. The music is great.