Eastwood Academy

Chapter 32: The Club

Once outside, I pull my wrap around me and walk toward the edge of the parking lot. My breath comes in gasps as I gulp down lungfuls of the crisp, frigid air. Angry, miserable tears scald their way down my cheeks.

The roar of a very loud engine cuts off my inner turmoil. I look up to watch what looks like a very expensive motorcycle sweep across the parking lot and come to a stop a few feet away from me. The rider turns the bike off and removes his helmet. As I stare up at him, he grins down at me. I'm so shocked all I can do is blink stupidly because it's Gavin. Gavin has a motorcycle?! How did I never know about this?

"Hey, stranger," he greets me, giving me a smile so blinding it could light up a dark room.

"Hey," I answer him tentatively, trying not to look like I want to curl up and cry.

His happy expression fades as he takes in my devastated one.

"You look like you're having a great time tonight," he remarks. So much for fooling him.

"Yeah, fantastic," I quip back, hoping I don't sound as dejected as I feel. I wrap my arms around myself as a gust of cold wind blows my hair back. I was so preoccupied before that I didn't notice how cold it is out here.

"How come you never told me you have a motorcycle?" I ask, scrambling for something to say that won't lead back to questions about why I look so unhappy. Not that Gavin needs any clue.

"It's my older brother's. I just got my license yesterday. I'm taking the bike out tonight to celebrate."

"Congratulations," I tell him. "Where are you going?" I wonder if Gavin thinks this is my pathetic way of trying to get him to invite me. "You cling onto anyone who shows you even the littlest bit of attention," River's harsh insult echoes in my head. Embarrassment replaces agony until I remember that this is Gavin, not River. He's made it clear that he welcomes my company. My relationship (if you could even call it that) with River has taken such a toll on me that now I'm projecting my insecurities onto every part of my life. I promised myself that I wasn't going to let him ruin yet another night, and here I am, miserable and all alone, freezing my ass off in the parking lot. I can't continue on this destructive path. Something has to change. Now.

"I'm going out clubbing with a couple friends. You wanna join?" Gavin asks. Clubbing? I bite my lip as I consider his offer.

On the one hand, I've never been a particularly good dancer, and all I want to do is climb into bed and try to forget everything that's happened tonight. But I don't want to be alone right now. I know exactly what I'll see every time I close my eyes if I go back to my dorm and try to sleep now. Going out could be fun. The anger and hurt I feel so keenly right now need an outlet. It makes me want to do something stupid and a little dangerous.

"Where?" I ask.

"A place in Denver I go sometimes," Gavin says.

"Would it just us?" I ask hopefully.

"A couple guys from the golf team and sports committee are going. It's our homecoming tradition. Ditch the dance for a better place to dance," Gavin informs me.

"I don't know. I'm not the best dancer." I tell him. I mean it sincerely, but somehow, it comes off as flirtatious. An invitation. One that Gavin is more than happy to take. I clutch my arms to my chest and ignore how cold I am getting. I bet River's keeping Beth very warm inside.

"I can teach you," he offers, giving a seductive smile that I return.

I contemplate walking towards the bike to close the distance between us. For a second, I'm back in the library, feeling River's body pressed against me, his lips moving with mine. I hesitate, but then Gavin steps off his bike, turns off the ignition, and walks towards me. I've never thought of Gavin as sexy before, but watching him get off that bike and stride confidently towards me is hot. Really hot. Maybe there's a side of him that I'm missing.