Losing Charley

Chapter 10 Part 3

The ride to Bar is faster than I thought. That could be due to the fact that Joe was trying to cop a feel the entire ride there. It was like fending off a swarm of mosquitoes but in a good way.

We get out of the Love Machine, and I readjust my dress. I haven't given any more thought to the fact that I am totally out of my element in my attire tonight. Joe stops dead in his tracks.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," he says. He takes my hand and laces it with his. We get in line, ID's are checked, money is paid, and we're in.

Once inside, I can actually make out the music instead of just the bass. I tell Joe that I'm going to the ladies' room. I didn't think about the fact that an hour ride and alcohol do not mix. I gotta pee like a race horse! I make my way through the crowd to the back of the club and find the restroom. Now, I have to say that this was an experience. Never in my life have I gone into a restroom where there is wait staff. I mean, really, I can get my own soap and paper towel, thank you!

I make my way back to the dance floor and that is when I feel someone grab my ass. WTF? I glance over my shoulder and see this middle-aged man. I give him a go to hell look and keep walking. I spot Tori first; she's tall anyway, but with heels, she overlooks the crowd.

"Y'all aren't going to believe this! Some man just grabbed my ass! I mean, hellooooo!" They all laugh.

Anna decides to spell it out for me, "Charley, hun, if you come to a club looking like you do, every guy in the room is going to try to grab your ass. It's not a bad thing!"

"Oh...okay. I just didn't realize."

"It's okay. I got your back," Georgia says as we all start to dance.

Bar has a mix of folks— old, young, college, college dropouts, and a few that I don't know what category they fall into. The music is very techno and old school, but I like it. They also have these things called "happy bowls," and I want one! But I know that won't happen because I'm underage, and I'm not sure I trust anyone to get one for me.

Joe finally finds us in the crowd. I smile when I see him. He's beyond hot, and he is totally honest when he has had a few drinks.

"Damn, Squirrel. You're sexy as hell in that dress."

"You don't look so bad yourself."

"Do you know what I wouldn't do to take you out of that tonight?" A little bit of panic comes over me, and thoughts of Dylan come to the forefront of my mind.

"I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?"

"No, um, I just wasn't expecting that."

"I'm sorry. I've had a lot to drink tonight. I would never make you do something you didn't want to do."

And as he speaks, I crash my lips into his. He is a great guy who wouldn't hurt me or take advantage of me. At some point, I'm going to have to tell him what happened to me... but it won't be tonight.

Joe takes me in his arms, and we are no longer dancing to the music. We are standing here getting lost in each other without a care in the world.

"Get a room!" Anna finally yells at us, and we stop and laugh. We decide to take a break from the dance floor and get water from the bar. We finish the night by dancing until the last call and a Servco hotdog, of course!

The Love Machine gets us to the big city and back to campus. Joe helps me out of the van and then walks me to the door. "I guess I better let you get some sleep. I'm sure you have practice in the morning."