Until You're My Poison

Chapter 2

"Still doing the whole toxic masculinity thing I see," Ralph remarks seemingly annoyed with our new company. He settles for that manly shoulder bump then sits back down. I feel like laughing at him as punishment for inviting him because I know he did, but I don't. Not in front of Grant. I haven't had any sensible conversations with Grant since I met him. By sensible, I mean one that doesn't involve sarcasm, and him being the pervert that he is.

"Hey," he turns a little to me then back to Ralph. I roll my eyes and ignore him. After downing his tenth tote of scotch, Ralph excuses himself, to use the washroom and staggers away. Great!

Grant fills the empty stool between us as he talks to the bartender. Ugh! One would think that he of all people would understand the essence of the empty stool between us. I have a feeling though that he does it just to annoy me.

I, however, take the chance to take a glance at his light brown hair coiffed to the side covering most of the top half of the left side of his face. A glance that turns to a stare. He gets his drink and immediately turns to me to catch me staring. A smirk immediately forms on his pink lips before he downs his drink.  Self-absorbed jerk!

I look away, but I can feel those perfect emerald, green eyes on me. I pretend to not see them.

Perfect? What is wrong with me?

"Hey," he repeats as if I didn't hear him the first time. I choose to ignore him again, but this time I look at him blankly. And there go his green eyes again studying me like they can phase me somehow.

His eyes meet mine and there's something about them. No... something behind them. Something so familiar. Pain? Sadness? No, I'm thinking crazy. There is no way Grant fucking Gustin of all people is sad. I doubt he even knows what pain is.

"So, you're going to ignore me all night, huh?" He asks as he leans closer. I also lean in quietly. I'm enthusiastic to see where this is headed.

"Like all other nights," I respond in singsong voice just to annoy him.

"If it isn't miss callous!" He taunts me rolling his eyes.

Okay.

"If it isn't the cliche self-absorbed guy in the club" I retort in a similar, taunting, tone wearing a smirk like he was just seconds ago. "Don't you have some freshman to prey on tonight?" I add.

He seems to give it some thought before he replies.

"No, actually. It's not hunting season yet, I'll share some of the good ones if you're good though."

He leans in closer leaving only a few inches between us. He smirks for a moment before changing to solemn.

"You know, I see the criticism in your eyes when you look at me, you think you're better than everyone with all of daddy's money" His green eyes bore into mine like they are an X-ray machine. "It might appear narcissistic, Nicola. Well boring if you ask me."

My face twists in anger just like I know he wanted, but I won't let him win. A sarcastic laugh leaves my throat instantly "You sleep around and discard girls like they're last night's takeout but I'm the narcissistic one? Okay Grant," I huff. I continue my retort feigning sympathy. "You're a little boy looking to fill the void left by your lack of self worth. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this cause your mummy clearly didn't, but the only thing herpes and chlamydia will add to is your hospital bill."

His nostrils flare and his jaw hardens for a slight moment then he chuckles in amusement.

"Ah Nicola I'd advise you to not start battles you cannot win. However, you've clearly started so let us finish this, shall we?"

His tone changes to sour with no hint of the guy who came in here all smiles. "Being mean to people, won't take away the pain. It won't make your life any less miserable, and it sure as hell won't compensate for your mummy issues."

What the hell? I feel my blood boiling and the room temperature seems to have risen. I mean a thousand plus degrees rose. He has just gotten to me. How? How did he know about my mum?

"My personal life is none of your business. Fuck the hell off!"I can almost taste the venom in my tongue. I wanna say something back. Something that will hurt him so badly, he won't recover for a whole month but I can't. I just can't find the words.

"And dyeing your hair white, won't change the fact that it's really black. Just like all that makeup, can never be enough to mask that girl who's very fragile inside." He points his index finger to me.

"Don't fucking talk to me like you know me! Go solve your hormonal problems first!"  I don't even realize that I stood up or how close to him I am until I'm looking down at his lips. They are very pink. Very kissable my subconscious adds. She just doesn't know when to be silent. His lips form an amused smile

"Oh! My hormones are just fine." He says now raking his eyes down my body. His eyes send an unexpected chill down my stomach. When he reaches my chest, he pauses and lingers on my cleavage for a while before looking back up at me, to meet my eyes. Pervert! I would have cussed him out already but right now I just can't move. "Question is, how are yours doing?" There's still a smirk on his face and he looks handsome as hell. Why didn't I see that before? You saw it you were just too proud to admit it. My subconscious whispers she just won't shut up. You may as well close your eyes and pop your foot. She taunts me again. I have to snap out of it.

Grant slowly moves his eyes to my hair, then my face, as if studying every single detail. My breathing accelerates and I can feel my pulse now. I look at his tousled hair, a lonely strand hangs over his forehead touching the top of his nose. His nose, like his eyes, is ... just perfect. I move back to stare at his green eyes and just then they meet mine, again.

"What are you thinking Nicola?" He asks. Now barely an inch away from me such that I can smell his minty breath.

Fuck I hate this guy!

"Sure as hell won't compensate for your mummy issues." My anger returns when his words flashback in my mind. I snap out of it and pull away. He has a smug expression on his face and I wish I could just punch it off of him, but I'm tired and I want to go home.

When I look to my left I am met by Ralph's wide annoying ass grin. What is he smiling about?

"So I leave you two here for a  minute, and what? I find you almost jumping each other's bones on the counter?" He laughs intensifying my annoyance. I walk out of the bar and almost trip at the door. I hear Ralph's loud laughter echoing across the room. Whatever! I miss the next step trip at the door. I groan when my body collides with the cold hard concrete. My left leg hurts a little but I try to scramble off the floor and almost fall again when a firm grip saves me from another embarrassing fall.

"You should be more careful,"  Grant remarks as he helps me up. I'd think he was concerned if I cared. I snatch my arm from his grip immediately I'm on my feet. 

"I didn't need your help!" I snap.

"Sure you didn't," he retorts.  

 I ignore him and walk to my car, I get in and drive home.