Use Me - C.M.

Chapter 7

I stomped through the crowd with determination, grabbing another shot from a passing waitress as I spotted who I was looking for.

"Jack!"

He turned his head, a look of amusement on his face that quickly changed to concern as he took in my angry expression. "What's wrong?"

"Still want that dance?" I asked.

"Um, sure." He agreed, and I grabbed his hand, pulling him along to the dance floor. "What happened?"

"Conor being an ass." I huffed.

"What did he say?" He pressed.

I couldn't tell him without giving everything away so I just shook my head as he walked quickly down the steps to keep up.

"I'll take it he was mad." I heard Jack mumble.

We moved onto the dance floor and he placed his hands on my waist as I moved back and forth, my hands on his shoulders. The song eventually slowed and we moved in sync, stepping closer. Jack kept glancing up at the VIP balcony.

"You know, I'm cool with you trying to make him jealous or get back at him, but I really don't want to get into a fist fight with my brother in the middle of a club." Jack joked.

I followed his line of sight to see Conor standing at the balcony, watching us carefully as he sipped on his beer. He nodded his head towards the entrance and Jack seemed to understand, pulling me with him to the bottom of the staircase.

"Talk to him." He said, placing a friendly hand on my shoulder as Conor came down the steps and looked at me. Jack smiled, slapping Conor on the shoulder before heading back up the stairs.

"I could use some air." I said.

He gestured to the door, guiding me along with a hand gripping my waist as we maneuvered through all the people.We stepped outside to a slight chill in the air, walking silently down the sidewalk a bit to get away from the noise.

Conor finally spoke as we sat on a bench."I didn't sleep with her, you know." He said softly.

I looked up at him, but didn't speak.

"I know her from the studio. She asked me to help her record something, and when you turned down my offer to hang out, I met her there to help her. That was all."

I felt stupid. Not only stupid, but embarrassed and slightly guilty for making him feel like he needed to tell me that. It's not what we agreed to."You don't owe me an explanation." I muttered, looking down at my hands that were placed in my lap.

"I think you wanted one though. You were upset." He said gently.

"I was mad that you think I have this kind of relationship with all my guy friends."

"That was out of line, I shouldn't have said it." Conor said quickly.

"You know I'm not like that....I just--"

He cut me off, finishing my sentence. "Have been going through a hard time, I know."

"Just because we've hooked up, doesn't mean you can disrespect me." I said quietly.

He sighed. "I know, I'm sorry. In all honesty...I was upset too." He admitted.

"Because of Jack." I said. It was meant to be a question, but came out as more of a statement.

He nodded. "You were teasing me. With my brother."

"I wasn't trying to...until you pissed me off." I muttered.