Blowback by Stephanie Summers

no matter what. I brought it to my lips and took a taste. Damn it. Of course my taste buds had to betray me because it was the best drink I’d had all day.
    “Was that woman seriously hitting on you?” I asked, setting my glass on the table. As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. They were coated with jealousy and irritation and everything I didn’t want to put out into the world. In an effort to smooth things over, I said, “I mean, not that it’s a big deal. I’d get it on with you, so why wouldn’t she want to, right?”
    Oh, my God, Evie. Shut up, just shut up. You’re making it worse. Grabbing my drink, I began to chug it just to prevent more word-vomit from spilling out.
    He flashed a grin at me and fished his phone out of his pocket, checking it quickly before putting it away.
    Sophie and Alex decided then that it was a good time to leave the two of us alone. I screamed in my head for them to stay, not to leave me alone after my episode of verbal diarrhea. Crawling under the table and hiding seemed like a rational alternative to being left alone with him.
    He leaned in closer, and said, “You’re the only woman on my radar tonight, Evie. I promise you that.”
    “What are we doing?” I blurted out. Enough of the bullshit. It was time to get down to it. Where was this going to lead? Were we going to part ways at the end of the night? Were we going to give into our carnal desires? Were we going to try and see if we could build something between us again? Was I naïve to think that could be a possibility at all, especially since I already had reservations about it?
    “Whatever you want us to do,” he said and took my hand as he leaned closer to me. “Ya know, there’s only one real regret I have about the time we spent together—aside from leaving things the way I did.”
    “Oh, yeah? And what would that be?” I placed my hand on his very toned forearm, giving it a little squeeze. My lips hovered close to his now, just waiting for one of us to make contact. So close I could feel the heat rolling off him. 
    “That I only got inside of you once. If I could go back in time, I’d make damn sure I fucked you every chance we got.”
    My breath caught in my lungs. Frozen. My body was paralyzed. Yes, please.
    “I would like nothing more than to do just that tonight, Evie… If you want me to fuck you, all you have to do is tell me.”
    I nodded once and finished my drink.
    “That’s all you’ve got for me? A nod? I’m gonna need more confirmation than that,” he said, the corner of his mouth curving up. “Another drink?”
    “Yes, please, but make it something I can drink fast.”
    “A shot it is then,” he said.
    I watched him disappear into the crowd again. Grabbing my phone from my bag, I texted Sophie.
    He just told me he wants to fuck me tonight.
    And you’re surprised by this?
    Yes, and no.
    Wait, why are you texting me instead of fucking his brains out right now?
    He went to get me another drink.
    We’ll leave you to it, but you owe me major details. Please be safe, and call me if you need me.
    You got it, babe.
    As I sat there waiting for him to return, the feeling that someone was watching me made my skin crawl. My eyes scoured the room trying to find the culprit. I wasn’t surprised to find the trollop who’d been hugged up on Jet before coming toward me a couple minutes later. Smug-looking bitch.
    “Mind if I join you?” she asked as she sat herself down on the chair beside me. A thick layer of makeup covered her face. She’d done up her eyes in an attempt at sultry and smoky, but it seemed to me like she was hiding something underneath the layers of eyeshadow. Her swollen bottom lip wasn’t as easy to conceal. The pungent smell of old perfume and cheap cigarettes assaulted me, causing me to turn my face away. “I just want to give you some friendly advice, girl to girl.”
    “Okay.” I held my breath—partly in anticipation of what she had to say,