Chapter Text
The club was booming.
She could feel the beat rattle the back of her teeth standing out in the brisk autumn air, rubbing her hands vigorously as she jumped around. She picked the lint off of her red plaid outer shirt and adjusted her blue beanie. It matched her striking sky blue eyes. Tufts of blonde stuck outward. She didn’t expect it to get down to thirty so damn fast. Weekends to Boston before fall break from Salem State U were always a treat. It got them away while tours would ramp up back on campus. Her roommate, Tally Craven, warned her to layer up, but her other, Abigail Bellweather, pointed there would be no reason since she’d just get sticky in there anyway. They met at orientation, told they were to room together in the dorms. They’d been glued to the hip since.
“Rae, you’re not gonna sit back all night again are you?” Bellweather groaned as the line inched closer to the front. She took out her ID from a small clutch she had shoved in her chest. She readjusted her boobs in her white crop top, then fluffed her pink fur jacket around her arms. A man a few paces away gawked. He smacked his buddy in the sternum, then rubbed his hands together like a fly. He licked his lips. The boys enjoyed the show, rowdy enough to catch the blonde’s attention. Raelle rolled her eyes. Abs trailed her gaze. “What?” Bellweather lunged a fake-out in his direction. The man turned away, mumbling something about “fuckin’ psycho bitches.”
“Woof.” Tally spat back at them, tapping the back of her taser phone case. It went off twice with that signature buzz. A few in the line turned to look at her. Abigail snorted. They definitely would be leaving them alone the rest of the night.
“No, seriously, Rae. You need to have a little more fun. Please don’t sit on your ass, moping around like, “woe is me! I didn’t get an A on my last bio exam! Life is an endless sea of misery!” She fanned her hand to her forehead like one of those old silent films of a damsel catching the vapors.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Abs.” Raelle shrugged. Raelle wasn’t one for nightlife and clubs in general. If she were to drink, she’d prefer a home town dive bar with an old man named Earl or Bert or Jim permanently perched in that second bar stool, drowning his woes while his old lady called him home on the Bar’s phone. Maybe an old busted jukebox duct taped together on its last legs. The only time she’d ever get out to these places were if Tally and Abigail dragged her. And typically, it was to try to find her a girlfriend while they took their… desserts to the large stall. Salem didn’t really house many outside the tourist cesspits where drunk girls dragging their boyfriends along to see where her ancestors were hung would dress up in stereotypical pointed black hats and flannel screaming, “Woo” until they passed out piss drunk on the sidewalk. Clubs in Boston were no better. Except it had a lot less offensive appropriations and a fuckton more Tinker Bell level ass dumping of body glitter. “Who else will be there to shine thine shoes and hold thine goblet whilst eligible suitors fill thine dance card, my Lady.”
“Ha, ha!” The High Atlantic set her hands akimbo. She wasn’t fooling anyone. Gooseflesh pebbled her skin as her teeth chattered. She only took up Salem State to shove it to her mother who wanted her at an Ivy. If it worked for her grandmother, pulling herself up from the ranks, it was good enough for her too. Granted her Mother didn’t seem too thrilled since she was Legacy at Yale. That, and her Mother’s old rival, Sarah Alder became headmistress of Salem State. “Look, all I’m saying is it’s our last hurrah before we head on out for break. We’ve gotta make these memories count. There’s gotta be at least one worthy specimen in there to get your strap wet.”
“Abigail! Language!” Tally snapped, her eyes widening. She couldn’t stop giggling. For a NorCal girl who had been at Uni for over four years, she still screamed “Homeschooled.” She fled to the other side of the United States, getting as far away from her helicopter mom as possible. Tally always had a little flair for the dramatics and that blue unicorn jumper was definitely a statement piece. If by statement piece, it meant keeping men away thinking she was a horse girl dressed like that creepy next door neighbor with a bad comb over and a pornstashe. She’d take it off once inside. But on Craven, anything was adorable with those dimples and long crimson hair that bounced around her shoulders like a flame to a torch.
Raelle shoved her hands into her back pocket, pulling out her’s and Tally’s IDs from her beat-up, duct taped wallet as the line kept moving. “Don’t know why you keep insisting. There’s no one here for me at these straight clubs.” She handed the card to the girl, who was quietly fist pumping to herself. She’d lose that thing if Rae didn’t carry it for her. “Couldn’t we have at least gone down the street to the Drag show? Byron’s performing.”
“Good for him.” Abigail curled a lock around her ear as a taller man with eyebrows for days and a dark, curly mop strolled by. He was with his buddy, an equally tall blonde. “Rae, you know how I feel about going to those bars.”
“You’re an ally. Tally’s Pan. I’m gay. Plus you’re our guest. You’re not ‘invading our safe space with your straightness,’ Bellweather.”
“I don’t know. But, we’re already here.” She watched the men walk through the doors, wristbands to Club Circe on. They took a backward glance at the woman. Abi sank her teeth into her lip, swaying. “And this place is pretty mixed. I mean you almost got yours last time, so…” Abigail wiggled her brows, nudging into Raelle. Rae rolled her eyes, playfully pushing back.
“Translation, she’s looking to get some.” Tally leaned into Raelle, yelling a little louder than usual, courtesy of her backseat pregame. Raelle blinked, sticking her finger in her ear and shaking her head to the nauseating aroma of fireball and Cheez Its.
Abigail snapped back into herself. She’d make note of those two to find later. “Could you blame me? I’ll have to go back home to Annapolis soon, and that town is full of obsessed exes.” Raelle sighed. She didn’t wanna be out here in the cold, or a smelly club that looked disgusting with the lights on, on her last weekend before going home to feast on some under-seasoned, overly dried Turkey. Bless him, her dad tried, but he was no wizard in the kitchen. He best left that to her Aunt Quinn. “Come on. We’re next.”
Rae was surprised that the bouncers weren’t big burly men. They were always big burly men. But instead, two women stood out front. One looked about sixty. Maybe a chain smoker from getting a good whiff of her. Or it could have been the man behind her, standing a little too close in her bubble. Raelle wrapped her hands around herself, after passing off her ID for one of them to check. The other bouncer, a younger woman who had a mean mug about her like she was looking for trouble, had the trio hold out their wrists, strapping orange bands around and a little glow in the dark smiley stamp that read, “Club Circe.” Abigail and Raelle stumbled in the wide open doors, filing in the vestibule. Just beyond the giant, black, double doors held a sea of cheap alcohol and the sour smell of designer perfumes, Axe body spray and the faintest aroma of a dirty locker room. They could feel the beat throbbing in their chest. Tally stepped through.
“Ah!” The older cigarette smelling woman raised her hand, stopping Craven in her tracks. “Taser.” She held out her hand, giving the ‘ol Policeman’s come hither. Tally massaged the back of her neck.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Tally shrugged. A shit-eating grin slapped across her face. She clutched her phone inside the pocket of her unicorn jumper.
“You can pick it up after. You know the drill, Craven.” The older woman sighed. The younger, short brown hair swooped around her ears, stepped closer to them, stretching her neck with a toothy grin. She was definitely ready for a confrontation.
“How many times have you been here, Tal?” Abigail whispered in her ear.
“Enough.” Tally shrugged. She wasn’t as cute and innocent as she appeared to be. She had one man wrapped around her little finger who would crawl on his knees just for her to take him back.
“Gerit?” Abigail turned her attention to Rae.
“Gerit.” Raelle nodded. Tally furrowed her brow. She was annoyed with the tag-team. But she knew, they were right on the money. The bouncer deeply sighed.
“Taser.” The younger bouncer was a lot more authoritative. Cocky. She was definitely new on rotation and looking for trouble. Her superior raised her hand for the woman to shut the hell up. It wasn’t her call. She wouldn’t have known Tally was packing anyway if the older wasn’t on door security.
“Ma’am, those two men there, they were bothering us. We’d feel more comfortable with it.” Tally protested.
“We’ll keep an eye on ‘em. Case, please.” She flipped her hand out, waiting on them. There was no getting it through this time.
“Ugh, fine.” Tally ripped it off, handing it over.
“Welcome to Circe.” The trio hit the handle of the door. Immediately, they were welcomed to a cacophony of stimulation overload. The music was thumping some really bad rendition of a House mix of a Pitbull song. The lasers were way too bright, blinding them in the eyes. The smell was something else. Stale beer and that hit of Axe. Or was it Old Spice? Rae couldn’t tell. They all smelled the same. A man with an open button down, glowing glasses and a microphone was the head of the train running through the sea of people along the dance floor, screaming ‘Delta Phi.’ He met up to the three as he passed, yelling and sticking his wagging tongue out in Collar’s face. Raelle turned around.
“Nope!” She raised her hands in surrender. Bellweather caught her by the collar, turning her happy ass back around, then pushed her further in the sea. To their left was a large, drab bar with a weird light overhead that they totally took from an old Pizza Hut Buffet. They even included the sneeze glass to box in the aesthetic of the frame. It was a combination of standard glowing neon everywhere and a BoHo paradise of upcycling pretentiousness. The two clashed yet oddly looked like they belonged together. At least they had some drafts. Raelle eyed them. It was the same old staple disappointing Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and the like. They were popular for a reason. They ran cheap. Especially during College night. Though the wall was lined with a ridiculous amount of liquor.
“Look! There’s a creaky old high top with your name written all over it. Go be a wallflower if you must, but you’re not ducking us!” Bellweather pouted, pointing toward the section of tables on the opposite side with railing to an old, repurposed stage. It now housed a bunch of booths where club goers were gathered around, drinking their top shelf cocktails and women being hit on by a bunch of boisterous men. This was definitely not Raelle’s scene. Goddess, she hated it. But she’d stick it out for her sisters, despite her heavy discomfort.
“Always gotta get your way, don’tcha, Abs.” Bellweather shrugged. “But really, you wanna grab a table first? Line’s lookin’ pretty long.” The queue was forming faster as the DJ was finishing his set for another.
“Sure.” Tally glanced down at her phone, grimacing. Raelle furrowed her brows. There was a number she didn’t recognize texting her. Which could only mean one thing. Abigail grabbed her sisters by the hand and led them through so they wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. The line at the bar was longer than previously thought at one end. A few people were sitting on the stools, while a mysterious woman sucking a cocktail and crossing her legs at the knees eyed Raelle down. She wasn’t subtle. Of what Raelle could tell passing by, she wore blue and pink sparkly glitter makeup around her eyes and her dark locks were slicked back. She was in a loose yellow crop top falling off her shoulder, black jeans and some Doc Martens. Their eyes locked. The woman licked her straw, taking a deep pull from her cocktail as she tracked the trio to their table. Raelle blushed.
They pulled out their seats at the third down the row. It was the only one clean enough that didn’t have a sticky surface. Tally dragged out her wet ones from her back pocket. She always carried a tiny packet, but she couldn’t be bothered with her own wallet. She wiped down the surface. Raelle swallowed, frequently glancing back and forth from the bar to her sisters. “First round’s on me. What’s everyone drinking?” she tugged out that beat-up wallet as her sisters settled in their seats.
“Mai Tai!” Tally screamed over the music without missing a beat. It had gotten exponentially louder. Raelle wondered why the hell anyone would come here to have a good time when you couldn’t hear anyone.
“Tom Collins. Hold the lemon juice, add grapefruit instead.” Rae rolled her eyes. She should have known better that Bellweather would always opt for the gin first. But with the sea of bottles lined, what appeared ten feet off the back bar showcasing all their choices, Rae wasn’t too confident the substitution wouldn’t come with questions from their, seemingly, fifteen brands. At least they were thoroughly stocked.
“Gin type?”
“Tanqueray. Double shot.”
“And if they’re out?” She was only half immersed in their conversation. Partly because of the racket, the other, Rae caught the attention of the mysterious woman sitting at the bar. She wouldn’t stop staring. Rae’s lips parted watching the ethereal being order another drink from the tender, who immediately bypassed the waiting customers to refill her glass. Raelle couldn’t compel herself away either. Their eyes locked. A fluttering came from deep within her stomach. Rae licked her lips. The woman cocked her brow, raising her drink.
“Hey! Earth to Rae.” Abigail snapped her fingers, waving her hand in front of her face. Raelle shook her head, reverting her concentration to her sisters.
“Sorry!” She leaned in shouting across the table as she sprawled over for Abigail. “It’s really loud.” She wasn’t wrong. The new DJ was blasting his own, really shitty beats. That man in the center with the microphone even stopped having fun and it cleared out the dancefloor pretty quick. There were still a few vibing to the very off beats, drunk out of their minds to notice. It was a good ploy to get folks off the floor and funnel them toward a refill.
“I said, if they’re out, go Bombay Sapphire. Just as long as it’s not Beefeaters. That shit’s nasty.” Abigail had a taste for the standard gins, but that cheap bottom shelf made her gag every time. Rae and Tally both nodded at the horrifying memories with that swill. They had way too much of it, drinking underage their first year, passing the bottle and chasing it with lemon juice. Bad decisions and regrettable life choices followed. Including Tally finding herself half naked up a tree, babbling that she loved nature, her ex, Gerit Buttonwood finding himself vigorously humping the damn thing saying he “fucking loved nature” too, while their RA, M, had to call the fire department to get her down. Bellweather found herself in some random guy’s bathroom, passed out in the tub with puke down her fifteen hundred dollar Gucci shirt, while Raelle was in handcuffs in the back of Sargent Quartermain’s police cruiser for ‘trying to steal a boat.’ Granted it was a little rentable paddle boat she already paid for, she was drunk enough to cause a scene screaming that she was stealing it and going to cross the Atlantic. They were lucky they weren’t expelled. Sarah Alder had let them off the hook, seeing as it was Beltane and it was a good leg up on Petra Bellweather. Even so, Beefeaters was a cautionary tale of harrowing regret.
Tally stared at her phone for a hot minute. A sea of green filled the screen with text after text. She scowled. “Tal, you good?” Raelle touched her shoulder.
“I’m great!!” She closed her phone, then slammed it face down. Whatever Gerit said, Raelle wanted to kick him in the balls so damn hard they retracted back into his body. Her sisters knew she was good for it too. No one got to make Tally Craven feel like that. No one had the right to wipe the smile from that little ray of sunshine’s face. Sure they had broken up a while ago, but he kept groveling to take him back after telling her about his secret fiance. He refused to leave her too, claiming it was an arranged marriage. She used to cry at night wondering why she wasn’t good enough for him to leave her if he wanted Tal so bad. Raelle and Abigail were there to pick up the pieces. Even though it had been a few months, the wound was still fresh. Rae wished she would stop texting the asshole. At least she deleted his number. She’d get her a double.
“Okay.” She pecked her sister on the head, rubbing her arm. Tally leaned into her. “I’ll be back!” She got up with a loud scoot as the songs shifted. The main radio started playing between the sets. Raelle rolled up to the bar, standing in line. It took a little while. That woman stared at her again.
“What’re you having?” The tender was a blonde boy, about the same age as her with blue eyes and a really bad attitude. He was clearly exasperated from the constant orders to low tips. Raelle gave him her order. He had her scoot down a little waiting at the end as she paid out for the round, leaving him a twenty. That seemed to have perked him up enough. She owed her sisters at least one. She crossed her hands, leaning over the bar, watching the man pour.
“Um, excuse me. My friend wanted grapefruit juice instead of lemon. She’s got an allergy.”
“Sorry.” The tender started remaking the drink. It was easier saying that she had an allergy, rather than an adverse reaction to quickly expel everything since breakfast with those lingering memories of Freshman year. Though it seemed to have impressed the woman making eyes at her. Rae was assertive. “Hi.” Raelle finally said. The staring got too intense. The woman didn’t say anything back, rather gave her the eyes indicating she was undressing her in the most unholy ways. Rae’s mouth gaped. She was stammering on herself. “Um. Yeah.” The tender gave her the three. Tally’s Mai Tai, Abi’s Grapefruit Collins and her Sam Adams. It was only fitting as the brewery was only about twenty minutes down the road in Jamaica Plains. Cambridge had all the good bars in the heart of Boston. Club Circe wasn’t one of them, but it still sat on the outskirts of the college area. Raelle took a deep sip from her brew, leaving a tiny foamy mustache. The woman laughed. She returned to her sisters, stiff and stammering.
“That took a minute.” Abi complained. The line was slowly dying down and folk were returning to the floor with that crap DJ finally leaving after taking a while to pack up. Twenty minutes from then, another would come up. And it so happened to be one of the boys that Abigail was eyeing from outside.
“Told you the line was long.” She slammed the beer down hard, barely swallowing the thing. She just opened her throat and let it slide down fast.
“Woah! Slow down there.” Abigail held out her hand for Rae to stop. Raelle finished her beer. She let out a deep belch, pounding on her chest.
“You okay, Rae?” Tally leaned over.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I’m good. Just…” She glanced back over her shoulder to the gorgeous woman making eyes at her. She stood up, sauntering toward them. Was it toward them? No. She just slipped past into the bathroom. “You know this isn’t my place. And if y’all force me to stay here, I need a good few more of these.”
“Well, in that case…” Abs downed hers just as fast. Tally followed suit, sipping the thing from the tiny straw. The three slam their empty glasses down on the table three times. It was a little ritual they did since day one. They weren’t always friendly to begin with, Abigail and Raelle were at each other’s throats the first few weeks of college, but all that subsided after a few traumatic incidents they don’t speak of. Instead, they made a pact. If any of them got lost or in trouble, they’d pound three times, almost like an echo trace. They started doing so at bars as well in the event any of them got lost from the main group without telling the other if they were going home with someone, or if they needed some air. It started at their first drink, and ended with their last. After ‘the incident,’ they all landed in random places, it was more out of safety. “Kay. Next round’s mine. She left for a few moments, opening a tab. Rae searched around for that woman. She didn’t see her slip out of the bathroom. She stared at her phone as Tally did the same.
“Come on, Rae.” As soon as Abigail came back, she grabbed Rae’s hand and dragged her out. Tal and Abs cut loose on the floor dancing around Rae who looks super uncomfortable. They twirled around one another, holding their drinks. Raelle did a little two step. She was not a dancer by any means, being the definition of awkward while Abigail threw it back while Tally jumped around, shaking her head back and forth. A sea of red fanned around, smacking the two in the face. “Get it, Tal! Got some moves, Craven.”
“Oh you know I reserve my best moves for the lucky few.” She shook what her mama gave her. Raelle was their glorified drink holder so they wouldn’t spill. She watched out for any creepsters while her sisters threw down. She noticed that woman. She was breathtaking. Goddess, the way her body moved, it was hypnotizing. She was a pro at it. Raelle thought she had to have been trained. It was so unfair it felt criminal. She smiled at Raelle. Collar damn near almost dropped her friend's drinks.
Raelle finally got into it with the song ‘Call on Me’ by Tove Lo. She closed her eyes, feeling the vibe as she finished her beer. Tal took their empties to the trash bin, returning to Rae absolutely losing herself in the music. She tossed her head around, her beanie riding up her ears as tendrils of blonde fanned out. She didn’t care what she looked like. That woman two stepped, with extreme eye contact. Her face was flushed. It didn’t take more than two more songs until some dude started grinding on Raelle’s ass. She could feel his… She spun around so fast, nearly decking him in the face.
“Get the fuck off me you fucking creep!” She charged at him. Abigail caught her. Tally grabbed at her. Her heart was pounding so damn fast. The man had no idea how quick he was to a broken jaw the Fixers would have to wire shut for a month. “What’s up?! You don’t want any of this now? I will bend you over so damn fast and make you my--”
“--Woah! Rae! Hey. Let’s go sit down, okay?” Tally held her back before they got kicked out. The man backed off. Her sisters dragged her from the floor. They took their spot at that table once more.
“Fucking men.” She spat. “I told you I didn’t want to be here! I told you these aren’t my people!” Her sisters sat with her. Raelle crinkled her nose, flinching. “Can’t even cut loose without some fucking asshole putting his dick on me. It’s disgusting!”
“I’m sorry. Let’s just chill out, take a breath and get you another beer, okay?” Abigail patted her face. Tally held her hand. “You okay, if I go get us another round?”
“Sure.” Raelle waved her hand. “Have at it. It’s your night, Bellweather.”
“Rae, you’ve every right to be upset.” Tally readjusted Raelle’s beanie. “But don’t take it out on Abigail. Please?”
“Whatever.” Raelle rolled her eyes. “Look, don’t let me stop you from having fun. I’ll have one more. Y’all have fun. I’ll just chill here for a bit.”
“You sure?” Abigail was already gone, heading toward the line queued for the next round. Tally held her hands. She was still shaking. Raelle never liked clubs or dancing much cause always, some guy would think he had a right to her body. Always had this sick claim, like she wasn’t oozing ‘hundred footer lesbian’ everywhere she went. It was always the same.
“Thanks, Tal. I’ll just hang out here for now.”
“I’m not gonna leave you alone.” Abigail finally came back after a few minutes, setting a cup of water in front of the three as well as their next drink.
“You’re not. I can see you from here.” The three knocked on the table three times. They chugged their ice water so damn fast. “Go. Have fun.” She slapped Tal’s ass. Tally squealed. Bellweather spotted the man walking past them. The three extended their middle fingers toward him, tracking his path as he was being escorted out of the place, his arm behind his back.
“Kinda told the barkeep of a creep.” She took a sip of her sex on the beach.
“Thanks, Abs.” She squeezed Abigail’s hand sitting on the center of the table. “Now if I have to tell you to go one more time…”
“Okay, okay!” Abi took Tal’s hand. “Let’s go dance.”
“Kay!” Tally pecked Rae on the cheek, then headed out in the middle of the dance floor. Raelle took a deep breath. She hated night clubs. She hated the atmosphere. She hated the loud thumping music. She hated entitled men. She hated college night, a college student herself. It was obnoxious and loud and smelled like vomit off and on from the bathrooms. Byron’s set would have been a lot better than this, but she couldn’t up and leave her sisters, could she? Collar set her head between the railing for a while. It was cool on her skin, her beanie cushioning the uncomfortable metal digging into her scalp. It felt amazing against her cheek.
Tally sure was having fun, jumping up and down to the beat within a circle of women. Her sisters seemed to be having the time of their lives. Rae scanned the area looking for Bellweather, stopping as soon as she noticed Abigail found the two boys from the entrance. They locked eyes. A moment later, Rae received a text saying the DJ, the dark curly haired man, was Augustin and his buddy with the blonde mop helping with the tear down and set up was Clive. She shook her head, returning to Tally, who was lost in the sea of people. Raelle only had eyes on that signature red head. She twisted her drink. Her beer got to room temperature pretty fast. There were so many bodies that it was ridiculously hot in there. She wondered if they could turn down the thermostat, but didn’t want to bother anyone. Abigail was right. She didn’t need more clothes. She’d be miserable if she had to lug it around.
Raelle Collar was glad they were having fun, finding people that would give them what they wanted for the night. She wished she could be the same way. She wished she could throw all caution and find a girl. She highly doubted she’d ever find love in a club. Who did that anyway, besides Abigail Bellweather. Rae closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. Big mistake. She choked on the extreme contact high walking past her with a couple beers in hand. She pounded on her chest, coughing up a lung. Two feet stood in front of her. Doc Martens. Raelle glanced up.
“Hey.” Holy hell, what was the mystery woman doing in front of her? And talking? It had to have been a mistake. Nobody came to talk to her, besides men. Rae was always the one to initiate contact. And she’d typically fall flat on her face. She was hot, but she couldn’t pretend she liked the small talk. She was forever cursed with staring from afar, pining, but here this mystery woman was, smiling. She was even more ethereal up close.
“Hi.” Raelle ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing down her beanie. Goddess she had the most striking sapphires Raelle had ever seen. It was as though she was staring right through her soul. Her heart beat fast.
“Come here often?” She licked her lips, cocking a brow. Raelle took a swig. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She was probably the most gorgeous woman she’d ever seen in her life. Then again, it could have been the booze talking. Either way, she didn’t care. She could barely breathe.
“Not really, no.” Rae took another sip. Her hands shook. Words failed her. This never happened. She threaded her fingers through golden locks, tucked out the bottom and resting on her shoulders.
“I can tell. Doesn’t really seem your thing.” Mystery woman winked. She pointed toward the seat next to her. Raelle moved the empty cups her sisters left with her and fanned her hand out for the woman to sit down. Raelle clammed, swallowing. Their eyes locked. Rae could swear she saw a blush dust across the woman’s face.
“That obvious?” Rae laughed. The woman shrugged. It was cute. Raelle knew she was coming to check on her. She just couldn’t believe she finally said something besides nonsensical stammering. Goddess she was just as transcendental sitting next to her. The laser lights caught them a few times, illuminating her sapphires. Raelle’s heart skipped. She could barely catch her breath to what was happening.
“You know, these places aren’t really my thing either.” The woman stretched, bouncing her foot on the stool. She set her elbows on the table, resting her face in her hands, staring out into the movements. “Not enough women.”
“You’re telling me. Sausage party out there tonight.” Raelle dryly spoke, taking another sip as her eyes widened.
“You’d think it’s Oktoberfest.” Raelle spat up a little of her beer. She dribbled in her hand. The woman bit her lip. Her gaze cruised the blonde, picking up her cup to replace her sip. “Wait, warm shitty beer too? They really went all out. But instead of oompapa you’ve got um tis um tis.” Raelle snorted, dribbling more beer down her chin. She tried to catch it with the back of her red plaid sleeve. “Careful. You’re really going two for two. Oh! You’ve got a little…” Mystery woman gestured to a napkin. Raelle nodded. Instead of handing her a couple, the woman dabbed her chin, lingering on her bottom lip. Their gaze locked. Cerulean swirled in cerulean. Their breathing deepened. The woman smiled, clearing her throat.
“Now that you’ve got me wet, I’m… fuck.” Raelle couldn’t believe she said that out loud. She shoved her face in her hands.
“Hi, fuck!” It’s not like the Mystery Woman hadn’t been thinking about doing so all night. Rae was so damn cute. And her voice had this ring to it that she wondered what it would sound like with Raelle moaning under her.
“No, I-I.” Raelle took a deep breath. The woman was sticking her tongue out between her teeth. How the hell was she talking to Rae? And why? She could barely string a sentence together. She couldn’t be bothered to even comb her bed head, opting for a beanie to cover the messy strings. But the ethereal being stood beside her with the most gorgeous ocean eyes she’d ever laid witness to. They’d war with her skies. And the pink and blue eyeshadow with glitter around the lids made them pop even more than when they’d share stolen glances from the bar. Raelle set her hands on the table, clasping them tightly. The woman mirrored her, rubbing her knuckle along the back of Rae’s palm. Raelle gasped. That wide toothy grin turning into a giggle exploded, filling the space with the life the club wished it exhumed. She was an enigma with this pulling magnetism Raelle couldn’t place. It was as though her body ached, reached and begged, ‘Ruin me.’ Collar was beside herself.
“Aww, you’re blushing.” The dark haired beauty with the yellow crop top falling off her shoulder raised her fist, laughing in it. She didn’t want to spit all over the table to that adorable stammering.
Rae set her hand to her chest. “Let me start over. I’m—”
“—Raelle!” Tally ran toward her, jumping around like an overly excited pup. She skipped toward the table, sweat rolling down her face. Her hair was matted to her cheeks. “Rae! Raeeeee, come on. We’re setting up shots.” She grabbed her fingers, pulling them. The woman retracted her care from the table, her hand still brushed against Rae’s before Tal had a chance to tug at her.
“You know shots don’t agree with me.” She was exasperated, clearly ruining a moment. Tally was a little more frantic, almost like she was trying to run off the dance floor as fast as she could.
“Come on, Rae. Please?” She steepled her fingers, pressing the tips to her chin, muttering ‘please.’ over and over while Rae bounced her attention between the woman and Tally. “Abi’s buying.”
“Free booze. Sounds like a win to me.” The woman sank her teeth into her bottom lip. Raelle felt the tops of her ears burn, watching that mouth as hers dropped. She was not subtle. The woman gave her a wide toothy grin. “Why don’t you go on? I don’t wanna take you from your friends.” Tally’s excitement slowly waned. A large presence sullied the air.
“You’re not. I’m just… sorry.” Tally couldn’t stop staring toward the entrance. She picked at her cuticles. Rae touched her arm. “Tal, you okay?”
“Gerit’s here.” She scrubbed her foot in the disgusting beer stained carpet.
“Again?!” Rae let out an exasperated sigh, then pressed her lips together dragging Tally into her as they caught Buttonwood’s attention. He raised a hand, still in those khakis and an ugly polo. The man was simply loaded, just as Abigail’s family was. But he had a thing about actually flaunting it, more than the Bellweathers had. His smile slowly turned grim. Raelle waved back. He took a couple paces forward before Raelle pointed to her hand, then mimed her cranking her other as her middle finger extended, wagging it at the man and holding it high. She turned around, waving him back over like she was only playing just to give him a peek-a-boo with another one. Gerit deflated, puffing out his cheeks and rubbed the back of his head. The mystery woman shook with laughter. Tally finally noticed her.
“Well that was fun, but it doesn’t matter right now. Who’s the new lady friend?” She wiggled her brows glancing from the woman that Raelle totally forgot to get her name.
“Um…”
“Ramshorn. Scylla.” She curled her fingers as she waved to Tally.
“Sounds Greek. I like it. Shots?” It took her no time to immediately include this Scylla into their plans. Tally was always like that, inviting people in. She knew what it felt like to not be included and she wasn’t going to ever uninclude anyone. But she felt this one was a little different. She had a good sense about these things, watching how those two interacted. Their bodies slightly leaned toward the other, almost like they were yearning. They’d just met and they looked as though they were in the honeymoon phase of being married less than a couple months after a few years of dating. They were in sync by the way they’d turn to one another at a moment’s notice.
“I could drink.” Scylla shrugged, then turned toward Rae. She didn’t want to intrude in their girls’ night.
“I—” Rae croaked like she had a frog in her throat. Scylla glanced up at her from under her lashes. Scylla could ask her to go blast herself off to Mars and she’d do it instantly. She was captivated.
“Come on, Rae!” Tally pecked her on the cheek, heading toward the bar. She fist pumped, mimicking the overly obnoxious frat boy, now dancing with a tie around his head. “Patrón here we go!!”
Scylla took a couple steps forward. “You comin?” Rae stood like a stump. This couldn’t be happening. It was the sort of thing that happened in movies, not to Raelle Collar, med student who was so off putting with her bluntness that scared off all potential girlfriends. Scylla held out a hand for her to grab. “Live a little.”
“Okay.” She took it. Scylla led Rae ahead of them. Tally strolled at Rae’s pace, lingering just out of Scyl’s sightline. ‘Wow!’ Tally mouthed, bumping her hip into Raelle. She pointed her finger into her flat palm. ‘She’s… Oh my God!’ Then pressed her forefinger and thumb together, giving the okay sign.
“Later.” Raelle pushed her forward, leading them toward the end of the bar.
Before they knew it, they were at the other side already lined with shots. Abigail noticed another person tagging along and ordered two more. She had this satisfied smirk slapped across her face that Raelle actually found a girl. And damn! She was hot, slinking up to the opposite side of the bar. Rae stopped just at the counter, Scylla standing next to her. She was dangerously close, Scyl’s side rubbing into Rae’s. Tally hooked her chin over Rae’s shoulder, pointing out the two different drinks while Abigail explained one was tequila, the other was a white rum. Raelle grimaced at the lack of chasers. Abs handed everyone their first shot. Raelle turned green, taking a whiff. It was definitely Patrón. The other, a less harsh vanilla Cruzan. The pairing wouldn’t tear up her stomach too bad. Scylla slammed down two like they were nothing, or that the burn wasn’t slowly trailing down her esophagus and singed her nose hairs from the inside. Tally downed hers.
“You don’t have to take those if you don’t want to.” Scylla whispered in her ear. She leaned her forehead against the side of Raelle’s. Her nose brushed against Rae’s cheek. Collar swallowed. Her sweat ran cold. Goddess, she wanted her closer. She stiffened. Ramshorn traced her index to the back of Raelle’s hand. Abigail studied the pair after downing her shots. She bumped her hip into Tally’s, who kept nodding and mouthing, ‘I know!!’ elated for their sister.
“Abs bought them. It would be a shame to waste them.” Raelle grimaced, staring at the thing, turning paler and paler as she brought the tequila to her nose.
“Even if they bought it, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” Raelle could feel her lips close tracing her earlobe poking out of her beanie. She nearly folded in two. Raelle’s eyes dropped, already intoxicated and it wasn’t from the booze. If she called her name right then and there, it would be game over. In that breath, Raelle Collar became the queen of ‘down bad.’ “You sure you wanna do that?”
“Rae, you’re up. Shots!” Abi nudged her, waiting expectantly. She was the only one yet to take hers.
“I’ll do the one.” She turned to the brunette, who raised her brows staring deep into those oceans. Raelle’s breath hitched. Scylla snickered. She was something else. And definitely not what Raelle had been expecting. She took the Cruzan down the hatch. It was a lot more smooth than she thought. “Y’all have at the tequila. It don’t mesh well with all them Sam Adams.” Scylla brushed her nose against Raelle’s face.
“Atta girl.” Scyl pecked her cheek. ‘Oh, fuck.’ Collar’s knees were weak and wobbly. It was like someone shoved Tal’s taser in her spine and let it go. Raelle clutched the bar with both hands, white knuckling the thing. Scylla patted Rae’s fist, then propelled herself off the surface.
“Suit yourself!” Tally reached across the bar downing Rae’s tequila. The burn had her pulling faces, shaking her head. Why she liked it was beyond Collar. Rae thought it tasted like expensive rubbing alcohol. Tally pushed off, turning toward the small corner between the DJ booth and the bar, wiping the back of her lips. “Woah! They have a body shots table?!” Two girls were taking them off one another while their, clearly gay male friend in a vintage crop top and split down, skunk colored mullet held their purses. A tender wiped down the table as they got up, waiting for their next customs wanting to try it.
“Oh, this is too good!” Bellweather squealed with glee. “You have to try this, Rae.”
“I don’t know about that…” Raelle picked the lint off of her sleeve, firmly planting her feet in the carpet, watching the women wipe down their navels before heading off past them toward the dancefloor.
“Weren’t you the one just saying we’ve gotta make these memories count?” Bellweather complained.
“I think that was you.” Rae quipped back without a second thought. Bellweather threw a napkin at her. Rae deflected it with her hand. She balled it up and shoved it in the back of her pink fur jacket. Bellweather squealed, giggling something fierce. She craned her head north to that tall curly haired man watching her, while he had headphones hanging off one ear. He winked. Abigail took a step up on the small stage, heading toward the neon sign pointing to the table that read, ‘body shop.’
“Come on.” She patted the surface. It was a massage table for the comfort of the person the shots were being taken off of. “It’s just a body shot.” Tally took a step up, heading to it. If Rae didn’t take one, she sure would. Abigail stomped her foot like a bratty toddler not getting her way. She was definitely feeling those two. Not to mention all the Gin. “It’s time to lose your alcoholic virginity.”
“You've never done one before?” Scylla finally chimed in.
“I’ve never had the chance.” It wasn’t entirely true. She did with her ex girlfriend with a can of whipped cream and strawberries instead of booze during a Valentine’s excursion. But instead of taking her romantic surprise, Rae met her girl with confrontation. She slammed down photos of her texts and others of her making out with a ‘work friend’ she told Raelle not to worry about. The other woman didn’t know about her and as soon as she did, messaged Rae everything, absolutely apologetic. This… This was different.
“Come on.” Scylla held out her hand, fanning her fingers and waited for the Blonde to fill hers between the spaces. Raelle complied. They took a step up, Scylla rubbing the back of her palm with her thumb.
“Awww!! You look so cute!” Abigail ribbed, gushing seeing her sister with the brunette. She wasn’t meaning to mock her. It was certainly off putting for Scylla, who glowered. Abigail shook her head, furrowing her brows. What the hell was her problem? They genuinely looked cute together. Almost like they belonged. It was kismet, she was sure. They had to have been feeling it too. Raelle was never one to be taken by the hand and lead around like she’s a kitten staring at the Christmas lights from under the tree. “You’ve got to take one off her.”
“Shut up.” Rae playfully quipped, nudging into Bellweather.
“Do you want to?” She was actually serious, filling both of Rae’s hands in hers.
“You okay with that?” That took Scylla off guard. No one ever asked her if she was okay with anything. She just did it. It was her job. She was accustomed to it, even though this was one of her nights she actually had off. Raelle seemed just as deeply concerned for her as Scylla was for her. It was new. It felt nice.
“Yeah.” Scylla hopped up on the table.
“You sure that’s sanitary?” Tally grimaced. The top looked absolutely filthy with permanent sweat stains, as though they didn’t just witness one of the tenders vigorously wipe down the cream colored mat with food grade sanitizing spray.
“Here. I’ll show you.” She held out her hand, drawing Raelle between her knees.
“O-Okay.” Raelle swallowed. The closer she was, the easier it was to hear over Augustin’s racket. He wasn’t as bad as the DJ before him, but the swoops and boops were annoyingly repetitive.
Tally held out her packet of wet ones. “Please wipe down first.”
“I’m not an animal.” Scylla took one, lifting her shirt and wiped down inside and around her belly button. She dabbed it dry with a napkin. Scylla dragged her hands along the side of Raelle’s outer thighs. That caught her attention. “What’s your poison?” Raelle gawked. Scylla waited.
“Not Patrón. Goddess, please! Anything but that.”
“Whiskey okay?” Raelle cocked her head. Scylla leaned closer. “You seem like an old fashioned kind of girl.”
“How did you…?” She read her effortlessly like a road sign plastered at every half mile line reminding them there’s a historic stop off of Route 66 here. Was she that transparent?
“Typically we’d use tequila, but we’ll set it up an old fashioned style.” She scooched closer, Raelle between her legs. “Where do you want the sugar lick?”
“The what?” Her skies grew wide, snapping her attention between her sisters and back to the mystery woman. She was serious!
“Rae, you’re so adorable.” Abigail chuckled. She thought it was self explanatory from all their nights she’d describe her latest conquest taking one off of her, sensually lapping at her rich umber skin and devolving into debauchery. What she neglected to realize was that Rae would only turn up her headphones louder while Tal sat on baited breath. She wasn’t interested in the fine print details, describing a man’s… Abs sighed. “Salt goes down the front either along the chest or trailing down to her... You lick it. Suck the shot from the belly button. Then bite the lime between her teeth.” Raelle couldn’t stop stammering. She was positively shaking. Scylla placed her hands on her face, guiding cerulean to meet cerulean.
“Hey, if you’re not comfortable, it’s okay.” She nodded. Raelle mirrored her. “We can get you an old fashioned on its own.” Rae cupped her hands. Tally couldn’t stop watching them. They were adorable. For some reason she couldn’t explain in the brief moment she knew her, Tally had a gut feeling Scylla would be in her life for a long, long time.
“No, I want to. It’s…” she took a deep breath. “Sorry, is it weird? Your eyes are really striking.”
“I get that a lot.” Scylla swayed, leaning back. She used her arms to prop her, kicking her feet out between Raelle’s knees. “So, we’re gonna get an orange and some sugar with a dash of bitters in with your whiskey shot. We can balance it in a glass if you’d like and put the sugar on your arm or on mine.”
“I wanna do it right. You choose.” In truth, Rae had no idea what she was doing.
“Okay.” Scylla pushed herself off the table, wiping her hands on her pants. She bellied up to the bar. “Since it’s your first time, how’s about this? I’ll put the sugar on my wrist and I’ll hold the Orange for you.” She turned to the blonde, following her like a lost pup. “Shot glass or are you good with traditional belly shot?”
“Lame.” Abigail crooned. She slurred her speech. “Orange in mouth. Suck from the navel.”
“It’s what she’s comfortable with, okay?” Scylla snapped at her clearly tipsy roommate. Drinking or not, no one had the right to make that decision for Raelle, but Raelle. “It’s not your shot.” Abi rolled her eyes, pressing her lips together. Her chin tucked on itself, throwing her hands up, searching for Tally. Tal gestured for her to settle down. Abi was getting ahead of herself and Scylla was right. Bellweather rolled her eyes.
“I wanna do it right.” Raelle was simply trembling at the thought of getting that close to the woman. The woman who made eyes at her all night. The woman who, with just a breath, had her shaking like a leaf. This never happened to her. She was the one to pursue. Not the other way around.
“A body shot’s a body shot. Doesn’t matter where you lick.” Raelle damn near choked on air. Scylla bobbed her head to the music.
“You’re already accommodating the Whiskey.” Rae tossed her hands up, then slapped them on the tops of her thighs. “When in Rome, right?”
“You sure?” She was giving her an out in case she wasn’t.
“Yeah. Set it up. Sugar on chest and orange in mouth, no shot glass if you’re okay with that?” Scylla blushed.
“I’m okay with whatever.” The tender with the blonde hair grimaced as he brought over the deconstructed old fashioned. Scylla lifted her crop a little higher, then moved it off the shoulder more. She rubbed the orange on her sternum so the sugar would have a place to stick before lying on the designated table. She rested it on her mouth, waiting for Tally and Abigail, who volunteered to help put the finishing touches in place. Raelle noticed she was covered in freckles. She wanted to count every single one like stars. She wanted to trace constellation patterns from one to the other. Her face was beyond red. Abigail poured the sugar, while Tal took one more wet one to her, pouring the whiskey-bitters mix in her navel. She flinched. It was cold. Raelle’s heart was pounding. Scylla removed the orange that rested on her mouth. She took Rae’s hand in hers.
“First time’s always scary.” She gave her a quick squeeze. “When you’re ready.”
“Okay!” Raelle stammered. Before Scyl could shove the orange back in her mouth, Raelle came at her, assertive. Dominant. She trailed her tongue between her chest. Slowly. Scylla smelled incredible, like velvety vanilla with a spritz of musk, amber and lilac. Scyl’s unexpected whimper was the sound of pulling the heavens down. Rae took the shot, making sure to lap up the contents and around so it wouldn’t spill over. She then moved up her jawline to that orange. Cerulean met cerulean. Scylla had to catch her breath. Her face was beat red. She swallowed. Rae stood upright. Tally dabbed Scyl down with a wet one as she sat up. She held both her hands up for a high five. Raelle obliged, full slice in her mouth with the peel looking like a mouth guard.
“You did it! Good job!” Raelle shook her hands, lingering there. She helped her stand. “See, not so scary!” Raelle dribbled orange juice down her chin. She tried to catch it, hunched. She removed the peel.
“Now I need that cherry.” She spat up the seeds.
“Little forward don’t ya think?” Abigail winked, bumping her hip into Raelle’s. Her arms were crossed.
“For the…. I mean the…” The three women laughed. Tally damn near doubled over. Raelle was increasingly flustered. The thought hadn’t not crossed her mind, but it was innocent, she swore! “It’s not an old fashioned without orange and cherry.” Scylla’s laugh exploded. Raelle wanted to crawl up inside that infectious smile. Scyl dabbed her eyes with the backs of her thumbs.
“Okay.” She twisted the ends of her dark brown locks. It almost appeared black, yet the light caught notes of chestnut when the whites shone on her face. She yelled over to the keep. It wasn’t demanding like the man pounding on the top, screaming at the blonde boy as to why he was cut off. She beckoned him like a siren. He halted, slinging his wipe rag over his shoulder. Scylla raised her forefinger and thumb. “Two more shots. Can we get a line of the blue stuff?” The man nodded, grabbing two shot glasses from the dishwasher. “And a cherry!” He snapped his fingers, leading with a thumbs up and flipped open the garnish box. He mixed two shots with a white liquor and blue curaçao, gently pouring it into the doubles glasses. He spritzed it with a dash of berry lemonade and set something on top Raelle couldn’t see. It was too little. “Thanks, Porter.” Tally and Abigail were flirting with the DJ and his accomplice.
“Thought you said you didn’t come here often?” Raelle challenged. She didn’t much care for the way this Porter guy was looking at her.
“I said it’s not my thing. Doesn't mean I’m not a regular. It’s the only place I can drink where most people don’t know me. Plus, I like to know the names of the service workers. Is that weird?
“No, not at all. That’s really sweet.” Rae smiled. It was so genuine that it made Scylla flinch. She swooned?! Scylla didn’t swoon. ‘‘Where the hell did this one come from?’ She screamed over and over in her head. Though, Ramshorn wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Scylla sighed.
After a brief moment, and an obnoxious amount of pounding before the irate customer got escorted out, Porter brought the drinks to the women. He set down two shots in front of them as well as a plastic glass skewered with a couple cherries.
“Here you go, Scyl. It’s on the house.” The man was open. Relaxed, despite the screams and chaos on the queue line from rowdy drunk college students. He winked with a wide, toothy grin. A grin that immediately disappeared, noticing the woman who left him a twenty that was clearly not one of her coworkers. Scylla leaned in too close for that with her hand on the small of Raelle’s back.
“Thanks, Porter.” He lingered, frequently searching back to the two standing on the other side of his bar. Scyl spun her glass. There was a level of edible glitter inside, sparkling under those Pizza Hut Buffet bar lights.
“He seemed flirty.” She tracked him heading back to his duties, less he be derelict and reprimanded. It was almost as though he had a weird claim to the brunette. She once thought he was just an overly exhausted tender who needed a back alley cigarette. But now, Raelle didn’t like his face.
Scylla lowered her register. “Why? Jealous?” She folded her arm under Raelle’s, contorting her hand to hold the rigid blonde’s.
“No.” Raelle took a step back holding her hands in surrender, her eyes wide and her mouth ajar. “I mean we just met. So. What’s there to be jealous about? And that would have to imply I like you or something.”
“So you don’t like me?” Scylla snickered.
“No!! No no! Not what I meant!” Raelle stepped forward into Scylla’s bubble. Goddess she was a flustered mess. The way her nose crinkled so earnestly, terrified that she said something wrong was adorable. Scylla couldn’t help a belly laugh. If they were playing games, they both had already lost, they just didn’t know it yet.
“You are really fun to play with.” Scyl crooned sing songy. Raelle let out a nervous chuckle.
“So, you um…” She cleared her throat. Scylla intensely studied the side of her face. A simper plastered across her lips. “Make a habit of hanging out with strays or something?”
“Just the beautiful ones if I like what I see.” She stroked the back of Rae’s palm with her finger. Gooseflesh pebbled up her arms. She felt feverish.
“Oh. Um… You too. Beautiful. I—“ Scylla left her breathless. Gobsmacked. She turned her attention to the sparkly drink, twisting it as the glitter seemingly stayed in place. “What’s this?” The thing Porter set on top was a slice of rice paper in the shape of a star. It was a cute gimmick, she’d give him that. Yet all it reminded Raelle was those freckles. She desperately wanted to lick the drink off her body again. Rae’s knees turned inward, leaning her forearms on top of the bar.
“Salva.” Ramshorn’s voice inflected into a higher pitch, excitedly twisting the liquid. “Supposed to feel like you’re floating.” What good was a drink if she was already high off of a gorgeous woman actually taking an interest in her? Raelle gulped, bringing it to her nose and took a deep whiff. It smelled fruity at least.
“Okay.” She trusted Scylla instantly. She hadn’t proven herself anything but. She raised the glass. Scyl mirrored. Then promptly twisted their forearms together, downing the shots. It was sweet. Tingly. A faint aroma of lemons and blue raspberry. Her lips buzzed with a hint of clove? It was a natural numbing agent. She giggled. The two set their empties on the counter, then pushed off.
They were out on the floor, yet again. Scylla managed to wake something in her enough where that blue shot really made her feel loose and giggly. But not enough that she didn’t feel in control of herself. She was tipsy. Any more alcohol and she’d be drunk. It was a comfortable high. Scylla leaned into Raelle’s ear whispering that she was going to make a few rounds as a friend walked in the bar. Raelle made a fist. Scylla rubbed it between her palms, before she tucked a loose lock around Raelle’s ear and readjusted her beanie. Scyl wanted to make sure she was safe with her friends, dancing in a circle. She let her know she’d be back. But it had been a couple songs and she wasn’t anywhere near.
After a few more songs, Tally seemed to have found her way to Buttonwood, much to Raelle and Abigail’s protesting, holding her hands and dragging her back in the center. But Craven was craving something. She claimed, free drinks await. Rae thought she was only in it for the free tater tots. And then there were two… slowly… drifting… toward… a latin DJ with eyebrows for days and a curly mop who had just finished his set.
“Seriously, Abs?” Rae stopped dead in her tracks. Bellweather shrugged. She spun, doing a little shimmy. Clive and Augustin stood on the outskirts of the dancefloor, eyeing her down. They gave her a little wave.
“Girl’s gotta eat. And I see a double waiting wanting to get stuffed.” Bellweather finger gunned at her sister making little ‘pew pew’ noises.
“Gross.” Rae grasped the drink from around her deathgrip. She tried to take another sip. “And if you’re gonna do what I think you’re gonna do, I’m cutting you off.”
“Fine, Mom.” Abigail dropped her shoulders, waving her hands back and forth. She was just about the level of Raelle where if she finished that, she would be at blackout.
“Water. Go.” Raelle pushed her toward the hydration station that a few frat boys set up with the help of a tender. They housed unopened bottles of water. Another frat guy held a breathalyzer and a fishbowl for keys. They’d call free cabs. Last call was looming in the next two hours. “I love you, make good choices!” Rae screamed over her shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah!” Abigail waved her hand, meeting the station, taking a bottle. Rae started to sway, back in the groove of her little dance. It was… interesting, flailing her arms around like a rag doll. And just when she thought she’d never see her again, Scylla bumped into her back. Raelle turned around. A giant grin plastered on the brunette’s face. Raelle’s turned slack.
“Hey again.” Raelle bobbed her head, yelling over the thumping beat. Her cheeks were pink. She swept sweaty bangs from her forehead as her beanie rolled up. A sea of bodies trapped the heat in the middle of the dance floor.
Scylla leaned closer to her ear. “Hey.” It was soft. Melodic. But raspy. Raelle let out a shaky breath, sinking her teeth in her lip. That coiling tension in her lower stomach didn’t settle down. Her chest tightened. Scylla’s sapphires wandered over Raelle, lingering on her hips. Rae had to calm down. The alcohol definitely didn’t help keep her cool.
“Is this weird?” Rae didn’t want to constantly bump into the woman. She needed to know Scylla gravitated toward her on purpose.
“Not at all.” Scylla’s two step was effortless. She could throw it back with the best of them, yet she tried to match her partner’s pace. Rae looked like a middle aged mother tapping one foot to her ankle and then another. Scylla held in her laugh. She was trying, and that’s what mattered. She wasn’t meaning to laugh at her. Goddess, she wasn’t. But she was totally reminiscent of one of those ‘I’m gonna teach you how to dance hip-hop at the club’ sort of white girl tutorials from the 90s her folks used to throw on before they passed. At least Raelle was unabashed, letting loose. Scylla couldn't hold it in anymore. She folded in half, her hands across her belly cackling at the twenty-two year old woman karate chopping an invisible ghost partner.
“What?” Rae immediately froze. Her entire face down to her chest turned as red as Porter’s cherries behind the bar.
“Just enjoying those moves.” She stepped back, her eyes wide, glancing her up and down. She knew there had to be a catch about the gorgeous blonde. She was hot. Assertive. Fierce. But man, she had two left feet and the moves that screamed, “courting peacock.” from the Discovery channel. Scylla stifled her giggles under her breath.
“I don’t know how to dance to these things.” Rae threw her hands up in the air, stammering. She covered her face with splayed fingers, peeking out from behind while Scyl held onto her arm, trying to tear it away. She could die from embarrassment.
“Want me to teach you a basic two step? It’ll get you by. More than, whatever,” Scylla waved her hand in a circle, gesturing at Collar. “All that is.”
“Sure.” What would be the harm? She had already made a complete ass out of herself in front of a pretty girl who was gracious to look her way. She just hoped she didn’t scare her off. Scylla circled the woman, trailing her hand over her shoulders.
“I’m gonna put my hands on your hips. That okay?” She waited for Raelle’s permission. Especially after that creepy ass dude started grinding on her out of nowhere, she was even more cautious, wanting to ask first. It’s not like she wouldn’t ask at all anyway. It was something she’d practice when teaching anyone a basic lesson.
“Go for it.” Scylla came up behind her, setting her hands on her waist. She smelled fantastic. Just as fantastic as when she took the body shot. That amber musk had her simply frothing. She wanted to taste her so bad. Raelle clammed up.
Scylla noted the rigidness. “You okay? I can back off.”
“No you’re fine.” Rae held her hands overtop of Scylla’s, filling the spaces of Scyl’s fingers with hers. Scylla couldn’t help the sigh tumble from her lips as Raelle softened.
“So, when I tap here,” Scylla drummed just above her hip bone. “You’re gonna move that hip to touch my hand.” She watched her earlier. She had some rhythm. Surely, she’d pick it up quickly. She just needed a little guidance.
“Got it.” Rae nodded, completely confident that she took the note perfectly. Scylla rapped, moving her hand outward a little for the blonde to meet. Raelle lept, her entire body like a fish coming out of water. Scylla snorted, doubling over. She needed a minute, holding a finger up for a moment. If the floor wasn’t disgusting, she probably would have rolled.
As soon as Scylla caught her breath, she rested her arms akimbo. “I’m sorry, Raelle. I wasn’t meaning to laugh at you. It’s just… That’s a new one.” She held onto Raelle’s arm. She couldn’t help giggling to Scylla’s amusement. Her laugh was infectious. Beautiful. “Gave it the ‘ol fisherman special.”
“Was I—”
“—You’re adorable. No.” Scylla calmed down, then circled around Raelle, giving her a brief demonstration. “Roll into it.” Scyl’s hips moved in almost a snakelike pattern, back and forth like a belly dancer. Raelle, again, found her mouth almost on the floor drooling. She wanted another taste after that. Scyl pursed her lips in a tight grin, waiting for her to stop gawking.
“Sorry, you’re just…”
“It’s okay. I get that a lot.” She curled a lock falling out of Rae’s beanie behind her ear. “Listen, if you’re having a hard time, just a little heel lift with that tapped leg will do. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just so long as you’re moving those hips.” Scylla took her position behind Raelle once more. “I’m gonna come a little closer. That okay?” Rae nodded. “Follow my lead.” Raelle was beat red. She was happy the alcohol could be blamed.
“Okay.” Scylla grinded on her ass while tapping Rae’s hips, rolling her own as she bucked into her. Rae followed in sync, pressing her back into Scylla’s chest. There was no room between them as they grinded against the other. They worked beautifully in tandem. Rae was really getting the hang of it.
“That’s it! Look at you go!” Scylla leaned back as Rae no longer needed the guide. Rae rolled into her. Scyl rested her upper arm on Rae’s shoulder, grinding as the song faded into Little Nas X’s ‘Montero.’ Scylla’s lips came dangerously close to Raelle’s ear. She could feel her breath tickle the little blonde hairs on her face. Scyl grabbed Rae’s hand, then twirled her to face her. Raelle almost thought she would have dipped her. She was so damn smooth. There was no way she wasn’t a professional. Or at least a dance teacher. She was way too patient. Scylla slipped a knee between Rae’s thigh, continuing the motions. They locked eyes. Scylla bit her lip. The woman was breathtaking. If Raelle didn’t know any better, she would have leaned in. She was probably just being nice. Though something in her screamed that Tally and Abigail would laugh their asses off at her if she really mistook some ridiculously hot girl had her take body shots off of her while grinding on her to the lyrics, “Call me by your name and tell me you love me in private,” as being nice.
Just as Raelle was about to lean in, Scylla staring at her lips, she caught a glimpse of Abigail making out with Clive and Augustin… At the same time. Rae wished they’d go get a room. It was disgusting, they were slobbering all over the other. Scylla leaned in closer to her ear. “I know a place up the street. Care to join me?”
“What?” Raelle could scarcely hear her over the changing song to something with a little more bass. She could feel it in her damn chest.
“I said, I know a place up the street. Do you wanna come?” Goddess, yes! Raelle would follow that woman anywhere. She was hypnotized. Her corporal form was buzzing, vibrating and numb all at the same time. It was a new sensation she hadn’t felt since her ex. And goddamn, did she feel pathetic. She sought out her sisters.
“What about my friends?” She wanted to be sure that Scylla wanted her alone. That, and she couldn’t exactly pull a Bellweather on them. Could she?
“They look pretty cozy.” Scylla grimaced, bouncing back and forth between Tally being fed tater tots off a fork by Gerit with that shit eating grin Raelle desperately wanted to knock in to the point he’d need serious dental implants, and Bellweather enjoying the men make out for her amusement. She rubbed their backs.
“Oh, yeah. They do that.” A cold chill ran down Rae’s spine just thinking about Bellweather with the two. The issue was, she didn’t want to think about it, but they were loud and in everyone’s face with it. Tally started giggling up a storm. Raelle tensed. Scylla set a hand on her chest. “Just wish Tal wasn’t going after Buttonwood again.”
“Who?”
“That dipshit she’s all over.” Rae nodded her chin in their direction. “He follows her out here every weekend. Dude’s engaged. His girl runs the ROTC on campus. All I know is, he ain’t Poly and she doesn’t know.”
“Damn. Want me to hit him?” Rae snorted with the offer. It was sweet.
“I know I worry too much.” She continued swaying with Scylla. “Tal can handle her own. He pays for her drinks. She stopped bringing her wallet actually. He broke her heart so she drains his bank but not his balls. He keeps magically showing up to whatever club regardless with hopes. I think she keeps the shared location with him for that purpose. Almost feel bad for him. Almost.”
“Smart girl.”
“Cause otherwise if she didn’t bait him, it borders on stalking.”
“It already does. I mean I know a guy who knows a guy who can make him disappear.” Raelle laughed. It was genuine with her eyes crinkling in little lines. Scylla melted. A couple started twerking behind her. It pushed the two closer together. Scylla rested her head on Raelle’s shoulder. It was nice. That velvety vanilla with a spritz of musk, amber and lilac wafted in Rae’s face again. She closed her eyes in it. Scylla craned her neck. Rae snapped out of Ramshorn’s intoxication. She pointed to the three slobbering over one another. They really, really needed a room. Others started to stare.
“Abs on the other hand. Those guys are the flings of the week.”
“Formidable.” Scylla’s brows scrunched. An uncomfortable grimace crept across her face. She needed to avert her attention elsewhere. She returned her gaze to Rae’s ocean eyes. “They drag you out often?”
“Yeah. Mostly other bars though.”
“Any gay bars?”
“Not particularly.” Raelle felt her pocket buzz. She dragged out her phone. Scylla separated for a moment, still swaying so as to not stand out as the only person on the floor not dancing.
“That doesn’t seem quite fair now does it?” Raelle texted the group three fist emojis, then ‘taking a walk with Scylla.’ Their phones lit up, heads popping over to her location. Tally pounded on her chest. Abi responded with three fist pumps.
“But Yeah.” She clicked off the phone, shoving it back in her pocket.
“Yeah what?” Scylla cocked a brow.
“I could use some air. Let’s go.” Raelle grasped her hand, leading her out of the dancefloor. Scylla would have followed anywhere she led.
Ass bubbled against the driver’s side window with a little huff. They didn’t mind the cold. Raelle took the lead, starving, ravaging the woman in a way she hadn’t felt in her entire life. She knew what it felt to be desired. She knew what it felt to be touched. To be wanted so desperately they were coming out of their skin. But this was different. Raelle wanted to give all she had. Not only because she craved her, but because she deserved to know something good. Scylla couldn’t help falling into it, captivated by her spell. It caught her off guard. Ramshorn was never caught off guard. Raelle was so sure of herself that Scylla could let go, completely taken by the blonde, fully knowing she wouldn’t cross any lines she didn’t want crossed. That she was safe. It only made her want more. For the briefest second, Scylla saw her life flash in those pressures. In every fantasy, Raelle was there by her side. She couldn’t breathe. She didn’t know what was happening. This never happened. Not to her.
Their cheeks were burning. Savoring as they pushed and pulled with tiny tongue flicks. They whimpered, desperate in the connection. They explored the other with unrelenting thoroughness. Fingers met thighs. Fingers locked in seas and strands of hair. Hands trailed down the other’s sides. Pleading whimpers choked out of the other through the breaks and gasps. The blonde hovered over the brunette’s lips, breathing her in.
The air between them was warm. Sticky. The faintest linger of alcohol remained between them. But they still had their wits. They were so close they could feel the pressure without making contact. Raelle traced Scylla’s mouth with her index. Her eyes lowered, pupils blowing out her irises as she gawked at that waiting open mouth, so perfect it molded to her like it was made for just that. It already knew how to abscond the air from her. She wondered what else it could do. As though hearing her request, Scylla lapped at her upper lip with a pointed tongue. Hungry, Raelle devoured the woman who hummed in her mouth. Fingers looped under her beanie, popping it off. It fell to the ground. Raelle didn’t care. She grasped at her back. Fingers dug into her jacket, bunching it as she mewled.
Scylla’s tip slid between her teeth. She slipped her knee between Rae’s thighs. She couldn’t help greedily grinding into it as Scylla kissed down her jawline and sank her teeth in her neck. She explored, nipping as gooseflesh pebbled. Raelle moaned a curse, caressing the back of Scylla’s neck. Arousal pooled. The pulse between her thighs only got stronger. Her hands met the underside of Scylla’s chest. Scylla moved them slightly higher, cupping her breasts. She crooned at those firm pressures, softly massaging. Her back arched into the Blonde. Scylla wanted more. Needed her more than she realized. She had to pin Raelle to something. And if Rae’d allow her, she’d take what she desired all night. She was never one to pursue someone. Everyone came to her. She didn’t know what the hell got into her but she hoped it would soon be Raelle. Scylla walked Raelle back, straight into an SUV. The alarm tripped, stopping them in their tracks. They took in the other, seas meeting skies. Raelle dropped her head to Scylla’s shoulder, a chuckle lingering between them. A bouncer came to investigate. She found the two, panting and red, then started yelling at them. Rae swooped low, grabbing her beanie from the ground, took Scylla’s hand and ran off.
The couple slipped inside the twenty-four hour heated bus stop, jumping up and down to warm up faster, holding their slurpees they grabbed from the 7/11 across the street. The buses have long since stopped their routes, but they thought it best they didn’t crawl back inside Circe. Not after that bouncer chased them off with a flashlight Nightstick, thinking they were trying to jack a ride. The red glow overhead smelled like flame broiled cheeseburgers and a couple flies buzzed around the light. They sat down on the bench, studying their small glass room. Scylla watched them fly in circular patterns, running into one another with their flight pattern each time they hit the barrier between the bulb and the cover. Rae glanced down at their hands. Scylla intertwined their fingers together.
“Get your number?” Raelle couldn’t take her eyes off the woman sitting next to her. Goddess, she was breathtaking in every sense. She was hilarious, gracious, and treated people with respect. She was a hardass who would stick up for others. And she was just about the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes upon. Her eyes twinkled like starlight. Raelle wondered what the hell was the catch.
“I don’t know if that’s such a—“ Scylla slowly anchored her attention to the blonde, disheveled and sucking down her red slurpee between both hands. Her long fingers were barely poking out of her red plaid shirt. But damn, those eyes had her in a chokehold. She didn’t care what others thought. Or at least, she gave that impression. “I like you. But I’m a little complicated.”
“I can do complicated.” She wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve. Scylla’s wide grin turned somber.
“Not a lot of people have been accepting of my line of work.”
“Gettin’ people tipsy?” Rae shrugged.
“Among other things.” Things Scyl didn’t want to get into in the first meeting to drive her away. She was good at that. The bartender, Porter, was her ex who highly disapproved of her choices and tried to control her. He hated all those hands on her. Her other ex girlfriend, Vera, another in her profession, became wildly jealous with all those dollars slung her way, exponentially more than her. She left too. But not a whole lot of folks were too thrilled they’d be dating a stripper. Not all would. Scylla’d find a client who was nice, take what she wanted for the evening after hours, and slip out the back door when they were sated and asleep. She wasn’t a lady of the night. She just had needs and they were readily available and down for it. It didn’t mean anything. It was just sex. But this… This felt different. She couldn’t place her finger on it. And it terrified her. “I think you can handle me. But you should handle me carefully. Cause I’d really like to see you again.” Raelle blinked, astonished. “Sorry if that was too forward.”
“I would too. I mean you. See you too.” Raelle facepalmed so damn hard the slap echoed in the small space. “Goddess, that sounded weird. I’m…”
“Tipsy?”
“New to this. All this… possible dating thing.” She waved her hand around in a circle between the two of them. Raelle slumped her shoulders, looking down and away. It wasn’t anything to be ashamed of, having no game. She was doing pretty well as far as Scylla was concerned. Raelle was already accustomed to being alone. She didn’t have it in her heart for one night stands. She was the kind of girl to make her travel to the moon and back, several times, and then make her pancakes in the morning. Her dad’s only recipe he never burned. Papa Collar always told her, ‘you treat a woman right, like a treasure and she will be putty in your hands.’ But she started to think, she may have put them too high on a pedestal that she neglected her own needs. Scylla definitely seemed the type she’d want to make pancakes for.
“Okay. Well, in that case…” She took a moment, shoving her hand deep in her pocket and took out a tiny tin filled with business slates. She didn’t mind. It had her personal line to it. “Here’s my card.”
Rae studied the thing, flipping it back and forth. “Shiny? Really?” She set it down on the bench. “Okay.”
“I don’t think you understand.” Scylla crossed her arms. Water filled her sightline. Rae tilted her head. Scylla wasn’t expecting that. She stiffened like a board, a stone unmoving. She was all business, desperately wishing this new girl wouldn't reject her flat out. ‘Goddess, please don’t look at me like I’m less than when you find out.’ “If you look it up, if you don’t like what you find, no harm done. You don’t have to bother ringing. I’m not broken. I actually like my job and I don’t wanna change it.” That intrigued the blonde even further.
“What are you, an assassin?” Rae snorted air from her nose. Scylla readjusted her yellow crop top.
“Some nights.” She straightened her back. “Others a PI. Another, a lion tamer. I’ve many hats.”
“Gig work. I like it.”
“Something like that.” She decided it was time to take a chance. ‘Take that leap,’ as her House Mother would say. She was really throwing herself out on the line with letting her know this, but she needed to know if Raelle felt it too. This weird magnetism drawing them together, almost like a sign blazing in flashing neon of, ‘here lies your future. This is how you’ll tell your kids how you met.’ Why the hell was she already thinking about kids? ‘Fuck, Scyl… You’re in deep. Shit… Shit…’ Scylla swallowed. “Listen, I don’t typically get attached but there’s something about you I can’t explain.”
“That line work on all your girls?” That one stung a little. She swallowed. Maybe she wasn’t feeling it too. Maybe she was only here for a night. She did tell her that she went to Salem University and that Boston was only a little bit of a trip while getting slushies at the 7/11. Maybe she was a lesson as to why she shouldn’t get attached. But Scylla wanted more. She wanted Raelle. She picked at her cuticle.
“And some guys. I’ve had many partners. I do get tested every three weeks. I’m clean. Just in case we…” She was getting ahead of herself, she knew it. Raelle blinked owlishly. Little did Scylla know, Rae was thinking the same thing too. She wanted her. But there was no need to rush things. They could take it slow, get to know one another and then ease into it. She knew, not tonight. But someday. “If you do call and it gets that far, I can show you the results if you’d like.”
“Damn.” Raelle rubbed the back of her neck, staring at her feet. Scylla cocked her head. “No! I don’t mean that to judge.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“I’m actually impressed!” Rae was digging herself into an even bigger hole with that one. But the woman smiled. Raelle licked her lips, taking a deep breath. She couldn’t believe she was admitting this. “I’ve only ever had one a while ago. I like courting. That’s corny. Also where I’m from cause I’m—”
“—Cession? I can tell.” Her slight drawl was the biggest tell, no matter how good she was at hiding it. “You’re kind of cute, you know that?”
“Only kinda? I mean you just had your tongue down my… Sorry. I’m a nervous talker. Get that from my dad. Why am I talking about dads?”
“Okay. It’s official. You’re really, really cute.” Scylla tapped her foot to Raelle’s. She inched their pinkies together, looping them around. Her cheeks were red, dusted across her nose and down to her neck. Rae was just the same, only her ears burned hot. “But I am kinda serious too about the attachment thing. You’re charming. So, take that how you will.”
“Deal. I’ll definitely give you a call.” Raelle whispered. Scylla leaned in, hoping to brush tender lips to her cheek. But before she could make contact, Raelle turned, grasping her chin with her forefinger and thumb, pressing soft, silky lips to Scyl’s. Scylla’s mouth was cool and tasted like blue raspberry to Raelle’s cherry. Ramshorn was caught off guard, blinking wildly with Collar’s sudden change from timid, babbling mess to taking what she wanted. It was exactly what Scylla watched her do all night, proceeding in risks and experiencing new adventures. Even if it terrified her. It made Scylla crave more. She relaxed under Raelle’s pressure as the woman looped an arm around her neck, careful to not touch anywhere without permission and opening her mouth to invite Scylla’s tongue inside. Scyl complied, mewling, completely taken by the blonde. She finally realized, Raelle wasn’t easily unnerved. She was the one to make Raelle nervous. And that woman respected her boundaries, unlike most of her partners, placing their hands in any way, anywhere at any time just because she was a dancer. Raelle wasn’t like that. And that scared the shit out of her. Their lips turned purple from the slushy dye. Raelle broke away. Scylla trailed, grasping at her collar desperate for her to return. She ached for more.
“Sorry. I should have asked…” Rae brought her fingers to her lips, holding them there as her eyes widened. Scyl curled her hand around Rae’s ear, unrelenting as her gaze dipped to her lips.
“You shouldn’t have stopped.” Raelle blushed. Scylla licked her lips. Her taste remained. Raelle huffed, readjusting her shirt, then picked up the card once more, flipping it about. She traced her fingers along the pressed cardboard with Scylla’s personal line on the front.
“Whatever this ‘Shiny’ thing is, I’m gonna call regardless.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I mean as long as you’re not like a serial killer or anything, I don’t judge.”
“Aww, you’re gonna make a girl blush.” Scylla leaned in closer, nose to nose with the med student. Rae’s slurpee rested between her knees. Scyl’s arms were perched in front of her, holding onto that bench. Her slushie was sitting behind her. “Though I do slay from time to time.” Raelle leaned in the rest of the way, quickly pecking her twice more. Scylla smiled on Rae’s lips.
“Nice to meet you, Scylla.” Something in her bones told her she could get used to this.
“Nice to meet you too, Raelle.”