collision course// z.m

~~

The liquor burns down my throat and into my stomach. I breathe a sigh of relief, and call the bartender for another, resting my head in my hands. The memories still swim through my head of his lips on hers. Her legs clenched around his waist. His hands in her hair. I throw back my second shot and slam the glass down on the table. Fuck relationships.

     With a low buzz rising in my stomach, I leave the bar and go dance. My body moves freely, as it sways to the fast music. I don't need a damn best friend or a boyfriend to have a good time.

     As the lights in the club are starting to blur, I feel a pair of arms around my waist and soon, I'am heavily grinding against the crotch of some stranger. I have no idea who the guy is, but he's doing an amazing job of distracting me from my problems.

"Let's get out of here yeah?" I hear in my ear, the unknown person's hot breath on my ear. I smile teasingly, but shake my head.

     "I don't do one-night flings," I say over the music, turning to face him. I can just barely make out his face; a strong jawline and dark eyes that blend with his almost-black hair, which falls messily on top of his head.

       He smirks, shaking his head.

       "Touché." His breath smells nice, like gum and alcohol. It's almost comforting. My eyes focus on his mouth, which just happens to be slowly moving toward me. Our lips brush, electricity trailing down my neck and through my fingertips.

     Suddenly, a terrible pulse comes to my head and I groan, holding my temple.

     "Shit, it hurtsss," I moan, my words coming out in a fast drunken slur. The mystery boy chuckles lowly.

      "I'm guessing you didn't go easy tonight. Obviously you won't be driving like this. I can get you home?"

     "Cmon love, I won't bite." he says after I shake my head quickly at his offer. But I do need a ride.

      Probably seeing this on my face, he gently guides me through the crowd and out of the club without giving me any time to object. He leads me past all the shiny and expensive cars, continuing to walk until we arrive at a pastel blue 1960's Chevrolet.

    I give a low wolf whistle. "It's beautiful."

     "Isn't she?" he grins. "I see so much more value in old cars than their current versions."
He opens the passengers door. "After you."

     I don't know if it's the booze, the headache, or the desperate need for a ride home, but the list of suspicions I have about him seems to migrate to the back of my mind.

     "Thank you."

     I step into the car and the deep smell of cologne fills my nose, intoxicating my senses, and almost succeeding in making me go weak at the knees. The stranger closes the door behind me and walks around to the driver's side.

     "Here, this'll help with the hangover in the morning. It can be a real bitch," he says, handing me a pill and water bottle. I reach for it but hesitate, my eyes narrowing.

      "Are you trying to drug me?"

      His eyes flicker with humor for a moment but then it's gone. He looks over at me, a ghost of a smile on his face. "No, no I'm not."

    I study him for a moment as he turns the car on. Slowly, taking the pills and water, I start to relax against the comfortable seat until I feel myself drifting out of consciousness.

******
     I wake up to a large thud and and a yelp.

     "Shit!"

     I sit up quickly, seeing nothing but darkness. I'm in a bed, still in my dress thank goodness. I reach over and feel next to me until I find a lamp and turn it on, the light illuminating what turns out to be my bedroom.

       Mystery boy is on the ground, holding his foot and hissing in pain.

     "Are you ok?" I ask, pressing my hands to my head, which is starting to pulse.

     "I think I broke my toe," he grumbles, a grimace on his face. He stands to his feet, limping, but grabbing the black leather jacket he had on earlier. It was just then that I notice his tattoos, all over each of his arms.

     Suddenly, the alcohol takes over out of nowhere and my eyes turn to slits.

     "If I find out that you tried to sexually take advantage of me, I'll break the other nine." I say, still half drunk.

     A huge smile shows on his face and then suddenly, he's laughing. Not like the chuckles from earlier, but really just going. And even though I'm pretty sure I can listen to it all day, my head is starting to pound from the volume.

     "I didn't," he says as his laughs are calming down. "I followed your directions to your house, carried you to your room, and then you asked me to stay so I did. I didn't want you freaking out in the morning cause most likely, you wouldn't even have remembered me or last night. So that's why I attempted to leave."

      I don't have an answer for that. And I'm sure the look on my face shows it.

     "Oh... well I never did thank you- um fuck..,"

     "Alex." he chuckles.

     "Alex. Thank you for bringing me home. I probably would've done something back at that club that I would've regretted." I say.

     "No problem, I'll see you around." He waves before disappearing through the door. 

     I lay back down on my pillow, letting the memories flood back in along with the headache. This guy, Alex, he's so different. And hell, a very big part of me wants to see him again.

     If only I new that "again" would become an understatement.