Risk Or No Risk

“Hey, isn't this party and night meant to be for you? Why are you sitting here in a corner looking like Baby?”

I’m laughing; I have to. His ‘Baby’ comment is just too funny not to laugh at. He is referencing me to Dirty Dancing but has this all wrong.

“Well, I would rather stay in the corner. Unlike Baby, she had no choice. Her Daddy put her there. Me, I am happy here hiding. Considering the fact, I don't do all this, parties, people and things. I have not done it for years.” I watch something spark in his eyes, my mind trying to figure out what I said that would cause it.

“My ideal night is watching TV and a glass of wine or any alcohol. You can tell that, seeing as I only know Liam and Georgina here. I don't get out much” His laugh is perfect; his eyes are perfect. I feel drawn to him; my heart is quickening.

What is happening to me? I need to sort my mind out. If I don't, I will be hurt when he isn't interested, which he isn't. Why would he be? I am too broken anyway, and men would find out and run.

“Well, you should at least get to enjoy your birthday.” He smiles. Oh, his smile! I can't stop the image of me kissing his lips from slipping into my mind. What am I doing? I have no chance, and he is being friendly Alena, that is all–friendly.

My mind tells me to go for it, but if Georgina isn't his type, I certainly won't be. He is nothing like me, he is well made, perfect, and it’s clear he has money. He will go for those high-end lawyers and business owners. Not someone stuck in uni.

“To be honest, I have to be at work for 10, so tonight would have been an early night.” His hand reaches into his pocket. My eyes are watching, catching a glimpse of his bulge. My eyes lock on it. What am I doing? Stop staring Alena, stop staring!

“I can walk you home if you like. It is nearly two.” My eyes dart up to him, his phone in his hand. He winks at me. Flip, how can I say no to him? I should, he is Liam's brother, and Georgina wants him, yet, at the same time, I want to say yes, I should go home. I really should. I have work tomorrow.

“Okay, thank you, I will find Georgina and Liam and let them know I am leaving.” He nods; standing up, I walk towards the dance floor. I see Liam there, dancing away with a woman. Walking towards him, his eyes catch mine, and he smiles.

“Alena, you finally came over to dance.” His hand grips my wrist. Moving towards him, I should dance at least once with him. Dancing, I look up at that look on his face. Oh, please don't kiss me! What the hell, Liam? I shouldn't dance. Stopping, I look up at him. He is really going to kiss me! His hand is still gripping my wrist; I can't do this.

“I am going home. I have work tomorrow, and I am already shattered. Jackson has offered to walk me home. I hope you and Georgina enjoy the rest of your night though. Thank you as well.” I pull my arm away. He looks angry, but he isn't looking at me. He is looking at Jackson. I don't want to cause trouble, especially not between him and Jackson.

“Fine, and yes, we will be home late.” He turns, his face is cold. He hates me; I know he does. Maybe I should have been gentler about Jackson walking me home instead of just blurting it out. I panicked. I could see he was about to kiss me, and I didn’t want him to.

He continues to dance with a woman. Wow, he isn't happy. I don't exactly want to face Georgina if she is going to react the same. I have told Liam; he will let her know, so I don't need to go searching for her. Walking back to Jackson, I smile at him. Why does it make me happy that he is walking me home?

“All sorted, I am ready to go.”

He smiles at me. Why do I feel so attracted to him?

“Come on then, Kitten, let's get you home.” Kitten? Why did that word seem to turn me on? Walking out together, we get stopped, Georgina standing there looking at us both. He walks by and stands at the entrance waiting for me. She doesn't look pleased to see me leaving with Jackson, not at all.

“Where are you two going?” She looks at me, then looks at Jackson. She doesn't look happy at all. It is nearly two. I made it past midnight. That, for me, is impressive. However, I sense the ‘not happy’ look is because I am leaving with Jackson, and he isn't staying here.

“I am going home. Jackson is going to walk me, remember I have work tomorrow. I will send him right back, don't worry.” She looks worried.

“Are you sure you want to do that, Alena?”

Have him walk me home, yes. He is Liam's brother, and for some reason, I feel I can trust him more than Liam. Moving, I walk past her, not answering or waiting for her objections. I reach Jackson, and he smiles at me, grabbing my arm, and linking it through his.

He begins walking me home, which is maybe not such a great idea. While we live close to the centre and live close to the university, we don’t live close to the clubs. It will be a twenty-minute walk home, and my feet are already killing me from the heels, but I am not going to complain. If I take them off, I will be tiny next to him. I am grateful right now that Georgina forced me to wear heels.

“So, Liam didn't look too happy that you were leaving.”

He didn't, and I don't think it was the fact I was leaving, more that I stopped him when he was about to kiss me.

“Yeah, to be honest, I wish I hadn’t even gone to say goodbye. I realised he was trying to kiss me, or at least, building up the courage to. It would feel wrong; I don’t see him like that. I think they both forget that all that isn't me anymore, going out and drinking.” He looks down at me, cocking his brow with clear questions on his mind.

“Yeah, the whole club probably noticed he was about to kiss you. What do you mean by that’s not you anymore? So, you used to enjoy things like that before?” I can't deny it, I did. Nodding, I decide to answer.

“Yes, used to but not anymore. Things change, things happen, and well, I never really feel comfortable anymore around people.” I can see he has questions but doesn't ask, which I am grateful for.

“So, you met Liam and Georgina at university then?” I shake my head slightly at him.

“No, I moved here a few years ago. I met Liam about a year after I moved here. I have known Georgina since I was in school. She moved here to support me.” That was wrong; why would I say to support me? We continue walking as we talk. I feel like I can tell him everything, well, almost everything.