Chapter Twenty-Three
Jaxon
We were in London again. It had been about a week since I had last talked to Grace.
Sometimes in life, you're touched in unexpected ways by unexpected people.
I wondered if I would ever forget her- if I could ever forget her. I had to admit, it would be nice to be able to think clearly without constantly wondering where she was now.
I travelled all around the world and yet no matter where I went, I felt no closer to her than in my dreams.
"Hey mate!" Jacob chirped as he slung an arm over my shoulders.
"The guys want to head out for a drink at the club if you're down?"
I grinned at him cheekily. "You're asking an Irishman if he's down to drink?"
Luke hooted from his seat at the kitchen table. We were all relaxing in his apartment.
"Jaxon's back!" Cheered Jacob excitedly.
I frowned at him in confusion. "I never left, lad?"
Jacob tsked at me and I raised my eyebrows, "What are you guys on about?"
"You haven't been yourself since that girl left the hospital without telling you." Luke said sadly.
I nodded with a sigh. "I know, but I'm going to move on starting now. No use moping about anymore, it's not going to change anything."
The boys nodded in agreement and Luke pulled me into a hug.
We turned our heads to the door being thrown open. A familiar face stood there with a wicked grin on his face.
"Joshy boy!" We hollered, greeting him by the door. "I thought you were going on holidays with your family in Australia?"
Our drummer shook his head stubbornly. "No, my dad had to cancel because he got the flu. We're going to go when he's feeling better."
"Bummer, mate." I said earnestly. He had told me he was really looking forward to his trip to the world down under.
He nodded sadly for a moment before he shook his head and grinned.
"So where are we off to tonight, boys?"
"To the club!" Jacob hollered, grabbing his wallet and stuffing it in the back of his jeans.
I patted my back pocket to make sure mine was still there and grabbed my leather jacket. It was getting chilly outside.
We got dropped off by our security at the back of the club and the bouncers let us in. It was cool not having to pay for entry. It was amazing how much my life had changed in the past couple of years.
We were led into the VIP section where only people who had their phones and cameras taken away were allowed to enter.
We sat at the bar and ordered some drinks. I was letting loose tonight. Finally, maybe my mind would get Grace out of the picture for good. I would never be able to find her anyways.
---
After my seventh shot of rum, I sipped on a Guinness.
I wasn't a lightweight, being an Irishman and all. I was finally starting to feel a buzz.
I watched Jacob dance on the flashing floor with a girl I didn't recognize. He grinded his hips against her and was quite obviously drunk. I chuckled quietly to myself. Even with the buzz I was sporting, I would never have the guts to get out on that dance floor.
Josh and Luke had both texted their girlfriends before we left and Samantha, and Jess had arrived shortly after we got here. Sam had brought two of her band mates with her. Jacob and I were the only single ones left in The Galaxies.
I finished off my Guinness and ordered another shot. It was times like these I wished I were at home in Ireland at a classic Irish pub. There was nothing that compared to it out here.
"I'll make this one extra strong for you, bud. Seems like you need the help," The bartender laughed.
I laughed, "Thanks mate. I appreciate it."
Although we didn't party often, we did enjoy the odd night out to let loose.
The bartender slid the shot towards me and I eyed it down. It didn't look like anything I had ever had before. "What is it?" I asked him curiously.
"It's called Ever clear. Strongest stuff I've got." He replied with a smirk.
"I've never heard of it," I replied.
"I promise, you'll be good for the night once you've had this shot."
I nodded and tossed my head back as I swallowed it.
I noticed that there were more people inside the VIP section than earlier, everyone's bodies mashing together to the beat of the music.
"Enjoying the show?" A voice asked, so close it tickled my ear.
I turned in surprise and saw one of the girls from Sam's band.
"Oh, hey. Your name's Lesley isn't it?" I slurred slightly. Damn, that shot is getting me good.
She nodded, batting her eyes at me. She leaned closer, obviously wasted.
"Wanna dance blondie?" She drawled out, batting her eyelashes.
"Don't you have a boyfriend?" I asked her, seeming to remember something I had heard.
She shook her head, seeming sad for a moment before grinning up at me. She was wearing a skirt that could probably be illegal it was so short, and her makeup was thickly put on. Like most girls at the club, she looked like she was here to party.
"We broke up." She said, grabbing for my hand.
Ah, what the hell. I took her hand and got up, nearly losing my balance.
She squealed happily as she ran to the dance floor and nearly fell on her face.
"Whoa, careful now," I yelled above the blaring music.
She didn't waste time mashing her body up against mine, managing to pry her leg in between my own, grinding against me.
She's clearly done this before.
The last of my common sense seemed to fall through the floor as she batted her eyelashes at me. She grabbed my face in her hands and brought her lips to my own. I could taste the alcohol on her tongue. I lost myself in the music and her touch and couldn't seem to figure out why there was a faraway voice in the back of my head, telling me that this wasn't right.
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