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"Sarah!" I turned at the sound of my name, never imagining at that moment what the night had in store for me.
I looked through the crowd of people shooting pool and throwing darts in the bar, and found the owner of the deep voice I'd heard calling my name. It was a smiling giant that I hadn't laid eyes on in the four years since I graduated high school.
"Craig!" I laughed and jumped up and down waving over the people and started to weave my way over to him. The four shots of tequila I had had before I left the house added to my excitement over seeing him. The crowd thinned out as I got closer, and I ran up to him and jumped into his arms. He swung me around, squeezing me tightly and planted a big kiss on my lips as he plopped me down in front of him. We stared at each other with shit grins and laughed. "God, I've missed you, big guy. I'm SO excited to see you here!"
"Pleasure's all mine, darlin," he drawled in his ridiculously southern accent. He tipped his cowboy hat at me to emphasize the exaggerated exchange. I laughed at him and playfully punched him in the shoulder.
"When did you get back?" I asked him. He had been a state or so over attending college last I heard.
"A couple weeks ago." He grinned and took a long swig of his beer as he surveyed the people around the bar. "Haven't met up with all my old buddies yet to catch up. But, it looks like I've made a good start tonight," he grinned down at me.
Craig and I had gone to school together since we were eight years old, until my senior year. Though we didn't attend the same school that year, we had become good friends and frequently met up at parties and get togethers. He was always the life of the party, the guy we were sure would utter "Hey, guys! Watch this!!" as his last words. I was excited to run into him and knew this would be a fun night.
It had been a couple of years since I had last seen Craig and I stood there smiling at him, taking him in. He hadn't changed too much, except that he had really filled out in all the right places. His shoulders were broad and he was wearing a tight t-shirt and jeans that hugged his ass just right. He was playing the cowboy tonight, in boots and hat, which made me laugh. Craig was forever changing his look from one day to the next. "Let me take your shot. I'll show you what I've learned while you've been gone," I smiled into his baby blues as I wrestled his pool stick away.
I playfully nudged him away with my hip and turned to the table laughing. My laugh died on my lips and I felt my world tip to the right as I stared into a very familiar pair of black eyes. I felt the air leave my lungs as I heard Craig say, "Sure thing, darlin', I know Mike wont mind. By the way, Sarah, meet my friend Mike...Mike, this is Sarah."
I dumbly stuck out my hand and Mike slowly walked the couple of steps it took to close the distance between us, his curly black hair falling over his face covering one eye...just like it always had. He took my hand in his and I almost jumped at the shock of feeling him so close, touching me. His eyes never left mine as he ran his hand through his hair and answered, "Yeah, I know Sarah...very well."
"Oh yeah?" I could feel Craig staring at me curiously, but I couldn't pull my hand out of Mike's and I couldn't tear my eyes from his.
"Yeah" I said, clearing my throat,"Mike and I actually grew up together."
Suddenly snapping out of my trance, I pulled myself together enough to plaster a smile on my face. "Care to shoot some pool?" I asked, hoping it didn't sound as forced to them as it did to my own ears. I held my breath, wondering if he could see right through me.
I had no idea how he was about to react to me. What I did know was that even though Mike's presence had sufficiently thrown me off kilter for a moment, I was for the most part feeling tipsy and happy. I was excited at unexpectedly finding Craig here tonight, and I wanted to have fun. If that meant putting up with Mike...well, maybe we could put the past behind us and be okay...just for a little while.
I could still feel Craig at my side taking in the situation, knowing something wasn't quite right. I hoped neither of them could see how ragged my breathing had become. Mike still stood in front of me, my hand in his, his eyes boring into mine having never left them. I could hear my heart hammering in my ears. Slowly, he smiled...a calculated, crooked, sensual smile. He released my hand. "Your shot, sweet. You're solid."
I nodded once and turned to Craig. "What's a chik gotta do for a drink around here??" He laughed as he shot a curious look between the two of us. Whatever had passed between us was seemingly ok now, and he headed for the bar. I turned to concentrate on my game, determined to hold all the memories at bay and enjoy my night.
Mike didn't make that easy. As I stood by the table, studying the balls and my shot, I felt him behind me, close. I could feel the heat of him rush through me and I gripped my pool stick hard and closed my eyes. I hated that he could do this to me. I was instantly afraid and excited, all of my senses on end. When Mike was around, everything was electric. I wondered if he felt the same way as I stood there with my eyes closed. I felt him lower his head so that his lips were brushing against my ear as he whispered, "Are we playing nice tonight, Sarah?"