Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"That's fucked up."

"I know."

"Was it good?"

"It was everything."

"Okay. That's enough moping. Get up. We're dancing."

"But I—"

"Too bad." She takes my hand, pulls me off my stool, pulls me into the throng.

This is a small club. It's dark. Dirty. Crowded.

An unfamiliar song fades into Like a Virgin.

Leighton laughs. "Who was yours?"

"College boyfriend."

"Good?"

"Give you one guess."

She laughs. "His first time too?"

"No. He thought he was incredibly skilled because he'd lost it in high school."

She spins on her toes. Laughs as she catches herself. "And he didn't know how to blow your mind?"

"Not quite." I catch the beat, but I can't find the joy of it. Or the thrill. This is a ridiculous, fun, over the top song. But it's falling flat. "What about you?"

"The coolest guy at my high school. He was a senior. I was a freshman. We were at a party. I thought the way he kissed me meant we were in love. Stop me if you've heard this one before."

"He sounds like an asshole."

"Yeah. But he was loaded." She laughs.

"That's something."

"It really is." She offers her hand.

I take it.

She helps me spin.

I throw my arms over my head. Finally, the music hits me. The tension in my shoulders melts bit by bit.

I let my eyelids flutter together.

I let my hips move of their own accord.

The song fades into Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.

I try to block out the lyrics. To forget the thrill of being with someone who sets you on fire.

Leighton must notice I'm slipping. She taps me. "You're gonna be a shrink, right?"