If I weren't in tipsyland, I would have inserted that I didn't need a man to escort me to safety. But 1) I was and 2) as much as the feminist in me wanted to rise, I kept her dormant. The night had just proved that creepers lurked and while I may be strong, I may not have been as strong as I needed to be if push-came-to-shove. Especially with my inhibitions lowered. I didn't have the time to debate on how unfair women had it. Going out for a walk or jog at night, alone, was a bad narrative still, in the 21st century. Unfortunately. A smirk flirted over Nate's lip before it disappeared. He nodded curtly and brushed away Sam's hand. "Don't worry." Sam gave me one more intense look and I shifted from one foot to the other. Then he wheeled around and left, blending into the shadows of the night. Nate strode towards me purposefully and I noticed the various tattoos that decorated his chest. Ink ran all the way down his right arm, too, an intricate tribal weaving that I couldn't see properly or understand in the state that my mind was. All I knew was that I'd always been a sucker for the tattooed ones. It didn't help that Nate's body looked like it was carved and chiseled from the finest stone. "You must be Barbie." Nate had an I-don't-take-shit-from-anyone kind of attitude, but a bit of amusement swirled in his voice then. "Heard a lot about you." I looked at little skeptically. But it probably came off as a grimace. "My name's Anna." And why was this guy shirtless, in the middle of an alleyway? That was the question. "So I've heard," he murmured and drew my attention to the low waistband of his black sweatpants as he tucked his fists into his pockets. I blushed as my eyes skimmed over his happy-trail. His sweats rested low enough to be comfortable, yet just enough to be a tease as well. "Where can I drop you off?" I swallowed thickly, and stepped away from him when he entered the light emanating from the lamppost. Something about his face was familiar. Extremely familiar. "It's okay," I said. "I'll walk there myself." Then Nate froze, too. Canting his head to the side, he assessed me like a hunter surveyed his prey. He knew me from somewhere. A shadow passed over his face before he shook it off and gave me a polite smile. "There's no use arguing with me," he laughed huskily. "I'd never let a girl walk alone at this time of the night - that's not how I was brought up. Neither would Sam. Since my best friend seems to be fond of you, it's my responsibility to make sure you get home safe." "He's not... fond of me." I struggled to even speak. Nate didn't say anything. Instead, his pale irises, a harsh contrast against the color of his dark hair, gleamed in the dim light as he chin-jutted toward the end of the alley. Motioning for us to start walking. I fell into step beside him. He stayed protectively close, but kept a safe distance. I took this time to survey him as subtly as possible. Very tall, very very tanned and very, very, very well-built. Like Sam, his hair was fuller at the top and cropped closely at the sides with a fade. There were two small parallel lines at the side of his head, right over his ear. They gave him more edge. So did the two small diamond studs he sported in each ear. It only added to his masculinity. That and the heavy stubble adorned along his jaw. "How long have you known Sam?" I suddenly blurted. Nate glimpsed at me then resumed staring in front of him. I noticed that his arm was literally the size of a bulldozer. It was the best imagery my tipsy mind could conjure. "I've known him for awhile now," he husked. He didn't give me any more information than that. He was a quiet one. A man of a few words. "Have we ever met... before?" It was a stupid question to ask but we were nearing the end of the alley and I was getting word vomit. I needed to call this a night. And I also needed to place my finger on where I'd seen him. He obviously didn't go to my school. Then again maybe he did. "Are you trying to come onto me?" Nate mouth curved into a half-smile, and I blushed, before he winked sexily. "I'm just fucking with you." I waited for him to speak. He pulled out a towel that was half tucked into his back pocket and used it to wipe his face. "No. I believe we haven't met before." His voice was muffled. "Damn shame, too. I would have loved to snag you for myself before Sam did." I don't know why he kept making all these insinuation about Sam but it was hurting my head to just think of them so I completely dismissed them. The blush on my face didn't get the memo though. Nate and I walked in mutual silence, and I noticed that the same bandaged tape that was around Sam's was wrapped around Nate's hands as well. It reminded me of the kind people wore before they went all berserk on a punching bag. We rounded the corner and Danny's Grill came into sight. Nate stayed within the shadows when I started crossing to the parking lot. I may have been just a little under the influence but I hadn't lost all my manners. "Thanks, Nate. For... walking me." I was relief and dreading returning to the pub. Relief because while Nate seemed chill, there was an intensity to him that kind of intimidated me. Dread because of who rested within the walls of the place. "I appreciate it." Nate smirked and did that cute head nod thing boys did. "It was my pleasure. I'll let Sam know I dropped his crush off safely to her destination." Now that I was back to my temporary sanctuary, I seemed to find his joke funny and I laughed. Nate genuinely looked pleased by my reaction. "Stay out of trouble, Anna." He turned to leave before I stopped him again. I was seized with this feeling that we did know each other. I rushed out quickly, "Nate... are you sure we don't know each other... have we... are you sure we haven't met in the past?" Nate's back was to me and I realized that the broad expanse was covered in ink as well. He spared me one more tight-lipped smile over his shoulder. "Positive, Jodanna. Have a good night." He too disappeared in the shadows and I resisted the urge to tell him that while girls shouldn't walk alone at this time of the night, neither should guys. The feminist inside of me protested at the double-standard and sexist comment. And then I realized that I'd never given Nate my real name. As I climbed the stairs to Danny's Grill, I was sure about two things; Nate was lying to me and two, I'd somehow managed to royally screw up by leaving Troy hanging twice in a row.