Chapter Forty- Our Time Has Passed

Chapter Forty- Our Time Has Passed
Peyton

We walk into the club after waiting in line for what feels like forever, something I haven’t missed about clubbing. It's been so long since my last visit. Though it's not really my scene anymore, I wanted to try something different. I needed to blow off some steam after the past few days. At a club, I don’t have to talk much since it's louder than a bar. All I want is to drink and dance, to forget everything else, even if just for a few hours. The place is packed, which is expected since it's the weekend. 

The guy heads to the bar while we girls look for a seat. We scan the area and spot one, rushing to claim it before anyone else does. I’m not as young as I used to be, and I can’t stand for long, especially in heels. When we get to the table, it’s quieter than I expected. The DJ isn’t nearby, and there aren’t any speakers close to us. I wish we’d found a table closer to the music, so conversations would be harder. I appreciate everyone’s efforts to take care of me, but if one more person asks if I’m okay, I might lose it. I’m tired of that question. It makes me feel guilty about thinking this way, since their concern is genuine, but sometimes I don’t want to talk about it. 

Kaitlyn leans in and asks, “What's happening between you and Gabe tonight? I noticed you two flirting a bit." 

I shrug. “Nothing.” 

She raises an eyebrow at me, questioning my response. “Really? Nothing? You know, if you want him, you can have him, whether just for the night or longer.” 

“Yes, I know that, but if anything happened again, I would use him to make myself feel better. It wouldn’t be fair on him or his heart.” 

He broke my heart into countless pieces, but that was a long time ago. I wouldn’t do the same to him because it's not who I am. I admit a part of me still wants him, but acting on it would be a terrible idea and wouldn’t end well for either of us. 

“I guess so, but you two are destined to end up together. Whether it's next week or three years from now, it will happen. Despite everything between you—what you went through together and separately—Gabe has always been your endgame. Your destiny is sealed by the stars." She speaks with such certainty because she genuinely believes every word. 

I glance at the bar where Gabe and Anthony are, sighing. “Our time has passed, Kaitlyn. The damage and changes are too great for us to reunite.” 
“Are you certain about that? You seem sad and disappointed about the possibility of not being together again.”

I turn to her. “As I said, our time has passed. Please let it go.” 

She nods, not saying anything else about it. Just as well, because the guys return to the table with our drinks on a tray. A scotch for each of them. A cocktail for us and two shots each. The second Anthony sets the tray down, I reach for my shots, taking them one right after the other. The three of them look at me, a concerned look on their faces.

“What? We're here to have fun, right?" I ask, a bit annoyed at their judgment. 

“Yes, but we have all night. There is no need to rush,” Gabe replies. 

Rolling my eyes, I take a sip of my cocktail. “I'm going to dance.” 

I am not a child who needs to be told what to do. I can handle my drink. I walk away before anyone can say anything else. I weave through the crowd to the dance floor. I don’t mind dancing alone, as long as no creeps take it as an invitation to approach me. I am not interested. I will knee them where it hurts if they don’t take no for an answer. I find a spot that isn’t too crowded and let the music take over. I close my eyes, focusing on the beat and nothing else. I soon lose myself in it. 

After just a few minutes, someone comes up behind me, invading my personal space. I quickly step back and turn around to face them. It’s some random guy. I shake my head, and fortunately, he walks away without any trouble. I try again, but it happens again—twice more, not just once. 

God! What does a girl have to do to dance alone? I groan in frustration, ready to give up and return to the table, but then I notice Gabe heading my way. I smile and wait for him to reach me. I don’t mind dancing with him. 

Before he can get close, another random guy steps in front of me. I can’t help but roll my eyes again. I shake my head, but he doesn’t budge. Suddenly, Gabe steps in between us, intimidating him away. 

Gabe turns to me and whispers into my ear. “Are you alright? I shouldn’t have let you come down here alone. There are too many creeps.” 

“I'm fine. I can deal with such idiots. Are you here to dance with me or to keep the creeps away?" 

“That depends. Do you want me to dance with you?” 

I nod, take his hand, and guide us back onto the dance floor, searching for an open space. If I can’t dance alone because guys assume they can approach me for that reason, I’ll dance with Gabe—just as long as we don’t get carried away. I’m unsure how I’ll handle being so close to him, but we're only dancing, right? What harm could it really do?

Gabe lets go of my hand and reaches in, resting his hands on my hips and drawing me close to him. The contact is enough to make a soft moan escape my lips and stir desire in me. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea after all, but that doesn’t stop me from wrapping my arms around his neck. This may not end well!