Giving them distance and getting out from between the two of them, I wait for him to agree. I know he will. She’s got him wrapped around her little finger. I’ll do it with a smile on my face and babysit this fucker. I used to think of this differently. This all used to be fun. But it wasn’t like this, was it?

It doesn’t take more than one feminine mewl and a please from her to convince Kane that absinthe is good enough and that we should all head to her place.

It’s two blocks down and up a set of iron rails to get to the apartment. The sidewalk’s still wet and this late at night, there’s no one else on the streets. Just a bunch of drunk assholes stumbling on their way home. We fit in perfectly. I keep my eyes ahead, but occasionally look back and in all directions casually. I know the street and the apartment complex well. There aren’t any cameras or storefronts for onlookers. Still, I watch and wait for any type of paparazzi.

I follow them as Kane and his friend cling to the group of women. There are three of them, two blond chicks and a dark brunette with curls, each barely covered in skimpy clubwear as they grip the railing to the apartment stairs and laugh as they stumble their way up in heels. It’s difficult to tell with the other blonde if it’s an act and she’s playing up the drunkenness, or if she’s really that plastered.

Kane’s hands are all over Christi, moving from her hips to her ass as he walks behind her. Mikey’s into the other blond chick and the brunette’s checked out, only interested in smoking weed and getting trashed.

I tolerated the attention and flirting in the beginning of the night, but after a few minutes of ignoring the women, they lost interest and moved on. I’m certain this brunette is well aware there’s nothing happening between us. The number one rule of my job is to not bring down the vibe. So I offer her a smile when she peeks at me, but then go back to scanning the surroundings and blocking the view from the street. One thought gnaws at me as the group travels along: I just want to get back to Kat and make her take it all back. Make her forget what happened and remind her why we’re meant to be together. Remind her why she’s mine.

I don’t want this life anymore. Not when it makes Kat doubt me and what we have. Rightfully so.

I can’t take this shit. I’ll give it up for her. She’d take that, wouldn’t she?