Jack and Libbie Meet

 Chapter 2

THE NIGHT CLUB 

The music is loud with a bit of a Latin feel, hot salsa. Lights flash yellow, red, and blue to the rhythm. It's a packed house tonight. It’s definitely a happening place; it smells of perfume and sweat, bursting with raw energy. We barely find a table but, lucky there is one left tucked away in the  back  in the corner . A live band is playing Salsa music and   Penny's  already wants to dance, and we just got here. We order a round of beers and Penny and Pete get up to dance. Looking around, I can see Chris laughing by the bar with some friend.  I’ve  known him for two years but, we share an apartment and a common interest; Gerry. Chris is deeply in love Gerry Black and they are openly gay. Gerry is the rest of  my family, not that we share blood, we don’t,  we all share experiences, a common bond. I refer to us as a common law family, brother and sister without marriage just time. We have a full seasoned history, twelve years worth of history, and love.  We met in elementary school and by grade seven we meshed like a tightly woven  cloth and  now,  we are kin. The only thing I can call my family because I am an orphan. That sounds like the start of an A.A. meeting. Hi, my name is Elizabeth Whyte and I am an orphan. 

Both my parents died when I was 7 years old. When I had no one else Gerry took me in as his family and we have remained family ever since. Gerry is an archaeologist and is away on an expedition until Wednesday. I miss him with all of my heart, like a sister misses her brother.

   

The bar is hip and happening. I’m bubbling over with dance moves and I’m excited because I know Chris will dance with me, we’ve danced together professionally for two years, well maybe not professionally but, we compete in competitions. We somehow discovered that we dance very well together and have been in four salsa competitions.

Even though I love Penny, Gerry is truly who I share everything with; he can keep a secret till death. We have done a least thousand pinky swears, in our life together.I miss his so much.

 I feel like this could be okay tonight. The music, loud and drowning and of course alcohol, this will be a great night.  I finish my beer Penny is taking a turn on the dance floor. I order another Okanagan springs pale ale. Yes I'm enjoying myself; I think the alcohol is helping very much. The waitress puts down another beer; I give her cash and take a swig of the beer.  I spot Jon right away. He's standing at a  tall table near the dance floor with some of his buddies, laughing, looking as good as he always does, not wiped from the end of a relationship like me. Shit; I don't want him to see me. I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb in this loud red dress. My first thought is to run.

 I down my beer and   hurry to the bar, grabbing hold of the marble counter and ground myself for balance. Maybe this was a bad idea, I’m such an idiot. .

The bartender asks “what will you have Miss?”

 “A shot of tequila?"  I ask like a question.  I need bravery if I'm staying tonight and I'm sure tequila has the corner on that market. I give the bar keep ten bucks  and he passes me a short clear shot glass of the gold elixir, with a lime wedge, salt shaker and my change.

"Thank you." I'm always polite if nothings else. Here goes....lick, salt, lick, drink, lick and bite. Shit that's sour!!I squeeze my eyes shut I swallow, yuck it burns! Maybe that wasn’t a great idea.

"You look like you've done that before, not well but you’ve done it before," a husky voice playfully questions me.  I turn gingerly and peak at him, not quite facing him entirely.  He's handsome, blue eyes, dark wild curly hair, chiseled cheek bones and he’s got the biggest grin on his face. He’s sitting very at ease with himself in his dark blue  jeans and a baby blue  soft cotton pinstriped shirt, with a little red levis logo on the pocket. He’s possibly late twenties early thirties, sitting gracefully with his hands are cupping a beer at the bar, and he is alone.

"Were you speaking to me" I ask.

 He rubs his stubbled jaw with the back of his index finger, then points to  my empty shot glass, "I said you look experienced at that, whole shot thing.” He is drop dead GQ gorgeous, toweled with little bits of blonde, speckled at his temples,  his hair is so sexy. I glance behind me just to make sure, I’m not standing in front of his friend and to make sure it’s me he's talking to...yes, it's me.

"It's not really my first drink of choice, I just blankordered.”

Wow! I am totally side swiped! I'm feeling a little intoxicated by too much too fast and regret the next thing to leave my mouth, "you're beautiful.” I blurt out at him.

His mouth turns up in one corner, “ Why thank you,” he reaches towards me with his hand, “Miss?"

  I'm suddenly embarrassed, putting my hand to my lips I manage to say, “Libbie. Elizabeth  White.”

"Pleasure to meet you Miss Libbie Elizabeth White,"  he’s still holding  out his hand.

“Libbie, just Libbie.”

 I put mine in his to reciprocate,  “ Jackson Darcy. Just Jack is fine.” He says in a casual but, confidant manor I like the way that sounds, like Mr. Darcy from pride and prejudice.

“You are quite beautiful yourself, Libbie.” His clear blue eyes never leave mine.

"Hi! Thank you.” I run my finger around a loose curl as I feel a full blush take over.

“Actually, I’m not really that good with tequila, I just couldn’t think of anything else to order. I really don’t drink much, other than beer,” I nervously giggle. I’m rambling.

 “Then am I going to have a hard time inticing you to join me for a drink?" he says in a deep easy. Voice, as he pats the chair beside him. ".   Immediately I feel something, like an electrical spark with this man. Maybe it’s a false sense of security but, he seems safe, I also feel an  instant thrill run through me.  He’s got a relaxed mannerism, confident,  I’m interested. I’m very interested.

 "No, I’ll join you." still blushing over my you’re beautiful comment, inhibition and I are just about to sit down and Jon grabs me from out of nowhere, by the shoulders.          

  Spinning me precipitously to face him he starts to throw his slurred   words at me. 

"Hey baby I didn't know you'd be here tonight." leaning down to kiss me. "I missed you, sexy little tart." Taking me sharply by the elbow he tries to push  his mouth on me.

 At first my heart recognizes  his touch but,  and wants to soften, then  smells of stale beer hits me , I know  he's drunk. My brain memories hardens myself to him, or what’s left of me.

"No Jon, don't.  Please don’t do this!”  I feel a little stab of pain, with a twist of shame, I wasn’t good enough. Maybe he thought I was damaged goods, or maybe ugly, or he recognized me for the goof I am,  I just can’t fall back in that bed.  Please take your hands off me!" I glare anger  into his eyes  with a side of panic . Be strong. I close my eyes. He’s hurt me deeply and it’s definitely over.

 "Oh come on Lib" inches from his lips, Jon is so much stronger than me, I can’t seem to break free.

Jackson's arm comes across my chest pulling me close to him and away from Jon breaking his hold. He is smells of Old Spice, it seems familiar, and his shirt is soft and warm against my back. I feel shocked but, thankful for him. The question 

‘Who is this guy?’, bounces around in  my brain.

"Easy cowboy, this lovely lady is with me and we were just about to dance. Excuse us.”

 Jon’s mouth falls open and I see confusion in his eyes, the beer has made him incomprehensive. And with that we walk to the dance floor.

 Jack brings his mouth down to my ear, and asks, "You do dance don't you?" his hands firmly holding my shoulders.

 "Yes I love to dance!" I shout back letting the excitement take hold.  

“Without being too forward, I thought you could use some help,” He puts his hand on my hip, pulls me to him and takes my other hand and holds it up shoulder height  in his. He pulls me close to him, incredibly close. He looks down at me and smiles a delicous bright white crest smile. We start to move together.  Oye como va  by Santana resonates over the dance floor, a classic tempo of 1-2-cha-cha-cha.

"Do you know Latin dance?  He pushes me out and   then pulls me in close again.  I can feel a enlivening response run through me like lightening. Does he feel that too, chemistry? His hand is on my back 1-2- cha cha cha . He turns me quick then holds me close then out. He's a fabulous dancer, how old are you, keeps crossing my mind.  Little silver high lights sparkle as the light moves over his hair. His face is sharp featured with a tiny indent in his chin, so delicious. The song ends and he dips me backwards. I’m breathing fast but, he’s doesn’t appear breathless at all, he calm and smiling.

 "WOW!" You're an awesome dancer! Where did you learn that?" I'm shouting a little starting to feel the effects of the tequila.

 "I don't know I just picked it up? You’re very light on your feet as well Libbie.  Quite the nimble nelly, you are. ” he says making me laugh.

 "Thank you for saving me, like that.” I point to the bar. “I think he's had too much to drink."

 “Your boyfriend?” 

Caught a little off guard, I’m slow to answer. “What? No- not anymore,” He grins a mischievous sideways grin. 

“Shall we sit down?” he has his hand on the small of my back and walks me back to the bar. His confidant manor is a turn on. I like his hand on my back, claiming me for however brief, wielding me through the crowd with his hands I feel owned.  

  It’s a great feeling. Jon never made me feel owned, I was never sure what I was; girlfriend; friend, even after we made love he could be so aloof. This touching is quite welcome.                                     

  “Now join me for a drink, I promise I will behave better than 

your “not any more” boyfriend.”

 “OK.” I laugh out loud.

  “Sit” he says moving the bar stool out for me.  

I sit comfortably and he sits beside me turning to face me he sits comfortable with one elbow resting on the bar, his manicured hand touching his drink. Resting his other hand on his lap. One  leg closest to the bar almost reaches the floor while the other leg is bent, his foot supported by the run of the stool. He’s close to me this way; his bent knee is touching my hip. He has the most incredible watch on his wrist.  I want to turn and face him but, I feel awkwardly shy. I don’t know what to do with my hands and I start to fidget with my napkin under my drink.                                                                                         

“Are you married, engaged, or girlfriend?” I question him back still feeling somewhat brave from the alcohol in my bloodstream but not turning to face him.                                                                    

 “I’ll have to say D, none of the above.” Then grabs my hand.

 “Would you like another drink?” he asks.

  

“OK, a sparkling water and lime” I’m shy. He summons the bar keeps.  I turn and face him now, his eyes are so blue like sapphires, he has a tiny curl of light brown hair hanging down his forehead tempting me to touch  it, the rest of his hair is a messy swirl of brown and gold. He’s so sexy. He has a hairy chest peaking out of his shirt, I like that too. I wonder what else he has.

“Do you like what you see?” he asks. I look up at his face; he caught me staring, oh God. I feel an instant wave of embarrassment through my face.

 “Yes. I like your… watch.” I look down at his wrist. Easy girl you’re ok. I close my eyes and breathe in.

 “It’s a Cosmograph Daytona. I like it very much too. I like racing, bikes mostly, this watch fits in with that scene” He says as he slips it off his wrist and grabs for my wrist, sliding it on to me.

 “You have very delicate wrists, so tiny. What kinds of things do you like Elizabeth?” he leaves the watch there and the drinks come.

 We sit together for a long time talking and laughing, I feel so comfortable. I love listening to him talk, the sound of his deep voice, he occasional touches on my hand, my arm. We are both living in Kits, we both like the outdoors, and we both love to experience food. Best of all we love to dance. I tell him about school. He tells me his adventures in wine. He’s a part time vinter.  I tell him my middle name is Dove, Elizabeth Dove Whyte.

 “My name Jackson Nello Darcy and my mother always called me Nell, when she wanted my attention.”  We laughed at how strange our middle names are and what were our parents thinking.

Casually he brushes the hair out of my eyes. If he brushes my hair away from my face one more time, I just might have to kiss him. He’s dreamy; his disheveled brown hair with bits of blonde and his sexy chin. His eyes are a striking color of blue, indigo but, that doesn’t do them just. His eyes are like beryl brilliance, dazzling. When he talks they smile, happy eyes. I feel like we are closed off from the rest of the world. Then Penny taps me on the shoulder.

 “What’s up be-otch, Having fun?” she eyes me up and with a curious expression looks at me as if ‘What ya doing?’. 

“You been here all night, I couldn’t find you earlier."

"Yes," I answer matter of fact.

"Well it’s time to go home honey! Pete wants to go.”                                                             

  I look at Jack’s watch.

 “Wow,  it feels like I just got here.” I swing back to face Jack,  I "guess I should go. I really enjoyed talking to you. You’re quite charming.” I smile, then touch his hand. “Jack, thank you for the drinks and the dance, maybe next time we could dance more.” 

He puts his other hand on mine jaw and holding me there, he kisses my cheek.  “I quite enjoyed myself as well, I’m glad I had the opportunity. Good evening to you Miss Whyte.”                                                                           

 A shiver goes through me like lightening, leaving me I’m dumb struck.   I slide off his watch and give it back, “Thank you.”                                                    

  “Bye”

 Penny puts her arm around me, wavering a little drunk. “Did you have fun sista?” I squeeze her back                                                        

 “Yes. Thank You.” We turn and walk towards the door. 

“Who is Mr. Dreamy, he looked like he had the hots for you.”

 “Jack Darcy he’s mantastic! What a total GQ, but,I think he was being polite.”

 “Did you get GQ’s number?”

 “No.” I turn to to back and he’s no longer sitting at the bar. My eyes doing a  quick scan, I realize he’s gone.   “Who are you Jackson Darcy?”