As Cat danced she was aware of Riley's desire, his physical desire. He wanted her that was obvious, but she wanted more. Wanting wasn't enough not after what they use to share. They had been friends yet so much more. Cat drifted back to .... God had it really been that long ago, another lifetime ....
It had been a hot summer!! One day after swimming the others had been teasing Riley, about being a virgin. He was only 15, maybe 16 and he just took it. He didn't argue or deny anything. I was so mad. I didn't know why he wouldn't stand up for himself. So I went to the girls, I hadn't outright lied, well yeah I guess I did! I implied enough to convince them that Riley was no virgin. Hell I think I gave him quite a reputation! ....
Slowly Cat came back to the present as Riley took her back to the table. Once there she started thinking again. That had been the summer she saw him differently, well had started to anyway. Looking back she realized she must have made such a fool of herself!
Riley had wanted to start a conversation with Cat, he wasn't sure how or what to say but the need to say something had been there. Seeing her so deep in thought he had backed out and hadn't even tried. Forrest on the other hand would not let that happen. "So, Cat, Let's hear some of those "in the good old days' kind of stories!!" As he was asking Cat he had also waved down a waitress and ordered a pitcher of beer.
As the night wore on Cat and Riley opened up to each other and to Graham and Forrest. More then once Graham had said, "That's more then I needed to know." even Forrest had exclaimed dramatically "that is a mental picture I will never be able to erase, you know that right!"
Even as Riley totally humiliated her by telling them about the time he asked if she wanted to play doctor and she had turned him down saying, "No, I'm not sick!". She had gotten him back. She told his friends about the time she had convinced him that his brains were leaking out!! She had pulled a hair from the top of his head, don't even ask why!! The one she got had a focal or whatever that stuff at the end is called and told him that without it his brains would slowly leak out. Those kind of stories went on all night. There were tons more, almost 20 years worth.
As they group was leaving the Bronze they passed a shop. Cat wanted to look at a jacket and had gone over to see it up close. Suddenly from inside the alley a man came at her. The attack was violent, Cat felt a sharp pain in her neck and then nothing.
Riley had been watching Cat look at clothes. When she was attacked he was quick to rush over, pulling a knife he let his training take over. Forrest and Graham were only seconds behind him. Even that was too late they had driven the vamp off, but Cat had lost consciousness.
Cat awoke and felt like she had been in a coma. She sat up and looked around. The sterile white walls reminded her of a hospital, but maybe she was in the drunk tank. Walking over to the glass looking for a door or intercom she touched it. The shock sent her flying, it almost knocked her out again.
"Fuck me" she cursed, "What the hell!" Still reeling, Cat tried to sort this out. Looking down at herself she saw white hospital type scrubs. OK she thought they took my clothes. Where is my bag? She found her bag and started a search, finding her Walkman and tapes she popped one in. As Smashmouth played "Then The Morning Comes" Cat leaded back, settled in to listen and wait.
TBC