We went to a midnight showing of an old horror flick. I wasn't particularly crazy about them, but it was better than staying in the hotel where I was sure Randy would come knocking on my door in hopes of getting me to let him in. There were very few people in the theater besides us. I guessed that I wasn't the only one who had grown tired of the Jason movies. Watching it once had given me nightmares and as I watched him again on a screen ten times bigger I saw those fears returning.
"Raina." I didn't turn around. I had had no time to get accustomed to being called by my stage name. "Raina!' they said it louder from behind and it registered, but I ignored it thinking that whoever it was would believe they were mistaken my identity and go back to watching the gore fest.
"Crap, I'm out of drink and my throat is so dry." Eve complained. "Maybe if I hurry I won't miss my favorite part."
"I'll go." I offered. By that time I was looking for an excuse to leave. All I could see was blood and guts and I felt like gagging. Going up the alley I noticed that all the lights were out so I just put on foot in front of the other knowing that as long as I didn't bump into a theater seat I would eventually find the exit.
I heard a laugh. It came from behind and as I felt ahead of me and felt a curtain covered wall and knew I was close. I cursed in my head knowing that the exit signs were supposed to be lit up for safety purposes, but it wasn't.
"Raina," I heard the name whispered again and I quickened my escape, but a hand covered my mouth, muffling my screams. He laughed.
"Abbi." A man spoke. "Relax, it's just me."
"Cena, you scared the shit out of me!" I swatted at him. I couldn't see him, but I knew that he was grinning, satisfied with his stunt.
"You looked like you needed something." He said softly. I felt myself backed against the wall and as my eyes finally adjusted to the darkness I saw him leaning over me. He removed my glasses and then touched my lips with his own. To my surprise I welcomed it and I kissed him back. I don't know if I was doing it to get back at Randy or if part of me wondered if every kiss would feel the same even if the man was different.
After a moment, I got my answer. It didn't feel the same. It was nice, but I didn't get that surge that I had gotten with Randy.
"Are the rumors true?" He continued as we stepped into the lighted lobby and I obtained Eve's drink.
"What rumors?"
"That you belong to Randy?"
"You say it like he owns me. I don't belong to anyone, but myself." I told him with disgust.
"Then, I wouldn't be stepping on anyone's toes if I asked you out?"
I looked at him for a moment to see if he was serious.
"Aren't you friends with Randy? No. I don't think so John."
"We've hung out a time or two. You're not going to hold that against me I hope? He begged.
"It's not personal."
"Wait. I think I know what this is. I heard about that little set up deal. Randy getting Sheamus to ask you out and then bring you to him? I wouldn't do that."
"It's just that things are still kind of … touchy with Randy. It hasn't been long."
"You know the best way to heal a broken heart is to find someone else to have a good time with. If you know what I mean?" he chuckled.
"That sounds like nothing more than a band aid to me." I couldn't laugh. What I felt for Randy was too intimate and it hurt too deep.
"seriously, Abbi. Randy's not worth what you're putting yourself through. Let me help you put him behind you." He took my hand and I found myself blushing. His smile was truly a gift.
"I'll think about it."
"That's a hell of a lot betta than no, so I'll take it." He laughed and so did I. The man had a way of making people laugh. He sat next to me when we returned.
"Geeze, girl, I let you out of my sight for a minute and you pick up a bum." Eve said when I came back with Sheamus. "Hi John."
"What's up, Evey." He said and we settled down and our eyes went back to the screen. The first movie ended and I rose to leave.
"Where you going? This is a double feature." Eve corrected and pulled me back into my seat.
I groaned. They were showing the old one followed by the newer version which I doubted I would like any better. I was already shaken by the previous, but I didn't want to wuss out on my friend so I settled in.
"You two want anything? I'm going to use the ladies and then get a refill before the start."
"M&M's and a diet coke." I told her and reached into my purse for money.
"It's on me." John held his hand over mine to stop me and then took out a fifty and handed it to Eve. "I want a box of M&M's too and a real coke." He winked at me.
"So," he expertly laid his arm behind me, turned in his seat and came closer. "What's the verdict?" he nuzzled my neck. His breath hot and his voice soft and sensual.
"I'm not a one night stand type of girl." But I craved what I had given up when I broke it off with Randy. I had never imagined how intoxicating and addictive sex could be.
"I just want to hold you through a tough night." again with that smile.
"What makes you think I'm going to have a hard night?"
"The fact that you've been tense and you close your eyes whenever someone gets killed on the screen. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell your friend that you hate horror movies."
"I don't hate them." I lied.
"You see, your problem is that you are taking it too seriously. You're looking at the fact that a good bit of what you see is possible. True. Some mad man could come crashing through the door , cut us up into little pieces."
"You call that helping me not to be scared?"
"Wait, just hear me out. Honestly, I think their comedies."
"Comedies?"
"Ya, look." he pointed out as the movie began. Eve had returned and his arm moved back to his own lap. "girl alone. Wearing nearly nothing. Cliché. She's going to die. I mean come on. You know someone's there. Call the cops and hide. So stupid."
I ended up laughing through the whole when Eve would throw glares that told us how annoyed she was with are constant whispers and snickers, we laughed harder.
Later, John walked me to the door of my hotel room. Eve conveniently rushed ahead and then ran inside and shut the door the moment we arrived leaving me along with him. We were quiet. Awkwardly quiet. Then he smiled, bent down and kissed me. It was different from the ones in the theater. He pulled me into his embrace and as I returned the kiss I felt his hands wander softly.
"What are you doing?" I opened my big mouth and analyzed.
"I couldn't help myself." He grinnd. "I guess it's easy to see your not like the rest of them."
"A lot of girls like you." I corrected.
"Yeah, now." He went on. "But when I first arrived, they looked at me like I had some sorta disease. I don't think you would have."
"But I wasn't here when you started and you didn't even notice me when I was first hired."
"That's where you're wrong." He said and I studied him looking to see if it was the truth. "I'm not asking you to get involved in some big romance. Just come to my room with me and let's see where it goes."
"I think you know exactly where you plan on it going."
"That's true." He laughed. "Sue me."
"I might." I joked. "or maybe I'll have you fired."
"That's not funny … are you serious?"
"No." I laughed and then he kissed me again. More forceful and passionate.
"Let's go."
And I found myself serously considering.
