The corners of my feet are throbbing when we reach the bar. Kade rushes to show me the closest empty seat, realizing my discomfort. The high stools have backrests matching the raised tables where I kick off my shoes and let my feet dangle. Calling a waiter over, Kade removes his jacket and places it over his chair. The determination he’s wearing could easily shift our night.


“Comfy?” He asks and I nod relaxed. “Now I gotta warn yuh, I’m half black Irish; I can handle my liquor.”

“What’s the other half?”

“A mix of everything else,” he smirks. “So whattayuh have?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. I’d like to experiment a little tonight and try new drinks.”

“Are yuh a shots type of girl?”

“I don’t think so, no. I like sweet drinks.”

“Let’s do some shots.” He grins and rubs his hands together. Unbuckling his cuffs he then rolls his sleeves back.

“Are we going to arm-wrestle too?”


He laughs.


“I worked as a bartender for a few years, and I think know just what yuh might like.”


The waitress arrives and Kade’s shrewd smile has me curious to what I’ve gotten myself into.


“Let me get two shots of B-52, Nutty Irishman, Washington Apple, and Cherry Cordial. . . fuh startahs.”

“For starters? You want me crawling out on my hands and knees?” I gape.

“ And 2 ordahs of chicken dumplings. . . can’t drink on an empty stomach.”

“How long have you been living in New York?”

“About 10 years.”

“I was going to say, that’s a strong accent!”

“Yuh should hear my pops. Nuff about that. So . . . I HEARD yuh dated-”

“Oh here we go!” I roll my eyes and wait for his next remark.

“Touchy subject? I won’t pry. Just curious as yuh doan strike me as the type-“

“Enough about that!”

“Touché. Tell me more about yuhself then.”


We spend a good portion of the night talking about our past, eating dumplings and trying new shots. There’s a balance of feeling full and alive with laughter, but by the second round, my internal imbalance tricks me. The room is tilting not me, right?! My focus lags but Kade appears to be holding his own.


“Am I the only one seeing double?”

“Afraid so. Maybe we should get some air?”

“I can’t stand, I’ll fall splat right on the floor.” I keep giggling.

“I have an idea.” Kade pays the check and picks up my shoes. “I’ll give yuh a piggy-back.”


When I slide off my chair, Kade hunches his back and I feel crazy enough to jump on. The pressure
against my stomach makes me laugh and want to pee at the same time. We barely make it to the corner before I urge him to stop.


“I can’t. . . No more bouncy rides.”

“Ah okay. Is it time we take the princess home?”

“Yes, or else something bad might happen.”

“Well, that isn’t always a bad thing.”


His grin hits me like another shot and I try my best not to appreciate his flirty expressions. I brush the goose bumps off my arms and Kade reacts by covering my shoulders with his jacket. As he whistles for a cab, I’m sniffing his cologne off the collar and entertaining these ‘bad things’.

On the ride, I doze off for what feels like 5 minutes but when I wake we’re right outside my building. The streets are still spinning but I try to make each step as sturdy as possible.


“Can yuh wait a sec, buddy?” Kade tells the driver. His arm secures around me as we make it to the front step. “Lemme help yuh up to the door.”


The lazy chuckles continue as I zig zag to the elevator. I should feel embarrassed or act properly, yet I don’t. I’m still barefoot. No one cares!

“Yuh pretty funny when yuh drunk.”

“It’s not fair that I’m like this and you’re still so . . . so normal. I wanted to see more of the city.”

“Told yuh, Imma heavy weight. But I can give yuh a tour next time.”


The elevator feels like another bouncy ride and I slide over to Kade to rest my head on his arm.


“Yuh gonna be alright?”

“Once I hit the bed . . . it will all be better.”


My eyes keep closing, the elevator light is too much. We stop and the doors slide open startling my drowsiness.


“I swear to you I’m not that drunk, my feet just ache from all the walking you made me do.”

Kade gasps and acts like he’s offended. “Well I’m not sorry fuh showing yuh a good time. Why dontcha call yuh ex over to give yuh a foot rub.”


I repeat his last sentence mockingly as we arrive at my door. Leaning against the wall I search for my keys and once I pull them out, Kade snatches them.


“Lemme help with these or else who knows how long we’ll be out here.”

“Stop being so charming.” I slip and bite my tongue.

The door opens and he allows me to go first.

“Well, Prince Charming has opened yuh door.”

“Linda! Roger! Anyone?!” I yell and shuffle my feet across the floor.

Kade strolls in behind me, observing the apartment and comments, “Nice place.”

“You’ve met Linda, right? We’re roommates.”

“Yeah, Roger’s girl.”


I make it to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water, avoiding the dizzy spell before the ache hits me in the morning. Kade joins me and I offer him my water but he shakes his head.


“I gotta go, the meter’s running.”

“Thank you for a fun night,” I say and come in for a friendly hug, still wearing his jacket.

“Yea, I had a good time!”


The seconds are up but my arms are still hooked around his neck. His hands remain on my back, underneath his coat. Alcohol awakens another side in me, a side that hasn’t been touched in over a year. These are the bad things I’m talking about. Though if I were ever to pull it off, now would be the time.
My hands slide down over his chest, and the firmness beneath, the muscle, is a delicious surprise. The light brush of air from Kade’s mouth grabs my attention as I watch his lips whisper things.


“Jude, yuh drunk. We . . . can’t.” His adam’s apple moves as he swallows louder than usual.

“I-I’m not that . . . Sorry, I thought you were flirting with me and that you-“


Rough fur tickles across my mouth and then, warm lips. I’ve never kissed someone with a beard before and I’m not sure if I like it. His hands feel great around my waist though, squeezing me with need. In a split second of sobriety, I timidly pull away.


“I gotta go before this guy charges me a fortune.”


I nod and refuse eye contact. Kade’s hand squeezes my side before he walks off and the sound of the door shutting shakes me out of my daze. We just kissed. Kade leaned in without warning and . . . my God. Rubbing my chin, I remember his coarse hairs scratching my skin and his mustache poking my nose.

There’s no reason to give way to guilt but she sneaks in. I feel like I’ve betrayed someone that’s no longer mine. Crawling in my bed, I sulk through Harry’s messages. Regret replaces common sense and that bad thing I warned myself about is only seconds away from happening.


At 2:13 AM I break my own rule and text Harry.

Notes

A/N: Chapter Song

The Night Is Still Young -Nicki Minaj