Long strides delivered Nick to the bar, where he promptly ordered a double of Jack and downed it. Pat and Abe reached him as the bartender poured another.
“Nick?”
He ignored her as he drank, savoring the burn in his belly.
“Nick.”
Pat watched the change in Abe’s face. Nick still ignored her, motioning for another. The bartender filled the glass. Abe grabbed the drink.
“Hey!”
She tossed the liquid to the back of her throat and swallowed, willing herself not to cough. Her eyes watered while she asked, "what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit!”
Nick started to walk away.
“I don’t think so,” growled Abe, grabbing the back of his coat, she pulled him back.
“Let go of me.”
“Stop ignoring me! What’s wrong? Where are Tony and Mike?”
“They’re gone.”
“No shit Captain Obvious! Where are they?”
“Gone,” he said, his teeth clenched.
“This is how we’re going to play it?”
“Ain’t playin’.”
She moved close enough to be pressed flush against him. Her eyes were flashing fire, she stated, “You will eventually tell me. You know it and I know it.”
Stepping back, she broke the stare. Nick turned around and ordered a Jack & Coke. Abe felt a hand on her arm.
Pat pulled her close and whispered, “I’ve got this. Go dance.”
“I can’t leave him, Pat.”
“Yes you can. I’m here. I’ll take care of him. Don’t let him ruin this evening.”
“Promise, you’ll come get me.”
“If I need ya, I will.”
“Nick?”
Giving up when he ignored her again, Abe went in search of AJ. She found him talking to a group of people she didn't recognize. Everyone had long since abandoned the masks. One gentleman in the circle smiled and tilted his head to Abe when she walked up.
AJ introduced her to everyone and continued with his conversation. He excused them when the music changed and led her to the dance floor. After a couple of songs, Abe felt a tap on her shoulder. A girl asked if she could cut in.
Moving off the dance floor, Abe scanned the room and found Nick and Pat standing at the end of the bar. She hoped he had slowed down on the drinking. She wanted to pull him out of there, so they could talk. However, there was no way to do it discreetly. All she could do was watch him be in pain and hurt for him.
"Excuse me."
Abe turned to see the man who had smiled at her earlier. "Yes?"
"I'm Trey. We met a few moments ago."
"Yes, I remember."
"Would you like to dance?"
"Me?"
"Yes," he said, smiling.
"Okay."
Stunned, Abe allowed Trey to lead her to the dance floor. The song was slow and he pulled her in, but not too close. Someone she didn't know had actually asked her to dance.
"What are you thinking," he asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"Just that this has been an interesting night."
"Interesting good or interesting bad?"
"Both."
He chuckled, "I hope I'm in the interesting good category."
"You are. I've never been to one of these things before."
"So you feel like a princess tonight," he asked, in his slightly accented voice.
"Not a princess." She thought a moment before speaking again. "I think more like Cinderella."
"Yes, but Cinderella became a princess."
"True, but that is most definitely not me."
"Why?"
"Was never into the whole tiara thing," she laughed.
They fell into silence, continuing to dance. The song ended and he kissed her hand.
"Thank you for dancing with me Miss Abe."
"Thank you for asking."
Nick had been watching her through the mirror behind the bar. He didn't know the guy she was dancing with. Damn, what a night! Tony had pissed him off talking about Abe, but when he made the crack about Lesley it took everything Nick had not to beat the shit out of him. It actually surprised him he hadn't, but something stopped him. He had actually controlled his temper. In that moment, when he would have lashed out, he thought of Abe. It wasn't a complete thought, merely Abe, and that was enough to stop him. Now he was watching her sway slowly with the stranger. It made him angry. The song ended and the asshole had the nerve to kiss her hand. Seeing enough, he moved toward her.
While Nick watched Abe, Pat watched Nick. He was prepared the second Nick moved. He followed closely. Something was really working on the boy. He pulled up short when Nick stopped in front of Abe.
"We need to talk," Nick stated.
"Okay," replied Abe.
Nick looked around and saw people coming in a side door. "Come with me."
"Oh now you're ordering me?"
"Abe just come with me," he said, grabbing her wrist.
Stepping through the door, they found themselves on a balcony overlooking Canal Street. It was empty. Pat stepped back inside to keep guard and give them space.
Abe pulled her hand free. "So you want to talk now?"
Nick spun around to look at her. He was taken off guard by how she looked. The combination of moonlight and streetlights made her skin and hair glow. His breath caught as he realized how beautiful she was. She stepped closer and her scent surrounded him. Her eyes held only concern, while she waited for him to talk. Reaching out, he grazed her cheek with his fingers. Slipping his hand behind her neck, he pulled her close.
She saw it coming. Not that she ever thought it would happen, but she still saw it coming. His eyes dropped to her lips. She thought he's going to kiss me and his lips were on hers. Her most cognizant thought was he's lips were warm. She came to her senses and pushed him away.
"What was that for?"
He stared at her a moment. "I don't know."
"Why did you do it?"
"I don't know! You were just there."
"Thanks. I feel real special," she said, sarcasm coming through loud and clear.
"You just…just…"
"Just what? Are you going to tell me what's going on? Why did Tony and Mike leave?"
"Tony said something he shouldn't. He was drunk and Mike took him back to the hotel."
"All right. So you two can talk tomorrow."
"No. He's going home and that's all I'm sayin'."
"Fine," she replied through clenched teeth. "Now, why the hell did you kiss me?"
"I don't know."
"Fine," said Abe, turning to leave.
"NO!"
She turned back and waited for him to say something.
His head dropped and he said, "I don't know. You're just different."
"Different? How?"
"You look different and I don't know," he said getting frustrated.
"It's just a costume."
"No it's more than that."
"Whatever. Goodnight."
"Damn it! It's just your different, but still the same. And it makes me feel different and I don't like it. Why couldn't you just stay like you were?"
She stared at him for a moment. It felt like she had been suckered punch. Her eyes drifted up to the moon willing her not to cry. Nick would never understand how much he had just hurt her. In the distance, she heard a bell ring out in the night…1 am. Sighing, she turned to leave. Nick placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Where are you going?"
"The hotel."
"But…"
"Let go Nick."
Pulling away, Abe left him standing on the balcony. Pat took one look at her and didn't say a word.
"Hey Abe. Where ya been," asked AJ when she located him.
"Checking out the view from the balcony. Do you mind if I duck out on you?"
"What's wrong?"
"My feet are killing me. You know this is the longest I've stayed in heels."
"Aw, poor baby. We better get you home. I see Kevin. Let me tell him we're leaving."
She leaned against the wall and tried to get a handle on her emotions.
"So Miss Abe are you up for another dance?"
"Sorry Trey. AJ and I are heading out."
"So the ball is over for Cinderella," he asked.
"Most definitely, it's pumpkin time for me," she sighed.
"Now don't say that."
"At least I got an extra hour."
"Abe you ready," asked AJ walking up.
"Yeah. Nice meeting Trey. Thanks for the dance."
"The pleasure was all mine. Night. Night AJ."
"Night."
AJ, Abe and Marcus parted ways back at the hotel. She walked into her room and gingerly pulled off the boots. Undressing, she headed for the bathroom and a shower. In the shower, her tears mixed with the water. Drying off, she dressed and combed the tangles out of her hair. She looked at her reflection. Yep, she was back to being her. Crawling into bed she waited for sleep.
