Free Body, Ink, and Soul by Jude Ouvrard

laughed, and got back to her chores. She knew how much this would kill me.
    There were two types of karaoke singers. The first group were the drunken ones, completely aware that their voices sounded like a beat up 1990 Toyota Tercel. The second type was formed by tipsy girls who really could sing, but didn't have the guts to sing without the courage gained from a few shots of Tequila. In both cases, I found them lame and I had a strong urge to roll my eyes at every contestant. This was the very reason I despised karaoke.
    My excuse? I just don’t like singing in front of an audience. I didn't mind Val or Bekka listening to me, but anyone else felt too intimidating. As much as I dreaded karaoke, I had a terrible feeling in my gut that liquor-induced singing would be in my immediate future.

Chapter Four
    I t quickly became evident that Tyler was giving us a night off - he just wanted us to stay at the club and enjoy our last night together. He knew how close we were and how difficult it was going to be for us to be apart.
    The club was almost at maximum capacity. It was summer and all the students were out of school; consequently it was a busy night. The music was loud, I’d never seen a night quite like this one. People were lined up four deep at the bar to get their drinks, giving the bar staff no time to catch a breath between customers. There were shots and beers all over the tables. Everyone was having fun and the ambiance was perfect.
    Nobody had approached the karaoke machine and I was thankful.
    Val and I were dancing among all our regular customers. It was great to be off-duty and enjoying a night with them. We spotted Bekka and Tyler talking, their bodies inclined towards each other - closer than I’d ever seen them before. Bekka was running her finger up and down his chest as they spoke. She was playing a game – being Bekka, the seductress. It was pretty obvious she had feelings for Tyler, because normally she was much more reserved. Val was just as surprised as I was, when Tyler leaned in and they shared their first kiss. And it wasn’t a simple first kiss, it was as hot as hell! Bekka pulled him closer and they kissed for a very long time, neither of them coming up for air. Bekka was gripping his shirt and holding him in place, not letting him go.
    When they finally did stop kissing, Bekka couldn't stop smiling. I watched them for a little while, as they chatted and laughed together. She seemed more than happy - ecstatic would be a better word to describe her. It made me wish Tristan was here tonight, so I could kiss him again. I hadn’t talked to him before coming to work, and I considered calling him now, to see what he was up to. I decided to text - maybe he would come if I invited him.
    Nix: Big night at the club! You should come... please ?
    Tristan: Yeah, I’ll be there soon. C-ya babe.
    I smiled when I read his reply. He was really coming to see me! I thought things were going well between us. He liked me, I could feel it in his kisses. I couldn't wait to see if there would be more. Hopefully, there would be, and next time they wouldn’t be so rushed. I wanted to run my fingers through his hair, I wanted to feel him close to me. My desire for this relationship to go somewhere - to progress to more was growing ever stronger. I didn’t want to just prove the girls wrong - I was meant to be with Tristan... not Levi, I was certain about that.
    I offered a round of shots to Val and she accepted right away. Her night had already started and she was in party mode - nothing could stop her. On my side, I needed to relax, leave the anxiety behind me. I opted for a few Jim Beam Black shots. I liked bourbon and this one tasted good - a full bodied flavor with smooth caramel and a touch of warm oak. It was my favorite.
    I felt the warm liquid burning as it ran down my throat. I wanted more, but I knew better. I didn't want to be drunk before Tristan arrived. I’d had four shots. Already my arms felt heavy and