Chapter 2: Talking to Strangers

Kinley

Kinley sat at the bar stirring her drink over and over again with a straw as she stared out into space. Her thoughts about the evening were a jumbled mess and the alcohol wasn't helping.

"You okay, girl?" asked the bartender.

"I think so, or at least I hope I will be." Kinley shot her half smile.

"Well, I am a good listener," she said as she put both her elbows on the bar and sat her face in her hands. Her smile made Kinley feel like she could tell her anything.

"Thanks, I am Kinley, by the way," she said as she reached out her hand and the bartender shook it.

"Sarah. Nice to meet you."

Kinley proceeded to tell her about how she just got dumped a mere hour ago and that she wasn't expecting it after three years of dating.

"Yeah, so my night isn't going so well. But--"

--There's a but?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah there is. There was this guy. I can't get him out of my head. He was so handsome. I think he might have been into me as well. I didn't get his name though."

"Well, I truly believe if something is meant to be, it will happen. I'd forget about the loser who dumped you. Girl, you can do much better," she said as she slid Kinley another drink.

"These are definitely helping me feel better."

Kinley chuckled and fell off her seat. Sarah thought for sure she was going to hit the ground when an arm reached over and caught Kinley.

"Whoa, you alright there?" a tall man with sandy hair and a brown leather jacket asked.

"She's fine," said Sarah.

"She doesn't look fine," he said.

"I am fine. I promise." Kinley laughed.

"Hmm, I don't believe you, but it looks like you're in good hands," he said as he shot a dirty look at Sarah.

"I am. Thank you."

After one more drink Kinley decided it was time to get herself home before she wasn't able to. She picked up her cell to call a cab but dropped it.

"You calling it a night?" asked the guy who stopped her from falling earlier.

"I probably should," Kinley said.

"How about another drink and I will make sure you get home. My name is Tate and you're Kinley, right?" he asked as he motioned Sarah over.

"I am Kinley. How did you know that?"

"I heard you and the bartender talking."

"Oh. Sure, I will have another but then I am going to go," Kinley said as she put her finger up to single another drink.

Sarah brought over another rum and diet coke. Tate slid a five to her and told her to keep the change.

"There won't be any change," Sarah said.

"Well that sucks."

Tate downed the rest of his beer and turned to face Kinley. Sarah stayed close by. She didn't trust this guy and knew he was up to something.

Kinley finished her last drink and pulled her phone out of her purse.

"I can take you home," Tate said.

"No, that is okay. I think I better just take a cab."

"Are you sure? I don't mind, pretty lady."

"I am sure. Thank you though," Kinley said.

"At least let me call the cab and pay for it for you.

"Okay--"

"--I got her," Sarah said as she picked up the bar phone and scowled at Tate.

Tate threw his hands up in the air.

"Okay, okay. I am backing off. You got her. It was nice to meet you Miss Kinley. Take care and stay safe and hope to see you again real soon."

Tate nodded his head and walked away.

"I don't like that guy at all. He gives me the creeps," said Sarah.

"Eh, I don't think he's so bad."

About ten minutes and a handful of bar pretzels later, the cab texted Sarah and said they had arrived. Kinley gathered herself and her purse. Sarah was about to walk her out, but she was suddenly bombarded with customers. Kinley told her she was fine, and that she was going straight to the cab, no stops in between.

Sarah wrote her cell number on a napkin for Kinley and as she walked away, she texted Sarah so that she would also have hers. Kinley thanked her profusely and headed to the door.

As she opened the bar door, she saw the cab waiting by the curb. She was almost to it when she heard a voice hollering.

"Kinley!"

She turned to see Tate waving his arms off at her. She was about to slide into the backseat of the cab when he grabbed her arm and tossed money at the driver.

"I got her," he said as the cab driver drove off.

She hollered for the cab driver to stop as he pulled away. He just continued to drive down the road.

"What did you do that for?" she asked.

"I just want to make sure you get home okay," said Tate.

"I told you I was fine inside, didn't I?"

Instantly her buzz intensified. She didn't think she was that drunk but when she tried to walk away, she was having trouble standing up. Tate grabbed her arm. She yanked her arm from him, but he grabbed it again, harder this time. He started leading her to the parking lot. She began dragging her feet.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"To my truck, so I can take you home."

"I said I was fine, I will just get another cab," she said. She was sure he could hear the fear in her voice.

"That is okay. I got you, no worries."