A beautiful storm *COMPLETE*

Time to party, or not

MADELINE’S POV

I showered quickly after I got home. Washing the sweat and saltiness off of my skin. I shaved and moisturized in the shower. I stepped out, feeling the cold breeze of air conditioning blowing in the bathroom. I wiped the steam off of the mirror and looked at my reflection. I was in the sun longer than I had expected and my cheeks showed it. Not that I would have minded the slightly blushed look it gave me, but it was a little bit worse than that. I decided to give my long black hair some loose, tousled curls. I kept my makeup to a minimum, focusing on longer lashes and a nude lip. I pulled the dress out of my closet. I looked at the tiny piece of material. While it was hot, it was too much for me. I wondered if Gemma would be mad if I didn’t wear it. She’d be mad. I sighed, the dress it is. I squeezed into it, kicking myself for not grabbing the next size up. Looking in the mirror, I cringed. I looked amazing, sexy, but it was so not me. It was way to skimpy. One wrong move and everyone was getting a show. I decided to bring a flannel to wrap around my waist. Checking the clock, it was 6:30. I texted Damien letting him know to meet Gemma and I outside of Sandbar and we’d walk to rest of the way. I chose to wear my black high-top converse since we were going clubbing. No need to break an ankle while dancing. I took one final look in the mirror, pulling the hem of my dress down, before grabbing my things and heading out.

I walked to SANDbar, arriving a few minutes early. Damien was already waiting, dressed in a snug, white t-shirt, and dark skinny jeans. He smiled as I approached. “You look amazing, Madeline. Happy Birthday.” I couldn’t help the blush that crept onto my cheeks. “Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself.” He chuckled “I was hoping for sexiest man alive, but I will take it.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Very funny.” He shrugged his shoulders shamelessly. “So where are we going exactly?” he asked. “We’re going to have dinner at Flamingo’s and then pick whatever club looks best when we’re finished.” He nodded and smiled. Gemma rushed over to us “Sorry I’m late you two. Not a great impression on Damien here.” She stretched her hand to shake his. “Nice to meet you, Gemma. Thanks for inviting me out.” She waved her hand “No need to thank me. We’re about to be a close-knit team. Might as well get used to us. Now let’s get this party started!” she snorted. I just shook my head at her. Her overly outgoing personality is why we get along so well. I’m more reserved and down to Earth, where she is wild and bubbly.

There was a 20 minute wait for a table inside Flamingos, so we decided on sitting outdoors. They had a nice patio where you could hear the sounds from the ocean. The waitress was openly flirting with Damien, despite the ring on her finger. I scoffed, to which she turned her head and glared, but I covered it with a cough. “Dry throat. I could really use that water.” I smiled. She narrowed her eyes at me before turning to Damien with a smile. “I will be right back with ya’lls drinks!” I rolled my eyes. “Pretty shameless of her to be openly flirting while wearing a wedding ring.” Damien looked at me confused “She wasn’t flirting, just being kind.” Gemma snorted “Uhm, no definitely flirting. I call it as I see it.” He just laughed “I don’t doubt that at all.” The waitress arrived back with our drinks, only giving Damien a smile before taking our orders and retreating from the table. “What got you into bartending?” I asked Damien. “I enjoy mixing up drinks and creating new combinations. It’s always interesting to see what mixtures are going to taste well and have the right affect. I hope you two don’t mind being guinea pigs to some of my creations?” he questioned. “I’m always down for a good drink and a good time if ya know what I mean.” Gemma winked. I spat a little bit of my drink out and started laughing. Damien laughed with me. “What’s so funny?” Gemma questioned. I put my hand on her shoulder “I just love how straight forward you are.” Gemma snorted “Wouldn’t have it any other way. You love it!” and she blew me a kiss. I just shook my head at her. “So were ya’ll friends first and then coworkers or vice versa?” Damien asked. I smiled “When I came to Destin, Gemma hired me to bartend and we ended up just clicking.” “And now she’s stuck with me forever!” Gemma quipped. “Where did you come from? Before you came here to Destin.” he asked. My mood faltered. I should have expected questions about my life, but being my Birthday, it’s already a sore subject. I gritted my teeth and took a deep breath “I came from a small town in Alabama. Needed a fresh start and ended up here in Destin.” Minimal info, Madeline. He chuckled “Running from the big bad wolf?” he asked. My eyes went wide. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” I practically ran from the table. Calm down Madeline, he doesn’t know. He couldn’t know. I knew that I needed to play it cool, but after that dream, I’ve been on edge all day. I think I might order a drink before dinner is over. I rushed back to the table and bumped into our server, literally. She turned around and narrowed her eyes. “Uhm sorry, I didn’t see you. Is there any way you could send over a gin and tonic to the table please?” “Sure,” she huffed out. As I approached, Gemma gave me knowing eyes and Damien looked guilty. My gin and tonic arrived and I quickly downed it, asking for another. The rest of the dinner went quiet. Damien insisted on paying and leaving the tip, claiming that the Birthday girl shouldn’t have to treat herself.

We walked a few doors down to HEAT. It was a nightclub along the strip. We were about to enter when Damien pulled me aside. He ran his hand through his hair, scratching the back of his head. I looked up at him at the same time he looked down at me. He looked nervous and I couldn’t figure out why. “I just wanted to apologize for upsetting you earlier. I was trying to be funny, and clearly failed. Can we start over?” he asked. I smiled “You have nothing to apologize for. My life before here is just a touchy subject. You couldn’t have known that.” He nodded, walking back toward Gemma, who was busy playing on her phone. She looked up at me and Damien. “Madelineeeee, I hope that you don’t mind, I may have invited some people.” she stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. I just chuckled. “Of course not, the more the merrier. It’ll be a good time.” Damien looped each of his arms around one of ours, motioning us into the busy club. The music was loud. The air smelled thick and sweaty. I could feel the gin and tonics kicking in, giving me a warm buzz. We walked up to the bar. Gemma and I both ordered s*x on the beach and Damien ordered a rum and coke. We took our drinks to a booth and waited on Gemma’s friends to arrive. A few minutes later, three girls and two guys, all who looked vaguely familiar came over to our table. Gemma squealed “You guys made it. YAY!. Wait where is Josh?” I darted my head to Gemma, widening my eyes. Josh not so subtly wanted to b*ng me. He was a player and I was the game that he couldn’t win. A triumphant smiled played on her lips. “He will be here. Don’t you worry your pretty little head.” I just shook my head at her. Damien looked between us. Josh arrived a few moments later and they all filed into our booth. He gave me a devious smiled and winked. I scooted closer to Damien so everyone could fit. He leaned down and whispered in my ear “So, who’s Josh?” he asked. I felt my breath hitch at his closeness. I motioned his head down to my level “Josh is a player and I’m the only game he can’t win.” He chuckled. “So who’s the new guy Madeline?” Josh asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. He didn’t care, just wanted to make sure no one was in his way. “My name is Damien. I work with Madeline and Gemma at SANDbar.” Damien responded, reaching his hand across the table to shake Josh’s. His tattoos on full display. They were like a work of art. He’s your coworker Madeline, stop swooning. Gemma spoke up “Dancefloor guys!” she yelled. One by one we filed out of the booth and headed to the dance floor. My drink was definitely loosening me up. What I loved about HEAT was that they had their own DJ. The songs they played were always on point. I felt great. Dancing and swaying to the music. Damien looked a little out of his element, so I grabbed his hand and pulled him to me. I turned around, laced both of my hands with his and just let loose. It felt great, at first he looked nervous, but quickly relaxed. I didn’t realize that Josh had approached us “Can we trade dance partners?” he asked, motioning to Rebecca, she was looking at Damien like he was candy. “Sure, I don’t mind. That okay with you?” I asked Damien. He looked disappointed, but nodded. We traded off and I was dancing with Josh. I motioned to the bar “How about you go grab me a birthday cake shot?” I smiled. He nodded and left quickly, coming back a few moments later with two in his hands. “Happy Birthday, Mads.” he said. Mads. I haven’t heard that nickname in years. I quickly downed the shot asking for another. He smiled and obliged. I noticed Gemma was making out with some new guy off to the side. Welp, I’ve lost her for the evening. She saw me, sneaking a thumbs up behind the guys back. I gave her a thumbs up back. We’d created this code for when she wanted to take someone home. I chuckled to myself. Josh came back with two more shots. We clanked them together and I downed mine. He pulled me onto the dance floor, grinding against me from behind. I swayed with him, feeling the effect of the shots kicking in. He wrapped his arms around me leaning down and planting a kiss on my neck. I reached up, grabbing his neck and planting a rough kiss on his lips. He looked surprised, but spun me around to look into his eyes. I froze. His piercing blue eyes bore into me. I took a step back. Everything around me started to fall away and turn black. The music went silent. He started walking closer to me. I could see the confusion on his face, but all I could see were those eyes. Peter’s eyes, staring back at me. My head was spinning. “Get away from me” I said weakly. “Mads, what’s wrong?” His voice floated around in my head. “I’m here to collect what you owe me” No. Not here. I screamed “GET THE FU*K AWAY FROM ME, PETER.” I couldn’t control my breathing. I knew I was conscious, but everything was spinning. I couldn’t focus. I fell to my knees, covering my face with my hands. “I accept your apology” No. Stop. Please stop, I begged. I felt strong arms around me as I blacked out.