Number 14

Chapter One: Jack and Coke

“Adelaide can you please help me?” I sighed as I removed the curling wand from my long brown hair and carefully studied the loose wave/curl making sure it was satisfactory before dropping it down to mix with the rest of my hair. “If I keep going like this I’m going to end up with the worlds largest knot on my head.”


“Of course I can Nix.” I replied laughing. Nixon Matthews was my best friend and while she was an incredibly talented artist, her ability to do her hair was slightly below average. “You should just cut it short, like I told you.” I muttered as I took a comb, slowly and softly combing out the tangled strands and removing any stray bobby pins that I happened to find. “I still think it would look so cute on you.”


“Ella I have a square face we both know if I cut my hair above shoulder length that I’ll look like a guy and while I might be attracted to girls, that’s not the way I roll.” I continued to laugh as my fingers twisted and tuned the now smooth hair as I worked on giving her the up-do she had requested. Nixon had always been incredibly honest and open, and when her mouth wasn’t getting us in trouble I’m pretty sure that’s the reason we got along so well; neither of us had filters. Once I finished my job, Nixon going back to admiring herself in the mirror I went about touching up my makeup, our other friend Avery stuck her head in the door.


“Well don’t you two look nice.” She looked at both of us with her deep blue eyes that guys went crazy over, before settling back on me. “Is the Love Guru ready to go yet?” Nixon laughed at the nickname while I scoffed.


“You guys are assholes,” rolling my dark brown eyes I tousled my hair one more time. “But yeah, I’m all ready to go.”


I should probably introduce myself. My name is Adelaide Preston, 23 years old, currently attending university in Texas, and I am most definitely not a love guru. But I do have a list of rules, rules that come in handy when falling in love. I earned my lovely nickname by helping basically everyone but myself find love over the years. Everyone assumed that because I was so helpful when it came to peoples love life that I was an expert in love. I’ve never bothered to tell them that I’ve never been in love and I don’t think I ever will be.


“You know we’re just messing with you Adelaide,” Nixon said softly as we exited the bathroom. “Don’t let it up set you and try to let loose and find some hot guys tonight.” I gave Nixon a quick hug, thanking her for being in my life and with that we left for the club.


*******

The club Riot was sometimes more of a bar than a club, though it did have a rather large, busy dance floor. As far as size went, the bar wasn’t small but it also wasn’t large enough to hold enough people that things could get crazy. Though I spent at least 3 days out of the week working here as a bartender it was also one of our favorite clubs to go to when we had a night out. Especially since it was off the beaten path just enough that it hadn’t gotten terribly popular yet.


“Hey Alex!” I greeted the security guard as we walked in and he motioned for me to stop and chat for a bit so I told the girls to head to the bar without me. Alex had been one of the first friends I had made at my job, him having to step in a few times my first few weeks when customers got a little too grabby. While he was good looking, with large muscles, black hair, hazel eyes and a nice smile, he was married and very faithful to his wife who I also adored.


“How’ve you been Preston? I haven’t seen you in a while with how busy the bar’s been!” I laughed but I had to agree, promising him that I would make more of a point of coming to see him on the nights I worked and didn’t work. “Just so you know about 10 minutes or so before you girls got here so did a group of boys. They all looked nicely dressed but they had an air about them, I’m not sure if they’re important or not but one of them rented out the VIP section.” I let out a low whistle impressed for two reasons. One, like I said the bar wasn’t that popular yet so to have nicely dressed men come in could be good for business. Two, the VIP section was something that we had just put in and cost upwards of $1,500.


“Too bad I’m not working tonight Al, they probably would have tipped really well!” Alex laughed at me and started to shoo me away.


“You work too much as it is girl, now stop letting me keep you and go have some fun!” I laughed, dropping a kiss on his cheek and promising I’d be back to say goodbye before I left.


When I got to the bar Nixon and Avery were both nursing a drink while huddled closely together and gossiping it seemed. “So whose dirty little secrets are you guys spilling now?” I asked as I threw my arms around their shoulders, smirking when they started slightly.


“Okay now, I’m not saying that they’re greek gods or anything, but those boys over there look a lot like greek gods.” I followed Avery’s line of eye site to the VIP lounge where a groups of five or so guys stood, beers in hand, surveying the club in-front of them. However one in particular caught my eye and I choked on a laugh. Both girls looked at me to explain.


“That one on the left with the facial hair and purplish dress shirt, that looks like a total fuckboy?” They nodded knowing which one I was talking about. “That shit head is my neighbor.” Nixon let out a squeak and turned to look at me.


“That’s Seguin! As in Tyler Seguin that plays for the Dallas Stars?” I nodded unable to hold in my snicker as she was beginning to go into fan girl mode. Nixon had always been a die hard Canucks fan but with moving out here for school she had shifted some attention to the team. “When the fuck did he become your neighbor?” I shrugged.


“We both moved into the condos at the same time, something about his house being under renovation.”


“How are you just now tell us you live next to a sex god?” My eye brows were raised and I pursed my lips.


“Probably because I knew you guys would act like this. Anyways he’s rarely ever home, always over at a teammates house or on the road.”


“Aren’t you going to go say hi?” Nixon was distraught.


“No way.” My hair flying as I shook my head. “If the fuckboy wants to say hi he can come to me I came out to have fun tonight.” I knew I shouldn’t have, because honestly a night away from my neighbor sounded great, but I looked back at the group. Only instead of making eye contact with Tyler like I feared I would, I made eye contact with the tall man next to him. Our brown eyes met, his probably lighter and richer than mine and I managed a smile, quickly turning away when I saw him nudge his line mate. All Tyler caught was the back of my head.


“I saw that,” Nixon sung in my ear as I turned to the bartender.


“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” Subtly was not one of my strong suits.


“I’m referring to the look that basically screamed “I could eat you up” that you shot Tyler’s bff.”


I shook my head at Nixon trying to make something out of nothing. “I just smiled is all.” And I didn’t give her a chance to finish, instead ordering my drink. “Hey Maverick,” I smiled at one my better friends at work. “Can I get a Jack and Coke?”


“Actually,” a heavy hand fell on my shoulder. “She’ll have two shots of tequila. We all will.” I followed the hand to a heavily tattooed forearm to the face of my neighbor and I sighed.


“Segs, I actually wanted a Jack and Coke and you know it.” But it was too late as Maverick had gone off to complete Tyler’s order, probably recognizing him as a VIP customer. “What are you guys even doing here?” Tyler moved closer to me wrapping his arm around my lower back and tugging me into his muscled side.


“Well a little birdie told me that this place was rather bumpin’” I curled my lip in disgust at his word choice. “So we figured we’d check it out after the game tonight.” I had forgotten they had a game tonight, that would explain all of them wearing their game day suits.


“And you just had to rent out the VIP room? Way to lay low Tyler.” But he only grinned at me, pulling back slightly his eyes raked my body from head to toe.


“You know I only like the finer things in life.” If I had been any other girl I’d probably be dropping my panties by now and fantasizing about him taking me back to his place. But Tyler was like my brother and I could see through his shit.


“Nice try Seggy my boy.” I pulled away from him accidentally bumping into someone. “Oh, I am so sorry.” I apologized, placing my arm on his bicep, feeling the muscles tense under my touch.


“Looks like you’re already making a good impression on my liney.” Tyler sarcastically threw in and I got a good hip check on him making both men laugh. “Jamie this is Preston, my temporary next door neighbor. Preston this is Jamie Benn captain of the Dallas Stars and currently single.” I rolled my eyes at Tyler’s blatant chirping and Jamie’s cheeks blossoming red.


“Pleasure to meet you captain.” My voice was low, and hinting on sultry, as I took as small step back to inspect the man in front of me. He was tall, taller than me even at 5’ 7”, with broad toned shoulders under his suit, and slimmer hips. He had a bit of a baby face but he managed to pull it off with his dark hair slicked back and deep doe eyes pulling you in. I bit my lip.


His eyes also roamed my body and I knew what he was seeing. A slightly taller than normal girl with a plain face and brown hair and brown eyes. I was wearing a slim black dress that only covered one shoulder and tried its best to compliment my slight hourglass figure, only really succeeding in making my ass look nice, which he couldn't even see at the time. But still he looked at me as though I was a relic and the look he gave me when our eyes reconnected made me shiver.


“The pleasure is mine.” This man was too attractive for me, I was going to end up doing something that I’d regret.


“Here you two,” Tyler shoved small tequila filled glasses in our hands. “Shots. Now.” And more than ready to attempt to get my thoughts about Jamie out of my head, I clinked my glasses with theirs before tilting my head back and swallowing the clear liquid. Sensing Avery and Nixon still standing next to me I leaned over to Tyler getting close to his ear. After saying my piece I let my lips drag across his cheek and watched his already glazed eyes darken before he nodded. “Jamie watch over her, I’m going to have some fun.”


“I don’t need a babysitter, you shit-head.” But Tyler just laughed and clapped us both on the shoulders.


“Have fun, get to know each other, maybe have sex I don’t know. Just don’t hurt her.” He told Jamie and now it was my turn to blush. “She’s from Vancouver so you guys probably have a lot in common.” And with that he was gone doing what I suggested, taking Curtis with him and mingling with my friends.


“So you’re from B.C.?” Jamie asked and I could tell he was trying to change the subject and I was thankful for it. “I’m from-”


“Victoria.” I smiled before taking another shot. “I used to spend my summers there since it’s so close to Van.” The shocked look on his face told me he was about to ask how old I was, if we had ever met, but I wasn’t going to give him the chance. “Come on, I want to dance!”


*******

After about an hour on the dance floor I was incredibly worn out and thirsty. Jamie was amazing if I let myself be honest. He was incredibly handsome, nice, a real gentlemen but still knew how to make a girl feel special and the feel of his body against mine the last hour had intoxicated me just about as much as the alcohol. The boy was a drug that I was letting myself get too involved with. I had kept talking to a minimum speaking more with my body than with my words neither of us getting to know much more about the other.


“I need another drink!” I exclaimed over the music, my arms around his neck, mouth close to his ear. Jamie pulled away and nodded, his large, warm hand rested reassuringly on my lower back as he escorted me out of the busy area. But his hand didn’t drop when we got out and instead remained there until we reached the bar.


I stood there studying his profile as we waited for Maverick to make his way over, and I found myself so enthralled that I was completely oblivious to the fact that he was now in-front of us until Jamie ordered our drinks.


“I’ll have a whiskey on the rocks, and she’ll have a Jack and Coke.” A strange smile lit my face as I realized that I had never told him what I wanted to drink and that he must have been paying attention to my conversation with Tyler earlier. Jamie turned and catching me staring at him smiled back at me, the warm expression making my heart jump. When Maverick returned with the drinks, Jamie beat me to paying telling him just to add it to his tab. My mind unwillingly jumped to the list of rules sitting on my desk back home.


Rule #1: A girl should never have to buy her own drink

Notes

So, here's chapter and rule, number one. I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far, there is much ahead. Please leave me feedback/comments, subscribe and vote!