no turning back

• two •

gladys

I just finished gelling down the rogue pieces of hair around my space buns when my phone buzzed with a call from Jesse.

"Hey," I answered, bringing the device to my ear.

"Hey, girl! I'm outside," she told me.

"Sweet, I'll be there in two seconds."

I stopped at the mirror on my way out of my room to take another glance at my outfit. My skinny jeans and long-sleeved singlet were not exactly sexy, but they were the best going-out clothes I had.

They hugged my curves, though, and made my ass look great. That was a win for me.

Since Ben kept me on lockdown out here, except for going to work, I was less athletic than ever and had added a few inches to my curves. I didn't have anyone to impress, though, and my own plushy skin never bothered me.

Ben was still sitting in front of the couch when I went out to the front door. He pushed his glasses onto his head and smiled.

"Have fun, kiddo," he said. "Keep your phone on you at all times. If I call, answer or I'm coming to find you. And remember—one text every hour. I mean it."

I chuckled. "Thanks, Dad."

He winked and I bid him goodbye before slipping outside. A giddy feeling took hold of me.

I was excited. More excited than I'd been about anything in a very long time.

The red Toyota sedan parked out front honked twice and a hand waved at me from inside. I waved back, scuttling down the driveway.

"You look hot!" Jesse cried as I climbed into the passenger seat.

"Thank you." I beamed and gestured to the fake blood droplets covering her chin and chest. "Sexy vampire, hm? I like it."

"I have more fake blood if you want to put some on."

"Thanks, but I think I'm good. I'm just going as a businesswoman, I guess. My wardrobe is pretty limited."

Jesse cackled. "Being a businesswoman would be scary. I would hate to have to negotiate and deal with men all the time."

I snickered. Our dental office was almost entirely female-staffed, aside from Dr. Flat and one male hygienist.

Soon we arrived downtown and parked in a multi-story deck. As we walked down to the street level, Jesse and I strategized for tonight.

"We can just Uber back to my place if we both drink," she said. "Unless you find some sexy hunk to go home with."

"Ah, I actually have to get back home later." I winced, knowing how lame it sounded. "No curfew or anything, but it's kind of house rules."

Jesse shrugged. "No worries. Do what you gotta do. I know your dad needs you."

My responding smile was weak. "Yep."

All of the bars, clubs, and restaurants along the street were flooded with costumes. Jesse grabbed my hand and pulled me off the sidewalk into a small bar front where there was a short line to get in. We pulled our IDs out to get ready for the bouncer.

We chatted about the bar and how it was owned by her brother-in-law. Her sister usually bartended so Jesse was confident we would get free drinks, which was definitely a plus.

By now, I'd decided I at least wanted to get a little buzz. I wanted to have fun and I hadn't drank alcohol since high school.

The bouncer checked Jesse's ID first and waved her inside. She stepped just inside the doorway to wait for me. I handed my card to the bouncer and watched him scan it with some device.