Chapter 1

  Realm of Earth-Brent Moore 34 years old

  Brent set his drink down on the table and sank back into the couch. He wiped his mouth and looked up at his friend Jeff. “So tell me again why Katie couldn’t come out tonight with us?” Jeff asked, taking a sip of Champagne from his glass.

  Brent took a deep breath projecting his voice of the deafening roar of the DJ’s speakers that filled the Loft. “She had to work tonight.” he let out a sigh and continued. “life of a nurse, I guess.”

  Jeff glanced over at him with a concerned look. “You don’t seem to be thrilled about that.”

  Brent shrugged. “I love spending time with her. What can I say? But I am the one that got her the job at the hospital. I don’t like that she’s working so much but, in a way. . . I feel sort of responsible for it.”

  Jeff smiled briefly. “Yeah I know what you mean man. I kinda miss her too. She’s always so good at helping me land hookups.”

  Brent laughed and nudged his shoulder. “Dude I don’t want to know what crazy things you and my fiancé act out just to get you laid.”

  “Oh come on Bro!” He laughed and leaned back into the couch. “The Jealous ex, the unassuming depressed girl, The Business man’s assistant. . . “

  “Ok Ok! Stop right there! You’re going to make me squirt alcohol through my nose.” Brent laughed hysterically and leaned over taking a sip of his drink and set it back down. His eyes glanced out over the crowd. Hundreds of bodies out on the dance floor. Brent’s mind began to race and his expression shifted to something more serious. All these beautiful women. What if he was wrong? What if one of these girls was meant to be the next chapter in his life. Girls in mini dresses, short skirts with blonde hair and beautiful white blouses that brought out beautiful blue eyes. Some in metallic pink skirts and matching crop tops. Brent had his doubts; it wasn’t something that he denied. At the same time though, the more he thought about it, the more it brought a smile to his face. Katie was beautiful herself. From her long Ginger like hair to her beautiful green eyes.

  “So dude?” Jeff’s voice interrupted Brent’s train of thought. “Tell me, How does it feel to be engaged? Just one week away from your wedding. Are you nervous at all?”

  “Psh! No!” Brent shook his head, lying through his teeth. “I mean we’ve got everything sorted out. We’ve got caterers, my old landlord as a photographer, We even convinced the Bishop to perform the ceremony. This morning I even sent out the invitations. Everything is going to be just fine. And it’s not like I have any doubt that she loves me. She lets me know like every day. And we go out on dates once a week. And when we’re together. . .” Brent paused a bit as the thoughts ran through his head. Something about it calmed his nerves and washed away his thoughts. “It’s like there’s no one else I'd rather be with. It’s like I can’t even picture myself with anyone else.”

  Jeff nodded his head with a half-smile. “You know, man?” He said hold his drink up as the waitress walked by to refill it. “You’re lucky! There aren’t a lot of men that get to experience that feeling.” He said before gesturing to the waitress to stop. Brent was a little shocked to hear that. In the time Brent and jeff had been friends, Brent never knew Jeff to be even a little bit touchy feelie.

  Brent stifled a chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re going to get all emotional on me now, Bro. The night is only just beginning and you’re starting to sound like you’ve had too much to drink.”

  Jeff laughed a little and set his drink down, gesturing to his friend to stop. “I promise. I’m not already drunk. Just hear me out here.I realize that probably sounds ridiculous coming from someone who actively tries to coerce different drunken women into bed with him on a weekly basis, but listen. Women like Katie are a rare find. Most women would tell me I'm sick or twisted for treating women like that. Katie doesn’t even argue with it. She just goes with it. Any other woman I’ve asked to help out either gets uncomfortable or I end up getting drinks thrown in my face. You gotta hold onto a woman like that. And don’t think I haven’t seen you looking around. You gotta stop that shit bro. That’s how bad things start.”

  Brent set his drink down. “What are you now? My mother?” He asked, tilting his head slightly and flashing his friend a smirk.

  Jeff’s expression changed. “No. I’m not, but I am your friend.And as your friend I just want to see you happy.”

  A frustrated sigh escaped Brent’s lips.”That’s just it. I’m Happy with Katie, but what if something happened? What if there’s someone out there that can make me happier? What if that person is in this building?” Brent pointed to a random woman in the middle of the dance floor. “What if it’s her? “ he moved his finger pointing out another woman sitting at the bar. “Or her? Or what if I've already met her?”

  “Dude! You have met her! You’re with her right now! You’re engaged to be married to her a week from now. None of those girls are even checking you out.” Jeff paused and took a sip of his drink.”Except that one.” Jeff flashed a disapproving look. “She’s not that attractive anyways.” Brent perked up and began looking around for the girl Jeff was referring to. “She’s over there.” Jeff said again pointing to a woman with short mousey looking chocolate brown colored hair. The woman fixed her glasses and smiled at Jeff for a second then turned her attention back to her friends that share the couch with her.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Brent finally caught sight of who his friend was pointing to. “Her? She’s Beautiful! And she’s giving me the look.” Brent flashed a smile at the woman.”You mean the curvy redhead? The one with the red lipstick? How can that not be attractive to you?” Jeff was confused. Brent’s description didn’t sound anything like what he was seeing.

  He scratched his head. “Ummmmm no. . . I’m talking about the stubby brunette with the glasses,” Jeff said looking down at his glass then back up at his friend.

  “What? You’re clearly pointing at the Ginger haired girl.” Brent was confused as well. “Maybe they switched your drink for something stronger. Look, just take me over there and help me out would you?” Jeff flashed his friend a cold, disapproving stare and rolled his eyes.

  “Fine but if you get in trouble, don’t cry to me.” Jeff rose from his seat and dragged his friend with him. The sound of the music that reververberated off the walls of the club rang through both of their ears. Brent grew nervous. A guilty feeling started to wash over him. A voice in his head telling him what he was about to do wasn’t right. His grew more foggy the closer they got to the other couch. “Mind if we join you?” came Jeff’s voice, leaving Brent somewhat startled. There she was up close. Brent’s confusion faded as his nerves grew more tense.

  “Not at all!” the woman shouted over the loud roar of the speakers. She scooted over and let Brent sit down next to her. “I was just about to go grab drinks. What do you boys like?” Both men were startled by the offer. Usually Jeff was the one to offer to buy the alcohol. Brent opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He couldn’t do it, as much as he thought about it. He couldn’t bring himself to strike up the conversation. The woman stared at Brent then turned her attention to his friend. “Is something wrong with him?” she asked curiously.

  Jeff shook his head and chuckled. “He’s just getting cold feet. You’ll have to forgive him.He’s not usually like this. He’s been drinking Sangria all night and I’ve been springing for Champagne.”

  “Got it!” she nodded and turned around heading toward the bar.

  Jeff shook his head and let out a sigh. “You are never living this down, man. For as long as we both live. I will never let you forget this.”

  Brent gave his friend a blank stare. “Shut up. I got cold feet okay.”

  Jeff laughed. “Cold feet my ass,dude. Here you are begging me to take you over here and break the ice, and you tanked.”

  Brent nudged his friend next to him. “I didn’t tank. I just got nervous . . I mean. . . what if. . “

  Jeff gave his friend a smirk before interrupting him. “What if Katie walked in? What if she got pissed off at you and left? Face it dude. I was right. You don’t want to give her up. You’re afraid to lose her and therefore can’t force yourself to get comfortable with a complete stranger. No matter how “attractive.” You think she is. HA!” Jeff said poking his friend’s shoulder and giving him a playful nudge.

  The two men looked up right as the lady set two drinks down beside them. “One glass of Champagne and one glass of Sangria,” she said as she took a seat next to Brent and made herself comfortable. “There you go.” She said, setting the drinks down on the round glass table. “I’m Nat, by the way.” she said, offering her hand for a handshake. Brent shook her hand and spoke up. “Brent and this is my friend Jeff.” Brent said, trying to push back the nervous foreboding feeling that lingered over his mind. Nat shook his hand and smiled at him. A voice Startled the two men. “Who are our guests?” came the voice of a man in a black formal suit with a red tie. He made himself comfortable next to Jeff. “This is Brent and Jeff.” Nat replied. “This is my friend Luci whom I finally got out of his little hell hole to come out tonight.” Pam said, sneering at him playfully.

  “What can I say? I prefer to stay in the dark. Why do you think I’ve been working as a Coal miner for the last several years?” Luci replied with a sly grin.

  “Oh just shut up and enjoy the daylight for a change. Who knows? You might accidentally stumble on something fun.” she chuckled leaning back against the couch.

  Luci turned his gaze to Jeff, who seemed to be distracted with his eyes fixed on a Blonde who had wandered out into the middle of the crowd. “Ahhhhh that one looks tempting doesn’t it?” Luci said with a grin leaning back against the couch and keeping his attention focused on Jeff. Jeff replied with a nod leaning back against the couch, glancing over at Luci then over at the blonde. “I don’t know if you’ll be able to land that one. Might have to get a few drinks with her first.”

  Jeff looked down at his glass then reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.”I think I’m up to the challenge. Do you want to make it a bet?”

  “Oh I like you, boy.” Luci replied, taking a sip from his glass. “It wouldn’t be fair to challenge me,though. You see? I invented this game.”

  Jeff burst out laughing and shook his head. “You know? That’s a pretty big claim for a guy named Luci.”

  Luci stifled a chuckle.”I think you’d be surprised how charming I can be. You got me in a good mood, so I’ll tell you what. I won’t set the same stipulation I usually set. If you can catch her attention before I do, I’ll buy the last drink, you’ll need to get her into the cab. Do we have a deal?” Luci said with a sly grin painted across his cheeks.

  “We have a deal.” Jeff replied raising a glass to tap against Luci’s

  Brent’s gaze shifted between the two men. His look, growing more and more amused by the minute.To Brent it seemed his best friend had found a match for his gifts. He watched carefully as both men rose to their feet casually making their way to different sides of the room. He turned his attention to Pam. “Does Luci do this often? This is like a weekly thing for Jeff. He pays more attention to this, than he pays to his actual dreams and aspirations.”

  Nat giggled. “Oh Luci can be quite the charming devil. I’m afraid your friend has met his match.”

  Brent flashed her a smirk. A familiar voice from off in the distance startled Brent and almost made him spill his drink. “Brent? Who is this?” It was Katie, pointing her thumb over at Pam. Brent grew nervous at first. He took a quiet breath and looked up at the woman who had just arrived at their spot on the couch. Brent opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Jeff. “Katie? You finally showed. This is Pam and that over there.” Jeff said, pointing at Luci in the distance talking to the single lonely blonde in the middle of the dance floor. “That is the biggest cock block i’ve ever come in contact with. It’s only been 2 minutes and she’s already flirting with him, like a lost school girl.” Katie laughed and made herself comfortable on the couch next to Brent. “Oh So you’ve finally met someone who's better at picking up one night stands than you are? Do you want me to go provide a distraction?” She said, giving him a smirk.

  “Oh Sweetheart! I wouldn’t recommend that. Especially if you’re in a relationship with my new friend over here.” Pam interjected, gesturing to Brent who smiled briefly at the woman’s attempt to keep his head above water.

  “Oh? So he did tell you about me?” Katie said glaring playfully over at Brent.

  “Oh but of course darling. I’m rather gifted at seeing the true nature of others. It’s a gift i’ve acquired over the course of a Very long Career. And Luci over there has a gift for being incredibly charming.” She replied, taking a sip of her drink.

  “If he’s so Charming then why aren’t you two together?” Katie asked, tilting her head a little.

  “Like I said dear. I’ve a gift for seeing the true nature of a person. And I’ve known Luci for what feels like a Centuries.