Bewilder (The Kaleidoscope Album Book 2) Read online

  Domino's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, as though she was surprised. "Have a good night, then," she said quickly.

  "You, too," Isla said, smiling. "Nice meeting you."

  "You, too," Domino said.

  “Yeah, you, too," Sabrina said quickly, then paused, realizing that was the wrong thing to say.

  Domino chuckled, and gave a small nod and then turned, disappearing into the throng of people surrounding them. Some were watching Domino, but some were giving Isla and Sabrina interested looks, as well, as if to say, "Why would Domino be talking to those two?"

  “Welp, that was sufficiently awkward," Isla said, blinking. “You're a spaz."

  Sabrina slammed back the rest of the drink in her hand, feeling slightly humiliated. "I don't know why my brain won't work right now," she said. She couldn't stop replaying every dumb thing she had done in front of Domino in the past few minutes. The rum and coke? The straw?

  "Aw, does someone have a little crush?" Isla teased her, poking her in the sides.

  "I'm just going to drink enough to block that all out," Sabrina said, turning back to the bar.

  A few drinks later, she was on the dance floor, shaking her ass to Lizzo and Carly Rae Jepsen.

  "I really like these," she said to Isla, pointing to her fourth –– or was it her fifth –– vodka cranberry.

  "Yeah, every girl does," Isla said, laughing. "Slow down, though, or you'll be hurting tomorrow."

  "Yeah, sure. I will. Right after I go get one more," Sabrina said, downing the rest of her glass. Her cheeks were pleasantly warm.

  Isla had already turned away, dancing with a very cute, very tall woman.

  Sabrina pushed through the crowded dance floor, realizing too late that she had come out on the side with the couches, not the bar.

  Her feet hurt from her heels. Who danced in heels? Women with superhuman ankles, that was for sure.

  She sat on the edge of the couch, then realized that it was leather, and cool to the touch. It felt good against her warm skin. She sank back into the cushions, resting her eyelids for a moment.

  "Out past your bedtime?" A voice said near her.

  She opened her eyes to find Domino standing above her.

  Yes. "Nope," Sabrina said.

  "Did you drink a bit much?" Domino asked, sitting down beside her.

  Yes. "Nope," Sabrina repeated.

  "I'm going to go get you some water," Domino said, laughing.

  Water sounded wonderful. "I don't need it," Sabrina called after her.

  Domino glanced over her shoulder with a grin. "Sure," she called back.

  Sabrina watched her go, following her messy hair. Goodness gracious, that woman was gorgeous. It was as though she shone just a little brighter than everyone around her.

  A couple sat down next to Sabrina, bumping into her as the one woman straddled the lap of the other. They launched into a sloppy makeout.

  Sabrina drew back, cringing. "I'm right here," she said.

  No response from Makeoutsville.

  "There's like six feet of sofa that way," she said, pointing.

  Nothing.

  Domino returned with two glasses of water. "A little respect," Domino said to the couple, tapping one on the shoulder.

  They murmured apologies and moved down the couch.

  "Not fair at all," Sabrina said, taking the glass of water from her. She tipped it up to her mouth, dribbling a bit onto her chest.

  "You're a hot mess, Meloy. Although, to be honest, I’m surprised to see you here,” Domino said, draping an arm across the back of the couch.

  “Why?” Sabrina asked, tilting her head to the side.

  “Although I am pleasantly surprised that my extortionist organizer is queer,” Domino said with a smirk. “But where’s your girlfriend?"

  Sabrina blinked, not understanding. "Sorry, who?" She asked.

  Domino laughed. "The pretty, tall woman you were with," she explained. "Isla? I think her name was Isla."

  Sabrina burst out laughing. "That's my roommate. Not my girlfriend," she said.

  Domino frowned, shrugging. "Easy mistake," she said.

  "Where's your girlfriend?" Sabrina said, taking another sip from her water glass and melting back into the couch. "The pretty waif you came in with."

  Domino grinned. "Julia is just a friend," she said.

  Sabrina nodded slowly. "Sure, I bet you have a lot of friends," she said.

  "I have some friends," Domino said with a smirk.

  "I'm kind of your friend," Sabrina said, her eyes wide with the realization.

  Domino looked as though she was stifling a grin. "Sure, you're my friend," she said.

  "I'm a very, very good friend. Very loyal. I always carry hand sanitizer," Sabrina said, nodding her head in emphasis.

  "I don't doubt that one bit," Domino said, playing with the condensation on her glass.

  Sabrina watched Domino's hand clutch the cold glass, and took a deep breath, willing her imagination to calm down. She did not need to be wondering what those hands would feel like on her own skin.

  "Isla is dancing with someone, I think," Sabrina pointed towards the dance floor.

  "I don't doubt that, either," Domino said, watching Sabrina.

  The tension sizzled through the air. Was she imagining things or was Domino looking at her with a bit of interest in her eyes?

  Jiminy Crickets, how drunk was she to think that Domino was interested in her?

  "I'm going to call a rideshare," Sabrina said, pulling her phone out of her purse.

  "That's probably a good idea," Domino said, nodding. She straightened her posture and cleared her throat.

  She clicked the lock button on the side, but her phone was unresponsive. It must have been dead. She stared down at her phone as if willing it to work, cursing the fact that her Face ID wouldn't breathe just a tiny bit of battery back into it.

  "Here, let me help," Domino said, pulling out her own phone. "What's your address?"

  Sabrina stared at her for a long time, trying to remember. Was it 1661 or 1190? "I don't know," she admitted. "It's on Forest Ave –– no, Forest St. And it has this kind of slopey roof, like a swish." She mimicked the slant of the roof. “Swish. Like that. And there’s a gate."

  Domino shook her head. "Okay, normally I'd just go get Isla and get your address, but I'm worried about you in an Uber right now," she said.

  “Oh, have I not got my wits about me, guvna?” Sabrina asked in what she deemed an incredible British accent à la The Artful Dodger.

  Her eyelids felt so heavy. Could she sleep on the couch at the club for the night? Maybe if she slipped them an extra $20 they'd just let her curl up right there. $15 could get her a nice, soft throw blanket, maybe? "I'm gonna sleep here."

  Domino laughed again. "Is that so? Kinda loud to get a good night's rest."

  "They'll all go home soon anyway," Sabrina said.

  "I can't argue with you there," Domino said. "I'm going to go find Isla. Stay put."

  Sabrina nodded sleepily, snuggling back into the corner of the couch. Would $20 get her an even softer throw blanket?

  "Hey, what's your name?" Someone said beside her.

  Sabrina opened her eyes and blinked, staring at a stranger who had set down beside her. "Monica," she lied.

  "Monica. That's a very pretty name," the woman said. She was dressed in a tank top with messy hair, as though she was an off-brand Domino. Definitely not as appealing as Domino Rush. It was like buying the generic La Croix. Not worth it.

  "I'm Erica," the woman said, unprovoked. Was she scooting closer?

  "Congratulations," Sabrina said, inching away. "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to win." She added, looking straight at Erica, but she found it difficult to concentrate on her face so close up. She leaned back, squinting.

  “So, Monica,” Erica said, inching even closer to her.

  “Can I help you?” Domino said as she walked up to the pair, her voice pitched low.

&nb
sp; The woman beside her was giving her the creeps and relief washed over her upon seeing Domino return. "We're not friends," Sabrina insisted to Domino. She didn't want Domino to think she was friend-cheating on her. She was so sleepy. She reached toward Domino and took her hand to reassure her that they weren't friends. It felt extremely necessary to convince her at that moment.

  “Oh, is she with you?” Erica asked, standing quickly.

  “She’s sure as hell not with you,” Domino said, giving Sabrina's hand a squeeze.

  “I sure as heck am not,” Sabrina said with what she hoped was a very intimidating scowl. “I’m with Domino because she ran me over with her bicycle, and I’m not going to sue her for it.”

  She heard Domino chuckle and looked up to see Domino shaking her head.

  “Okay, let’s get you home,” Domino said, tugging on Sabrina’s hand to get her to stand.

  She wobbled on her heels, but with Domino’s arm around her waist, she teetered out of the club. "Can I take off my shoes?" Sabrina asked, but Domino shook her head.

  "I don't think the floor is very clean, babe," Domino explained as Sabrina began to frown.

  "Where's Isla?" Sabrina asked, looking over her shoulder.

  “So, unfortunately, I couldn’t find Isla. A buddy of mine said she left with someone a little while ago,” Domino explained

  “Who’s the saucy minx now, Isla?” Sabrina said with a laugh, pushing open the door to the club. The cool evening breeze smacked her square in the face.

  “Instead, we’re going to mine,” Domino explained, giving a nod to the valet.

  Sabrina gasped, feeling scandalized.

  “Not like that,” Domino said, rolling her eyes.

  “Okay, good," she said. Wait, what if Domino thought she didn't like her? She cleared her throat. "I mean, I think you’re extremely attractive and I’ve definitely thought about kissing you, like, a lot, but I believe in boundaries,” Sabrina said, holding up a finger in the air as if it proved her point.

  Domino laughed, shaking her head. “I hope you’re at that point of being drunk where you don’t remember all of the things you are saying,” she remarked, taking the keys from the valet and helping Sabrina into the passenger seat of her sports car.

  “This car looks fast!” Sabrina announced loudly, putting on her seatbelt. The car was red... or maybe it was pink? She giggled to herself, imagining someone as cool as Domino driving a hot pink Barbie car. "You should put down the top!" She said excitedly to Domino.

  Domino climbed into the driver's side and gave her a strange look, reaching across her to buckle her seat belt. "It's not a convertible, Sab," she said, raising an eyebrow and appearing as though she might be holding back a laugh.

  "Wait, are you drunk?" Sabrina asked as Domino started the car.

  "Have you seen me drink at all tonight?" Domino asked, leaning back in the seat with her hands folded in her lap.

  Sabrina lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “What makes you think I was watching you all night?” She countered.

  Domino laughed. “Touche.”

  Sabrina shook her head after a moment, then ran her hands over her hair to smooth it down. Wow, her hair was so soft. "My hair is so soft," she said, leaning her head back against the seat and closing her eyes. "I use a special deep conditioner, did you know?"

  Domino patted Sabrina's knee and pulled out from in front of the club. "I believe you," she said. "Now, close your eyes and rest a little."

  Before Sabrina knew it, they were pulling into Domino’s driveway. Had she fallen asleep? "Did you hypnotize me?" She asked, her eyes wide. "I fell asleep like the second you said I should."

  Domino silently laughed, watching her. "Yes, Sabrina, I hypnotized you. Now, I command that you take off your heels –– oh, wait, I see you've already kicked those off –– is this one in the back seat? Okay, you're going to carry your shoes, and walk with me into the house. Then, you're going to sit down and drink an entire glass of water and take a few pain meds. Then, you're going to sleep on the couch."

  Sabrina nodded, concentrating intensely. "Heels off, water dranken, sleep. Got it. Go team," she said, reaching out for a high-five that smacked Domino in the shoulder. "Yeah, team.” She climbed out of the car, holding one of her shoes.

  The plan went fairly well, in Sabrina's opinion. She did take a detour to try to sleep in the grass, but before she knew it, she was sitting on the couch, drinking a glass of water and taking two pills.

  Domino walked back downstairs with a pair of pajamas. "I don't think you're going to want to sleep in that dress," she said, handing Sabrina a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

  "It is a very tiny dress," Sabrina said, motioning down to it.

  Domino nodded. "Yep, I... noticed," she said, looking up towards the ceiling.

  Sabrina moved her hair over her shoulder. "Will you help me with the top of the zipper?" She angled her back towards Domino.

  Domino sighed. She gently undid the hook and eye, then slid down the zipper.

  “You have scrapes all over your back,” Domino said, her fingers gently touching Sabrina’s sore skin.

  “Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you get bowled over by Lance Armstrong,” Sabrina said, rolling her eyes.

  “I’m sorry. Again. Truly,” Domino said.

  Sabrina giggled.

  "What's so funny?" Domino asked.

  Sabrina turned, holding up the front of her dress. "This is the part of the movie where you pull an irresistible move like that and then we stare passionately into one another's eyes while soft music plays in the background, and then we... you know... do it," she explained, squinting as though it was obvious. Hadn't Domino ever seen a movie before?

  Domino blinked, watching her. Then, slowly, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Sabrina's bare shoulder. Sabrina froze, completely mesmerized by the simple, yet remarkably sexy gesture.

  Domino stayed close to her, so close that Sabrina could hear her breathing. "When –– if –– we ever do have the pleasure of fulfilling that fantasy, I promise that you'll want to remember it," Domino said, her voice barely a whisper, warming the soft and vulnerable skin of Sabrina's neck.

  She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling.

  "Now, goodnight, Miss Meloy. I've refilled your glass, so get changed, and then the blankets are right here," Domino said, and Sabrina opened her eyes to see Domino patting a few blankets at the end of the couch.

  "Goodnight, Dom," she said, watching quite possibly the sexiest woman alive walk out of the room and up the stairs.

  Sabrina awoke in a very bright room, swaddled like a burrito. She opened her eyes, struggling with the blanket. It took her a moment to realize that she was wearing a t-shirt, but had only bothered putting her head and one of her arms through the correct holes. Her other arm was pinned to her side inside of the shirt. She had a tight dress on, but it was hiked up to her hips, and beneath that was a pair of soccer shorts.

  Wait... what?

  She sat up, pulling her arm the rest of the way through the t-shirt.

  She was in a strange living room, on a couch. One of her heels hung from a lamp next to her.

  Shockingly, her head wasn't pounding –– it was a feeling much more akin to being in a medium-tight vice, perhaps –– but her mouth was dry.

  On the coffee table in front of her was a cup of black coffee and a note. "Went surfing, your phone is charged in the dining room."

  She looked around the room again. Wait, she knew that room. She was in Domino's house.

  She stared back down at the note. Her phone?

  What the heck had happened the night before?

  She remembered getting to the club, seeing Domino, talking to Domino, dancing with Isla, drinking a couple of drinks...

  Oh no.

  It came back to her in flashes. Lying on a couch, sitting in Domino's car...

  Wait, had they... she had a vague memory of a kiss...

  She wasn't exactly sure what she had said or
did, but she felt deeply embarrassed about it all the same.

  Domino had given her coffee, left the house, and had given Sabrina a way to get out before she returned.

  Was she avoiding her?

  They were supposed to start working on the house the very next day...

  She reached back to unzip her dress the rest of the way so that she could shimmy out of it, and a memory materialized as though a fog had cleared –– she had propositioned Domino!

  Son of a biscuit , she had really messed up. She hurried into the dining room and grabbed her phone. She opened the rideshare app and typed in her address. Her stomach gurgled and a wave of nausea came over her. After a quick detour to the guest bathroom to throw up and wash out her mouth with toothpaste she found in one of the drawers –– Domino was a consummate host, and Sabrina needn't have to wonder why –– she pressed the button for a car.

  When it arrived, she climbed inside the car –– barefoot, holding one heel, a party dress, with makeup smeared on her face.

  "Someone had a good night," the older woman driving the car joked.

  Sabrina groaned, closing her eyes, willing herself not to throw up in a stranger's car. That would be the icing on the cake. "Something like that," she mumbled.

  Chapter Five

  Domino

  Sabrina was three minutes late. She didn't strike Domino as the type to be three minutes late. She seemed much more like the type to arrive five minutes early, thinking that because it wasn't fifteen minutes early, it was still late.

  Domino sat on the patio, staring in the direction of the ocean. She didn't have a direct view –– The Shrikes had done well for themselves by negotiating solid contracts for their albums and appearances, but she wasn't even in the top 20% of wealthiest residents of Hermosa Beach. If she squinted, she could see the blue line beyond the roofs between her and the shore.

  She had even attempted to clean up the house a little bit in preparation for Sabrina's visit. She had folded all of the laundry on the dining table the afternoon before, despite the deep longing to leave it forever. Didn't some people just throw away items of clothing after they'd worn them? The luxury of it.