Uncertainty: Volume 2 Read online

  If you’d also like to receive exclusive updates from Bella Baird about new releases, click the link below and sign up for the mailing list. You’ll never get spam or unnecessary emails.

  http://eepurl.com/Xsbqb

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Uncertainty: Volume 3

  Chapter 1

  An unwelcome breeze carried through the cool night, making everyone on the street pull their jackets tighter. Groups of friends huddled closer together for warmth and complained about climate change or how last year’s weather was much more pleasant. Thick clouds, turned a deep purplish red by the city lights, warned of the coming rain on the forecast. Alice wished the line into the club would move more quickly; they hadn’t quite reached the awning yet, so a downpour would drench her completely. I wish I’d remembered to grab an umbrella.

  “So, you’re a little up shit creek right now,” Melanie stated straightforwardly.

  “That’s been my life since I graduated. I think I’m getting used to it, though,” Alice sighed. “Maybe if my troubles end in the future, I’ll get really bored without all this drama to make things interesting.”

  “That’s a possibility. You haven’t talked to Trent since you broke things off earlier this week?” Melanie asked.

  “Not a word. I set up this system with Veronica where I finalize work with her instead. Any drafts are sent by email to Trent, and he gives them the okay from his office. He’s notified when Vee and I are in a meeting so that he doesn’t come walking out for any reason,” replied Alice.

  “That seems like a lot of work.”

  “It’s less awkward that way. I think we both need some time to be away from each other. Obviously we couldn’t conduct ourselves appropriately in a professional setting before, so this is the way things are for now.”

  “Yikes. No messages from Daniel either?”

  Alice’s heart clenched. “Just one. He’s trying to set up a time for me to pick up some things I left at his place. I still feel terrible for him. He loved me. I know it. I couldn’t return it the way he wanted, and I made an ass out of myself. I’m so embarrassed to see him again. I can barely look in the mirror, let alone have my ex look at me the way he did when I broke up with him.”

  “Don’t feel too bad. You had much more strength than a lot of people. You ended what you knew wasn’t working, and you got out of a situation that wasn’t good for anyone. It really was the best way. Now you need time for yourself, time with me, and time with some delicious mixed drinks!” Melanie attempted to cheer Alice up. “Ooh, the line is moving again!”

  She felt relief that they were finally getting to the protection of the awning. Nothing would stop her phone from getting wet inside her purse if it were to start raining. Now audible, the music inside pumped loudly. Alice wasn’t sure how to classify this music. It was electronic stuff—very energetic and without much of a melody—that Alice did not actively listen to. It didn’t seem bad for dancing purposes, but it was the kind of music that would be out of place anywhere but a nightclub. How did I get talked into coming here?

  A club was Melanie’s first suggestion after hearing what Alice told her about the entirety of her problems lately. Alice did not find clubs that enticing or interesting, but she thought it could only do good to get out of her boxy apartment for a night. She’d been a homebody for far too long, spending her Friday nights mostly indoors unless she went out to eat. Plus, this would mark Alice’s first time seeing Melanie outside of the office. She wanted to do what her new friend suggested, and being picky didn’t appear on her to-do list.

  “On top of everything, I have my mom visiting tomorrow morning and staying through Sunday,” Alice said.

  “I’m guessing that’s not a good thing,” Melanie pried.

  “It might be, but I’m not sure yet. My mom and I have never had a good relationship. Until now, I thought she didn’t care much about my life unless she was criticizing it. We don’t talk much, and she wasn’t big on affection as I grew up. That’s where my dad came in. They’ve been divorced for a long time, though,” Alice disclosed. “Anyway, she called the night I broke up with Daniel sounding really strange. She didn’t have her normal attitude, and she tried to be pleasant. Then she asked me if she could visit, which she’s never shown any interest in.”

  “Hmm.”

  “’Hmm,’ is right! I called her after the last time I talked to Trent and told her everything. For once, she didn’t condemn my choices. She just listened and confirmed my feelings. You don’t know how good that felt coming from her,” Alice said.

  “But you’re still worried.”

  “A little, yeah. It was easy to talk to her on the phone, but I wonder if her good attitude will last for long. She sounds a little sad too. I hope she’s not dying!” Alice worried.

  “I bet she just misses you and wants to reconnect with her only child. We all have regrets. I hope she’s trying to make up for hers,” Melanie comforted her.

  “Thanks for getting me out of the apartment, Mel. I was going crazy in there. There aren’t as many close friends in my life to go to anymore.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m just glad you trusted me with this kind of information. Is going out really helping you right now?” Melanie asked.

  “Yes, loads! Really, it feels nice to do something out of the ordinary,” Alice replied. “Where’s Kevin tonight?”

  “Clubs aren’t really his style. He’s more of a stay-at-home kind of guy.”

  I know exactly how he feels.

  “I also didn’t think it would be a great idea to put you in a third wheel situation for a while. Maybe not until you have more time to get used to the single life again,” added Melanie.

  “Aww, you’re so thoughtful! Are you and Kevin finally a couple now?”

  “Yep! We just made it official!” Melanie’s face lit up as she mentioned it.

  “Congratulations! This has been a really interesting week! Mostly bad or annoying, but if one really great thing happened, there’s a balance to it all,” Alice said as the line moved again.

  They were almost to the door when the rain started. A light shower fell gently down on the people waiting for entrance. A collective groan could be heard, and Alice witnessed a few umbrellas and newspaper shields opening up. Most people didn’t have any protection at all. Now, I don’t feel as stupid.

  Melanie laughed and said, “We have amazing timing. Those poor bastards are going to be drenched by the time they make it here.”

  “Dancing in wet clothes sounds really uncomfortable,” Alice thought aloud.

  “I’ve been there before. Have you ever been to a foam party?” asked Melanie.

  “No. What is that?” Alice wondered.

  “Basically you’re dancing while wet bubbles rain down on you. You’re not missing anything.”

  “Doesn’t sound like it. I’ll stick to dry dancing,” Alice said.

  At last, they were able to walk through the doors and warm up a little while they waited to check their jackets. Once they arrived at the window, they’d stopped shivering and started to feel the warm air venting into the front area. They grabbed the tickets from the man behind the counter and walked in further.

  “Here, let me take a picture of the tickets. That way we’re not screwed if we lose them,” Melanie said.

  Alice looked around in amazement. What she hadn’t admitted to Melanie was that she had never set foot in a single nightclub before. Sure, she knew what they looked like in movies, but it was another story to be inside of a real club. The blue lighting all around made the interior look like a different world. Around the DJ shone dozens of moving lights of various colors, and fog drifted out from beneath his table. To the sides, people sat at lavish padded booths to enjoy their drinks. Hundreds of people swayed back and forth to the music on the dance floor and the second story of the club. She saw some people standing behind the railings just looking down on the crowd silently. That’s kind of what I feel like doing.

  She kne
w that Melanie would never let her stand by and people watch, no matter how hilarious it was to see most of them stumbling up and down the stairs. Most patrons had already intoxicated themselves to the point of imbalance and slurring, from the looks of it. Alice decided she could enjoy this more if she stayed sober.

  “This way!” shouted Melanie as she took Alice by the hand.

  She led Alice over to the heart of the dance floor and started dancing rowdily to the beat. Melanie showed off some complicated moves with Alice just moving her hips gently back and forth nearby. To anyone watching, Alice clearly had no idea what to do with her arms. She kept them close to her sides as she half-heartedly wiggled her body around. Melanie watched her for a few seconds and started cackling.

  “You’ve never gone dancing before, have you?” Melanie asked loudly enough for Alice to hear.

  Alice self-consciously looked around and kept dancing while she replied, “No, I haven’t. It’s that obvious?”

  “Painfully!” Melanie said. “You’re dancing like you’re afraid of what people think. It’s like you’re trying to stick with safe movements, but you just look ridiculous. You’re a sexy and single lady, and I know you can move better than that.”

  “I’m not really trying to attract anyone!”

  “So dance like it! Act like you don’t care about making these people like you. Shake your ass around and move your arms all over like me. Look!” Melanie said as Alice followed her directions. “None of these people are even watching us. They’re too caught up with themselves to notice. Just be yourself!”

  Alice listened and tried to pretend she was dancing at home with no one to see. Her arms moved all over her body and into the air the way Melanie’s did. She didn’t feel half as coordinated as her friend, but she paid attention to the music and how to time her movements just right.

  “Now you’re getting it!” Melanie rejoiced. “Sort of!”

  Truly, Alice felt much better when she ignored everyone around her. The actions flowed from her without much thought, more a reaction to the beat and rhythm. She closed her eyes and lowered her head, letting the excitement flood into her as she kept dancing without fear of humiliation. For a few minutes, she let go of everything that happened in her life for the last few months. She didn’t think about Daniel, Trent, her new job, her mother, or her guilt. Alice existed wholly in the present with everyone else trying to forget the lives to which they’d eventually return. Melanie was right. Maybe a night out was just what I needed.

  She opened her eyes again and adjusted to the flashing lights, almost blinded at times. Melanie smiled at her, probably aware that she’d let go of the inhibitions that had kept her from enjoying herself. Alice danced closer to Melanie, gyrating her hips against her friend and putting on an imaginary show. Even though she knew no one was watching, Alice felt sexier than ever. Melanie played along and put her arms around Alice while they danced. They carried on like this for a while, pretending they were seducing each other and being watched. Alice looked up to the second floor, watching the people closer to the railing as they carried on. There were a few guys still looking down on the crowd, but they didn’t seem to be narrowed in on anyone in particular.

  That’s when Alice noticed him standing on the second floor to her right. The man stuck out because, instead of leaning on the railing, he gripped it with one hand while standing completely straight. Wearing a black button up shirt and thick-rimmed glasses, he was immediately recognizable. Wait, is that… She could tell from a distance that he was staring right at her. His gaze seemed longing and intense, and he took a few seconds to realize that she’d spotted him in the act. Trent! What’s he doing here?

  Uncertainty: Volume 3 is on sale now! You can purchase it or borrow it for free with your Kindle Unlimited membership at the following link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Uncertainty-3-Bella-Baird-ebook/dp/B00MX876V8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1408680780&sr=8-3&keywords=bella+baird