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“We need to get you more dressed up than this, though. Come on, we’ll go to your place first so we can get you in a suit or something, clean you up, at least.”
Urgh, what the hell have I gotten myself in for? This better turn out to be a good night, or I’m going to be so pissed. A shitty end to a shitty day.
***
Oh God.
Vibes is loud. It’s way too loud, actually. Even in the VIP section, it’s crazy. After a couple of beers, I’m still not really in the mood for all of this, but Benji keeps dragging me along. He’s absolutely determined to put me in a better mood and won’t stop until that happens.
“Shots!” Benjamin calls out as soon as he spots one of the shot girls walking past our table. “Yes, come over here, quick! We all want a shot, please.”
She doesn’t come alone. Other shots girls join her, and they immediately start flirting. I can’t blame them; I’m sure the best tips come from guys like us. I would usually be right there with the rest of them, splashing the cash for a bit of fun and attention, but tonight… not so much.
“Hey, handsome.” A redhead sits on my lap and slings her arms around my neck, dragging my attention on her, no matter what I want. “You want something to drink?”
“Oh, I have something. Don’t you worry about that. Thanks though…”
“You don’t want a Jello Shot?” she giggles. “Everyone loves my Jello Shots.”
She leans back, flashing her cleavage my way, but I still can’t muster up the enthusiasm. She’s cute, but I’m distracted. I guess I’m not drunk enough.
“I don’t think so. I’m not drinking much today.”
“Oh, do you have a big football game coming up or something? You’re all muscular, like a football player. You all are. Let me squeeze this arm of yours.”
I shake my head. “Nah, not football. Hockey.”
Her eyes light up, and she hugs me tighter. “Oh well, then I promise you’llreallylike my Jello Shots. I’ll make them special, just for you. You should try one.”
I grab her hips and tug her to her feet as I move. She’ll have much more luck with one of the other guys here. I smile at heras I move to one side, but I don’t think she’s happy with me. Not that it matters, I’m not coming back.
I grab my glass and head to the edge of the VIP section, leaning over the bar to look down below. I just need to look distracted enough that no one talks to me. I’m not in the mood. I don’t think Benjamin’s usual magic is going to work tonight. I can’t seem to get in the mood to laugh or have a good time no matter what. I don’t even think it’s the shitty day anymore; I’m just wound up in general, not just because of the weird interview I had today…
I guess I have Riley on my mind because I keep picking out features that remind me of her in the crowds below—flaming red hair, curvy bodies, and bright smiles. It’s like I’m trying to seek her out down there, and I don’t know why. I’ve spent way more than enough time with her today; I sure as shit don’t need to see her tonight.
Wait!Even though she’s on my mind and I think I see her everywhere, that woman in the corner of the dance floor really looks like her. But even if she’s not, I’m headed down there right away. That poor woman clearly doesn’t want to be hit on by that guy who’s basically forcing her into the corner, but he’s definitely not getting the hint.
Shit.I don’t think twice about it. I hate it when people treat a nightclub like a meat market. How can that guy not sense her unwelcoming body language from right in front of her when I can see it from the VIP area? Nah, he needs a dose of reality.
I push people out of the way as I make my way through the crowds. A red mist of anger rolls over me, and I can’t see anything other than the man who I know needs an ass-kicking. My fists curl up protectively by my side because I know I’mabout to save someone from a situation that they don’t want to be in.
“Hey.” Finally, I spot him through the crowds. I would recognize that obnoxious red plaid shirt anywhere, and I grab his shoulders to pull him away from the woman that he’s harassing. “What the hell is wrong with you, man? Why are you harassing this woman like this? Are you crazy? How much more obvious can she make it that she isn’t interested?”
He scoffs dismissively, but his reactions are so slow, and I can tell he’s drunk. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re just talking here, having a good time.”
I roll my eyes. “I thinkyoumight be having a good time. I don’t know about anyone else. Maybe you should get the hell out of here.”
“Why? Becauseyouwant her? I don’t think so. I won’t give up that easily. My new friend and I are vibing here and I won’t letyouget in the way of that.”
I’m done with this asshole. There’s no reasoning with someone like that, so I shove him to the side and leave him there. The woman I just saved is staring at me, drawing my eyes towards her with a powerful magnetic force unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
Green. My heart damn near stops beating when the all-too-familiar sparkling green color catches me. Itisher. I suspected it might be, and now there she is, looking back at me with a slight curl of her lips.
I reach out my hand to her and part my lips, not quite sure what I’m doing, but knowing it feels right all the same. As soon as I touch her, her name falls out of my mouth like it’s been on the tip of my tongue all night long.
“Riley.”
Chapter 6—Riley
