Tonight’s venue is huge compared to the last one we visited. It has three levels, giving us the choice of either a VIP booth, a VIP room, or an entire floor dedicated to VIP clientele. We decide on the booth when we discover it has the best view of the dance floor one level below.
After ordering a double shot of whiskey, I move to the balcony to peer down at the massive group of cavorting people. It doesn’t take long to spot Kylie and Melanie in the middle of the packed space. Kylie’s beaming grin is obvious enough, not to mention Melanie’s fire engine red dress.
When the waitress stops next to me, I accept the glass of whiskey from her tray. “Thanks.”
She saunters back to the bar, acting as if her bright fluorescent yellow shorts and hot pink crop top cover more than they do. At first glance, you’d think the waiters’ outfits are painted on because they leave nothing to the imagination. It’s only after taking in the male version of the outfit do I realize my error. The shorts are just as skimpy and tight, but the waiters are wearing muscle shirts instead of crop tops.
With how snug their pants are, I’ll have to remain standing all night just to make sure I don’t have a Fluor-covered crotch shoved in my peripheral vision. I won’t want to have sex for a year if I’m subjected tothattype of torture.
When I gag, Noah’s chuckle blasts my eardrums. “They’re killing me.” He tugs on the collar of his shirt while joining me at the balcony. “Fluorescent yellow was my favorite color. I’ll never look at it in the same light now.”
I throw back my head and laugh. Noah was so obsessed with the color, he coordinated it into his wedding. Thankfully, it was only wrapped around the girls’ bouquet stems so the groomsmen weren’t subjected to it. Although it was sappier than I’m used to, I have fond memories of the night Noah and Emily got married. I was released from rehab the week before, so with my veins needing to be clear ofanymind-altering substances, I made sure Noah’s best friend Jacob got rip-roaring drunk instead. I’d never seen him intoxicated, so I made it my mission to unravel the mystery of a drunken Jacob.
I didn’t discover much more than I already knew. He’s a giant teddy with the biggest fucking heart you’ll ever find. His heart matches his size. Doesn’t come close to his career choice, though. Out of all the careers in the world, you’d never guess Jacob is a professional fighter. Brutal too. I’ve watched him fight a few times the past year. He was banned for over two years for almost beating a guy to death with his bare hands. Can’t say I blame him. If anyone touched Kylie like Lola’s ex did her, they wouldn’t be breathing like Callum is.
“Have you heard from Jacob lately?”
Noah smiles a beaming grin as his dark eyes shift to me. “Yeah, I was talking to him earlier.” He shuffles foot to foot like he’s about to pee his pants. “He’s doing good. Has a few tricks up his sleeve.”
Jacob is dating Emily’s sister Lola. I thought Kylie and I were opposites, but we’ve got nothing on those two. Lola is small and feisty, and she has a very firm grasp on Jacob’s balls. The funnier part is, Jacob loves being under her thumb.
“Jacob and Lola will be at Maddie’s birthday next month,” Noah shares while accepting a bottle of beer from the waitress.
When her hankering gaze roams over Noah’s face, he doesn’t pay her any attention. If I’ve learned anything the past three years, it’s that Noah’s attention never diverts from Emily, whether she’s in the room or not.
He peers at me over the rim of his beer. “You can invite Kylie, if you want.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I down my double shot of whiskey in one hit before signaling for the waitress to bring me another. “Do you know what the deal is between Emily and Kylie? Things seem tense between them.”
Noah rests his beer bottle against his lips before his eyes drop to the dance floor. After taking a swig of his beer, he smiles. “They seem okay to me.” He motions his head to Emily and Kylie dancing side by side, both with large smiles etched on their faces. “The better question would be, what’s going on between you and Kylie?”
“Good question.”
I can’t get her out of my head. Not just the past few days, but the past two years as well. I gave Kylie my heart fully, and when she left, she took it with her.
Noah chuckles at the grave expression on my face before squeezing my shoulder.
“I’m fucked, aren’t I?” I question while accepting my whiskey from the waitress, noticing the napkin attached to the glass has her name and cellphone number scribbled across it.
“I get off in ten minutes,” she purrs into my ear before prancing back to the bar.
Noah reads the message on the napkin before returning his eyes to mine. “Thatalldepends on you.” During the “all” part of his comment, he nudges his head to the napkin I’m clutching for dear life.
Chapter Twenty
Kylie
With each step I take, my heart thrashes more.One step at a time,I chant to myself. Breathe and walk; breathe and walk. It really shouldn’t be that hard, but I’m petrified. The last time I entered the VIP section of a Rise Up after party, I found myself face to face with the lifestyle Slater now lives. Because I was busting to use the bathroom, I become separated from the pack, which means I’m now entering hell’s gates alone.
I hear Slater’s deep rumbling laugh before I spot him. He’s sitting on a high-backed barstool at the end of the bar, talking to a beautiful brunette whose long tan legs aren’t hidden by her short black sequined dress.
My heart drops into my stomach as disappointment smacks into me. Ever since our drunken kiss, Slater ramped up his effort to woo me back into his bedroom. I’ve tried to keep our relationship platonic. Not because I don’t want to be with him – believe me, I want him more than anything in the world – but because nothing changed from two years ago. The reason I left him pops into the forefront of my mind every time he looks at me. But every smile, wink and playful comment weakens my defenses. Then, as each day passes, my excuses for not being with him lessen.
When he invited me to the after party tonight, I decided I can no longer deny what my heart wants. It wants him. Except now, it looks like I’m too late. At least I can take comfort in the fact that this time around, he’s clothed, and she isn’t on her knees.
After a final glance at Slater, I scan the room in an attempt to locate Melanie. Emily and Noah are sitting in a black booth, talking in hushed whispers. Jenni and Nick are making out like teens at the prom, and behind them is Melanie. She’s participating in a deep and meaningful with Marcus.
When I make my way toward them, Melanie inconspicuously shakes her head, warning me to stay away. I narrow my eyes and huff. She can’t leave me stranded like the odd man out when everyone else is paired up. I’ll look like a loser.
