“Natalie wants us to go to her birthday party,” Reece explained.
Smiling smugly, Natalie flipped her dirty blond bangs out of her face and examined her perfectly painted nails. “It’s nonnegotiable.”
Phoebe rolled her green eyes, but couldn’t hide the warmth in them. “You just want to show off our babies is all.”
“As I should! My girlfriends are dying to meet them, especially Reece,” Natalie reminded.
“Me?!” He blinked, surprised to hear it. “Why?”
Nick clicked his tongue. “Isn’t it obvious, pretty boy?”
“Hey. Don’t call me that. It’s bad enough that Dec does.”
“He does what now?” Nick scowled.
Daphne suddenly appeared like a saving grace and frowned as she looked around. “Oh no, I’m the last one here? I hope I didn’t keep you all waiting too long.” She softly patted Reece’s head on her way past him and gave Nick a small cuddle hug before sitting between him and Phoebe. “What did I miss?”
“Natalie’s bringing us to her birthday party. Nightclub shenanigans and whatnot.” Reece waved a hand around before resting it on Nick’s thigh.
“That sounds fun,” Daphne said as she hung her purse on the back of her chair. “You two deserve a little break. You’re both always working so hard, I’m sure it’ll be nice and Natalie will love having you there more than any present.”
Natalie blushed at her words, but didn’t deny it while Phoebe raised her brows in surprise. “You’re not the least bit worried, Daphne?”
“Not at all. Our boys are all fine adults now and Nick is very responsible.”
“Hey, what about me?” Reece huffed with a pout, but she wasn’t wrong. Nick was responsible and he was always looking out for his friends.
Daphne smiled, laughing softly and full of fondness. “You’re the sensible and spoiled one.”
“I’m not spoiled,” he argued, brows pulling together.
“Not enough, clearly,” Nick grumbled and Reece smacked him.
They talked more about the birthday party and who’d be invited, Natalie quick to spill the beans on Daphne’s new boyfriend. It wasn’t Reece’s party, but he’d invite all his friends anyway and was looking forward to it.
It had been a while since they all went out.
28
Chapter 28 - Nick
Natalie’s birthday was on a Saturday. The nightclub of her choosing was packed. Nick wasn’t really into the whole club scene, but he went out occasionally to maintain appearances and didn’t mind when it was for Reece’s sisters.
He had a strong urge to leash Reece’s ass to him for the night though, especially thinking about all his fans swarming him. He looked damn good too, wearing jean shorts and a thin, white linen shirt with a low V-neck and half sleeves. His hair had gotten long enough for him to tuck his bangs behind his ears. He wore the earrings Nick gifted him every day, never choosing any other pairs.
Reece looked good enough to eat. Somehow smelled even better. And Nick had no idea how he managed to keep his hands off Reece long enough to get inside the club. A house party would’ve been so much better. Maybe then they could slip offand fuck around when they wanted. But here? At the packed club? Impossible.
“What up, Nick?” Declan walked up, offering his hand as soon as Nick turned to face him, which Nick took for a quick dap. Like Nick, Declan was dressed in baggy jeans and a button down shirt over a tee, his brown eyes were both impossibly dark and warm. Alex was in skinny jeans next to him, and wearing an oversized black shirt that bared his collarbones and made his chest peekable.
“This long ass line is what’s up,” Nick grumbled, giving Alex a look over.
Alex used one hand to make Declan step aside so he could come forward and smirk at Nick, his dark eyes cool and cunning.
“Something you need to say to me, Nicholas?”
“Nope.” Not many people intimidated Nick, but there was something about Alex. So often stoic. Calculating. Manipulating even. So when his usually expressionless face was instead animated with that smugness, Nick didn’t know what to make of him.
It was Nick and Reece’s turn to pay the entrance fee, and soon enough, they walked into the club. The music was so loud it had Nick’s whole body vibrating. Reece held his hand and pulled him inside through the thick crowd. Too many people. Too many bodies against his, though at least they were taller than most people there.
