Page 65 of Perfect Chaos

“Please? I promise not to drink and we can invite everyone to go with us.” I hop up and down, squeezing their arms while giving them my best puppy dog eyes.

Gavin and Atlas stare at each other, locked in a silent conversation before Atlas answers through a sigh. “If we go, you have to promise not to drink and that we will leave if you get too tired.”

“Deal! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I kiss both of them on the cheek before skipping the rest of the way to the car.

Elixirs is super busy tonight. This is our first time coming back since Gavin was kidnapped. Since I was shot. The boys refused to let me leave the house much until I was healed. I may have convinced the boys to come out tonight by inviting everyone to come with us as some form of celebration, I guess.

I invited Natali and Xeno, as well. They said they had something to take care of first, but that they would try to come. I got her number from Ramos three days after I got home. We text here and there. It's nothing crazy, but it's nice to talk to someone who went through what she did. She has tips for dealing with the P.T.S.D of it all. I think we all have some form of trauma from everything that happened, but we are getting through it day by day.

Sitting in a new booth we have commandeered at Elixirs, I am sandwiched between Ramos and Atlas, with Gavin on my other side. It is apparent that even when they are off assignment, they are still always working protective detail. After my second mocktail, Gavin gestures towards the entrance and my eyes see my new best friend walking into the bar. I feel the smile grow on my face as I watch Natali stride into Elixirs like she owns the place. Xeno trails closely behind her, his eyes already scanning for what I assume to be potential threats, the three of us, or possibly Ramos. Spotting our group, Xeno places his hand at the small of Natali’s back and together, they walk over.

“Thanks for coming. I know y’all are busy.” I say when they come to a stop in front of us. Ramos immediately scoots closer to me while maintaining a respectful distance, making room for Natali and then Xeno to slide into the booth alongside him. I would normally sit between Atlas and Gavin but they are being extra protective lately and decided that placing Ramos alongside me was a good idea. I disagree because then I am not between my favorite people, but I am trying to let them do what they think is better for all of us as a unit.

Everyone but me chuckles, seeming to be a part of a silent conversation that I'm clueless about and I internally bristle. “What am I missing?” I swing my head as I look at each of them, waiting for an answer.

My eyes snap across the table towards Natali, who is the first one to answer me. “I actually own Elixirs. Well, my husband did before he died.”

“That man is not your husband, not anymore.”

“FINE! Ex-husband. Happy now?”

“Damn right I am.”

Well, that’s a shock. “No way! Are you serious?” The information I just received in the matter of seconds almost makes my head spin.

“Yeah, it's actually how we found out this place existed.” I look up as Atlas explains how they found my favorite place, outside of Pages. “Ramos told us his brother worked with the man who owned it.”

“I came here with Xeno when they first bought the place. Torres Security runs the system here.”

“Yeah, it's one of our biggest accounts. I can’t believe I never told you that.”

I glance up in time to watch Ramos follow something with his eye. Whatever or whoever it was must have disappeared because in the next second, he clears his throat asking, “Can I be excused? I need to run to the bathroom real fast.”

I snicker, knowing damn well that he is only making an excuse to avoid being hounded by questions.

Xeno leans over to whisper in Natali’s ear. I am surprised to see a slight blush start to creep up her neck before they excuse themselves to go to the dance floor. Gavin signals for another mocktail for me and I slide him my empty cup. I watch with rapt attention as Xeno plasters himself to Natali’s back. Her arm gracefully comes up to cup the back of his head when his arm snakes around her waist and they start moving in sync. I have heard of sex on the dance floor, but now I am watching it. I feel my insides tighten as Natali’s hips roll and her head lolls back against Xeno. He kisses her neck and then spins her around, his hands tight on her hips. She lifts her thigh against his waist and I watch Xeno slide his hand up her stomach and come to rest between her breasts. She dips her body backwards and her husband's hands keep her perfectly balanced while sweeping her upper half back up until their lips are damn near touching. The way they move with each other, you can see the love in each caress and touch.

Memories of how I felt dancing pressed between Atlas and Gavin the last time we were here flash in my mind while watching them. I itch for that feeling again, to forget the world in a room full of people.

Just as I gain the courage to ask the boys to dance, I let out a small yawn, no longer able to fight it. Looks like it will have to wait until next time.

Atlas notices first and leans in close to my ear. “I think it's time we get you home.” His words are soft, but I know they leave no room for argument. I nod, unable to fight back and honestly not even wanting to. We had an agreement before coming tonight. If they see I am tired, we leave, no arguments. It’s a compromise while we try to work through our communication problems. We slide out of the booth and I look up to Gavin, meeting his eyes.

“Okay, let me just say bye to everyone first.”

“Where is Ramos? I haven't seen him in a while; he never came back from the bathroom.” Atlas says, looking around for the missing Ramos Santiago.

I spin in a circle, spotting him at the bar with an absolutely stunning woman. She is wearing a short white dress resting just above her knee; her hair is burgundy, cascading down her back. I tilt my head to the side, chuckling when I catch sight of the bride-to-be sash, draped across her body. I never would have taken him for a lady's man.

“Should we interrupt them? They seem to be deep in conversation.” I take a step forward and Gavin puts his hand on my arm, stopping me.

“No, let them be. We can just text him that we went home. I've never seen him talk to a woman this in-depth.” He has a half grin on his face, watching his friend with someone else’s woman. Not something I would think he would get behind normally.

“What do you mean?” Curiosity gets the better of me as I crane my head to get a better look.

“Ramos isn't a people person? That's why he never really goes out with us.” Atlas almost sounds like he is giving up Ramos’s dirtiest secret. I turn my head and see he has his hand rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. No way.

“Like ever?” I cannot imagine that the one person they consider their closest friend does not go out with them, at least once in a while.