Page 36 of Savagely Scarred

The fucker actually wore one of our black uniform T-shirts and cargo pants. Lorenzo and I could have gone the lazy route too, but we decided on dress casual so we didn’t start a war. Dorian apparently just loves provoking Ava.

“Hey, at least it’s black! I followed your dress code this time. And it’s a rock band!” He flicks his thumbs out in opposite directions to point at me and Lorenzo. “And these two look like fucking bodyguards.”

“Well, I’m proud of you for trying Dorian,” Liv praises and his face lights up.

Ava snorts. “Please don’t encourage him.”

She grabs her shot and holds it up in the center of the table, and we follow her lead.

“Listen, I know I didn’t really give you guys a choice, but thank you for coming out tonight and again for my party last week. You all have truly made turning thirty not so terrible.”

“To the birthday girl,” Lorenzo adds.

We clink our glasses together and down the shots.

Oh hell.

What the fuck.

It BURNS.

And not in a good way. This is the foulest thing I have ever put in my mouth. I think I just drank antifreeze.

Liv sputters next to me, cringing. Lorenzo starts choking on it and turning red. And Ava covers her mouth like she’s going to throw up.

“Not bad,” Dorian says, and we all turn our attention to him. He slowly sets his glass down and nods in approval.

Before anyone can ask him what the fuck is wrong with him, the lights dim and Alex, Ava’s ex, starts introducing the band. Ava squeals and grabs Olivia’s hand, pulling her towards the dance floor. She glances back at me over her shoulder, pleading for help. I just grin and shake my head.

The dull roar of the room increases in intensity as the music starts to play. Voices grow louder to accommodate. I catch a whiff of weed drifting through the thick air.

The band mostly plays cover songs, but the opening song is their own creation. As much as I don’t want to admit it, it’s not half bad. If the girls ask though, I’ll deny it until unicorns exist.

The waitress comes back over and sets down three whiskeys and two vodka cranberries. Lorenzo drains his in two seconds and slams his glass down. He holds up a finger asking for another and the waitress turns and heads back to the bar.

“Jesus, man. Pace yourself,” Dorian scolds.

“This coming from the man who we have to carry upstairs ninety percent of the time.”

“Yeah, well, that was before Liv got kidnapped.” I flinch and he’s quick to apologize, “Sorry, man.”

I shake my head. “No. You’re right. Aside from Ava’s birthday, we’ve all been living under a rock. And it’s not fair to you two. You shouldn’t have to be her bodyguards when I’m unavailable. It’s not your job.”

“You’re joking right?” Lorenzo scowls at me. “We are as much a part of this as you are. We are possible targets now too. And if you think we are going to back out before this cabrón goes down, you are sadly mistaken. I don’t care if it takes twenty fucking years.”

“That’s my point! I don’t want you guys to put your lives on hold because of us. Dorian can’t even get a second date—,”

“To be fair, that’s my own fault because I can’t keep my mouth shut.” He pauses to take a sip of his whiskey. “But I’m working on that. And honestly, Liv is helping me. I like going on runs with her because she gives me dating advice.”

“Olivia? Our Liv? Who has never had a real relationship other than this one”—Lorenzo points to me—“and her—,” He clamps his jaw shut and looks at me with apologetic eyes.

I lean over the table towards him and snarl, “You’re one to talk, asshole. You’re sitting over there in limerence over a woman who has told you ‘No’ how many times now?”

Lorenzo narrows his eyes and his nostrils flare. He doesn’t even look away from me when the waitress sets down another whiskey in front of him and walks away.

“Guys!” Dorian shouts and then lowers his voice, “We can all admit our past dating history sucks. All of us. Everyone’s is terrible until they find that one person that changes everything. The one that makes you want to be a better version of yourself. The one that you would do anything for. Live for. Die for.”

Lorenzo and I break our hateful staring contest and slowly turn our heads at the foreign words leaking from his mouth.