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I return the favor as I head through the door. It’s almost like when Teddy died—everyone learned my name and knew I was taking his spot, but now that he’s back—now after everything—being called Mrs. Hale makes me sick. But I don’t correct him. I just stick with the smile and a nod of the head and continue following Julius.
Luckily, since it’s so early in the morning, no one is really here other than a few people cleaning the floors and a bartender stacking bottles. I’m sure it takes a good amount of preparation to get ready for nights in this place. We make it to the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the most private area of the club, and there is another bouncer standing guard.
He tips his head and studies Julius before he glances up the steps. “You’re new, huh?” Julius asks.
The man nods.
“He’s my twin brother—you’re not seeing a ghost. Now move.” His voice leaves no room for an argument.
The man steps to the side meekly and lets Julius walk up the stairs with me in tow. When we make it to the top, I shake out my nerves and take another deep breath. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to expect, and I don’t like that.
When Julius pushes open the door, all I see is Lucas sitting on the couch with his arms stretched out across the back and his legs spread with… Before I can register what is happening, Julius breaks up the moment with a tone I don’t believe I have heard before. “Seriously?” he yells. “This isn’t a fucking emergency.” It isn’t like him to raise his voice. The woman between his knees looks up, takes a breath, and wipes the smudged lipstick from her chin.
Lucas’s head leans to the side as he smiles. “Charlie. I didn’t know you were coming.”
When I hear his words slur, I glance toward Julius. “He’s drunk.”
“No shit,” he bites back, full of sarcasm.
I roll my eyes and step to the side with crossed arms. Julius can handle this.
When the woman stands, I recognize her face from Emil’s casino. She’s the one who was all over Lucas. I’m not jealous by any means, I’m just frustrated. I didn’t sleep at all, and now I’m having to help rescue Lucas from what? A bad blow job from a two-bit whore?
Julius steps closer. “Zip him up,” he demands looking at the girl before he plops down next to Lucas. “What are you doing, Luke?”
“Drinking everything away. I’m tired of feeling shit.”
Julius shakes his head. “You know what happens when you go on a bender. It’s never good. You should have just texted me. She doesn’t need to see you like this.”
“Jade?” He looks between his legs where the woman is now standing. “She doesn’t care.” He snorts.
“No. Charlie.”
Lucas looks back to where I stand. First, it’s like he doesn’t remember I was here. Confusion laces his features before the embarrassment sets in. “Why’d you bring her?”
“You texted her. You know damn well I couldn’t shake her if she knew.”
“Actually,” the slut chirps, “I texted. He was rambling about Charlie and ruby red rum. I didn’t know Charlie was her.” Her lip curls when she says her, and she locks eyes with me almost as if she’s looking for a challenge. Before I can respond, I hear Julius scold her.
“Fuck off, Jade. You know who the fuck she is. Now leave.” Julius uses his booming voice this time, and it makes me almost jump.
She huffs, then walks out of the room, giving me a final scoff.
Once she’s gone, Julius hooks his arm around Lucas’s waist, pulls Lucas’s hand over his shoulder, and lifts him up. “Come on. Time to go home and detox this shit out of your system.”
I follow closely behind as Julius practically carries Lucas down the narrow stairs, hoping he doesn’t lose his balance in the process.
When we make it to the car, Carl is waiting by the back door. “Again?” he asks.
“Again? This has happened before?” Both Carl and Julius ignore me as they stuff Lucas into the back seat.
I walk to the other side and slide across the seat as Carl and Julius get into the front. Lucas reeks of booze and bad decisions. I can smell the perfume from other women all over him mixed with the incense of a very pungent alcohol. When the car starts and we’re finally moving, his limp body slumps to the side, sending his head straight into my lap.
“I’ve missed you.” The words slip out, almost heartfelt. I’m not sure if I was expecting him to be a playful drunk, or maybe an angry one, but nothing about him says either. His tone is completely serious as his brown eyes burn into mine.
“I’ve missed you too, pretty boy.” I’d much rather scold him—tell him how worried I’ve been, but what’s the point. It’s not like he’ll remember this conversation tomorrow.
He turns his head to face my stomach and closes his eyes. I’m glad he’s not looking at me anymore because it does nothing but remind me of the feelings I have for him. I’m not even sure what those feelings are, but I know they’re there. I comb my fingers through his soft dark hair and study his face. Of course, I’ve seen Lucas and Julius numerous times, but I’ve never gotten the chance to really look at them.
