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“Uh, no.”
“Hand.” His eyes dropped to my hands, and I held one outlimply. Hestamped it and motioned to the door. “In you go.”
Music pulsed in the thick, smoky air. People lingered in the long hallway, drinking and chatting, and dark recesses hid couples pressed up against each other making out. Arms pressed against my sides, I was careful not to bump into anyone or stare for too long as I made my way farther into the club, searching for Scarlett.
My new look might have come as a shock to Mom, but as the hallway widened into a huge room and my gaze fell on a sea of tank tops, skinny jeans, and sneakers, I knew it was the right call.
“Hey, new girl, you made it,” Scarlett yelled, waving me over. I lifted my hand in a small hello. “New girl, meet everyone. Everyone, this is new girl.” She lifted her beer and frowned at my hand. “Oh shit, tell me you didn’t get stamped?” Amusement flashed over her face, and the chorus of laughter from around the table caused a flush to spread up my neck and into my cheeks.
“I— uh…”
“Someone get the girl a beer before she passes out.” Scarlett patted the seat beside her, sliding down to make more room. “Rule number one,” she said. “No one’s eighteen in here. Am I right?”
The kids seated opposite us—a girl and a guy I didn’t recognize—nodded. The girl leaned forward, giving me more than an eyeful of her lacy bra. “It’s an open bar policy, if you catch my drift.” She waggled her eyebrows and smiled. “So you’re Becca, right? I’m Lilly and this is my boyfriend, Jay.”
“Hey, I think we have calculus together.” Jay flicked his chin in greeting. “How are you finding CH?”
“It’s…” Swallowing hard, I tried to find the right words.
“Shit.” Scarlett roared with laughter beside me. “But it’s ours.” She winked.
“It’s interesting, that’s for sure.” I wondered if Scarlett had told her friends about my run-in with Kendall, but figured she probably had from how nice they were all acting.
“One beer.” A guy joined us and held out the drink. I took it, eyeing the bottle. “Hey, we’re all friends,” he said.
“Okay,” I croaked, bringing it to my lips. “Thanks.”
“Awesome. Now that you have a drink. Introductions. You’ve met Lilly and Jay. Your bartender here is Malachi. That’s Mischa and Eric.” She pointed at another couple seated to the side of us, and they smiled. I lifted a hand in a small wave, trying to store all of their names, but I was having a hard time keeping up. Scarlett nudged me and leaned in close. “Don’t look so worried. We’re good people.”
Ishuffled back, uncomfortable at her proximity, and forcedmy lips into a smile. “Thanks. It’s just been a while, you know.”
A question flashed in hereyes, but to my relief, she smiled instead of asking it. “I hear ya. Well, now that you know everyone, want to dance?”
Did I?
A year ago, I would have been the first one on the dance floor. I loved dancing. But that was before. Now, I was pouring my energy into not freaking out.
“I’m good. Maybe later.”
Her shoulders shrugged. “Suit yourself.” Scarlett turned to face her friends. “Are we dancing?”
Everyone followed her over to the dance floor. For a second, I thoughtMalachimight stay behind, but in the end, he smiled weakly and joined them. Leaving me alone. And once again, I found myself on the periphery, looking in. Not only at Scarlett and her group, but also the other people dancing. Couples grinding on each other, bodies entwined, moving as one to the music. The bass was heavy and the air in the room was suffocating, charged with heat and sexual tension.
I’d been to clubs before, but this was different.
Raw…
Edgy…
A hint of danger electrified the air.
And after today’s events, I didn’t know whether to be excited or scared.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
I jumped, startled by the voice.Heart pounding violently in my chest,I turned around to find Evan sitting beside me.
How had I not felt him sit down next to me?
