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I stumble and fall against the wall.
Funny how her brown eyes only make me think of Ivy as she stretches up on tiptoe.
Chapter Twenty
Ivy
It’s so hot and loud in the club. I keep getting jostled and bumped by the people dancing around us. We’re not even on the dance floor. We’re actually nowhere near the dance floor. We haven’t even edged our way to the bar at this point.
This crowd has to be a fire hazard. Middle of winter and we’re packed into this trendy nightclub along with a million other girls in teensy outfits. And the guys ogling them. Clinging to them. Groping them. The line outside was insane. The bouncers had their hands full.
I never would have made it inside if it wasn’t for Dizzy.
She holds my hand over her shoulder as she shoves her way through the crowd like she owns the place. With the way the bouncers ushered us ahead of the line and through the gold ropes, she just might. Or maybe her dad does. Between their living in the same building as Ro and Dizzy’s couture wardrobe, it’s obvious the family knows how to make money.
Dance music flows from the speakers. A DJ works the crowd and his turntables on the stage. The smell of sweat and lust and alcohol fills the air.
“We’re getting drinks,” Dizzy yells over her shoulder as she drags me closer to the bar.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve had more than enough.” I giggle. But we both have our fake IDs stowed in our purses. Dizzy insisted. Tonight we’re going to have fun. Just us girls. No boys to get in the way of our personal bonding time.
“I think we’re just getting started.” She beams at me as she shoves me toward the front of the line while providing a buffer from the rest of the crowd.
Maybe she’s growing on me. And maybe I have to admit that she could be a good friend. As long as she was joking about stealing Adira’s shoes.
“What’ll it be?” the beefy guy behind the bar asks. His inky hair is cut short at the sides and left long on top. His full beard moves when he talks and the tattoos on his arm dance when he grabs drinks. He gives me a cursory glance when he makes it to our spot at the bar before he turns his attention to Dizzy.
“Tequila,” she shouts.
He smiles like they’re acquainted or he’d like them to be. Grabs a bottle off a shelf and pours two shots.
She leans over the divide and kisses him on the cheek. Whispers in his ear. He glances in my direction before he moves on without taking our money. So maybe her dad really does own the hottest new spot in the city?
“You’re thinking I own the bar, aren’t you?” She laughs as she picks up the shots and hands one to me. “Well, my dad, at any rate.”
“It’s crossed my mind.” I get a tingling sensation at the nape of my neck. Like someone is watching me. Like I should really turn around. I’ve felt off all afternoon, though. Evening too. Ever since I talked to Rebel.
I feel like I’m on the outside and I hate it. It’s the worst feeling in the world. I hate it so much.
“Let’s just say it’s in the family. My brother owns it.” She raises her shot to her brow in salute. Downs it.
I do the same. Even though I don’t need any more alcohol. I’m fuzzy and on the precipice between something messy and something stupid. I put down the empty glass.
“You have a brother?”
“Uh-huh. Adopted.” She waves down the bartender and gestures that she wants two more shots. “He’s an asshole, but he has his uses. Like free booze.”
“Is that him?”
“That guy? Oh no.” She laughs. “I slept with that guy. Before…well, before Ben. It was a few years ago. I used to come to L.A. every summer. Spend a couple of months. He was a fun time. My brother would kill him if he knew. They’re friends.”
“I won’t tell.” I mime zipping my lip. Not her brother, nor Ben.
“It doesn’t matter.” She shrugs. “Tell me about your family. You have a brother? Tell me he’s not a complete prick like mine.”
“I wish I could.”
She laughs. “Surely he’s great. You’re so great. I’d love to meet him.”
