Chapter Nineteen
Chase
I stood in Trend with Jack next to me. Holden was guest bartending tonight and I was ecstatic, because I knew that no matter how crazy tonight got, Holden would have drinks waiting for us when we needed them.
I took a swig of the Michelob Ultra in my hand as I looked around the dark club. The only light that helped me see who was coming in the door was the dim black light that glowed across the floor. Max had gone out to get the girls after Alexa had texted him they were here. The second they walked in the door, it seemed like everyone in here was staring at Lilly, with how her dress shined in the black light. But my eyes landed on Erica, and the romper she had on.
She’d snapped a photo to send to me, but seeing it in person had my mouth watering. The way her curves fit into the outfit and the heels that accentuated her legs. My hands were itching to reach out to her as they made their way over, but Jack was the first to move. He leaned into Lilly’s space, ordering a drink from Holden and then talking only to her. Alexa found her spot under Max’s arm and Erica stood across from me. My eyes roamed over her body in appreciation and I swore if it wasn’t so damn dark in here, I would be able to see the blush on her face.
I texted Erica that Greg wasn’t here yet, but in reality, we knew Greg was at the back door with the girl he had asked out last night, waiting for the signal. After Erica, I shot him off a text saying we were ready to go and the pit of my stomach dropped. I wasn’t so sure about helping set this all up now that it was actually happening, but Greg and Lilly needed to get their heads in this if they loved each other.
The loud music caused us all to huddle together to hear what we were saying. Now with a drink in her hand, Lilly looked toward Erica questioningly. With whatever Erica had told her, Lilly’s face dropped and Erica looked back at me with sympathetic eyes. She wanted what was best for our friends too, and hurting them along the way wasn’t the best plan, but it was at least one we knew would spark something in them.
“Sorry we’re late. Dinner took a little longer than expected.” Greg’s shouts could probably be heard by the party next to us, but I knew he was being loud so Lilly would be able to hear each word he spoke. He didn’t want her to miss a beat.
Lilly’s face showed she understood what Greg had said. Her features twisted as she inspected the situation at hand. The grip on her glass tightened when she noticed Greg’s arm was wrapped around this girl.
“Hi, I’m April,” the mystery girl finally spoke up. She was most definitely not Greg’s type, but I had seen her a few times before at The Dock, talking to Holden. She always wore these classic pin-up style dresses with a full face of makeup. Greg was more of a natural type of guy, but from the way I always caught Holden looking at this one, I knew there was probably something going on.
The interaction between all three of them felt like it would never end. The smile Greg had on his face fell with each passing second and then Lilly finally took a step toward them.
“Oh, darling. Bless your heart.” The simple words were like venom from Lilly’s lips and my eyes shot over to Erica’s, whose were wide as saucers. We had no idea Southern hospitality Lilly was going to come out tonight. Lilly had a temper, we knew that, but when she brought out her Southern twang, shit was going to hit the fan. Jack looked just as terrified, but we all stood there in silence and waited to see what was going to happen next.
I couldn’t quite hear what Lilly said to Greg before she tossed what was left of her drink in his face. She slammed the empty glass down on the bar beside me and then made her way to the dance floor, despite Alexa and Erica trying to shout her name.
“Shit,” Jack said beside me and I thought the same thing. Maybe this had blown up in our faces. I watched Lilly grab some stranger off the floor and Greg brace himself on the sidelines. We watched him as he watched her, waiting to see if he was going to make a move.
Just go get her.
Erica had inconspicuously moved herself next to me, with Alexa on her other side, who was in a heated conversation with Max. I let my fingers brush hers, locking our index fingers together. Jack wasn’t paying attention and Greg was still focused on Lilly. I watched as she was just about to kiss the other man, before Greg stomped onto the dance floor.
Erica’s hand grabbed for mine and gave it a squeeze. The events we watched with anticipation put Erica and Alexa into a fit of laughter as Greg picked Lilly up off the dance floor and proceeded to carry her out of the club. Jack raised a glass then too, while Max wore the same expression as me. We were worried still about the outcome of where this would go. We wanted our friends happy and together, but with them, it was easier said than done.
Lilly stopped his movement before they could get far and pushed out of Greg’s arms, landing with her feet on top of his, but we watched as she pushed away and then stomped off. Greg wasn’t going to let her get that far, though. He followed behind her and then wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her. He stood there in the club, holding on to each other for dear life, and this time when I looked back at Max he was smiling just as wide as I was.
The girls let out a cheer and we followed suit, then the whole club. It was a declaration of love that these two were finally letting us see just who they were together. Greg lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the exit of the club.
“Another happy couple finally paired off!” Jack shouted to us as he turned back to us. “Holden, another round!”
I laughed at Jack, but my smile went away when I looked down at Erica. The wheels in her head were turning and there was something in her eyes that broke my heart. She wanted to kiss me in this moment as much as I wanted to kiss her.
Erica
I looked up at Chase and replayed what I had just seen with Lilly and Greg. The passion they exuded toward each other in wanting to be together and how I wanted to do that same, but still, I held back the kiss I wanted to place on Chase’s lips.
I still wanted us to have our time and I knew the second our friends found out, it would be just like how it was with Max and Alexa and now Lilly and Greg. Everyone in our business. I liked the less chaotic feel of just us knowing, but I still wanted to show the world that Chase was mine.
“Now we just need to get you two together.” Jack piped up again as he handed us all shots.
“Who?” I asked, breaking myself from the spell that was Chase.
“You and Chase, of course.” Jack said it like I was crazy for thinking he meant someone else. I froze with the glass in my hand as everyone else raised their glasses in a toast.
“What, no, that’s—”
“Don’t think we all don’t see it.” Jack rolled his eyes and mine shot up to Chase, who had an innocent look on his face.
“Chase only told me,” Max spoke up and I gasped, looking from him and then back at Chase.
