“You know it is November in northern California. Have you forgotten you’re not at the beach?” I ask.
She ignores me, grabs some gold stilettos out of her bag, and turns to start dressing. Continuing down the hallway, I have no idea what to wear and no desire to be anywhere near an environment like Gatsby’s. Opening up my closet, I pause briefly as I start to realize that maybe Noah is making more of an impression on me than I thought.
Chapter Thirteen
Eva
One drink … maybe two - max! A couple of dances and then I promise I am pulling Gwen away from this place as fast as I can. Staring out the window as our driver nears Gatsby’s, I watch the trees’ silhouettes as they dance in the moonlight. Glancing up, the stars barely shine through the clouds overhead. The air is crisp enough outside to cause goosebumps on my skin even though there is no window open.
It is 8:45, and I would rather be in bed, not dressed up midweek, about to brave the largest watering ground for singles who are typically only looking for a one-night stand. Gwen’s face is plastered to her phone as she sits next to me in the backseat of our Uber. She barely notices when we arrive, and finally looks up, surprised, as we come to a stop in front of the club. Paying the driver, I mentally prepare myself before stepping out into the November evening.
Gwen rounds the car and links her arm in mine quickly. Squealing like a schoolgirl, she looks up at the big neon sign flashing across the top of the building. Two bouncers flank each side of the doors, and a line of about seventy-five people wait in the cold to my left.
“Hells yes, let’s do this,” Gwen exclaims as we walk towards the front.
The bouncer, Troy, another one of my brother’s longtime friends, walks forward to greet us. Even though he is not as close to my brother as Rex, he’s always been around, and they were sort of like the Three Musketeers when we were all in high school.
“Hey, Ev,” he says in a thick southern drawl that reminds me of Noah’s. “Gwen, it’s been a while. How long are you visiting?”
Ever the flirt, Gwen jumps at any chance to warm up to Troy, and give him a big hug. I can’t say I blame her. If he wasn’t such good friends with my brother, I’d be doing the same. Troy stands at almost six-six, with short blonde hair, and blue eyes. The time he spent in the service as a Navy SEAL enhances all of the rest of his best assets.
“As long as you want me to be, handsome,” she flirts. “Missed you, big guy. Glad to see you aren’t off on another tour.”
He kisses the top of her head in a brotherly way before saying, “Nope, not yet. I’m sure it won’t be long before I am called upon again, but for now, I get to look at you gorgeous creatures come and go all night.”
“Very funny,” I say, swatting him playfully as he steps back to open the doors for us. Annoyed patrons groan behind us because we don’t have to wait in line like the rest of them. “Is my brother here yet?” I ask.
“Haven’t seen him. Although, he could be behind the bar,” Troy says as he grabs one door handle and the other bouncer, a new guy I haven’t met yet, grabs the other.
“You ladies have fun,” Troy says with a wink. Gwen blows him a kiss. As the doors open, all sounds around us quiet to the deafening beat of the music that begins to fill the night air. Taking a few short steps inside, I decide to at least try and have a good time tonight.
The air is thick, and the smell of alcohol and expensive perfume hangs in it like a fog. Steps cascade in front of us down to a dance floor already bursting at the seams with people. The largest of three bars sits in the back of the lower level. I can see at least five bartenders hurriedly making drinks for a line that’s three people deep and extends down the whole massive bar top.
A DJ spins music directly across from us, above the bar, on the second floor, in one of the most elaborate booths I’ve ever seen. The second floor wraps around the building, creating a balcony to look down at the first. Behind us are stairs on both sides leading up to a third floor held mostly for VIP events.
The third floor is lush with expensive couches and decor, while the second floor has cozy little sitting spots tucked away throughout. The bottom floor is where most of the people hang out. It remains standing and dancing room only.
A remix to Justin Timberlake’s song “Lovestoned” blares through my ears, loud enough that if I didn’t already know the words, I wouldn’t be able to make them out. I descend the steps slowly as Gwen turns them into a scene from a music video, dancing her way down each one with almost too much energy. Laughing, I try to shake off my annoyance and ease into the atmosphere.
Maybe a night out is just what I need to clear my head.
“Drinks first,” she yells out. “Let’s go!”
Grabbing my hand, she pulls me out onto the dance floor and pushes our way through the crowd. Not caring and oblivious to the annoyed looks of strangers, she continues through hastily as I apologize to everyone we bump into. Making it to the other side of the dance floor, we stop for a moment and take in the line for drinks.
“Well this sucks,” Gwen says. “Maybe we should order two or three at one time so we don’t have to come back.”
No sooner has the comment left her lips than a hand slips around both of our waists. Gwen obviously feels it too because we both jump and look towards one another as Rex’s face emerges between us.
“Don’t touch me with those hands,” Gwen yells, swatting him away. “I don’t know what whore they were on last.”
He laughs, grabbing her hand and pulling her back to him affectionately. “You know, if you want my hands all over you, you don’t have to beg in front of company, sweetheart,” he winks suggestively at her. She rolls her eyes, and looks back at me for help, unable to form an immediate comeback.
“When are you going to stop hanging out with this loser?” she finally says. “His pickup lines get worse and worse every time I have the unfortunate pleasure of seeing him.”
“Behave yourself, sweetheart. I’m all you need to quench your thirst tonight,” he says, his eyes gaze down her body, lingering a little too long on her breasts. He licks his lips. “Come on.”
He grabs both our hands and starts pulling us towards the bar.
