Addison and Trevor followed after them, leaving Lance and me alone.
“Thanks for coming,” he said, stepping closer to me.
“Thanks for inviting me. I did need to get out.”
I saw his eyes move down my body and back up. “You look amazing.”
I didn’t mean to, but I smiled. “Thanks. You don’t look too bad either.” I wasn’t trying to lead him on. I knew I couldn’t date, but I couldn’t not return the compliment.
“You two coming?” Trevor yelled from over his shoulder.
When I looked after our group of friends, I saw they were already being let into the club.
“Come on. We’re going to get stuck outside.” I turned and rushed toward the door, leaving Lance to chase after me.
All six of us entered the club and were shown to the VIP area, where blacklight ink was stamped on the backs of our hands. I had never been in the VIP before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was almost like a mini club in the middle of the bigger club. Honestly, it reminded me of being back in high school. The VIP area was really just the place where all the cook kids would sit, knowing everyone was watching them. It was for people who liked to be seen but were still too far away to touch.
The VIP area was a small cluster of tables and sofas, cordoned off by ropes and bouncers. You had direct access to one end of the bar, and when a clubgoer approached, the bartender seemed to drop everything to help the important person. Even though there were several bartenders, none of them moved that fast for someone who wasn’t important.
“Make yourselves comfortable. First round is on me,” Trevor said, walking past the sofa, heading to the bar.
I moved to the far end of the sofa and took my seat. Addison sat at the other end, and Parker and her linebacker stayed standing, facing one another and talking. They were too far away from where I was sitting, so I couldn’t hear anything to be a part of the conversation.
Lance came to take the open seat next to me, and I got the feeling that was going to be the theme of the evening. Addison and Trevor had been dating for as long as I’d known them, and Parker and the linebacker were new, but going hot and heavy. Even though Lance and I weren’t a couple, we were thrown together a lot, and I worried that maybe he was getting the wrong impression.
“Time for shots,” Trevor said, setting a tray full of drinks down onto the table in front of us. He passed everyone a beer and a shot glass full of clear liquid, taking the last for himself.
He held the shot into the air. “To a night we’ll never forget.” Then everyone tipped them back.
I didn’t want to be the only one not enjoying themselves, so I poured the liquor into my mouth. It was ice cold and hurt my teeth. Despite the drink’s cold, the liquid seemed to burn, leaving my mouth numb and tingling. I forced myself to swallow the liquid, and it felt like I swallowed fire. I even felt it hit my stomach. Despite not being a big drinker, I brought the beer to my lips and chugged down several large gulps to put out the burn. I knew I was being a baby because everyone else cheered and celebrated, while I felt assaulted.
“Who wants another round?” Trevor asked.
“No, babe! Take it easy,” Addison said, leaning forward and pulling him over to her. They met in the middle with their mouths.
Parker and her football player immediately turned for the dance floor.
And I was left with Lance once again.
When I looked over at him, he offered a smile and scooted toward me.
“Now you see why I wanted you to come. I knew they’d do that.” He motioned toward Parker and her date with his thumb. “And I knew I’d be stuck watching that.” He nodded toward Addison and Trevor.
I laughed. “Well, you know you always could get up and move around, meet some new people, dance. Who knows, maybe you’ll find someone you’re interested in and want to date.”
His eyes met mine, and it felt like the entire club was switched to slow motion. He wet his lips before the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
“I already have.” He leaned toward me, and before I could process what was happening, his mouth was against mine.
SIXTEEN
ROMAN
It was going on nine PM when I finally got home. It was the first time I’d been home in a week, and I felt the longing and misery as soon as I entered. Most people felt a sense of relaxation and security when they walked into their home after a long trip, but I felt the opposite.
When I was home, I couldn’t see anything but the child she left behind and how badly I was fucking up without her. Her absence was everywhere I looked, and I felt it deep in my soul.
I walked into the living room and found Monica sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She had her shoes off and her feet pulled up beneath her.
