“Do not drive like a maniac or I’ll tuck and roll.” Ari made a big show of buckling her seatbelt, followed by triple checking it for sturdiness.
“You’ll be fine.” I reversed down the drive before pulling a tight u-turn and shooting down the street.
“You said you wouldn’t speed!”
“I also said I was kidding about us dying, but we all know that’s not true.” My cackle was cut short from the painfully tight grip on my thigh. “Ow, Ari let go—”
“Then drive like a normal person!” She squeezed tighter. I did not, and I was happy when we finally arrived so she could release the death grip on my poor, innocent leg.“I’m never riding with you again.”
“Kay. Have fun walking home.” I laughed as she clambered out. I stepped out and smoothed my short skirt, eyeing the guy beside us. It was the same man as before, standing near the same bike and talking with friends.
“Hey girly.” He nodded with a small smile.
“Hi.” I smiled back before turning to Ari.
“Someone’s carding.” She frowned. There was a large bouncer blocking the entrance. “What’re we gonna do now?”
“Don’t you fret. I have a plan, remember?” I pulled out a card and pushed it into her hand.
She examined the fake license, flipping it over to inspect the back.“This actually looks legit.”
“Well, I’m not gonna buy a fake one that looks fake. That would be useless.”
“Thanks,Emy.” She smiled as we started walking. “Even though I’ll be twenty-one in like, three months.”
“That’s three months too long. This is way better than waiting.” I retrieved my license once we reached the bouncer and placed it in his outstretched hand.
He briefly inspected it before handing it back, then did the same with Ari’s. “Go ahead.” He stepped aside to let us in.
“Am I good, or am I good?” I grinned as we passed. “That’s yours until your birthday. Hey look, your boyfriend’s here.” I walked to the bar and hopped on the stool in front of Sean.“Hi. I want a vodka lemonade with a splash of sprite. Please.”
“You’re so demanding,” he teased, then switched focus to Ari as she took the seat beside me.“And you didn’t textme.”
“I didn’t want to and I don’t want your number.”
“Ha, you sound like me.” I nudged her as Sean laughed.
“Two vodka lemonades coming right up.” He began mixing our drinks as she shot me an annoyed look.
“You can’t drink, you have to drive.”
“It’ll wear off by the time we leave. Drinking at a party is messy but here I can regulate and be fine. Anyway, I drink like a beast. My tolerance is ridiculous.” I flipped my hair over a shoulder and propped an elbow on the bar.
Sean set both drinks down and leaned against the bar. He waved Ari’s card off when she tried to pay. “Don’t worry about it. The first round is on me.”
“Aw, thanks.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I echoed Ari before downing a good portion of my drink. She timidly sippedhers.“Really, Ari? You’re gonna take five years to finish the thing.” I tipped her glass, laughing as her eyes widened and she jerked back with a scowl.
“Don’t do that.” She shoved me. “You’re so obnoxious.”
“I’m just trying to help,” I said. Sean chuckled at our antics before leaving to take someone else’s order.“He’s so cute. You should really text him.”
“He’s kinda cute, but he’s a vampire,” she said the last word so quietly I could barely hear. Sean shot us an amused grin, showing he’d heard perfectly.
“He can hear you.”
“I figured.” She glanced at him before turning back to me.“Heiscute. I just don’t date undead people.”
