Hell, it wouldn’t be good enough for a lot of girls.
I reach over for her hand. “Only you know your limits.”
She tips her chin down, squeezing my hand. “Thank you.”
I nod out to the dance floor. “You ready to get back out there?”
“I think I might call it a night. I’m not feeling this whole scene.”
“Sylvia is going to be pissed,” I tell her, smiling. She finally gets us all out together—a big feat, considering I’m still upset over what transpired at the Fletcher party—and a third of our group wants to bail.
“She is, but look.” She points across the club where we happen to get a view of our friend, dancing with Fletcher. “I don’t think she’ll miss me too much.”
“Probably not.” I turn back to face her. “Are you okay getting back to the apartment?”
“I haven’t had much to drink. I’ll wait for a cab by the bouncer to be safe.”
“Text me when you get back, okay?”
Her face twists into an expression I can’t place until she says, “Would it be bad if I showed up at Tristan’s instead?”
I’m tempted to tell her to forget about him because shedoesdeserve better than the shit he’s putting her through, but only she knows her limits. I can’t force her to stay away from a guy she cares deeply for.
“He’s your boyfriend. If you want him, go get him.”
“Okay. I might. I don’t know. I feel like I won’t know until I get back to the complex.”
“Do what makes you happy,” I tell her as she lifts off her stool. “Love you.”
After a quick hug, she heads for the exit. I turn back toward the dance floor, not quite ready to head back myself. I wasn’t entirely up for coming out tonight but now that I am there’s a little bit of alcohol zipping through my veins, and there’s enough music humming below my heartbeat that I’m not mad about it.
I think I might’ve needed a night to be free and alive. Like there’s nothing that’ll hold me back come tomorrow morning. I weave my way back out onto the dance floor to Sylvia. My stomach spasms with concern when I put a hand on her shoulder to let her know I’m near, Fletcher’s big mitts trailing up and down her lower back and gripping her ass.
I stiffen, my eyes moving to his before locking onto Sylvia. “Can you talk for a second?”
“Aw, babe, whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of me,” Fletcher answers for her.
I grit my teeth, my smile tight when I tell him, “I’m talking to her.”
“And I’m talking to you, baby.”
Cue the regurgitation.
“Don’t call me that.”
Sylvia groans as if I’m ruining her good time. “What do you need?”
I look to Fletcher, waiting for him to take a hint. I don’t miss the glassy look of his eyes.
He pulls his grimy hands from Sylvia. “I’ll go get us drinks, babe.”
He turns to leave. Sylvia gives me an annoyed look after watching him go.
“Ev left,” I tell her over the music.
“That bitch. It was supposed to be a girls’ night!”
Doesn’t seem that way, but I don’t mention it. Instead, I say, “Fletcher, Sylvia? Again?”
