“Zayn, stop,” I said firmly, and he dropped his hands immediately. I glanced over at his car. Luckily, there were several cars between us and his date waiting for him. “You should probably go.”
The notch in his throat bobbed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”
“Is your date safe to drive you guys home?”
He nodded and backed away. “Look, I hate to be a jerk or whatever because I know you’re smarter than that, but be careful.” He pointed to the door barely containing the sound of the band inside. “That one seems like the heartbreaking type.”
“The only one capable of breaking my heart is myself.”
He nodded and turned.
“Zayn?” I smiled when he looked back. “She’s really pretty.”
“She’s not you.”
It was like someone had reached inside my chest cavity and squeezed my heart with their fist.
“Good night, Avery.”
I stayed outside until the cold got to me and then went back in and found the bar. The band was finishing up their second-to-last song when I signaled to the bartender.
I held up two fingers. “Vodka. I don’t care what kind.”
“You got it.” The man behind the bar flipped a bottle over two shot glasses and slid them to me.
I wasn’t the type to drink hard liquor straight, but I was letting Gina take control of the rest of my night, and if she wanted vodka,Iwanted vodka.
I took the first one too slow, the clear liquid burning the moment it touched my tongue. I tossed the second one back faster, pinching my eyes shut until the discomfort subsided.
The bartender’s eyes lit up as he watched me. “Damn.”
I licked my bottom lip and winked at him before joining the crowd in a jumping fit, screaming the lyrics to A Quiet Peril’s most popular song and their last of the night. The vodka surged through my veins faster than I’d expected. The buzz lasted until I was outside in the cold once more, waiting by Nina’s car.
But the bitch was taking forever.
I texted her and tried calling, but her phone went straight to voice mail. Knowing her, it was dead. I was close to calling and paying for a ride when Nikko’s SUV pulled up beside me.
Milton rolled down the passenger window, and Nina leaned over him from the backseat.
“Don’t be mad!” she started, clearly intoxicated.
I pushed myself off her car and crossed my arms. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for you?”
Nikko slapped her ass, and she giggled, making my irritation grow.
She dangled her keys. “The boys said I can’t let you take my car because of ‘the rules.’” She made air quotes.
“So, you’re riding with us,” Milton added.
I shook my head. I knew I wasn’t in a good enough state to drive, but Nina had promised to be sober cab tonight.Damn her.
“C’mon! I told you not to be mad!” She pouted.
“Aye. You’ve got blue hair.” Danny nodded from the driver’s seat. “Looks nice. You getting in or what?”
The door opened as I approached, and Liam greeted me with a sly grin. I peered behind him, seeing a completely packed backseat. Lexie was in the very back with two handsy companions, and Nina was already cuddling up on Nikko on the other side of the car. I recognized Danny’s lady friend from Elevens sitting in the middle, and I contemplated asking to sit on her lap, but her face said,Don’t fuck with me.
Liam patted his thighs, and with a deep sigh, I climbed up.
