"Bye, everyone," I shout back.
I click my phone off and stare at it for a second, biting the inside of my cheek and feeling the weight of guilt on my shoulders. No. Tonight is going to befun. I need this. I haven't even put makeup on for about two weeks now, never mind getting all dressed up and doing my hair. It's time to glitter up and go dancing.
Sneaking out is easy.
And in no time at all, I'm pushing through a crowded bar, weaving past people toward the VIP section where Mila is waiting with a group of our friends.
As soon as I spot her, I squeal in excitement.
"Mila!" I shout, standing on my tiptoes.
"Finally," she shouts back, grinning.
When she hugs me, she lifts me off my feet. Mila is much taller than me. But then again, everyone is much taller than me. Maybe I should've worn heels.
"This is Kyle and his brother Lucas," she says, gesturing to some people I don't know.
"Hi, everyone. Did you get tequila?" I ask, needing to take a shot or two to ease out of the guilt and get this party started.
"Of course," Mila laughs, pulling me toward our table and grabbing the bottle sitting in the ice bucket.
She hands me a shot, but just as I'm about to lift it to my lips, someone grabs me from behind. Two broad hands wrap about my waist and lift my right off my feet, setting me down on the table.
I laugh and spin around, now as tall as the guy who lifted me.
I wrap one arm around his shoulder to hug him. "Ivan, do you want a shot?" I shout over the music.
"Here," Mila says, already handing him one.
"To the two most beautiful girls in the whole bar," Ivan says, lifting his shot.
"In the bar? Pfft," I scoff, pulling a face.
"In the whole of Miami," Ivan corrects himself.
I glance at Mila, and she pulls a face. "It's an improvement. We'll work on his manners, though," she laughs.
We throw the shots back, and I immediately demand two more.
Mila just laughs as she pours them for me.
Music throbs in the air, pulsing through my body in steady, deep beats.
I didn't even get off the table. Dancing up here gives me a better view and more space.
My friends are laughing around me, drinking and having an amazing time, and I can't help smiling as I watch them through a narrowed gaze.
This is what I needed. Freedom.
Mila is dancing up against Ivan, and I grin, knowing he's going to get lucky tonight. He doesn't know it, but she's had her eye on him for a while.
But if they become a couple, I will literally be entirely on my own. Almost everyone I know has found their person, and they're doing the whole domestic, chill life thing.
No one wants to go out with me anymore. It's all dinners at home and family events.
Where is the adventure?
I sigh, pushing the thoughts aside. Right now I'm here, in the club. I'm surrounded by friends, and I should fully make the most of this.
