The doors had only opened thirty minutes earlier, and the place was already packed. Filthy murals of orgies and sex acts glowed under blacklight. A massive crystal chandelier hung above the dance floor, scattering prismatic light over writhing bodies. Antique instruments clearly not meant for music were displayed like museum pieces, and a dragon mounted on one wall periodically breathed fire.
“Wild, right?” I shouted into Iggy’s ear.
He nodded eagerly.
“There’s even an outdoor pool with a swing,” I added.
He whipped around so fast I nearly collided with him.
“You’re joking!”
I grinned. “Wanna see?”
“Absolutely.”
I flagged Riff to let him know I was showing Iggy around. He winked and promised to grab us water. He wasn’t drinking tonight either. When I’d agreed to come, much to his dismay, he’d sworn he’d stay sober just in case I needed him. I’d told him I’d be fine, but I hadn’t told him why.
The guilt sat heavy in my gut, but I didn’t argue. I just asked him to grab one for Iggy too, and hoped that somehow, we’d all make it through the night in one piece.
I took Iggy’s hand and guided him through the different areas of the club. Past the multiple dance floors, the dark rooms and cuddle corners, the secluded spaces set aside for BDSM performances. Through the sauna, and finally, to the pool. Along the way, we passed bodies in motion. People dancing, touching. At one point, a couple fucking on a leather couch in a shadowed corner like it was the most natural thing in the world.
By the time we stood at the edge of the pool, Iggy looked like his brain was on the verge of short-circuiting.
“I’ve been to a lot of clubs,” he said, watching two topless women make out in the water. “But I’ve never seen anything like this. The only Kit Kat Club I knew about was the one in Cabaret.”
“The musical?” I asked.
He nodded.
“How are you doing?” he asked, turning to me then, studying my face like he was checking for cracks.
I slipped an arm around him, resting my hand on his bare hip and drawing him closer.
“I’m okay,” I said honestly. “It’s hard not to notice the drinking. Or the drugs. I saw someone pop a pill on one of the dance floors.” I shrugged. “But having you here actually makes it easier.”
He frowned slightly. “How?”
“You’re seeing it all for the first time. And in a way, so am I.” I tipped my head. “Last time I was here, I was just as fucked up as everyone else. Seeing it sober is... different. Better, I think.”
His mouth curled into a pleased little grin.
“What about you?” I asked, giving his hip a gentle squeeze.
“Oh, I’m good,” he said, eyes drifting back to the pool. “I’d love a drink, obviously. But there’s so much going on that it’s easy to focus on literally anything else.”
“If you start struggling,” I said lightly. “I’ll just throw you in the pool.”
He laughed. “Maybe I’ll jump in at the end as a victory lap.”
We stood there for a moment, and then, without warning, I jerked him forward like I was about to shove him in.
He squealed, laughter bursting out of him, and clutched my arm like he was ready to drag me down with him. When I hauled him back, he slapped my stomach in retaliation, then grabbed my hand and tugged me towards the door.
“Let’s find the others,” he said. “I’m thirsty.”
We found part of our group sprawled across some couches near the second-floor bar. Thump was apparently on the dance floor with someone he’d just met. Ghost had gone outside to smoke. Riff handed us each a bottle of water, and with the heat and bodies packed in tight, we finished them almost immediately.
I dropped onto the couch beside Riff and patted the space next to me for Iggy. He shook his head and leaned in so I could hear him over the music.
