IT’S A FRIDAY NIGHTand I’m sprawled across the lounge watching reruns ofBrooklyn Nine-Nine, a show I’ve seen so many times I can basically recite it word for word. The old Mason would be ashamed of me, wasting a perfectly good evening and chance to be out partying.
‘Mason!’ Zayden whines, throwing the football at me. I backhand it away from my face, and it crashes into the coffee table, knocking over the bottle of water I had sitting on it. ‘Come on, man. I need this.’
Damn it.
We promised each other we would never ditch a night out if the other bro needs it. His smirk inches wider as he notices my glare and into a full-blown grin when I exhale, pushing myself off the lounge.
Going out is the absolute last thing I feel like doing right now, but Zayden is dealing with the loss of his long-term girlfriend, and I want to support him through it. He wouldn’t hesitate to do the same for me.
‘Okay,’ I relent.
Zayden fist-pumps and lets out a whoop. Exhaling, I trail after him towards the stairs.
‘Hang on ...’ Zayden mutters, turning to face me and giving me a narrowed stare. ‘Since when do I have to drag you out? You’re usually the life of the party.’
A muscle jumps in my jaw and I shrug. ‘Just tired.’
‘You sure?’ Zayden asks, his eyes burning holes into the side of my face. ‘Is it your dad?’
‘No, Zayden,’ I say, harsher than I intend to. ‘I don’t want to talk about him. I’m just fucking tired. But you want to go, so let’s go.’
He jerks back at my words, and guilt instantly floods me. Sucking his teeth, he doesn’t say anything as he trudges up the stairs.
‘Sorry,’ I mutter when we reach the hallway. ‘I really am just tired.’
Zayden nods, clapping a hand on my shoulder. ‘We don’t have to go.’
‘No, it’s fine,’ I say, though even my voice lacks any sort of enthusiasm. ‘It’ll be fun.’
Twenty minutes later, our Uber drops us off outside the front of the university bar. Loud music thumps through the door and a security guard stands in front of us, assessing Zayden and me. Once he concludes that we’re not drunk, he waves us through.
It’s busy tonight – so crammed that every table is full, as well as the dance floor. Neon lights dart wildly around the room, and I squint, trying to find a clear path to the bar. Zayden yanks on my elbow, towing me after him as we wade our way through the bodies.
When two fingers pinch my ass, I turn back in surprise to see a leggy blond winking at me. I smile back politely and feel even worse about coming out tonight. Zayden will most likely find a girl to swap spit with, and I’ll be stuck by myself. Usually, I don’t have any issues mingling and letting the night take me wherever it does, but the last thing I want right now is to make idle chitchat.
Zayden orders our drinks. He’s already leaning against the bar talking to a girl when the bartender slides our drinks across to us. Sighing, I take the drink and lean back, surveying the room. It looks like a typical Friday night at a bar dedicated to hosting university students. I used to love these kinds of nights. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
Pulling my phone out from my pocket, I bring up Anya’s number. I casually asked Zayden for it – for emergencies – as she changed her number since I last had it, and she’s removed me from all of her socials.
Mason:Hey. It’s Mason.
After a few moments of staring at the screen, I go against my own never-double-text rule and start typing.
Mason:What are you up to?
A minute goes by. And then another. Frowning, I exit the message thread and pull up the Messenger app, since she forgot to remove me from that. It shows that she’s active, which means sheison her phone, but ignoring me. Excellent. Scowling, I pocket my phone and stare out sourly at the growing crowd.
The door swings open and I glance over. My heart beats sideways in my chest when Anya walks inside, laughing at something one of her friends says. I spy her phone in her hand. My scowl deepens. Cami and Nora are with her, but Kai Adams also appears from behind her, throwing his arm around her shoulder. My teeth grind together so hard my jaw hurts.
She has to be delusional if she thinks Kai Adams is a nice guy.
Looking deliciously sinful in a red dress that fits her like second skin, she lets him walk her towards the bar. Three of Kai’s friends also enter after a moment, making me wonder whether it’s a coincidence they’re all here at the same time. Cami and Nora have drifted off to the side, deep in conversation with the other guys, but Kai hovers close to Anya. Too close.
I’m moving before I realise what I’m doing. She stiffens when she clocks me, and Kai’s smirk widens when he notices my pissed-off expression.
‘Hi there, Mason.’ Kai nods at me.
I don’t even look at him. Instead, I direct my glare at Anya, who looks just about as pleased to see me as I am her.
