Sebastian
The Extra
“Ifucking knew it.”
At the club, I stared at the live feed on my phone of Evie’s front door. She’d just left the house with her hood up, looking overly suspicious. I dropped my head back in frustration.
“She’s going to find Hodder.”
“Should we go stop her?” Skye scrunched up her nose and sipped her cocktail.
I looked around the large room. This club was one of my favorite places. Tall, secluded booths lined the walls, and there was a large dance floor in the center. The bar had a giant blue backlight, matching the lights that danced under the flooring. They pulsed to the loud club music.
I wasn’t being a great wingman. I’d promised I’d help her meet people tonight, but so far I’d only managed to help her talk to a cocktail waitress.
“No, I’m texting Bryce to go stop her. She’ll think it’s just a coincidence if they bump into each other.” I shut off the feed and texted Bryce where Evie was going and to go catch her. He responded with a thumbs up, and reluctantly, I put my phone in my pocket.
“You know, putting your own cameras at someone else’s house is creepy, right?” Skye said.
I rolled my eyes. “I think she’ll forgive me later.”
I’d done it when she left to help Antoinette. I’d wanted to know when she got home. I figured once this was all over, I’d mention it. For now, it was helpful in keeping her safe.
“Evie is too impulsive. If she’s not careful, she’s going to end up dead.”
“I don’t think she really cares,” Skye said.
Despite the music pounding and the dance floor crowded, it felt like silence had fallen over the room. I hated that she was right. So instead, I slapped the wood and hopped off my stool.
“Let’s dance!” I held out my hand to help her up.
She tugged on her short teal sequined cocktail dress, trying to cover her thighs better. She looked around, wincing as she stepped out with heels that made her almost taller than me. Plenty of eyes were on her, but she was too nervous to notice.
“Won’t that make us look like a couple?” she asked as we went onto the dance floor. “I don’t want people to think—”
“It’s fine!”
As we danced, I looked around and found a pretty redheaded girl close by. I danced over to her and politely nudged her. She turned and stared, as if trying to place me.
“Hi. You’re pretty. Want to meet my pretty friend? She’s new to town!” I pointed to Skye—who was dancing alone, swinging her hips with her eyes closed.
“That’s your friend?” The girl followed where I pointed, raising an eyebrow. She grinned and followed me over to Skye.
I introduced them, and Skye seemed to freeze, her eyes wide like a deer in headlights.
The redhead noticed her nervousness and took charge. “Do you have a drink? Can I buy you one?”
And just like that, Skye forgot I was there. She nodded eagerly and followed the girl to the bar. I chuckled and danced my way off the floor, pulling my phone back out as I slid into a booth in the back of the club. I shot a text to Bryce to check on things.
Bryce: I called her. We’re going back to her house so she can spar with me.
I took a breath, and when a waitress came by, I ordered a beer and sat back, attempting to relax. A few guys stopped and chatted with me, but once they realized it was going nowhere, they ditched to try another table. I had to explain I wasn’t on the market tonight and was simply here to support a friend. After the fourth or fifth look of disbelief, I was tempted to leave and let Skye do her thing unaccompanied, but that would be a douchey move. While she’d barely waved at me in the last hour, I’d promised to stay with her.
I was deep in my phone, looking at Charles Hodder’s professional website, when there was a loud slap on the table, causing me to jump.
Skye plopped into the seat across from me, pushing her damp hair off her cheeks. Her face was flushed, and she seemed to relax.
“Oh my gosh, it’s so much fun out there! I know you’re not looking tonight, but you need to go dance—the DJ is everything!” she screamed.
