NINETEEN
RILEY
We’re parked in the lot next to the club I’m too tired to be at. Hailey wanted to celebrate a goal she’s had for some time now. Officially tattooing two thousand people. She texted the entire group the day after I was with August, eating a hot dog on a bench.
Of course, I asked her how she was keeping track, and she showed me a little black book she carries around with all her clients' names in it. The notebook was beat to shit.
The girls drove in one car and the guys in another.
The shimmer of my sister’s long nails sparkles under the night light. Her black, high-waisted jeans are snug on her long legs, showing off her curvy hips. She has her black jean jacket that looks like it’s been put through the wringer, over her white crop top.
When I step out of the car, she’s an inch taller than me, thanks to her platform Doc Martens.
“Does my outfit look okay?” I tug on my maroon faux leather jacket that stops just above my hips before fixing my hair that I attempted to curl, only to end up looking like Shirley Temple. I had to wash it again and straighten it.
“You lookhot, Ry.” Ellie points. “I wish I could wear a crop top and have that ass.”
“And you can?” Hailey puts a hand on her hip with a puzzled look at Ellie.
“I have a pouch.” Ellie taps on her stomach.
“And?”
Rowan approaches Ellie from behind when the guys get out of Beau’s car. He wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her into his chest, and kisses the nape of her neck.
“Your body is perfect, baby,” he whispers in her ear.
Ellie lifts her shoulder in a tickling response.
“And it’s all mine.”
“Okay, break it up, you two.” August joins the group, along with Beau. “I don’t need to see my best friend on top of my sister.”
Ellie deadpans. “August, we’re grown adults,andengaged.”
August tucks his hands into his pockets and shrugs. “And? That doesn’t mean you need to consummate your engagement in front of me.”
I bite the corner of my lip, and my head tilts to the side as I check him out from head to toe. He may be wearing clothes, but I can still see the outline of his muscles. The cotton, dark gray sweater sticks to him, clinging to his biceps.
“Let’s go,” Beau says, pushing his dark hair back only for a small strand to tumble down.
“Is that a slit on your eyebrow?” Addie asks, appearing at my side.
“This?” Beau points to it and smirks. “Yeah, I did it on purpose.”
“Why?” Addie knits her brows.
“Because it’s hot? Duh.”
Hailey grabs my hand, pulling me toward the club and through the doors. The loud music blasts through me as people yell over each other in groups. The disco balls illuminate the dance floor with specks reflecting off each other.
We grab a booth that’s tucked into a corner, and a soft red light glows from the ceiling and onto the table. It’s moody and private.
“I’m going to the bar,” Ellie says. “Do you want anything?”
“Yeah, get me a zombie cocktail.” I put my jacket on the back of the chair across the booth.
Everyone stops and stares at me. August’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, James sounds out a low whistle, and even Hailey looks shocked with her eyes wide.
