“Absolutely fucking not, Chad,” Chloe says, swatting his hand away from the speaker. Chad shrugs. Then he throws the car into drive and we’re off, weaving our way through the dark streets.
“Take a right here at West Thirty-Second,” Chloe says, holding up her phone. “Waze is saying we should take Sixth Avenue towardBryant Park.” We make our way down Seventh Avenue until the car slows and then comes to a complete stop.
“Uh-oh,” Chad says.
“What? What’s going on?” I ask, craning my neck to peer through the front windshield.
Chad squints. “There are parked cars on either side of the street, and I don’t think I can get through. It’s too tight for me to fit.” He barks out a laugh. “Ha! That’s the second time I’ve said that to a woman tonight.”
Chloe pinches the bridge of her nose. “You are literally the worst human being on the planet.”
Heart thumping, I glance at the dashboard clock.
“It’s already 11:27. We’re never going to make it!” My thumb reflexively slides toward my mouth, but I lower it before my nail can find its way inside.
No more nail biting,I remind myself. My nerves find other ways to escape my body, however; my knees are bouncing so vigorously that Ali leans over to put a hand on my shoulder.
“You need to calm down,” she says. “Seriously, you’re making me nervous.”
I bite down on my lip. “How far away are we?”
Chloe peers down at her phone again, brow furrowing. “About ten blocks.”
I take a deep breath. Decision made, I unclip my seat belt.
“All right. I’m going to make a run for it.”
“Are you serious?” Mia’s eyebrows shoot up, but I’ve already opened the door.
“It’s the only way I’m going to get there in time. You guys coming?”
Chloe looks down at her strappy high heels and sighs. “My brand new Aquazzuras,” she says mournfully. “They’re going to be completely destroyed.”
“And that’s why I never wear high heels,” Ali says, lifting onefoot to show off her Air Force 1 sneakers. “You never know when you’re going to be chasing a celebrity through New York City!”
“Well, guess I’m off to Shia LaBeouf’s party,” Chad says, revving his engine.
“You’re still banned from the Rainbow Room, Chad,” Chloe reminds him. “For god’s sake, do humanity a favor and spend the rest of your night alone in a hotel room.” She steps out of the car, but before she closes the door behind her, she ducks her head back in and lets out a begrudging sigh. “Thanks for coming through for us tonight,” she tells him. “You did good.”
Chad positively beams at her as he scrubs a hand through his hair. “Anything for you, Chlo-money. And listen, if you’re free later, maybe we can—”
Chloe holds up a hand to stop him. “Still gay, Chad. And still not interested in your offer to be ‘the stallion who flips me.’ And for the love of god, don’t eventhinkof calling me before Monday.”
And with that, we throw open the doors of Chad’s car and spill out into the street.
We race down the busy sidewalks, shoving past hollering tourists and drunk teenagers and an off-brand Elmo who reeks of bourbon until we come to a halt in front of an enormous crowd. The entire street is blocked off by wooden barricades, guarded by a dozen police officers on horses.
“Now what? How are we going to get through?” I pant, my chest heaving with exertion.
“Let me handle this,” Chloe says, squaring her shoulders. We shove our way through the crowd until we’re standing in front of two policemen.
“Excuse me, Officers,” Chloe says, putting on her most professional, boss-bitch voice. “My friend needs to talk to her boyfriend, Jake Taylor. He’s performing at theRockin’ New Year’s Eveshow. Can you kindly let us through?”
The officers look at each other for a moment before throwing their heads back in laughter.
“Lady, do you have any idea how many girls have told me they’re Jake Taylor’s girlfriend tonight?” one of them guffaws.
“Yeah, but Lexi reallyishis girlfriend,” Chloe counters, taking me by the shoulder and shoving me forward a bit. It’s clear by the edge in her voice that she’s losing patience, and probably also circulation in her feet.
