Page 92 of A Little Bit Uncertain

47

AUDRA

Acouple of orgasms later, I found my phone on the dining room table and looked at the barrage of texts Jules had sent.

Jules

How is it going?

Can it be called make-up sex if you’re doing it before you’re officially dating?

If you get this with enough time to spare, let’s meet at a late-night club.

I lied. Get your ass out here. Heading to one called Elixir in Hell’s Kitchen, and it’s open until 4 AM.

I’m in VIP, bitch. Find me.

Checking the time, it was only 11:30 p.m., so there could be time to meet her out. I was exhausted, but felt like I owed it to her for throwing such a wrench in her awards celebration. The fact that she was in Hell’s Kitchen didn’t escape me. As I recalled, another handsome man lived in that neighborhood. Going back to the bedroom, Donovan was sitting up, looking at his phone. Admiring his naked body would never get old.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Is that a trick question?” he replied and tossed his phone down to give me his full attention, and laced his fingers behind his head. “I mean, I’d probably go with thankful, exceptional, relieved, or satiated to describe my current state. I could keep going.”

“How about crazy? How crazy are you feeling right now?”

He sat up straighter. “I mean, I’m usually up for some mischief. What are you thinking?”

“Juliette is at a club called Elixir and asked us to join. I feel obligated to say yes because she left her work event to come find me.”

“Say no more. I know that club, it’s not too far. Let’s get dressed and go for a bit. I’m probably going to put my vote in for not staying until close, but let’s check it out. I would do anything she wanted as a thank you for helping tonight. Besides, I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to dance with you. Do you care if I throw an invitation out to McKenna? She’ll probably say no, but just in case. She was really upset tonight, too.”

After agreeing, we got dressed at lightning speed. I was grateful that Cora made me pack a club dress when I was packing. It was a backless, black sequin tank dress that fit me like a glove. That little store on Main saved my ass with clothes this weekend.

Just after midnight, we were walking up to the club. There was a line to get in, but Donovan sauntered right up to one of the bouncers, who looked like he was ready to kick someone’s ass for fun.

“Mikey Fontz,” Donovan exclaimed, surprising me.

Said bouncer turned to us and went through a whole range of emotions. First disbelief, then shock, then elation. They did the man handshake to hug thing, and then he introduced me. “This is my girlfriend, Audra. Audra, Big Mike. Mike and I went to school and a couple of other places together.” Big Mike had to be six-foot-six and a million pounds of muscle.

“Ha, more like to the ends of the Earth. How the hell are you, Donovan Wright? It’s been way too fucking long, man. Where are you these days? What are you up to? What are you doing here?”

“I live in South Carolina now. A project brought me there, but I love it and don’t see myself leaving. Totally different vibe than up here,” he laughed. “No four am bars, that’s for sure. I’m here to celebrate McKenna passing the bar. What are you up to, Mikey?”

“I’m working construction during the day, here some nights for fun. Getting married in five months to Emily Larlat, remember her? I have you on the damn guest list for when invites go out this summer, but getting your address was on my to-do list. Emily will be happy I have it.”

“That’s right, I remember seeing that on social media. You always had a thing for her. Congratulations! That’s great news!” Donovan said emphatically.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I noticed Mike’s demeanor change a bit as he leaned in closer. “Van, I know this isn’t the place, but after Tommy died, things got weird. I tried reaching out for a while and then stopped. That guilt has been heavy on my shoulders for a long time; I’m sorry. We were too good of friends for me to give up so easy, but it fucked me up too. I know now that I should have tried harder. I want to get that off my chest in case you’re out of here again.”

“Mike”—he put his hand on the giant’s shoulder—“you could have called and shown up five times a day for a year, and it wouldn’t have mattered. I shut down for a very long time. I needed time and space to work some things out on my own, and that’s really only happened in the last six months. Look, I’m leaving in the morning, but let’s set a time for me to come back. We can grab a drink and have a proper catch-up. Or better yet, come down to me. My project is an adventure resort in honor of Tommy. You’ll have to attend the opening at the bare minimum.”

“Holy shit, Van, that’s incredible. I wouldn’t miss it. Man, it’s so fucking good to see your face.” I noticed the giant of a man tear up a little. “Wait, you coming in here tonight?” He pointed at the bar behind him.

“That’s the plan. Kenna might be coming by too. She’ll either be solo or with one of her girls.”

“Your sister is old enough to get into bars and pass the bar? Shit man, that makes me feel real old. How will I know it’s her?”

“I’ll have her find you. She can’t miss ya, big guy.”