Page 162 of The Addict

DELANE

“Chelsea, what are you doing here!” I shouted as my best friend waltzed up to me.

“Some sexy bodyguard let me in, but I’m going to stiff him so that I can go fuck someone else,” she answered happily.

“Oh,” I frowned. “Then what are you doing here?”

“I just came to give you a few pointers about dancing,” she said matter-of-factly, fanning herself. “Where’s the boy toy?”

I shrugged, not even having enough energy to try and correct her. “I don’t know. He’s been gone for like thirty minutes or more.”

“Okay good,” Chelsea exclaimed, ripping me from my seated position. “When the next fast song comes on, grind on him!”

“WHAT?” I shrieked. Who let her into this formal event?

“Cause that stupid, fake ex-boyfriend, blondie boy is here!” Chelsea shouted, pointing to the entrance of the estate.

“Alex?”

“Yeah, yeah, whomever his name is,” Chelsea waved her hand in the air. “The point is, you want Noah to remember you as being sexy, open and–”

“A slutty dancer?” I answered sarcastically.

Chelsea gave me the thumbs up. “Exactly!”

“You’re pointless!” I shook my head in embarrassment and gave her a little push in the opposite direction. “Go on, scram—before he comes back and still thinks I’m friends with you!”

Chelsea frowned. “Ew, bitch, much…”

“Love you, Chels.” I smiled sweetly, waving her off.

“Yeah, I’m sure you do.” Chelsea marched to the door.

I shook my head, ready to find Noah and enjoy the rest of the night. I glanced to the door to see Chelsea waving and then cupping her hands around her mouth to yell, “You WHORE! Love you!”

She dashed out, laughing wildly. Several party goers turned their heads to look in my direction and my stomach lurched. My mask saved me from having to cover my face out of embarrassment, and for that, I was grateful. Praying Noah would return soon, I hurried back to my seat before anybody else noticed me.

NOAH

I was about to grab Delane, get the hell out of the party and go somewhere special when I heard the noise. Like a squawking of sorts.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN’T COME IN? DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I AM ALEX ANDERSON, BEST FRIEND OF NOAH HANSEN!”

My eyes twitched. No, not now. Anything but this.

“I WILL FILE A LAWSUIT ON YOUR ASSES! DO YOU HEAR ME, SIR? A LAWSUIT!”

Sure enough, at the front door, there stood the guy I called my best friend. He was dressed in a rainbow-colored suit, fur and feathers protruding from his brightly tinted mask, throwing a hissy fit to one of the bodyguards at the front door. This is all I needed.

I strode to the door and Alex set his eyes upon me as I grew closer.

“THAT’S HIM!” he squealed. “Noah! YEAH, THAT’S HIM ISN’T IT?” He waved frantically. “Hey, Noah! Tell these jerks to let me in!”

Part of me felt like saying to lock him up, but I knew I would never hear the end of it. I reached the door, signaling the bodyguards to come back inside and let him through. “He’s good guys, go ahead and let him pass.”

The guards parted for him, and he scoffed, sticking his nose into the air. “I TOLD YOU. Humph!”

“There, you’re inside,” I stated firmly. “Now quit complaining!”