Page 54

I shake my head slowly. “Not at her. Not at anyone, actually. I just didn’t want her out without me, that’s all.”

Liam lets out a low chuckle. “Because you’re a jealous bastard.”

“I am.” I take a slow sip of my drink. “But I’m not going to ruin her night over it.”

Zayn joins us. “Having fun?”

“Do I look like someone who’s enjoying himself?” I give him a dry look.

He shrugs, amused. “She’s definitely having fun.”

“Cute,” I mutter. “Really comforting.”

A girl passes by and brushes her hand over my chest, flashing me a practiced smile. “No, thanks,” I say, not even pretending to be polite.

She huffs and walks off as Liam groans next to me.

“What?” I raise a brow at him. “You saw I’m not interested. Not now, not ever.” Sighing, I swirl the ice in my glass.

Zayn nods in approval. “Good. Because if you’d ever think about hurting Ser, I’ll actually kill you.”

“I wouldn’t. Ever.”

“I know,” Liam says quietly. “That’s why you’re marrying her.”

I go quiet for a moment, my eyes lingering on the liquid in my glass. “I hate not having her near me.”

“She’s not yours to keep in a cage, Nick.”

“I know that.”

The song shifts into something slower, the bass vibrating deep in my chest. I toss back the rest of my drink and hand the glass to the bartender. “I’m done here.”

“Wait. You’re not getting out of here without at least one dance,” Aiden stops me from moving.

“What?” I blink at him.

“You heard me.” He nods toward the center of the dance floor. “You’re getting married. That means tonight you’re dancing. With your boys.”

I cross my arms. “I’m not in the mood.”

Chase grins. “Come on, just once. You’re way too sober and way too uptight. This needs an intervention.”

Zayn’s already moving toward the dance floor, waving us to follow. “Ten minutes. No phones. No women. Just dance and drinks.”

“Fuck,” I mutter.

Before I can argue, Aiden and Chase flank me and literally shove me forward. I stumble a step, then realize I’d rather dance than give them the satisfaction of dragging me.

The music is fast and loud. The lights strobe across our faces. Chase is already doing some ridiculous body roll, Aiden’s clapping, and Liam’s just laughing, mouthing the lyrics. I shake my head and grin, in spite of myself.

“You’re smiling.” Zayn bumps my shoulder. “Call the press.”

“I’m drunk.” I lie. I’m not. But it’s easier to blame the whiskey than recognize the fact that this actually feels good. I missed spending time with my idiotic best friends. He and Zayn are my brothers.

For a few minutes, I forget that Sierra is out. I just let it all go.

After a while, the song changes and the crowd shifts. We peel off the dance floor one by one, laughing, breathless.