Page 79 of Unspoken Rules

Tomas: Some friends and I are going out to the city this Friday. Wanna join?

Me: Possibly. What exactly are you doing?

Tomas: New club opened. Mark will be there.

Me: Didn’t know clubbing was your scene?

Tomas: It usually isn’t. But once in a while it’s fine.

I’ve never been to a club. Not a real club. Seems like it could be fun. And if it isn’t, it’s at least an experience.

Me: What time should I be ready?

Tomas: I’ll pick you up at 7. We’re meeting at my friend Sabrina’s and getting a rideshare.

Me: See you then

I stare at the texts between us, wondering if this is supposed to be a date. Tomas and I talked a while back on that dating app, so I know he’s gay. We never met up because I was too chicken shit. I was seventeen. The only people who knew I was gay were Chris and Cole. I’d never kissed a person before, let alone anything more. There was no way I was meeting up with someone from an app. Honestly, I’m surprised he recognized me at Mark’s party. Guess I haven’t changed much. Though, I recognized him pretty quickly too. I can’t tell if he’s into me like that, but I do know I’m not into him. He’s cool, but he’s not my type. Still, it’s one night out at a club. How bad can it be?

I’d love to invite Chris, but that isn’t an option. He’s staying away from drinking and the only thing that goes hand-in-hand with clubs and dancing is alcohol. So, he’ll have to sit this one out.

I spend the afternoon designing business cards for myself, which Cole said he’d get me, but I can’t bank on that any more considering we aren’t talking. Besides that, I can do it myself. Once they’re done and ordered, I search more freelancing sites and set up more accounts. I apply for as many jobs as I can find. When I close my laptop, I feel accomplished. And it feels amazing.

Chapter Thirty-One

Bryson

Six of us are squished into the rideshare car, heading to the club. Sabrina and Nora, who are roommates, are sitting all the way in the back with Ava, Mark’s date. Tomas and I are in the middle row, while Mark is in the front with the driver.

Everyone is loud and excited, and even the driver is in on it, blasting music for us. The girls are singing loudly in the back, since we had a few shots before we left. They made me chill out, but I’m not quite ready to start belting out lyrics to Top 40 songs yet. Maybe after a few more drinks, I will.

Once we’re at the club, we wait outside for about ten minutes before we’re let in. The line wasn’t too long, and it’s still early, being only about eight.

The club is big and exactly as I’d expect a club to look. Flashing lights, loud music, hot, and smelling like sweat.

We go to the bar first. The girls each received a ticket for a free drink upon entry. The bar is busy, so while we wait, I pull out my phone to go through my emails quickly. I find one from a place I applied to and open it to see they want me to go on an interview.

“Fuck yes!”

“What’s up?” Tomas asks, placing his hand on my lower back as he stands beside me. I show him my phone.

“Hell yes!” He gives me a little shake. “We need to really celebrate now!”

“What’s up?” Mark asks.

I share the news with Mark, and he hugs me.

“Shots to celebrate!”

When it’s our turn, we all order a drink and get a round of shots. Mark pays for everything. Tomas tells the girls the exciting news, and they all take turns hugging and congratulating me. We cheers, do our shots, and suck down our drinks since they only let us get one at a time. We all get another to take with us to the dance floor.

I don’t get into the club scene right away, even though Tomas really tries to help me along.

“I need more drinks!” I finally say after feeling weird as hell with his hands on my hips.

Mark has been grinding on his girl since we got here and there is no shame in her game. She’s rubbing her ass all over his dick so good I think it would make mine hard, and I don’t like girls. Sabrina and Nora have each found a guy they’re dancing with. Both of which are pretty hot, honestly.

Tomas grabs my hand and leads me off the dance floor.

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