Page 73 of My Ex's Best Friend

Before I can protest anymore, she's out the door.

Just then I get a text from Chris.

Are you coming or not? I’ve already got Henry’s present. Better not bail this time.

I won’t, I reply. Even though meeting Chris is the last thing I want to do right now.

Where are we meeting? I text.

Chris: Now that’s a surprise.

***

"Surprise!" Chris exclaims.

I stare at the flashing neon sign ahead of us. "A strip club, seriously? Really classy, Chris."

"Yeah, when you said that it was a surprise, this place was the last thing on my mind," Henry adds. "So, color me surprised. Especially since this is supposed to be my birthday celebration, and none of us likes strip clubs. Oh wait, you do, Chris, right?"

"You guys are no fun at all. What happened to the Henry and Jake I knew from college?"

"They didn’t like strip clubs either. Again, that was just you."

Chris rolls his eyes. "Whatever. This place isn't even a strip joint, it’s a gentlemen’s club."

Henry looks at him. "Care to tell us how is that different again?"

"It's a classy place," Chris says. "Come on, don't you want to rock it like the old days? Don’t you remember the ragers we used to throw back in our frat?”

Henry and I exchange a look.

Chris was the one always wanting to party and to go to places like this. We just tagged along with him reluctantly because it was too dangerous to leave him alone.

"Come on, it was going to be a great night, and you're ruining it already. Don't you want to spend it with your best boys?"

I resist the urge to frown.

Chris has always been like this. He wants everything to go his way, or he’ll manipulate others into thinking that’s how it should have been in the first place.

"I mean—" Henry begins.

I shoot him an apologetic look. I know he's dating someone, so it's possible that he wanted to spend the evening with her rather than get warm beers with us or ogle at naked ladies he has no interest in.

I know I would rather be spending the evening with Kiera. But tonight isn't about me.

"Alright, let's go in. It might be better than expected," I say, the lie unconvincing to myself.

We walk inside, and we're immediately greeted by extremely loud music and the smell of cloyingly sweet perfume. The music is ridiculously loud and people are shouting to make themselves heard over it.

I regret my words immediately.

"Not that bad, huh?" Henry glares at me.

Chris grabs on to either of our shoulders and walks us inside before we can walk back out again.

The place is pretty crowded. There are plush couches and lounging chairs set up while ladies clad in lacy lingerie weave through the crowd, serving drinks to the men who ogle at them.

"I can see every single nipple on the waitresses," Chris says. "Jake, look at that chick's tits."

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