Page 6 of Blood Sport

The area may be small, but there is a lot of energy floating around this room as the rhythmic base of the music rattles my heart. The smell of cheap cologne invades my senses as we make our way toward the bar. A couple grinds on each other, giving a clear fuck me look with their eyes, and multiple groups of girls dance together on the dancefloor, their hands in the air as the liquid in their glasses splashes over the side with the movement. I almost roll my eyes when I see a guy wearing a thick gold chain around his neck with chunky rings on his sausage fingers, his eyes watching said group of girls with a creepy smile on his lips.

While the girls rush to the bar to order a drink, my eyes drift to the staircase next to the DJ deck that leads to a second floor. What is that floor used for? I can’t see much because of the dark lighting, but it looks like there might be more rooms located up there. What could they possibly be used for?

“Evie! What do you want?” Candie calls out to me over the music.

“Just order me whatever you’re—” My eyes lock with a familiar pair of ocean eyes watching me from across the room. A shiver races down my spine at the familiar feeling of being watched.

I watch as Jaylen walks up the mysterious staircase with a beautiful woman hanging off his arm, excitement clear in her eyes as she looks at him. But he’s looking at me, and I’m enraptured by him. He’s dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt with the button undone at the top to reveal enough of his chest that it has my mouth slightly watering, and long black chinos. I’ve never seen him wear anything with color, but I think it suits him. Dark and mysterious.

His tongue darts out to lick his lips before a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. I swallow hard at the sight.

Jaylen and the girl walk around the corner when they reach the top, disappearing into the darkness of the second floor. When I can no longer see him, I inhale sharply, wondering what the hell he is doing here and where he just took that girl.

Is this some kind of weird sex club that allows patrons to get a private room?

Whatever the case, I’m determined to know what is on the second floor. Why? I have no idea. The rational part of my mind is telling me to ignore it and him, but the other more unhinged part is screaming at me to see what is upstairs, and I’m going to listen to it. But first, I need a few drinks in me as liquid courage.

As I turn to walk toward the girls standing at the bar waiting for our drinks, I feel my phone vibrate in my side bag. Pulling it out, I see it’s a text message from Roman. I roll my eyes. Why have I not blocked this motherfucker’s number yet?

Roman: If you don’t get back together with me, you’re going to regret it.

I’m done playing these games, Evie.

Evie: Stop texting me, weirdo. I’ll block your number.

Roman: If you do, then you won’t be around to witness the show.

I swallow hard. What the fuck does he mean by that?

3

Evie

The five cocktails—or was it six?—running through my veins make my head feel light and airy, the room slightly spinning as I look across the table at my friends. Jaycee and Rylee are laughing at something Candie said, but their laughter sounds like I’m floating underwater.

I didn’t intend to get this tipsy, but after seeing Jaylen and telling myself I would go upstairs to investigate, I needed to make sure I had some liquid courage coursing through my veins. I was going to stop after the third one, but I got carried away with the conversation of our group.

As bustling bodies dance and move around us, all I can focus on is what is upstairs and why Jaylen and that woman haven’t returned. I don’t know how much time has passed since we locked eyes, but I know it’s been at least an hour or two if I had to guess.

What the hell are they doing up there?

In the back of my mind, I have a feeling I know what they’re doing.

But why am I so curious to find out the answer? I don’t know.

“I still can’t believe you hooked up with that guy, Candie,” Rylee giggles, her cheeks slightly red from the alcohol.

Candie shrugs, sipping on her fruity cocktail. “It was a dare. Who am I to say no?”

I was too preoccupied thinking about that random text message Roman sent earlier in the night to witness Candie making good on the dare she was given by Jaycee. From what I’ve heard the girls say, she just walked up to a guy sitting at a table nearby, ignoring his group of friends, and kissed him without warning. Of course, he was more than into it, but Candie made sure to stop after a few seconds, leaving the guy wanting more. Now, he can’t stop looking in our direction.

“Yeah, funny,” I murmur, not paying the conversation any mind as I stare across the room at the staircase, my fingers itching to go see what is up there.

And that text message… What did Roman mean about watching a show? I’m sure this is just his way of trying to draw me back in, but it’s not going to work. I would rather individually pluck out each of my eyelashes than ever consider getting back together with him.

“Are you even paying any attention?” Jaycee asks with a raised brow. Her jet-black hair is pin-straight, resting just above her shoulders. The smoky eye look she went for enhances how dark and intense her irises are and complements her high cheekbones.

“Not really,” I admit, refocusing my attention on my friend. “Sorry, I’m just a little distracted.”

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