Page 80 of In Too Deep

“Throw me something, mister!”

The famous refrain comes in from every side, and I take a handful of beads and cast them out like a net over the heads of the people below.

Mardi Gras is the best holiday in the world, and no one can convince me otherwise.

“BlackJack! Come here!” Caleb calls from the back half of the float.

I step away and let someone take my spot along the railing as I pick through the debris to the stairway landing, which has been dubbed the drink zone. We have coolers of Coke and water and sports drinks out on the main deck, but any alcohol had to stay tucked away. Something about maintaining our images with the public and union and league rules about substance use on the job.

When I squeeze in, I find Tex in the center of the group, handing out tiny plastic cups full of purple, green, and gold Jell-O. As I’m waiting for mine, I check for the rest of my pack, giving each of them a grin as I make eye contact. Tori’s makeup is still perfect despite the unseasonably warm day, though other non-player members of this float’s team haven’t been as lucky. The athletes were given exceptions to the rule about every person riding on a float needing to wear some form of mask or face paint, though I do spy Owen’s cheeks covered in chunky glitter as if it were eye black.

“To the best season we’ve had in years! I can’t wait to hold the cup up with y’all!” Tex shouts, raising his Jell-O shot in a toast.

We all let out roars of agreement before swallowing the alcohol-infused gelatin, almost everyone filing out of the drink room as the float starts moving again. Oli, Eli, Tori, and Logan linger, all of us grinning at each other.

“This is our last turn before we’re done?” Eli asks, speaking up slightly to be heard over the noise but not so loud as anyone passing by could overhear.

Tori nods. “They’re dropping us off at the convention center and having our cars valeted from Jefferson Park. It’s been going on all morning,” she says, swaying lightly as we go over a bump.

“Is that why I can’t find my keys?” Oli asks, relieved.

Tori gives him a mischievous smirk, shrieking with delight as she dodges his attempt to grab her, hiding behind Logan. Eli and I laugh, and I swipe a cold beer from one of the coolers, cracking the can and drinking half of it in one go.

“Save room for dinner and the open bar, Spence,” Tori chides.

“Yeah, it’s better to get drunk on the company dime, and the best when it’s coming out of Gideon St. Creep’s pocket,” Logan adds, downing another shot before wrapping an arm around Tori’s shoulders to hug her to his side.

“Fuck it, I’m drinking to that!” Eli says, and I can’t help the way my mouth waters as I watch his tongue swirl around the edges of the plastic cup to dislodge his extra shot.

Oli catches my eye and gives me a knowing grin before turning and heading back out to the main deck, Eli hot on his heels.

“He’s not going to be there tonight, is he?” My voice drops slightly as I step closer to Tori and Logan.

Tori thinks for a moment before shaking her head. “He’s never come to the ball in the years since I’ve been here, and he’s not on the guest list for tonight. The slimeball does have a way of showing up when you least expect it, though.”

Logan and I meet eyes, neither of us reassured by that reply. But we aren’t able to discuss the matter further, not as the float makes a sharp turn and then rolls to a stop.

Tori pulls away from Logan before letting out a long breath. “I have to run, or I’m never going to be able to get ready in time. See you at dinner?”

“Don’t forget to take your afternoon meds, baby girl. And drink a little water for me, yeah?” Logan says sternly.

Tori flashes a wide smile as she heads down the stairs. “Yes, Daddy.”

I give Logan a smirk as he purrs, but contain myself from laughing out loud. I had my doubts about his relationship with Tori at first. But the longer I’ve been able to watch them together, the more I’ve realized that he’s wrapped just as tightly around her delicate fingers as the rest of us.

“Come on, Daddy. Let’s get our stuff,” I tease, nudging him with my shoulder.

Logan mimes throwing up before shoving me into the wall, which only makes me laugh. Yeah, he fits right in.

I can hear thedull roar of the gathering crowd as I slip out of the locker room shower, a towel wrapped tightly around me. There isn’t a massive crowd waiting to use the stalls in the ladies’ room, but I can hear the chattering and laughter as those of us who rode in the parade freshen up. It wasn’t a particularly hot day, but I still worked up a sweat running around. After a quick rinse, I feel refreshed and excited for the real party.

Toweling off, I slip into my undergarments: a longline strapless bra and a piece of dental floss the lingerie store reflexively labeled as a thong. I pause to grab my phone and wallet, but keep the towel wrapped around my torso as I step out of the stall and into the locker room, heading toward one of the temporary changing rooms and meeting an attendant to claim my dress.

The heavy material flows around me as I slip into the custom-made gown, a little splurge I’d purchased before the start of theseason that thankfully still fits. Smoothing down the pleats of the gathered skirt, I slip my phone and wallet into the hidden pockets before adjusting the thigh slit to allow my assistant access to help me into my shoes.

“This is incredible,” she breathes out, brushing her fingers over the skirt.

I grin and thank her, stepping out of the dressing room to check myself in front of a mirror. The black material shifts from purple and green as I twist and turn, which highlights the floral pattern of the fabric. A jeweled applique sits on the waistline, shaped into climbing ivy vines that fan out over the bust and disappear under the folded fabric that makes up the off-the-shoulder straps. I’m smiling, already excited for the boys to see me even without my hair and makeup finished.

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