Page 13 of Break

Stepping to the side, she comes into view as her eyes flick to me, then back up to Danny. “Umm, no worries, Max. I h-hope you have a… a good night.”

“But-” I start to say, but Raquel pulls on my arm.

“She’ll be fine, babe. Let’s go dance!” she begs me.

Mina gives me a slight, single nod, and I mouththank youas I allow my feet to follow Raquel’s more forceful tug.

I’ll catch up with her on Monday at school and apologize for ditching her, but I’m confident that she knew we were only here as friends. I let thoughts of her drift away as I wrap my arms around Raquel. We spend the rest of the evening dancing and laughing with my friends for our last hurrah as high schoolers.

Chapter 7

5 years ago

Ethan

“God, this is so fucking hot!” Danny slurs, reaching up for the stripper who’s currently rubbing her ass all over his crotch.

Candy, the entertainer that he persuaded to climb all over him, smacks his hands away without slowing down her rolling hips. “No touching, buddy. That’s your last warning.”

Danny is beyond drunk. He was past his limits four shots ago and shows no signs of wanting to slow down.

I lean back in my chair, sipping at my whiskey that I’ve been nursing since we got here. I told the guys I’d drive us tonight since I have to leave the day after tomorrow. We’ve got an early morning getting ready for the wedding and then the reception in the evening. My leave from the Army was shortened because of an unscheduled deployment overseas and I need time to pack.

“Baby, you feel so good! How much to take you home tonight?” he asks with his mouth drooping open, and tongue practically hanging out. His eyes are half-lidded and completely unfocused from the alcohol.

“Damn it, Danny. Stop being a creep. You’re going to get us kicked out of here, man,” Vincent scolds, slapping him on his shoulder.

I snicker when Danny falls sideways from the hit, unable to keep his body upright. Candy, though, has apparently had enough of Danny’s wandering hands when he grabs her hips to stabilize himself.

“Alright, I’m done,” she snaps at no one in particular. Pulling her body away from him, she picks her discarded bra off the floor and straps her massive tits back into it while glaring at our friend. “I’m not a fucking whore, you jackass. I’m done with this shit.”

Narrowing his eyes, Danny sneers at her. “I paid a hundred bucks for a fucking lap dance. I want a refund or you need to finish what you started.”

“Yeah, not happening. No refunds, asshole.” She spins away and slips into the back through a door painted bright red with the words ‘Employees Only’ written in bold, white lettering.

“Can you believe that sshhhit?” Danny asks me, glassy eyes looking slightly to my left, before further sliding sideways like he’s about to fall off the chair. He’s probably seeing three of me right now.

Grabbing his shoulder to prop him back up, I give him a squeeze. “Yeah, I can believe it. She gave you plenty of warnings, Danny. Likely for the best. I think you’ve had enough tonight and you’ve got an early morning tomorrow.” Catching Vincent’s eyes over Danny’s shoulder, he nods in agreement.

This evening turned out to be a bust. The dinner we shared before coming here was the highlight of our evening. But Danny downed so many drinks at the restaurant, it’s like he was on a mission to drink everything they keep on the shelves. He was already swaying by the time we showed up at the strip club, which he insisted we visit for his bachelor’s party. It’s just been a nightmare since.

Without giving Danny a chance to argue with me, I give Max’s foot a kick. “You wanna help me get him out of here?” Max has been quiet ever since I’ve been back in town. This is the first time I’ve spent with him since his mom’s funeral, and I’m worried that he’s more fucked up about what happened than he’s letting on.

“I don’t wanna go anywhere, not until I get my dick wet!” Danny complains loudly as I try to lift him out of his chair. “This is my last night before I’m stuck with a fucking prude!”

Vincent and I pause at his words, while Max throws back his tumbler of bourbon in one shot.What the hell is he going on about?

Clearing his throat, Vincent interjects. “Umm, probably not a nice thing to say about your future wife, Danny. You’re just drunk and not thinking straight.” Coming up next to me, he helps me lift him to his feet. “Ethan and I are gonna get you to the car and then to your hotel room. Sound good?”

He doesn’t formulate any sensible words, just mumbles out complaints as we drag him out the front door. Vincent gives a silent apology to the security team angrily eyeing up our friend, slouched between Vincent and I. Candy must have reported him. Good thing we’re leaving before we get our asses kicked out. One guard we pass delivers us a warning as soon as the fresh air hits my face. “Let your buddy know not to come back here once he sobers up. He’s not welcome again.”

Nodding that I hear him, we make our way to my rented SUV, practically dragging Danny along the gravel parking lot. “In you go,” I encourage him as he falls into the back seat. “Let me know if you need to puke so I can pull over. Where’s your room key?”

“Don’t wanna go to the hotel. Need to go to her house. Need to tell her not to be a fucking cold fish anymore.”

“Yeah, that’s not a good idea.” Vincent laughs awkwardly.

Max crawls into the back with Danny, shoving him over so he can fit himself in beside him. “Why the hell are you talking like this? Do you not want to get married or something?”

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