Page 10 of Jameson: Mayhem Makers

“What’s your poison?” Gabe asked, looking at Elise, then me, his eyes glinting mischievously.

Elise didn’t hesitate. “A hurricane. It’s the New Orleans staple, right?"

I nodded. "I’ll have the same."

Gabe flashed a grin. "Two hurricanes coming right up."

While we waited for the drinks, I took in the scene. Sam and Charlie were chatting animatedly about something, but Gabe kept looking back at me, his smile never quite fading. I wasn’t sure if it was just the aura of Bourbon Street or if he really was as charming as he appeared to be, but something was magnetic about him.

“So,” Elise said, “you guys are locals, right?”

“We’re locals,” Gabe said easily, his posture relaxed. “We do this all the time. It’s kind of hard not to be in the mix when you live here. Bourbon Street’s like a second home.” He chuckled. “You?”

“First time,” Elise chimed in, grinning. “But so far, I’m loving it. Bourbon Street’s got a vibe like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

“Welcome to the madness,” Sam said with a wink, tapping his glass to Elise’s after the bartender slid the drinks their way. “This place doesn’t sleep. And it’ll give you memories you’ll never forget—or at least ones you’ll swear you can’t remember.”

Gabe raised his glass. "Here’s to good times and no regrets."

Elise lifted her glass too, the liquid inside a swirling crimson. "I’ll drink to that."

I took a drink. The alcohol was sweet, fruity, with a little bite, and I felt the warmth spread through me instantly.

The night seemed to shift then, the conversation flowing as we all slipped into a booth by the bar. The noise of the street outside filtered in, but inside the bar, it was just the five of us and the intoxicating pull of the night.

“So you’ve lived here your whole life?” I asked Gabe, sipping the last of my second hurricane. The sweetness was starting to burn a little, but I liked it. It felt like the perfect drink for the night we were having.

“Born and raised,” Gabe said, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "Grew up just a few blocks from here. I know the city like the back of my hand." He leaned in a little, his voice lowering. “Bourbon Street’s where the tourists come to play. But the heart of New Orleans is in the alleys, the backstreets, the hidden courtyards.” His expression turned slightly mischievous. “Do you want a taste of the real New Orleans?”

I arched a brow, my curiosity piqued. "Depends. What do you mean by ‘real’ New Orleans?”

Gabe smiled like he’d been waiting for me to ask. “The places people don’t show you. The quiet jazz clubs, the secret speakeasies, and the dive bars where the locals go when they want to escape the madness of Bourbon. If you really want to feel New Orleans, you’ve got to get off the beaten path.”

I nodded slowly. I could feel myself getting drawn into his world—the one he seemed to have already mapped out, a hiddenlayer to the city I’d only just begun to scratch the surface of. “Sounds intriguing. Maybe we’ll let you be our guide,” I said, my voice light but with an edge of genuine interest.

Gabe’s eyes sparkled as his hand brushed my thigh. “You won’t regret it. Trust me.”

Across the table, Elise was clearly lost in her own conversation, her laughter ringing out as Charlie told a joke. Sam leaned in close, sharing something that made Elise smile even wider, her cheeks flushed with the warmth of the moment. I could tell that my best friend was in her element, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she hooked up with both men that night. Elise had a way of drawing people in with her easy confidence and infectious energy. It was one of the reasons I always felt so grounded next to her. It was like the two of us balanced each other out and could handle anything.

Gabe followed my gaze and chuckled. “Your friend seems like a force of nature.”

I glanced back at him, smiling. “She’s never met a stranger.”

“I can see that,” Gabe said with a smirk, then leaned back a little. “It’s good to have someone like that around, though. Keeps the night interesting.”

At that moment, Elise leaned across the table, pulling my attention back to her. “Okay, we’re getting the inside scoop from these guys, right?” She laughed, her voice louder as she looked from me to Gabe. “I feel like I need to know more about your secret spots in this city.”

Gabe’s smile widened. “I’m happy to give you the tour whenever you’re ready. But fair warning—it’s not for the faint of heart.”

Elise raised an eyebrow. “Well, I can’t speak for Elizabeth,” she said, enunciating my fake name, “but I’m all in. Lead the way.”

The group laughed, the playful energy continuing to build between us. It was hard not to feel the pull of the city and the people around me—everything was more vibrant here, more alive. I’d never experienced anything like it since I’d been sheltered my whole life.

I felt the surge of excitement again, the same one I’d had when we’d first stepped onto Bourbon Street. The thrill of being somewhere new, somewhere alive.

Before I could respond, Elise jumped in, clearly in a mood to make things even more interesting. “Okay, let’s get this secret tour thing started. We can’t waste all this energy just talking about it.”

Gabe looked at Elise, then back at me. “I’m down for that if you are,” he said, winking at me with a smirk. “There’s a place not far from here where we can start.”

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