Page 60 of No Promises, No Lies

“Sounds good.” I’m still riding high on the adrenaline shot this game gave me. And I use it to fuel my confidence to even attempt going out tonight. It might be a risk, but knowing my father pushed up the marriage timeline with Matteo, it might be one of my last chances for a girls night out.

And I have just the outfit in mind.

Niko is more than happy to drop me off at the mansion after the game. Like I suspected, he’s eager to be free of me. But as I’m exiting his car, I stop, turning back around and making eye contact with my brother.

“Move it along, brat.” He taps the steering wheel impatiently, making what I’m about to say even harder.

Niko didn’t have to agree to this. I could still be confined in the house right now—or worse—dealing with Petr or another one of my dad’s guys, who would absolutely not be willing to wait around the rink for hours.

Hesitating, I bite my lip, losing my nerve after seeing the sharpness in his icy eyes.

“I don’t have all night,Aurora. What is it?”

“Thanks for tonight, Niko.” My words come out in a bit of a mumbled mess, but by the way he stiffens, I know he got the gist. “I know you have better things to do, but tonight was a lot of fun and, well… thanks for making it happen.”

My brother’s mouth tightens, but he doesn’t say anything. I shut the door before he has a chance to ruin it and head for the house. By the time I reach the steps, his Audi is long gone.

Just over an hour later, I’m clean and squeezed into myslutty-chicoutfit of choice. Honestly, it’s more clothing than I’ve had on all night, but somehow feels ten times as scandalous. If I get caught out in this outfit, I might not need to worry about my future at all.

Elle lent it to me the last time we tried to go out, but I never made it. My father ended up dragging me to a never-ending dinner with a couple of insufferable politicians he had in his pocket. Both of whom made me feel incredibly uncomfortable all night with theirwanderingeyes.

The structured black shirt caps on my shoulders and clings tightly to my upper body, leaving the tiniest sliver of skin above the short gold sequined mini skirt. I left the holographic green shamrock Liv painted on earlier this evening visible. She sealed it with like eight coats of clear coat and, even after hours of skating and a shower, the thing hasn’t budged.

The three-inch thigh high black suede boots give my legs the illusion of length. I leave my hair down. I refrained from washing it in the shower and the now loose curls from being shaken out all night cascade in a ‘messy sexy’ way down my back. In a rush, I add a quick,bold red lip and dark eye makeup to complete the look.

Not wanting to leave anything to chance, I escape the house with the maid’s three level step stool. Bypassing the gate entirely and climbing over the side wall instead.

It’s no trouble at all escaping the house tonight. Both Niko and my father are out, and security seems lighter than usual—if that were even possible. Which is good for me, since I’m already running late. Liv and Elle texted me they werehereat least ten minutes ago.

I’d given my teammates the address for the house a block over. Withexplicitinstructions to wait for me in the car.

I’m flushed by the time I burst from the yard belonging to our neighbors behind us. The crisp night air prevents me from sweating, but I’m breathing hard by the time I slide into the back of Liv’s Highlander.

“You good, Collins?” Sadie arches a brow, a concerned look on her face from the seat beside me.

“Yep,” I push out, breathless from both nerves and excitement, but grinning. “Let’s do this.”

37

LAST CALL

RORY

Last Call is absolutely packed by the time we arrive. The popular sports bar is on the prime strip between the ballpark, the Garden and the Breakers’ arena. The line to get in nearly wraps around the next block.

When I make a start for the end of the line, Liv links her arm through mine, rolling her eyes before leading me right past club hopefuls until we reach an unimpressed looking bouncer who’s armed with a radio and a clipboard.

“Name?” He looks between the four of us with a bored expression.

Liv breaks out one of her signature dazzling smiles. The stunning white is a sharp contrast to her jet black locks. “Olivia Sinclair and the Breakers Belles.”

He doesn’t bother checking the list in front of him, waving us through.

The Last Call is a luxury high-end sports bar and the girls half drag me through the entrance when I try to stop to admire the dark decor. The bar is huge and packed tight. High top tables and plush black leather couches adorn the lounge area. One wall is basically a large projection television, with highlights from the Breakers game tonight currently on the screen.And for thosenot wanting to watch the games, there’s a massive dance floor across the bar. Already packed with people moving to the music pumping out from the neon flashing DJ’s booth.

“There’s the team. C’mon” Liv shouts above the loud music, taking my hand in hers. I snatch Elle’s, dragging her behind me as we weave through the packed crowd. “What do you think, guys?” She angles her head back to us when we’re almost through the crowded floor. “Do you think I have a chance with Colt tonight?”

Colt?

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