Page 36 of Gambler's Fallacy

Yep, he is that stupid.

“You ever been clubbing?” Havoc asks, then he laughs. “You don’t strike me as the type.”

“Yes, I’ve been clubbing,” I tell him irritably. “Back when I was a kid like you.” Honestly, I’ve never been the type to go to nightclubs, but I’ll be damned if I tell him that. I pass the door, heading into the accompanying parking garage.

I really want to know what Earl is doing here.

Havoc finally shuts the game off entirely and puts his phone into his pocket. He conceals the knife he brought inside his leather jacket before zipping it shut.

“I had a friend who liked going,” Havoc says. “But I lost touch with her when I joined the military.”

I park and glance at him, unsure of what to say to that. It’s never easy to talk about losing friends, but at least it’s a friend he lost touch with instead of a friend he lost whileinthe military. I still don’t know what his story is beyond him getting kicked out, and it’s not like I’m going to ask. I’m surprised he’s volunteered even this much.

“Yeah? Didn’t go without her?” I ask, getting out of the car. My adrenaline is already spiking as I try to think of how to find Earl without being spotted.

“When?” Havoc stuffs his hands into his pockets. “I joined the army, and when I got kicked out, I had to figure out how to get my life back on track. Spending a night partying wasn’t really on my mind.”

I grunt in acknowledgment. “Not much time to do that now, either,” I remark. Seven keeps the three of us busy — or exhausted — when Caleb isn’t doing the same.

I lead Havoc out of the garage and to the front of the club. The line is long, but this early in the evening, it at least isn’t stretchinghalfway down the block. I don’t have the kind of connections to skip it, which means I get to spend more time talking to Havoc.

He’s less annoying when we’re talking about something real, though.

We’re almost at the entrance when two young women approach us, wearing tight dresses and simple cardigans that can’t possibly help against the fall chill.

“Hey, papi,” the Latina woman says, smiling at Havoc. “You’re here for a good time?”

Her friend is a tall black woman with elaborately styled locs, and she hones in on me. “Looks like you’re all alone.”

“I’m not thepapi,” Havoc answers, grinning and pointing at me. “That’s my friend.”

I glower at him. “We’re here together, actually,” I say, trying to rattle Havoc.

Havoc rolls his eyes and waves the Latina woman closer. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t know a good woman if she’s standing directly in front of him.”

The two women giggle, emboldened by his flirtation.

“We aren’t here to—” I start, only to cut myself off before I can finish reminding him that we aren’t here to socialize or party. “Jesus, Havoc,” I mutter.

The black woman squeezes in between us. “I haven’t seen either of you around here before, though, and I party a lot.”

Havoc nods in acknowledgment. “If I’d known this place had ladies like you, I might have come earlier. But nah, I’ve been out of town, and my friend has never had a good time.” He glances around, then leans closer to her. “Is it true that I can reallypartyhere?”

Her eyes widen, and she purses her lips. She shares a glance with her Latina friend, then nods. “Sure. Keep an eye out for the people with the glowing wristbands.”

The Latina gives an exasperated sigh. “What if he’s a cop, idiot?” She peers at Havoc. “You’re not a cop, are you?”

“Nope,” Havoc answers. “Just somebody looking for a good time.”The line shuffles forward a few more feet, and now we’re at the club entrance. Earl must’ve made it inside, somehow.

The bouncer looks at all of us. He’s got a fancy earpiece and his muscles make the suit bulge awkwardly.

“Cover charge is fifty for men. The ladies, and you, you can enter. White guy stays outside,” he says.

“How about the white guy pays double and gets in with the other three?” I suggest. I can’t let Havoc go in there alone. He’s already showing he’ll fuck everything up, given the chance.

The bouncer folds his arms across his chest. “No deal. This is an exclusive club, buddy, and you don’t fit the look.”

Havoc opens his mouth to argue, but the black lady goes up to the bouncer with a pouty expression. “Oh, come on, Harry. He’ll pay you double! Take the bribe and don’t mess up my fun time.”

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