Page 18 of Everest

I nod, grateful for my friend’s support. “Knowing she’s safe and cared for helps a lot,” I say.

“Well, if you ever need anything, you know we are here for you,” Sadie tells me. “Even if it’s just to talk.”

I squeeze her hand in return. “I appreciate that, babe. Thanks."

Turning to Ruby, I ask, “How’s work? How are the kids?”

Ruby beams at my question. “They’re a handful as always.”

One thing about Ruby is that when her time comes, she will be a fantastic mother. She truly has a heart of gold and loves children.

“Speaking of kids, has anyone talked to Vayda lately?” I ask. "How’s the baby?”

Promise starts to gush. “Oh my God, he’s an angel. I stopped by to see Tequila yesterday and to take her some pre-prepped meals for the week. Damien is such a good baby. She and Wick are on cloud nine.”

“I’m so happy for them.” I smile.

As the night progresses, we abandon our table and go to the small dance floor in front of the stage. A local band is playing tonight, and after getting a little liquid courage in me, I feel like dancing. The band plays a couple of fast-paced rock ballads that have me and the girls cutting up the floor. The four of us look absolutely ridiculous, but we don’t care. We are not trying to win any dance competitions or impress any men. Behind the bar, Nova’s shaking his head and grinning at Promise, who doesn’t have a lick of rhythm but, by the huge smile on her face, knows it and doesn’t give a damn. Then, my gaze roams across the floor toward the corner of the stage where Everest is posted. His focus is zeroed in on me, and he’s not trying to hide it. I can’t read the blank expression on his face, but there is no mistaking the heat in his eyes.

“Are you two ever going to stop pretending there’s nothing between you?” Promise steps up beside me and bumps me with her hip.

I sigh. “That is one mountain I’d like to climb.” I tear my eyes away from Everest and regard my best friend. “Over and over again.”

Promise giggles. “I’m being serious, Lon.”

I grin. “Me too.”

She slaps my arm. “You know what I mean. I know you like him. And, by the way he’s been watching your every move since you walked in tonight. I’d say he’s into you, too.”

I shrug. Everest has not indicated he’s into me beyond our occasional flirtatious banter. Promise is right, I like Everest, but I don’t like rejection. If I tried to go there with him, andhe wasn’t interested, that would make things crazy awkward moving forward. Promise will always be a part of the Kings’ family, and because she’s my best friend, I am too. There is no way to avoid Everest. Instead of telling Promise the whole truth, I give her part. “I have too much going on to think about a relationship.” I look at Promise. “I need to be focused on my mom right now.”

Promise’s face softens. “I get it. I just want to see my best friend happy, is all.”

I return her smile. “I’m happy enough.”

“Oh, Lon.” Promise pulls me in for a hug.

The band breaks out in a slow-tempo number a few seconds later. Ruby and Sadie rush to us, and Promise releases her hold on me, breaking up our moment. “I love this song.” Sadie sighs as the four of us form a huddle and dance again.

Closing my eyes, I raise my hands above my head and move my hips to the beat. For a few moments, I can let all my troubles drift away. I forget how much I miss things before Mom got sick. I forget that instead of fulfilling her dreams, she is wasting away in that place. I forget how different her life could have been if she hadn’t been forced to be a single mom. I forget how she gave up all her dreams to give me mine. But as soon as the song ends and the bar turns silent, all those thoughts come flooding back, and suddenly, I feel like I’m suffocating. The room spins, and my throat closes, causing me to choke on my next breath. I can feel sweat running down my temple as my vision blurs.

I look over at Promise, who is hugging Ruby, and the two of them are laughing at something Sadie is saying, but I can’t hear their voices past the whooshing sound in my ears. Just as I feel like I will stumble and fall, a strong arm wraps around my waist, catching me. The smell of pine, leather, and cigarettes fills my senses.

“You’re okay,” Everest’s deep voice rumbles against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “Breathe, London,” he commands. It’s then that I realize I’ve been holding my breath. The next thing I know, Everest is ushering me outside. I look over my shoulder to see Promise, Ruby, and Sadie’s worried expressions as Nova holds his arms out while keeping them in place. Promise’s expression turns angry until Nova leans in close and says something against the shell of her ear.

Once outside, the cool night air blasts across my face, and I suck in some much-needed oxygen. Everest’s six-foot-five-inch form crowds me, keeping the throng on the sidewalk at bay, for which I am grateful. To onlookers, I’m just another drunk girl to gawk at. I lean my back against the brick wall and brace my palms against the front of my thighs. “I don’t know what the hell that was, but thank you,” I say through ragged breaths.

“Panic attack,” Everest murmurs.

As a cold bottle of water is shoved in front of my face. I don’t question where Everest suddenly got it, I wipe my sweaty brow with the back of my hand. Instead, I take it from him and greedily down half its contents.

“Panic attack? I’ve never had one of those. How did you know?”

“Finish the water,” he says without answering my question. Too freaked out to argue, I do as I’m told. After I finish the first bottle, Everest passes me another. I wave him off. “I think I’m good now.”

“You’ll be good once you drink this.” He practically shoves the water in my hand, leaving me no choice. I give him my best annoyed look, but in true Everest fashion, he is unaffected. I go to bring the bottle to my lips when I notice my hand trembling. “Fuck,” I hiss, leaning my head back against the wall.

“What’s up with this chick?” A polo shirt wearing idiot asks as he passes by on the sidewalk, making his dickhead friendslaugh. Normally, I have a witty retort for assholes like him, but I currently don’t have the strength. I’m shocked when Everest swiftly reaches out, wraps his large hand around the guy’s throat, and squeezes. I watch as the guy’s face turns red. His buddies are equally stunned and do the smart thing by stepping back. I don’t blame them. Everest comes by his name honestly—a wall of muscle and stands at six feet five inches tall.

---