Page 19 of These Wicked Games
“Atlas,” Grey finishes. “Your friend is in safe hands, though. Safe, clumsy hands.”
Pulling her arm from mine, she lifts her cigarette and takes a drag, blowing the smoke away from us. Then she tucks her arms around her body and holds her hand out to let the ash fall.
“How about this . . .” Grey smiles, and understanding seems to flow between them, something I’m not privy to. I’m too drunk and pissed to ask any questions, though. “You, me, and Kuli over here take this party elsewhere.” She cocks a manicured brow at him as he leans down, looking me in the eye before whispering something in her ear. Her mouth gapes slightly but snaps shut. Then he presses one of his fingers to his lips. What the hell did he say to her?!
“Well, that changes things. I have an idea.” She beams. “What do you say, Kuli? Ready to have some real fun?”
After the day I’ve had, I’m ready for anything.
I can feel the thump of the bass in my fucking DNA as I enter The Treasure House. “Why the fuck are we at a queer club?” An exclusive club that required us to sign NDAs. I look at my friend, who’s eyes are lit up like a kid on Christmas. Not exactly Grey’s scene, but he seems like he’s into it. It’s rare I see him this animated. Maybe he’s drunker than I thought.
“Because,” Monica yells over the music as we walk down the entry hall. “I want to have some fun, and I’m sorry, but I’ve been following Destiny around all night.” A bouncer with close-cropped blue hair and striking, bright purple contacts stands by a door. Theslight curve of Monica’s lips tells me everything I need to know as she walks up to her and drags one of her fingers down the center of the bouncer’s chest.
“Hey, kitten,” the bouncer purrs, giving her another once over.
“Is Leela deejaying tonight?”
“Yes she is, and yes I talked to her. I put in a good word for you.” The bouncer’s eyes lift to us. “Bodyguards?”
“My entourage,” she laughs.
“Just casually hanging out with two of the biggest hockey stars Oregon has to offer? Why would I expect any less?”
“Destiny’s with their friend. We snuck away for some real fun.” Something darkens over the woman’s face. “Don’t look at me like that. I know, I know.”
“Stop trying to get with straight women,” she yells over the noise. “It’s only going to bring you pain.” Monica ignores her, grabbing her in for a hug-squeeze combo before running her fingers through her hair.
“Thanks, Tory.”
She lets us in, giving us both an appraising look as we pass. Stepping inside the club, I squint. Everything’s so bright. So, so fucking bright. Laser lights ping-pong all over the club and bodies writhe all around us, everyone in their own little world having a great time. It’s so different than what I’m used to. The bass is nauseating. Men and women dance—on tables, on the floor, some even on the bar. Everything is so loud, overstimulating, and I instantly regret coming. The beat of the music is too loud, making me sick. It feels like my brain is bouncing around my skull
Fuck, I am getting old.
I look over at Grey who’s surveying the crowd as we make our way through the writhing bodies to the bar. “You look happy to be here,” I attempt to say in Grey’s ear.
“Can’t I try something new?” That surprises me.
Not as much, though, as the sight before me when I look up onto a platform to our right.Holy shit. “For fuck’s sake,” Grey curses next to me.
Up ahead on a raised platform, Andre is dancing with a slim man with shocking silver hair. The man looks young, though, so maybe it’s dyed to make him look like some kind of Jack Frost. Either way, they’re having a great time grinding against each other. The man leans in, whispering into Andre’s ear, and whatever it is makes his eyes go molten.
My guts twist. “Oli, don’t.” Grey surprises me with the growl that leaves his lips. “Just put it away for one fucking night. We don’t need a repeat, not here.”
I hear him but everything feels like I’m being plunged into darkness, and my vision tunnels, seeing only Andre ahead. As if he can feel the heat of my gaze, Andre turns his head to me, and it takes a split second before his whole demeanor stiffens. Closing his eyes for a second, he looks to the man basically rubbing his dick all over his thigh. Leaning in, he whispers something, and the smaller man looks disappointed but nods.
Hopping down off the platform, Andre doesn’t spare me a glance, moving deeper inside the club. “What’s going on?” Monica comes back to us with three shots in hand. “Come on, boys. Lighten up.” I take the shot, my eyes still looking around to see where Andre went, having no luck.
“Why so grumpy?” Monica laughs then looks at Grey. “What’s the deal with Mr. Great Tits?”
I can’t even laugh at her joke. “He just saw this guy he hates,” Grey leans in to tell her.
“Oh, spicy. Romance gone wrong? Did he cheat? Cheaters are the worst!” She leans into me. “I’m not saying we could make him disappear, but I may or may not know a guy. Allegedly.”
This time I laugh. “No, nothing like that. Just hockey shit.”
“Ah! Bro stuff. Got it. Well, no fighting here, boys. This is my house and I invited you all into it. Don’t embarrass me.”Noted.
While I respect that, I realize right now hownotinto this I am. I’m done. I want to go home. Who the fuck was that guy he was dancing with? Was he just here for fun, or something more? “Grey.” I turn to him. “I’m going to head out.”
