Page 36 of Sprite Wedding
The club was packed. The scents of beer and sweat were pervasive.
“Let’s go up there.” I pointed. Up on the balcony, there was more room, and we wouldn’t have to be crammed among others. Since Nova and I were vertically challenged, the spots looking down on the stage gave us a better chance to see rather than craning our necks around huge guys.
We headed upstairs, and the lights dimmed. I moved to the front, against the rail, as did Nova.
“Good call.” She chuckled. “I can see for once.”
Spotlights came on. The band walked onto the stage, and the energy stoked in the audience was instantaneous. They started the performance, and the singer immediately got the crowd cheering. The violinist played fast, and the guitarists shredded. By the time they played “Start Wearing Purple” a couple of songs later, a mosh pit had formed in the crowd below.
“I’m glad I’m up here,” I told Nova.
Behind me, Diego grumbled. “Who would want to go in there?”
“I would,” Lucas replied with a sly grin. “When I was younger.” He placed his hands on my hips. “But I have better company up here tonight.”
After a couple songs, the band slowed things down with the song “Alcohol.”
“Speaking of which,” Lucas asked, “want a drink?”
“Sure.”
The guys headed to the bar farther back along the balcony, which wasn’t far from us. When Lucas handed me a Cape Codder, I drank a third of it quickly. That wasn’t difficult since they filled the cup with ice. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was in the warm club.
A few songs later, the audience was riled up, dancing around again to “My Companera.”
Gianna stepped beside Nova in the space cleared by a couple. She snorted. “Look at them. Like happy toddlers.” She turned and leaned her back against the railing, champagne in hand.
I turned behind me. The guys were taking turns hooking each other’s arms in a sort of square dance.
I agreed with a laugh. “Looks like they’re enjoying themselves.”
Lucas encouraged me to join him. I brushed it off and pointed to my drink.
“I’ll hold it,” Gianna said. She took my drink from my hand. “Go, have fun.”
“Come on,” Lucas encouraged me with a wink.
I relented with a sigh as he dragged me toward him. “As long as we keep it PG,” I teased.
“For now.” He arched a brow.
I hooked my arms in his and we spun. He was much taller than me, but neither of us cared. Then we switched directions. Yes, it was fun. I should never question Lucas when it came to having a good time. Nova and Diego also danced beside us while Gianna and Sebastian watched from beside the bar. Gianna raised her champagne glass and grinned.
Soon, I was dizzy and breathing hard. When the song ended, I took my spot back at the railing and caught my breath. Fortunately, no one had swooped into our prime viewing spot while we’d left it. Then again, trekking through our raucous dance space could have been dangerous.
Nova returned soon after. “Whew, I need to catch my breath.”
Gianna gave me my drink. After I finished it, I was ready for a bathroom break.
“I’ll be right back,” I told Lucas. “Ladies room.”
“Oh, I’ll go too.” When I slanted my gaze, he added, “To the men’s room.”
We navigated through a mass of people along the balcony and headed downstairs.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“Of course,” I replied. “I know better than to question a Lucas plan. It’s better to just go with the flow.”
