Page 235 of The Perfect Spiral
“Are you ladies sure you want a girls’ night out?” He addresses the group, but his eyes never leave me. “We could always keep you company, or you could stay here and we could play strip poker....”
His words are playful, but I know he’s really asking me.
“No, James! We’re going out to get white girl wasted, dance on tables, get hot guys to buy us drinks—” Andy starts listing off our plans, but he interrupts her.
“You have a hot guy right here who can make you drinks,” he grins at me, his grip on my waist tightening.
“Nice try, but no! We’re going out without you guys!” Andy pulls me from his grasp and drapes an arm over my shoulder.
“You are not getting any guy to buy you drinks, missy!” Kyle shoots a stern look at his girlfriend.
“Alright, ladies! The goal of the night is to get Alex a guy! And let’s get her laid!” Sam claps her hands, drawing everyone’s attention. I choke on my drink as she announces this like I’m desperate.
“The fuck she is!” My three brothers rise to their feet, glaring at Sam.
I roll my eyes and James leans in to whisper, “You could stay here and get both...”
I down the rest of my drink and pour another, this time straight Jack. I down that one too. I can feel eyes on me and meet his gaze. He’s sipping from the end of his beer bottle, watching me.
I’m caught in his stare, then glance to the left to see Wes doing the same. Wes is smirking.
“Cabs here!” Sam imitates the Jersey Shore accent as best she can. We fill up water bottles with drinks and head outside, the boys trailing behind us.
I don’t look back, but I can feel their stares boring into the back of my head.
I slide into the cab and glance out the window to see James biting his lip as he watches me. Knox and Wes stand behind my brothers, their gazes just as intense.
As the rest of the girls pile into the car, we head towards the club.
Chapter 84
We’re let in immediately and make our way to the bar. Andy orders a round of whiskey shots, and we knock them back, ready to hit the dance floor.
The music is heavy, the lights strobe across the floor, and the air is thick and hot with bodies moving to the beat.
For the first time since the whole thing with my father happened,I find myself genuinely smiling. I just need to get wasted and let loose.
The DJ is killing it, playing throwback hits and mixing in chart-toppers. Andy takes my hand, twirls me around, and then pulls me into a hug. We dance and laugh with Hannah.
When a guy comes up behind Hannah, she shoots us a pleading look. Andy switches places with her to ward him off. I shout to Andy and Hannah that I’m heading back to the bar for a drink.
They follow me, and we ascend the steps to the bar where my sister is perched, sipping a cocktail and spinning on her stool like a child.
“Alex! Picture!” She demands, pointing to her iPhone. We pose for a few shots together.
“Come on, have you seen any guys yet? We need to piss Carter off!” She tries to whisper, but fails.
“No, no, we’re not pissing anyone off!” I warn her. I know what she’s trying to do—make him jealous so he cracks. But he won’t. I know he won’t.
I leave my sister singing along to the music and rejoin Andy and Hannah. Midway, I spot him leaning against the railing opposite the bar. He’s in a white t-shirt and grey jeans, talking to a girl who’s flirting shamelessly with him. His tattoo is more prominent against the white of his shirt, the black ink contrasting sharply.
His smile is directed at her, but as if sensing my gaze, he glances up. His eyes flicker over me without recognition, then snap back in a double-take. His eyes widen, mirroring the grin that spreads across his face.
I approach him, wrapping him in a warm hug. “I hope I’m not interrupting. How are you?” I apologize to the girl he was talking to, receiving a glare in return.
“I’m good... Wow! You look amazing. Haven’t seen you on the beach recently?” His question is laced with a playful smirk.
“Yeah, uh, long story... I didn’t mean to interrupt you and your girlfriend! I just wasn’t sure if it was you,” I reply, offering him an awkward smile.
