Page 32 of Diverge

Billie

Music booms throughthe club as I sit next to Nate inside our usual booth, thanks to Grace. This week was surprisingly not too bad at work. I thought I would completely hate it, given that Fiona almost gave me a coronary asking for a meeting first thing Monday morning. Turns out it was for an opportunity to land another big client, and she gave me the spiel on their initiatives and their vision. Another client to add to the ever-growing list. Sometimes I wonder if working a salary job is worth it. Sure, you get sick leave and annual leave, but you’re pretty much working like a dog. Maybe someday I will have the balls to quit and start my own thing.

“SHOTS!” Grace shouts at the top of her lungs in her red minidress as she downs another shot.

That was probably her fifth? Wait, no, sixth shot. I’m not much of a drinker, but I know Grace likes to have fun, so I don’t really say anything as I take a sip from my cider. Nate leans in to speak into my ear because of how loud it is in here.

“Does Grace know?”

I know he means, does she know about us? And by us, I mean us sleeping together the other night. I nod to confirm. He smiles, and his eyes grow dark. Did that confirmation just make him happy? “So does that mean we’re a thing?” He kisses my cheek.

Blushing, I lean into him. “Do youwantus to be a thing?”

His hand slides between my thighs, the smirk growing on his lips.

“I want the world to know you’re mine, baby.” He squeezes my thigh. “I want everyone to know that if they lay a hand on you, they’ll have me to answer to.” He looks into my eyes as he licks his lips. “I don’t care if they believe in god or not, I will send them to their maker.” He clenches his jaw as his eyes fall to my lips, my heart pounding in my chest at his words.

I see Riley coming back to the table with drinks, and I quickly swat Nate’s hand away to sit up straight. Yes, I know. I’m an adult, and I can date or fuck anyone I want, but it’s Riley’s friend! I feel awkward about it, and I have no idea how to tell him. Grabbing Grace’s hand, I lead her to the dance floor, wanting to get away from the table for a little. I let my body move to the beat of the music, swaying my hips. I’m starting to feel a little tipsy given I’ve already had a few drinks. Grace leans into my ear for a moment.

“When are you going to tell Riley?” she asks.

I shrug. “When there’s something to tell.”

She raises her eyebrows questioning me as if to say, “You know as well as I do that when you fuck your brother’s friend and see it going somewhere, you need to let him know before he finds out from someone else.”

Yes, I should, but not tonight.

The crowd on the dance floor parts for a millisecond, and I swear I spot Finn leaning against the bar, staring straight at me. My body freezes for a moment as I blink a couple more times to make sure it’s him. Grace said he wasn’t coming tonight because he didn’t want to make me uncomfortable, but there he is, leaning on the bar, his eyes never leaving me for a moment. Turning to Grace, I let her know I’m going outside for some fresh air and speedily move through the crowd. Once I reach the balcony of the club, I take a deep breath in, calming the noise in my head.

Spotting a few smokers, I ask for a cigarette off a tall blonde woman in a white dress. Without hesitation, she smiles and hands me one, lighting it for me, too. I’ve needed this. I’m not a full-time smoker, but sometimes a cigarette just hits the spot when I’m feeling stressed. Blowing out a puff of smoke, I feel a strong hand slide onto my hip.

“Never took you to be a smoker.” I smile when I hear Nate’s voice behind me.

“I needed one. It helps when I’m not in the right headspace.” I take another drag and offer him a puff when I turn to face him.

He shakes his head. “I don’t smoke.”

Nodding, I take another puff and put the cigarette out on the floor. “Listen, there’s been something I’ve wanted to ask you.” His brows furrow for a moment.

“Yeah, what’s up?” I ask as I face him.

“Grace’s party. I assume you’ll be going?” His hands are now firmly on my hips, mine resting on his forearms.

“Of course. She’s my best friend.” I smile. “And you’re coming, too, right?”

He raises his eyebrows. “Do you want me to?”

“Well of course I do. Why would you think otherwise?” I ask.

He sighs. “If we go to this party together, I want us to gotogether,” he admits, but it doesn’t surprise me.

My heart is in my stomach. I know what he’s asking, and I know I can’t say no. No, I don’twantto say no, but that means I must tell Riley.

“I want us to go together, too.” I bite the inside of my bottom lip, thinking about how I should approach the topic with my older brother. Reaching into my bag, I text Riley to meet me on the balcony, and sure enough, a few minutes later, I see him walking through the glass doors, the deafening music filling up the night as the doors open, then close.

Here we go.

“Hey, what’s up? I thought you were with Grace.” He looks around for her.

---