Page 12 of F*ckboys

My fingers drum absently against the cold glass surface of my desk as I sit in the quiet, dimly lit office. The afterglow of Mia's support lingers in the air, but with it comes an uncomfortable realization creeping into my thoughts.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath. Lately, Mia and I have spent all our time together trapped within these walls, discussing work or brooding over my vendetta against various scumbags. Shedeserves better than this, she's not just a colleague, but a true friend who's been there for me through thick and thin. Lately, I've been doing a lot of complaining and haven't been giving her much positivity in return.

I push myself up from my desk and pop my head into the open space where her desk is located. As usual, she's busy working. I think she'd work all night sometimes if I didn't send her home. She hears me approaching and turns to face me, and as usual of late her tone is tinged with worry. "Is everything alright? Did I forget something?"

"Actually, I was thinking that we should make plans to go out tonight," I say, surprising myself with the suggestion. "We haven't spent any time together outside of work lately, and I think we both could use a break. I know I've been leaning on you a lot and the least I could do is buy you a drink."

"Really?" Mia's eyes widen with surprise, but then she grins, nodding in agreement. I feel even guiltier seeing how happy such a small gesture made her. I've really been a shitty friend to her lately, proven by the mere fact I suggested a spontaneous girls night out had her perking up like an attention-starved puppy. "You know what? You're right. We do need to have some fun. Let's do it!"

"Great," I reply, a genuine smile forming on my lips. "It's settled, then. We'll go out tonight and forget about all this drama, even if it's just for a little while." A night out with my best friend actually does sound refreshing, and like the distraction I so desperately need.

"Sounds perfect," Mia agrees before turning back to her desk to wrap up her work for the day.

As I sit alone once more in my office, the pang of guilt continues to tighten in my chest. Mia has always been there for me, offering unwavering support and understanding. And whathave I given her in return? Stressful conversations and late nights at the office. She deserves so much more.

"Tonight," I vow to myself, "I'll make it up to her. I'll show her how much I truly value our friendship."

But even as I say the words, I can't shake the heaviness that continues to press down on my heart. Aksel's message still lingers like a ghost, haunting me with its carefully chosen words and hidden meanings. Can I ever truly escape him? Or will he always remain an indelible part of my life—a dark shadow cast over everything I do? I'm going to try to delay our inevitable meeting for as long as possible.

For now, though, I push these thoughts aside. Tonight isn't about Aksel or my father or any of the other demons that plague me. Tonight is about Mia and celebrating the bond we share beyond these walls.

"Let's make tonight count," I whisper, steeling myself for the evening ahead. As I rise from my chair and switch off the ambient lighting, I allow the darkness to envelop me, if only for a moment. But when I step into the hallway, it's with renewed determination, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

"Tonight," I think again, "is for friendships and fun."

Chapter 7

Fallon

The bass of the music thumps through my chest as I step into the trendy Scorch nightclub with Mia by my side. Mia has been mentioning wanting to check it out for a while after it was featured in several reviews of hot new local nightspots. It's a sexy space with dim lighting and a DJ spinning tunes from a turntable high up to one side of the bustling dance floor. The atmosphere is electric, charged with an energy that's almost palpable. Scantily clad women and men in tightly fitted outfits gyrate to the rhythm of the music in a seductive game of flirtation. While there's no official dress code, there's a silent understanding that nobody will be let in unless they're dressed to the nines. The air hangs thick with a heady mix of sweat, perfume and expensive cologne. The sensory overloadis a welcome distraction from the unending thoughts of Aksel and our dangerous game of cat and mouse, as well as the heartwrenching plights of my clients.

"Come on, Fallon! Let's go get some drinks!" Mia shouts over the pounding music, her eyes wide and alive with excitement. She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bar, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. We're both dressed for the occasion, Mia in a sparkly tube top and matching skirt, and me in my teal tank top and black short shorts. Having learned my lesson the other night, instead of blister-inducing heels I've opted for my signature black combat boots. Much more practical, and useful for kicking ass if need be.

"Sure thing," I grin, feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "You look gorgeous by the way!"

I'm ready to lose myself in the night, to forget about the darkness that has taken hold of me lately.

We reach the bar and order our drinks, the bartender sliding them to us with a flirtatious wink that makes Mia giggle like a giddy schoolgirl. I take a sip of my cocktail, the bittersweet taste dancing on my tongue like a warning, a reminder that tonight is only temporary. But for now, I'll savor it.

"Let's dance!" Mia urges, tugging me toward the throng of bodies writhing to the music. I laugh, allowing her to lead me onto the dance floor. It's a crush of people all there for only a few possible reasons: to lose themselves in the music and distract themselves from the not-so-pleasant aspects of their lives, to find someone to take home for the night, or maybe both. Either way, it's a welcome escape and there's comfort in the commonality of why we're all here.

As we dance, I feel the gaze of men around us, appraising and hungry. For once, I don't shy away. Instead, I embrace it, locking eyes with each one, daring them to come closer. I flirtshamelessly, reveling in the power it gives me, even if it's just for tonight.

A particularly sexy guy with ruggedly good looks approaches me, his jawline sharp and defined, every angle of his face seemingly chiseled from stone. His tanned skin glows softly under the strobing dance floor lights, his broad shoulders and chiseled chest emphasized by his tight-fitting T-shirt. He wraps his large hands around my waist and I lean back against him, letting his hips grind against me and his stubble graze against the small of my neck, his intoxicating cologne emphasizing his sheer masculinity. He whispers something into my ear, perhaps asking for my number or offering a drink and I just smile as he weaves his way back out of the crowd.

"Nice one, Fallon, you're on fire tonight!" Mia shouts into my ear, her body moving fluidly to the beat. "Keep this up, and we'll have every guy in here begging for our attention."

"Maybe that's what I need," I think to myself, a wicked smile playing on my lips. A distraction from Aksel, from the thought of our tangled, twisted connection. But my mental image of him still lingers, a shadow lurking in the back of my mind. I continue to dance and flirt with the men around us, enjoying the feeling of their eyes on me, their desire for me fueling my own inner fire.

The night continues, a blur of music, laughter, and carnal energy. I feel alive in a way I haven't in so long, untethered from the burden of my past and the weight of my perpetual quest for revenge. But even in this momentary escape surrounded by hot men, I can't help but think about him. Aksel. The man who has become both my nemesis and my obsession. Every feature on a man that could potentially remind me of him, does, and I keep thinking I see him in the crowd, but of course he's not here.

"Are you okay?" Mia shouts over the music at one point, concern etched on her face as she catches my distant gaze. Guilt immediately hits me as once again I see how closely attuned hermood is to my own. And I have certainly been a Captain Bring-Down lately.

"Oh I'm fine," I lie, forcing a smile. "Just need another drink. I say we do shots!"

"Okay," she says, not entirely convinced I'm alright but willing to let it go for now. "Shots it is!"

We head back to the bar where the bartender once again greets us with a flirtatious grin and a wink. His actions are cheesy, but he's a decent-looking guy. Mia clearly thinks so too, leaning over the bar to order us each a shot of blanco tequila with a lime wedge, and exposing more of her cleavage to the attractive man. "Those are on the house," the bartender beams at Mia. We cheers, lifting our glasses high in the air. "To a well overdue girls' night!"

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