25. SYDNEY
25
SYDNEY
Charlie yawns dramatically. “I’m so bored. Are we really going to spend one of our last nights together watching a movie? We’ve already done this a hundred times.”
“We voted,” Wren says.
“I did not vote for this,” Charlie declares.
“We can do facials,” I suggest. “Paint our nails for graduation.”
“Do you remember the time we all put on our sluttiest clothes and went down to The Armory?” Charlie asks.
“I don’t remember ever doing that,” Lauren replies.
“Me either,” I say.
“Exactly!” Charlie stands on the couch cushion. “That’s because we’ve never done it. Tonight is the night, ladies. Come on, Wren. Let’s go get a scrap of fabric to cover ourselves with.”
“I’ll pass,” Wren says, turning her attention back to the movie.
“Oh, no, you don’t. You are moving hundreds of miles away from me. Give me this one night,” she says, tugging on Wren’s arm .
“This is emotional manipulation.” Wren glares at her.
“Is it working?” Charlie asks.
“Yes. Fine,” Wren agrees. “But only for a few hours.”
“Lauren, Sydney, what about you?” Charlie asks, holding on tight to Wren.
“I don’t see how we can say no if Wren is going. Meet back here in ten minutes?” I ask. She nods and pushes Wren towards the door.
“This night just got a lot more interesting,” Lauren remarks, picking up the bowls of chips and popcorn and bringing them to the kitchen. I gather up our glasses and turn off the television.
“Are you cool with going out?” I rinse the glasses and put them in the dishwasher.
“Of course. Charlie’s right. We haven’t had a true girls’ night out with all four of us. It will be fun. I’m just having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that this is it. We’re about to close the door on this part of our lives and I’m not ready.”
I wrap my arms around Lauren and squeeze as hard as I can. “Our door never closes. No matter where we live. Do you understand? Years can pass without a word and I will still be there for you.”
“If you don’t call me every day, I will be on the next flight to Charlotte to make sure you’re doing okay. I know you’re going to be a big boss babe out there but don’t forget about me.”
“I could never. You’re my sister.”
“I love you, Sydney. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t my roommate freshman year. I came here alone and because of you, I’m leaving with a family.” Lauren sucks in a breath and wipes at her eyes.
“I love you too.” I give her one more squeeze. “We should get dressed before Charlie comes back over. Do you know what you’re going to wear?”
“I have a little something hiding in the back of my closet I haven’t had an excuse to wear yet,” she says with a devious smile.
I laugh all the way to my room. I think I have a dress in the back of my closet like that too. I slide hangers around until I find one of the bodycon dresses Koa snubbed for Nash’s party.
This pink mini spaghetti strap dress is perfect for a girls’ night out at The Armory. I strip out of my sweats and one of Koa’s shirts I stole from him the last time I stayed the night at his place and slip on the dress.
Once I’ve got the girls in place, I take a quick look in the mirror. Definitely need a different pair of underwear…or maybe no underwear. That would be a fun text to send Koa later.
I shimmy out of my underwear and fling it in the direction of the hamper. I pull my hair out of the silk wrap I have it in and fluff out my curls. They still have some life left in them. I add a little blush to my cheeks and gloss to my lips to finish off my look.
I grab my favorite black pumps from the bottom of my closet before meeting Lauren in the living room .
“Damn, girl,” she says when she sees me. I do a little spin and booty shake for her. “We need to take a photo.”
“Fine, but don’t send it to Hart. You know they will spoil our night out if they see us looking like this.” Lauren’s wearing something similar to me but in green. Instead of her skirt being tight on her thighs it has a little movement to it. And despite her short stature she’s wearing sneakers instead of heels.
We manage to get in a few photos before Charlie and Wren come back over dressed to kill.
“Wren, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in something so delicious,” I say as we walk out the door.
“Get your fill. This is a one night only event.” She smooths out the bottom of her form fitting sky blue dress.
My eyes flit around our surroundings as we walk across campus to The Armory. I like to think of myself as a strong woman but the situation at Ray’s shook me.
I was a sitting duck and anything could have happened. If Koa hadn’t reacted as quickly as he did and got Hart to call the cops, that guy would have had more time to break my window.
I’ve been able to block out most of the nasty things he was saying about me but I haven’t forgotten everything. I’m grateful this bad memory is also woven together with the way Koa spoke to me, took care of me, and the way he held me all night .
It will take time but I hope one day I will be comfortable going out after dark without feeling like I have to look over my shoulder every two seconds.
Pop music floods The Armory and my mood is instantly lifted. We head straight to the bar and get a round of drinks and start a tab. Once we have our drinks, we walk to the back room where the dance floor is located. This is where we thrive.
“I’ll grab us a table,” Wren says.
“You have to dance too. I’m not going to let you get away with sitting at the table all night.” Charlie crosses her arms over her chest.
“Sure. Fine. Let me at least have a drink first,” she replies. “Now go dance. I’ve got the first drink watch.” She shoos us away.
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Lauren says, taking my hand and leading me out to the dance floor with Charlie following close behind.
We manage to carve out a space between all the bodies. There are people everywhere. It shouldn’t be surprising. We aren’t the only ones trying to savor the last few days at Newhouse and creating as many memories as possible.
Charlie, Lauren, and I form a small circle, taking turns dancing in the middle of the group. When Lauren steps into the circle, I’m once again impressed by my best friend’s dance skills.
“She’s really good,” a random guy says beside me .
I nod in agreement. Two guys have joined Lauren in a little dance battle of sorts. It’s fun to see everyone watch her with shocked looks on their faces. Charlie and I continue to dance together while we keep an eye on our girl.
“Who were those guys?” Charlie asks Lauren when she joins us.
Lauren glances over her shoulder. “They’re on the step team here. Not bad, right?”
“Not as good as my girl,” I say, bumping my hip with hers.
“Do you think we should check on Wren?” Lauren asks, nodding toward our table.
“Two more songs,” Charlie says. “Then we can finish our drinks and drag her out here with us.”
Another upbeat pop song fills the room and we immediately start moving our feet. I swing my hips as I dance behind Lauren. Charlie’s eyes widen at something happening behind me. I’m about to ask what’s going on when a strong arm wraps around my waist and draws me against their hard body.
I inhale a breath and I submerge myself in the ocean of Koa’s scent while his hands slide up and down the curves of my hips and thighs.
He pulls my hair off my neck, exposing my ear. “You look like you want to make one of my fantasies come true,” he says, then leaves a trail of kisses down my neck and over my shoulder .
I turn in his arms and his hands drift down to my ass. Draping my arms over his shoulder, I enjoy the desperate way Koa is looking at me.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” I tell him.
“It wasn’t my idea but I’m glad I came. I would have been really sad if I missed you wearing this dress.” His eyes dip to my cleavage.
“You didn’t seem very impressed with this dress when I was thinking about wearing it for Nash’s party.”
He pulls me closer to him and slips a finger under the thin strap on my shoulder. “That’s because I knew I wouldn’t be the one taking it off of you that night. I have a personal affliction with a lot of your clothes.”
“I don’t like that you’re suffering.” I glance over at our table. Lauren and Charlie have joined Wren, Wyatt, Nash, and Hart. They probably wouldn’t mind if I called it an early night. “Maybe we should say our goodbyes and put you out of your misery.”
Holding tightly to my hand, Koa turns on his heel and briskly walks through the crowded dance floor.
“What are the four of you doing here?” Charlie asks, suspiciously. I snag my drink and take a slow sip waiting for someone to fess up.
Charlie glares at each of the guys, trying to get one of them to crack. Then she narrows her sights on Wren and Wyatt. Both of which have their phones sitting out in front of them.
“You texted him,” Charlie accuses Wren. “And you just had to come, didn’t you?” she asks Wyatt .
“I’m just a man,” he says, holding up his hands. “If you got this text, you would have come running too.” He passes Charlie his phone. She reads over his texts and pouts.
“Ugh, fine. Why do you have to be so hot, Wren?” Charlie asks, passing Wyatt’s phone back to him.
“It’s a curse,” she replies.
“I know you want to, but you can’t leave yet. We have to at least finish our drinks and Wren owes me one dance,” Charlie says.
“One drink and then I’m taking you to meet some of my friends,” Nash says, throwing an arm around Charlie’s shoulders.
“What kind of friends?” Charlie asks, looking up at my brother.
He smirks, knowing he has her on the line.
“The show me a night I won’t soon forget kind of friends?” she asks.
“Yes. Those kind. Which reminds me,” Nash drops his arm from Charlie’s shoulders and leans on the table. “You three,” he narrows his eyes on Wyatt, Koa, and Hart, “went and got tattoos without me.”
“They did?” Wren questions. “You did?” she asks Wyatt.
“I’m surprised you didn’t notice since you like looking at my body so much,” Wyatt teases her.
“Where is it?” Wren asks skeptically.
“Right here.” Wyatt holds out his wrist.
“Those two tiny dots? They look like freckles,” she says. Everyone at the table snickers at him .
“No. It’s you and me.” He points to the dots. “I call it ‘ a bird’s eye view .’ Kind of perfect right?”
“That is not a tattoo,” Wren claims.
“I beg your pardon, it most certainly is. It is a permanent mark on my skin and it isn’t going anywhere, birdie. Neither are you,” he says, wrapping his arms around her.
Koa stands behind me and pulls me tighter against his chest. I lift my drink and take a sip, enjoying all of my friends chatting and laughing around me. I’m going to miss this.
We order another round of drinks while reminiscing over the last four years. We even manage to get Wren on the dance floor for a few songs.
“I’m taking her home now,” Wyatt says.
“Can I take you home too?” Koa asks, kissing my bare shoulder.
“Yes, please,” I reply. Then kiss him.
“But we were having fun.” Charlie pouts.
“Let them go. We don’t need them,” Nash says. “We’ll have more fun on our own. I think it’s time I introduce you to those friends I was telling you about.”
“Fine. I can’t let this dress go to waste because all of you have boyfriends now. It’s really hard being the last one standing in singlehood,” Charlie says.
“Come on. You’re too pretty to pout.” Nash takes hold of her hand. “Text me when you’re home. We’ll take care of the tab,” he says, before escorting Charlie away from our table .
“Don’t worry about Charlie,” Wren says, getting up from her chair. Wyatt immediately grabs her and pulls her to his side. “She will be the center of attention and forget we even left.”
As we walk by the bar, I glance over toward the bar, and sure enough, Nash has managed to make Charlie the main attraction. I send him a quick text to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets home okay.
“Everything good?” Koa asks, once we get to his car.
“Yeah. It’s perfect.”
And for once, I feel everything really is and will only get better from here.