CHAPTER TWENTY
CASPER
Music from the washroom upstairs drifted down to the main floor. I stood in the kitchen with Stray having a drink. Codie was upstairs getting ready, hence the music.
She was so excited for this triple date tonight. Eager for all of us to go out as couples. Were Luna and I a couple? We hadn’t made anything official. Not that I needed to do so. She was mine. Nothing was changing that.
Since I spent the night at her dorm room earlier in the week, we’d texted every day. Spending free time together on campus when we were able. I’d have been happy to spend every waking moment with her. Yet I wanted to give her space and time to miss me. To think about us.
While Stray poured us each a drink, I rolled up a joint on the kitchen island.
Once Codie was ready, we would go pick Luna up before meeting Rebel and Storm at the club.
I wasn’t much of a dance club kind of guy.
Codie swore this place was awesome. As long as the girls had fun, that’s all that mattered.
“These women have us wrapped around their little fingers.” Stray tossed back a shot of whiskey, passing one to me. “I can’t believe I let Codie talk me into this. A dance club?”
I took the shot and signed, “Just wait until she gets you to actually dance. I’m definitely taking a video for the internet.”
His fist slammed into my shoulder, making me chuckle.
I gave him a shove when he almost upset the weed.
Rolling up the perfect joint, I lit the end and sucked in a deep drag.
I wasn’t much of a dancer either. However, Stray was so opposed to dancing of any form that I had to give him a hard time about it.
“Fuck that. You might be bigger than me, but I’ll still kick your ass.” Stray swiped the joint from my fingers, sticking it between his lips.
I held up a hand in invitation, silently telling him to bring it on. The shot quickly warmed my insides. I didn’t want to drink too much before picking up Luna. We had the whole night ahead of us still.
It wasn’t long before Codie bounded down the stairs, loudly announcing that she was ready to leave.
Her long hair was tied back in some kind of fancy braid.
She wore a little black dress that immediately had Stray’s full attention.
He caught her up in his arms, pulling her in for a kiss.
Yeah, he would definitely end up dancing tonight.
“Are you guys ready to go?” Codie glanced between the two of us. Her gaze landed on the whiskey bottle on the island. “I hope you didn’t drink too much. If you get too drunk to dance, I’ll be pissed.”
She shook a threatening finger at Stray who grabbed it and sucked it into his mouth. Not interested in watching the two of them flirt and grope one another, I moved into the living room.
Auryn sat on the couch, cutting up lines of blow on the coffee table.
He glanced up when I entered, his brown eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Enjoy your big date night. Codie hasn’t stopped talking about it all week.
Are Luna and Codie going to carry your balls in their purses too?
I assume you’ve already handed yours over. ”
I was severely tempted to blow his entire pile of coke all over the place.
Since I’d never hear the end of it, I flicked him hard in the ear instead.
When he glanced up with an irritated frown, I signed, “Sounds like someone is jealous. Maybe if you’re lucky, one day you’ll have a gorgeous woman to carry your balls around too. ”
Auryn scoffed before using a rolled up twenty to snort a line of coke. “No fucking thank you. I’ll happily carry my own balls around if it means not being love’s bitch.”
He’d always been a player. Never getting close to any woman despite how many he took to bed. His toxic view of love was expected from someone whose father abandoned the family when Auryn was still a kid. His mother had brought home many lovers over the years, although none of them had stayed.
Codie swept into the room, announcing that the Uber had arrived.
The three of us left Auryn to whatever he had planned for the evening.
As far as I knew, he and Dom were going to shoot pool and drink beer with a possible new buyer.
A motorcycle club near the border was sending someone to discuss weapons.
We didn’t deal in anything crazy. No assault rifles.
However, we had a steady supply of handguns, knives, and other miscellaneous items.
We got the Uber to swing by the dorm where Luna was already waiting outside.
Her dress was a gradient of blue and green with little crescent moons all over.
The skirt was short enough to put her gorgeous legs on display while keeping her sweet ass hidden from sight.
The halter style top created a plunging neckline that drew my eyes right to her breasts.
Because it was chilly tonight, she wore a long flowing cardigan that fell to her ankles.
Her colorful hair long and loose. She was a vision. A storybook princess come to life.
“Better close your mouth, Casper,” Codie snickered. “You’re starting to drool.”
Luna slid into the back seat of the car next to me, greeting me with a bright smile. All I could think about was pulling her skirt up and filling her with my cock. I wondered if we would have the chance to sneak away at any point.
“Your dress is adorable,” Codie gushed. “I love the sparkly eyeshadow. It’s so perfectly you.”
Luna beamed. “Aww thanks. How did you manage that braid by yourself? It looks so intricate.”
The two of them chattered up a storm on the drive to the club. Stray and I had nothing to contribute, yet we were both content to listen. I was simply happy to be there. To be within Luna’s orbit. That’s all I wanted.
When we arrived at the nightclub, Codie stopped Stray on the way inside. “We’re here to have a good time. That’s all. No need to get your panties in a twist if some random guy hits on us. Okay?”
Luna placed a hand on my arm, peering up at me with doe-like eyes. “I’m with Codie on this one. No violence tonight. Please.”
Because I wanted her to have a nice, normal night, I immediately agreed. I nodded, leaning down to kiss the tip of her cute nose.
Stray made a face, his expression showing exactly what he thought of their request. “I can’t be held responsible for what happens when some jackass messes with my girl.”
“Stray.” Codie shot him a pointed look, a warning in her tone.
He held up both hands. “I’ll do my best, but I’m not making any promises.”
She rolled her eyes before leading the way to where the doorman stood checking ID cards. Once we were inside, I scanned the venue for Rebel and Storm. Spotting them at a table near the back, I took Luna’s hand and headed toward them.
While the girls complimented each other on their outfits and excitedly engaged in small talk about their day, us guys went to the bar to buy a round of drinks. Dance music pounded through the building. Not quite my style. I was willing to suck it up if it made Luna happy.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” Stray declared when we were waiting for our drinks. “If either of you take a video of me dancing, I will cut you. There will be blood.”
Rebel smirked. “Dude, you’ll never know. Not until it’s too late. I’m pretty sure something like that would go viral.”
“You didn’t know about the time we posted a video online of you drunkenly running naked down the street that one time,” I signed. “Almost a million views.”
With a shake of his head, Stray shoved his middle finger at each of us. “Eat me.”
We returned to the girls who were eager to get the fun started. In no time we were all successfully tipsy. The girls left the three of us at the table several times while they went to dance without us. When I spotted a few guys trying to get close to them, I decided to join.
Dancing wasn’t really my thing, although it didn’t seem that difficult.
I’d also had enough drinks that I didn’t care if I looked ridiculous.
As long as Luna was having a good time. She and the other girls grabbed onto me, pulling me into the middle of the dance floor with them.
Even though I only wanted Luna, I sure wouldn’t complain about having three gorgeous women dancing with me.
“I’m so glad we came,” Luna shouted over the music. “It’s a nice change from raves and frat parties.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun,” I signed. “You look beautiful tonight. Good enough to eat. Would you like me to eat you, beautiful flower?”
My lips curved up in a wicked grin. I knew she understood everything when her cheeks turned pink. She grabbed my hands as if that would erase what I’d said.
“You’re so bad,” Luna giggled.
“Hey, I saw that,” Codie called out. “I understood that one, Casper. Don’t forget that I’m learning sign language too.”
Luna’s blush deepened. I chuckled to myself, loving how sexy she was without even trying. I’d do anything to make her blush like that anytime I could.
The four of us danced to a few songs before Storm edged closer, placing her hand on my arm. “Don’t make it obvious but check out those guys near the bar. They keep staring at you and talking to each other. Do you know them?”
I had to give props to Storm for being so aware of her surroundings.
I hadn’t even noticed the guys she indicated.
Trying to be casual, I glanced in their direction.
Although I couldn’t name him, I did recognize one of them.
I was pretty sure he belonged to a local street gang.
One that ran a lot of low quality drugs.
Rebel soon joined us. Muscling his way into our group, he gave me a playful shove. “I hope you enjoyed having the ladies all to yourself. I’m here to claim my wife.”
“Where is Stray?” Codie sounded disappointed.
“He’s still getting drunk enough to get on the dance floor.” Rebel snickered. “You may have to physically drag him over here.”
Codie muttered a series of curses before slipping through the throng of people to go in search of Stray.
Since I didn’t like the way those guys near the bar kept watching us, I caught Rebel’s eye and signed, “I think we might have a problem. Check out the dealers near the bar.”
Rebel did a good job of being inconspicuous as he turned Storm while dancing, glancing over her shoulder at the men I’d mentioned. His eyes narrowed, lips pursed as he pondered the situation. Not once did he stop dancing or make it obvious that he was onto them.
Soon Codie and Stray joined us. She pulled him along by the hand, dragging him onto the dance floor with her. His expression was that of a man being taken to the electric chair. Absolute dread and utter doom. He was such a dramatic fuck sometimes.
At Codie’s urging, Stray made an effort to move to the music.
I hid my laughter, knowing if he saw my amusement he would clock me a good one.
As much as I enjoyed my friend’s discomfort, I couldn’t shake the unease I felt about the dealers watching us.
Something was up. The next time I glanced their way, they were gone.
After several more songs that left us all sweaty and ready for a break, the girls decided they wanted to go outside for some air. Perfect opportunity to smoke a joint while we took a breather.
As we filed outside, I pulled a joint from one pocket and a lighter from the other. We rounded the building to where the parking lot was located. The sudden slap of cool, fall night air felt so good after being in the hot, stuffy club.
“I think I’m ready to collapse.” Frowning down at her high heeled shoes, Storm gathered her red hair, pulling it off her neck. “Maybe we can do something else now. I wonder if there are any escape rooms still open this late.”
“An escape room would be fun,” Luna said. Meeting my gaze, she wiggled her brows. “We could team up. Girls against boys.”
Stray fell back against the side of the building, sucking in a deep breath. “Let’s save that for another night. There’s no way in fuck I am solving an escape room with this much booze in my system. Hurry up with that joint, Casper.”
I took my time, sucking the weed smoke into my lungs before passing the joint off to Luna next. Rebel had his head down, staring at his phone screen as he checked messages about the meeting from Auryn and Dom.
None of us saw them coming. Not until we were surrounded.