18. nathan
18
nathan
Caleb pinches my side, causing me to almost topple over. I hook my arm around his neck, driving him into my chest, pinching his stomach while he struggles to pull away. Unlike back in high school, I have more muscle than him now and can handle my own.
We’re both laughing, stumbling into the club as the bright lights stop us in our tracks.
“ID and cover is $10,” the bouncer prompts.
We both fish in our pockets, pull out our wallets, and hand them over to the big bald man wearing an earpiece. He hands them back, wraps a red plastic band around our wrists and lets us through.
“This place is—” I begin.
“I know,” Caleb breathes.
Bright neon lights flashing every color of the rainbow beams across the wall, while numerous disco balls twirl from the ceiling, scattering reflections across the walls and floor.
We slowly walk onto the dancefloor full of people of all shapes, colors, and wearing different attire. Some dancing while others talk in clusters along the sides of the room.
I watch as girls, guys, and theys walk past us wearing everything from combat boots to pink cowgirl hats. Sparkles and feather boas, to leather jackets and mustaches.
It’s hard to look away. There’s just so much to take in. Where do you even begin?
The energy in here feels…freeing.
It’s only then that I remember what we’re doing here.
“How the hell are we supposed to find Sarah in this?” I ask, turning to Caleb.
He looks just as taken aback as I am. His lips parted slightly as he takes in the sight.
I smile. It’s hard not to find his shocked face adorable.
“Come on, you,” I laugh, slinging my arm around his shoulder and pulling him with me. I see a bar off to the right where we can grab some drinks.
It takes us a hot second to catch the bartender’s attention, but once we do, we order a couple of vodka sprites. It’s turned into our drink of choice for the trip. We’re not driving, so might as well.
“You ever been to a place like this before?” I lean into Caleb’s side and try my best to ask over the music. I can’t help but catch a whiff of his scent. He smells like something warm like vanilla bean and smoky like a campfire. It must be his body wash but damn, it’s delicious and makes my mouth water.
I take a sip of my drink to try and stuff that feeling down.
“Really, Nathaniel?” he asks with one brow raised.
My eyebrow arches. “What?” Was I that obvious?
“Asking me if I come here often?” He smirks, taking a big sip of his drink and finishing it off.
“Talking to you is infuriating,” I shake my head and laugh.
“Really? Because I think you enjoy it, and that’s what’s so infuriating,” He sets his empty glass on the bar top.
I swallow deeply, trying to think of something witty to say back. But, nothing comes up. Because oddly enough, I’m scared he’s right.
“Let me buy the next round,” I nod at his glass. I don’t want him paying for this whole trip. I didn’t miss the way he took care of our covers to get in here.
“How about, no .” He slicks his hair back and I immediately feel my dick twitch in my pants.
“Why don’t you let me pay for you?” I narrow my eyes at him.
He bites his lip and shakes his head. “Because I like taking care of you, idiot.”
“When are you going to get it through your thick skull that I don’t need you to take care of me?” I laugh, shoving him gently.
“When are you going to get it through your thick skull that it’s not about what you need —it’s about what I want .” He shoves me back. “Now, finish your drink and let’s get looking.”
His words take me by surprise. So... he just enjoys taking care of me? That’s... weird. Right?
But if I think about it, he has always sort of gone out of his way to make sure I’m okay. Even when I didn’t need it. It’s like my brain turns off when he’s around.
As if everything is handled—because he’s there.
It’s like subconsciously, even after everything he’s done…I trust him. I think I’ll always trust him. And that scares the hell out of me.
But wait—what about him? Who’s taking care of him? I struggle with pushing down the undeniable answer to that question that’s screaming in my head.
I want it to be me.
I tip my head back and finish off my drink before following him into the crowd.
I guess, however this night is going to go, I know he’ll have my back either way.
And I know I’ll have his.