Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Lily
“Okay, it’s present time. I know we usually do it after we get back home. But I can’t wait that long for you to open it,” I say to Cora.
Paisley and I each hand her an envelope.
“Did you win the lottery and you’re giving me a cut of it?” Cora laughs.
We watch her open the first envelope.
“Ohhh. This is too much, Paisley. Five nights at a hotel of my choice? Come on. That’s crazy.”
“No, crazy is the other envelope.” Paisley winks at me.
“No! Are you fucking serious?” Cora exclaims as she looks at the two of us.
“Wait. But this is in Chicago. You both know I hate traveling alone.” She pouts.
“Well then it’s a good thing you won’t be,” I say as Paisley and I show her our tickets on our phones.
“I love you both so much. These are the best presents I’ve ever gotten.”
“Even better than the strippers last year?” I laugh.
“This is better than that. I get to see Presley Peligue live. Right in front of me, maybe even touch him.”
“And you’ll get to meet them. The VIP package is a meet and greet and we get to be there when they do their soundcheck. Plus, I got you a photo op with Presley and also one with the whole band.”
“For real? That’s incredible. Seriously, I don’t know how to thank you both.” Cora sniffles.
We all stand up and hug each other. I don’t know what I’d do without these two in my life. We finish up dinner and decide to go to the club that’s close to my house. Paisley and Cora will crash at my place after we have our birthday drinks. I love birthday weekends.
The place is packed when we get there, so we head straight to the bar and grab the last three seats. We come here often, so the bouncers and bartenders all know us. It makes us feel safer coming here. They always make sure if we drink a little too much, they call us a taxi.
“It’s busy in here tonight,” Paisley says as we wait for our drinks.
“Is there something going on, you think?” I ask as I look around.
“Maybe? Or maybe people are starting to like our hangout spot.”
“How’s your night going?” Alex, the bartender asks.
“We’re celebrating Cora.” I smile as he hands us our drinks.
“Happy birthday, Cora! This round is on me.” He smiles as we cheer.
“We love you, Cora,” Paisley and I say as we tap our glasses together, then drink.
As we’re toasting, I see five huge guys walk in. I think every woman in the bar is watching them.
“Holy shit. I’ll take one of those.” Paisley chuckles.
“Me too.” I laugh as I watch one of them. They’re all good-looking, but there’s one that I can’t take my eyes off of. The smile on his face is making me smile.
Tristan
We decide to go to a bar that’s not far from the hotel. It’s pretty busy, and as I look around, I can see a lot of the women watching us.
“I feel like I’m on display,” Eros says as we make our way to the bar.
“I feel it too, should we see if we can find a table? I don’t know if there are any open. But standing is not an option.” Armando chuckles.
“I agree.” I laugh.
We get lucky and find a table that’s near the bar. While we wait for the waitress, I scan the room. My eyes land on a small group of women sitting at the bar, just as the waitress brings us a round of beers.
“Um. We didn’t order this,” Keegan says to her.
“These are from the women at that table over there.” She points to a group of women that are sitting at table that’s not far from us.
“Please tell them thank you,” Eros says as he nods at the women.
“Are we supposed to buy them a round?” Keegan asks us.
“I don’t know. I don’t usually accept drinks from anyone.” Eros laughs.
“So why did you say yes to these?” Apollo asks.
Eros shrugs. “I was thirsty. But I guess the polite thing is to return the favor.”
“Ah shit. They’re all coming over here. See, this is why you say no.” Apollo sighs.
I keep finding myself looking over at the bar. There’s one woman that I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from. There’s something about her and I want to go over to introduce myself. Maybe I should send her a drink.
“Something caught your eye?” Armando asks me as he sees what I’ve been staring at. “The three women at the end of the bar?”
“Yeah, the one in the middle. She’s gorgeous.”
“She is. We should send them some drinks.”
We’re waiting for the waitress to come back as the other women get to our table.
“Hi, you all look like you could use some company,” one of them says.
“We’re here celebrating,” another one says.
“What are you celebrating?” Eros asks.
“My divorce. And I think you’re the perfect man to help me celebrate.”
“I’m flattered, but I don’t think I can help you,” Eros says to her.
“Aw, come on. No strings attached, one night of fun, I promise I’ll make it memorable for you,” she says as she strokes his arm.
Apollo’s trying to keep a straight face as we all watch her. Eros looks like he’s offended by her touching his arm.
“We actually see the rest of our group. But thank you for the beers,” Armando says as he stands up.
The rest of us stand up and follow him. I have no idea where we’re going and I’m a little sad that we’re losing our table.
As I follow Armando, I realize he’s headed to the woman I want to meet.
And the other women are following us. When we get to the bar, Armando whispers something to one of the other women as I try not to stare at the one I want.
The one that Armando talked to stands next to him and the other goes over to Eros.
The women that followed us start to move closer to Apollo, Keegan and me. I slip over to the one I’d been staring at and put my arm around her. I’m hoping she doesn’t hit me, I look at her and smile. Keegan and Apollo inch away from the women and move towards us.
“Where were you guys? Didn’t we say we were waiting at the bar?” the one with Armando asks us.
“We didn’t see you.” Keegan laughs. “So we grabbed a table in case we got here first.”
“Ohhh. Wait, you found a table? Did we lose it?” the one with Eros asks as she makes faces.
“I think it’s still open. Should I grab it?” Apollo asks.
“Yes!”
We make our way back to the table just in time. There’s a group of guys that were walking over to it. When they saw us, they looked like they wanted to start something, but then decided against it. Finally, the other women go back to their table.
“Thank you so much for the save. We made the mistake of accepting drinks from them.” Eros chuckles.
“What do you mean ‘we’? You mean you.” Apollo shakes his head at his brother.
“Fine, me.” Eros sighs.
“We should introduce ourselves, I’m Armando, this is Tristan, Keegan, Eros and Apollo.”
“I’m Paisley and this is Lily and Cora. Also, you’re welcome, I’m glad we could help. Those other women kinda looked like they wanted to eat you.”
“They’re celebrating, one of them got divorced and wanted Eros to be her party for the night.” Apollo laughs.
“I mean if that’s the kind of night you’re looking for…I guess it could be fun.” Paisley giggles.
“Uh. No thank you.” Eros shakes his head.
“We’re celebrating too. It’s Cora’s birthday,” Lily adds.
“We need a round of drinks, then,” Keegan says as he waves down the waitress and orders a round for the table.
“Since Valor Springs isn’t a big town, I’m going to say you’re all passing through?” Cora asks.
“I actually grew up in Valor Springs,” I say to them. “But I haven’t been back for a while.”
“We’ve been here for two years now,” Lily says as she smiles at me.
“We all met at the University and lived on campus for four years. Valor Springs was the closest small town, so we all decided to move here,” Cora explains.
“Why did you leave?” Paisley asks.
“I joined the Marines when I turned eighteen. I just got out earlier this year.”
“Thank you for your service,” Lily says to me.
I smile at her, I really want to get to know her better. But she lives here, and I live in Lake Renegade.
“Where are you guys from? And how long are you staying?” Lily asks as she looks at me.
“We’re from Lake Renegade, Illinois. We’re here for maybe a week,” I answer. I want to add that she makes me want to extend my time here.
We spend the night hanging out with the three of them.
A few times I see Lily checking her phone and frowning.
I want to ask her if she’s okay. But I don’t know if she would think I’m being nosy.
I also don’t want to know if she’s talking to a boyfriend or something.
Before the night is over, we all exchange numbers and make plans to hang out with them again while we’re here.
Meeting Lily is making my time back here better. If only I could take her home with me.