Chapter 8 Presley
PRESLEY
“Be at the clubhouse at seven.”
“What for?”
“Because I said so.”
“You have to give me more than that.”
“I already told you,” he snapped. “They’re having a party, and Luke expects us to be there.”
“I’ve never been to a club party before.”
“It’s just a damn party. Throw on some jeans and something that makes your tits look good.”
“You’re so crude.”
“Well, you could always skip the party and find another way to come up with a hundred grand.”
“I’ll be there.”
“That’s a good girl. And be sure to stop by the liquor store and pick up a fifth of Buffalo Trace.”
Before I could even think about arguing, he ended the call, leaving me even more annoyed. But I sucked it up and went to my room to start getting ready. I was looking for something to wear when Lila Kate came in and plopped down on the bed. “Whatcha doing?”
“Getting ready to go to some stupid party at the clubhouse.”
“Ooohh, can I go?”
“No.”
“But why not?”
“Haven’t you already gotten us into enough trouble?”
“Hey, that’s not fair.”
“But it’s true.” I pulled out a fitted V-neck top and held it up against my chest. “What do you think about this one?”
“Depends on what you’re planning to wear with it.” She jumped up and opened my bottom dresser drawer, pulling out a pair of my distressed jeans. “It’d look great with these.”
“I forgot I had those.” I took them from her hand and held them up. “You don’t think the holes are too much?”
“The holes are what make them cool. You have to fix your hair and wear those big hoop earrings I gave you last Christmas.”
“You don’t think I’ll look out of place?”
“Babe, you’re gonna look out of place no matter what you wear, so you might as well go all out.”
“If you say so.”
I spent the next hour trying to amp myself up for this club party. I’d even had a glass of wine, hoping it would settle my nerves.
No such luck.
I was a wreck.
It didn’t help matters that the clubhouse was packed wall to wall.
The bar was filled with music and laughter, and while everyone looked to be having a great time, I couldn’t have felt more out of place.
Everyone had someone. A shoulder to lean on, a warm smile to chat with, or a significant other to share the night with, but I was flying solo.
Yeah, you heard that right.
I was sitting alone at the bar, nursing my second shot, while Davis was across the room, talking to a couple of women I’d never seen before. And they were laying it on thick.
Laughing too loud.
Touching his arm when they spoke.
Batting their fake eyelashes that were two sizes too big while shoving their perfect breasts right in his stupid face.
I didn’t feel angry. I had no reason to be. As far as I was concerned, they were doing me a favor by distracting him. But it did little to help me feel less out of place. I didn’t know anyone, so I stayed put.
On my barstool, shot in hand, taking it all in.
I took another quick glance around the room, and that’s when I spotted Luke. He was off to the side, talking with the brother who was there when Davis moved in, and while I had no idea what they were saying, they looked to be having a good time. Especially Luke.
He was grinning, cutting up, and being his usual self. He looked like he belonged there, and I was a little envious of the fact. I found myself smiling without meaning to.
I couldn’t help it.
There was something about watching him in his element.
He looked genuinely happy, and the chaos around him seemed to fade away. I was a little mesmerized by it all. And somewhere along the way, it made me feel a bit better about being there.
I finished off my shot, and the bartender quickly poured me another. I planned on just nursing it until Davis sauntered over to the counter with three empty beer bottles in hand. He tossed them in the trash before ordering, “Three Lites and make ‘em cold.”
I watched him for a second, then leaned over and asked, “Why am I here?”
“Ah, fuck. Don’t start with me,” he snorted, like I’d said something funny. “I’m not here to play house, Pres.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“I’m gathering intel.” He shot me a look, letting me know he wasn’t pleased with my reaction. “This is work. Only way I can help your sister is by being where people talk too much, and these girls have lots to say.”
“I bet they do.”
“Don’t gotta be a bitch, Pres. You’re no better than they are.” The bartender slid the beers over, and Davis scooped them up as he told me, “But don’t worry. Just a little longer, and this will all be over.”
He started back toward the group, and panic washed over me. “Davis!”
I reached out and grabbed his arm before stopping him. He whipped around with a cold look in his eyes and barked, “What?”
“Just let this go. We can find another way.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“Luke is your brother,” I pushed. “He loves you. He’s tried to help you… more than once. You can’t betray him like this.”
For a split second, I saw a glimmer of compassion flicker in his eyes, but it was gone as quick as it came. “I don’t give a fuck about Luke. Never have.”
“But….”
“But nothing,” he snarled. “You don’t think he’d toss me aside the second it got inconvenient?”
“No, I don’t think he would.”
“You don’t know shit, and when I get the cash that saves your sister, you’ll see that I was right.”
Dread filled my chest as I watched him walk off toward the girls. Whatever he was planning wasn’t just about the money. It was something much more malicious than that.
I continued to watch as he weaved his way through the crowd. He reached the girls and handed off the drinks, smiling like he was the man of the year. They ate it up. They even leaned in when he placed his arms around their shoulders, pulling them in close like he’d done it a million times before.
My stomach turned when he leaned down and said something that made them laugh. I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I had to turn away. That’s when I spotted Luke. He was still sitting with his friends, but he was no longer alone.
Now, he had a beautiful woman sitting in his lap. She had long, blonde hair and boobs for days, and she had her legs wrapped around his hips with one arm looped around his neck. Her mouth was close to his ear as she whispered something that made him smile.
It wasn’t a polite smile.
It was genuine.
He liked this girl, and that made my chest tighten even more.
I stared a moment longer, hoping to get some idea of whether she was his ol’ lady or just some random hookup. I didn’t know which answer bothered me more.
Get it together, Presley.
I turned away, and when I reached for my drink, I glanced back over at them. Her hand was now on his chest, and her fingers were splayed like they belonged there—like she belonged there. And suddenly, the jealous twinge from earlier was no longer just a twinge.
It was a full-blown knot.
I picked up my shot and drank it without thinking. And then, I ordered another. I downed the shot, and it wasn’t long before my head began to swim. I wanted to believe that I was one of those girls who could handle their alcohol.
I wasn’t.
I downed the shot, and I barely got the glass down before the room tilted. Not enough to throw my balance, but enough to make me aware of my limits.
The music got louder.
The lights harsher.
My stomach rolled like it was warning that I’d pushed my luck.
Air.
I needed air.
I slid off the barstool and weaved my way through the crowd, doing my best not to stumble. I didn’t bother telling Davis where I was going. He was busy with his intel, and I saw no reason to bother him.
When I reached the back door, I pushed it open, and the air hit me like a lifeline. The cold hit me fast. It stung my skin and cleared my head just enough to shake some of the fog. I leaned my back against the wall and took a few deep breaths, letting the night air steady me.
I hadn’t been out there long when the door creaked open.
Luke stepped out, and he seemed genuinely concerned as he stepped in front of me and asked, “You okay?”
I nodded. “Um-hmm. Just needed to catch my breath.”
He moved closer, and for the first time all night, I didn’t feel quite so out of place. A playful smirk slipped across his handsome face as he asked, “You’ve been here less than thirty minutes, and you’re already needing to catch your breath?”
“What can I say? I guess I don’t do well with crowds.”
“Is it the crowd or the four shots of bourbon?”
“Wait.” I stood a little straighter. “You know how many shots I took?”
“Well, yeah. It’s my job to know.”
“It’s your job to know how many drinks I’ve had?”
“When you’re my guest at the clubhouse it is.”
“Oh. I get it.” I leaned my head back, resting it on the wall and sighed. “You can’t take the risk of someone you invited here getting out of hand and causing trouble.”
“Exactly.” He cocked his brow as he teased, “And I’ve been around long enough to know that you’re the type to get out of hand.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Nah, I’m just fucking with you.”
“That’s good, because I don’t want you thinking you have to worry about me… I’m not the trouble making kind.”
“No. You’re certainly not.”
He held my gaze for a moment, then moved next to me, leaning against the clubhouse.
We stood there for a bit, shoulder to shoulder, with the noise from inside the clubhouse filling the air.
He asked me a few random questions, like if I’d eaten or how often I drank, and I answered honestly, even though I found them unnecessary.
I wasn’t plastered.
I was just a little woozy.
And the fresh air was doing me good.
Then, I felt it. A slight bite of cold against my cheek.
I looked up, and a smile swept across my face when I saw that it was snowing. The flakes drifted down, slow and lazy, and gave me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in ages. Luke cleared his throat and shifted his stance. “Alright. That’s my cue. Time to get you inside before you turn into a popsicle.”
“I’m fine.”
“Humor me.”