Chapter 26 Claire
Claire
Neon Nights is packed. We parked practically down the street just to avoid the chaos right out front, not that I mind it though. I am taking full advantage of the long walk hooked through Jay’s arm.
We stand in a line just to get in and when it’s our turn, we give the bouncer our name so he can check the list for Maddie’s party.
“Dawson,” I say.
He scans his list with the tip of his pen. I’m suddenly sweating for absolutely no reason because I know we’re supposed to be here. It’s like when I’m in airport security and all of a sudden I think, Oh my God, did I pack a gun?
“Claire Dawson, got it.” He hands me a wristband in highlighter yellow and turns to Jay.
“Errington.”
Once again his pen moves up and down his clipboard before it stops.
“Yep, Jamison Errington.” He hands Jay the same bracelet. “Have a good night you two.”
My head snaps to Jay whose brow is creased and ears are red. Jamison. Quick to end the moment, he places his hand on my lower back, a familiar touch from days before, and guides me through the door. I guess we will revisit that later.
Inside is even crazier than the front of the building.
I must have forgotten what nightclubs are like because I am in total shock when I’m hit by a sea of sweaty people sloshing drinks in all directions.
As if on instinct, Jay steps in front of me, a barrier between the chaos and me.
He slips his fingers through mine, and the rough spots on his palms play memories of those same hands sliding up my thighs.
My body pulses beneath the skirt of my dress, and I squeeze his hand just a little tighter.
The house lights are dim with LEDs flashing colors as we push our way through the crowd toward the neon sign that says VIP.
A dance remix of Rihanna’s Rude Boy pounds through the speakers.
We show the bouncer at the entrance our wristbands, and he steps aside to let us by.
The VIP area is broken into sections, each one designated to a private party, with a large bar in the center.
We both scan the room for any familiar face.
I see Maddie in a tiara and sash that says Birthday Queen and point her out to Jay.
She looks great. She's wearing a pink sequin dress that’s an inch too short and silver strappy heels that are an inch too high.
The perfect outfit for a fresh twenty-one.
Behind her I spot Zeke talking to a group of people I don’t recognize but that all share familial similarities, maybe Maddie’s aunts and uncles.
At a cocktail table, Sean sits with Rick, and by the way Rick’s hands are flailing, he seems to be telling a wild story, but instead of paying attention, Sean is staring at Maddie.
Jay pulls me towards their table where we both set down our bottles.
Tearing his eyes from Maddie, Sean looks at us and his face lights up. “Hey! You’re here!”
“We’re here.” Jay sounds about as thrilled as he looks with his furrowed brow and tightened lips. I knew this wouldn’t be his scene as he said. It’s not mine either, but it looks physically painful for him.
I squeeze his hand and whisper teasingly, “Fix your face. It’s a party.”
He looks down at our fingers interlaced, and dare I say he cracks a smile. I wink when our eyes meet again and now he’s even showing teeth.
“Dude.” Jay breaks our gaze to look at Sean who’s talking again. “Do you see how good Maddie looks?”
Jay drops our hands to survey the room until he spots Maddie again, standing with her friends. “She looks nice.”
“Nice?” Sean stands and places his hand on Jay’s shoulder, leaning in to speak in chunks. “She is beautiful. Stunning. A work. Of. Art.”
Jay claps him back on the shoulder and quickly replies, “She looks great, man. You want a drink, Claire?”
I can tell he’s still a little overwhelmed by everything. Maybe a drink will relax us both. “I’ll come with you,” I say.
Jay checks with Sean and Rick to see if they need refills, which they do, and then we head to the bar.
The bartender is a tall blonde with boobs to her neck and shorts that might as well be underwear.
She has on gold eyeliner and red lipstick and bops to the music as she mixes drinks.
Jay leans across the bar to get her attention, which doesn’t take much.
When she spots him, she saunters over and lays her forearms on the counter.
At this point, I’m not sure how she can even breathe with her tits practically in her throat, and yet, she somehow manages to also lick her lips and bat her lashes simultaneously. Multitasking at its finest.
“Ooh, I love me some tattoos. What can I get ya handsome?”
This can’t be real. I feel like there’s a stand-up comedy skit in the making here somewhere.
Jay looks at her overwhelmingly unimpressed. He orders a beer for Sean, club soda for Rick, a whiskey and water for himself, and then turns to me.
“I’ll take a vodka soda, extra lime.” Call me petty, but I lean just a little closer to Jay as I order.
Pam Anderson pushes off the bar with an eye roll and a crack of her gum, and Jay turns to me completely, elbow on the bar.
“What just happened there?”
“I believe you just got hit on.”
He winces and swallows dramatically. “Yikes.”
We both crack up laughing as the bartender returns with all four drinks.
Jay lays cash on the bar, grabbing mine and Rick’s glasses, and handing them to me. He picks up Sean’s beer and his drink and watches his admirer turn and sway away. He shivers dramatically in response.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I press a quick kiss to his lips the second he’s turned around. I don’t know if it’s the slight, albeit ridiculous, jealousy or the fact that he seemed to have loosened up already, but I was drawn to show him even the slightest affection.
And there I go again, making the first move.
He stills with both hands full but his eyes seem to sparkle.
“Sorry,” I laugh feeling a bit embarrassed. I realize after the fact that we’ve never kissed in public before and never so casually.
Jay steps forward, his expression more serious. “Don’t you ever apologize for that.”
He kisses me this time, only unlike my peck, he lingers. When he pulls back, his eyes are the perfect combination of completely satisfied and hungry for more. He nods in the direction of our section, and we both start walking toward our group.
Looking back over my shoulder I see the bartender pressing her goods together for the next guy. This one practically drools into her cleavage and lays a hundred on the counter.
I laugh as I follow Jay back to the party.
You do your thing girl. You do your thing.