Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty Two
Monty
Six Months Postpartum
The beat of the music vibrates off the building as we approach the club. There’s a small line outside the door, but it looks like it’s moving along nicely. Reaching the end of the line I watch as the tattooed bouncer checks the person’s ID briefly before stepping aside to let them pass.
Slowly we creep forward as one by one people are being let in. The cool air blankets my heated skin, and I thank my past self for not grabbing a sweater. My head is feeling a little fuzzy from the extra shots I took at the restaurant, but I’m nothing if not a team player.
“When we get to the front of the line, I want you to embrace the bouncer in thanks. Make it believable or you’ll have some more shots waiting for you inside if you fail.
” Evie challenges. I look back over to the tattooed bouncer in question.
He’s a big dude, shaved head, probably has a couple inches on me with an impassive look on his face.
”He looks like a party pooper.” I remark, “But you got it.” Shaking my hands, I keep my sights set on the muscle head in question. I think I heard someone call him Brock.
Well Brock, my guy– you’re about to get so much appreciation for your job in a minute.
The time seems to past slower than I would like, and I’m starting to get antsy.
Finally the time has come, he checks over the girls IDs and passes them through, then Xavier hands him his card. The same thing happens, they all linger by the open doors to get inside. They’re all looking at me, waiting for how I’m going to approach this.
“ID.” Brock asks, palm outstretched waiting for me to place the card in his hand. Handing it over, I wait as he briefly scans it and passes it through. “Enjoy.” he says effectively dismissing me.
Really no small talk? I thrive off that shit, I had this joke ready in my head I was going to tell him. See if I can crack a smile in his armor. Panic floods me as I realize he’s trying to move on to the next person.
The person steps forward, ready to hand over his card, but before he gets any closer I launch myself from my spot and wrap my arms around him.
“What the fuck!” Brock shouts, shoving me off him. “Don’t fucking touch me man.” He stalks towards me, there is a vein by his temple that is throbbing.
“Woah easy now!” I throw my hands up in surrender. “I just wanted to show my appreciation to everything you do.” It’s a weak excuse, and seems to make that vein throb harder. I open my mouth to say something else, but I feel a pull at the back of my shirt and suddenly I’m heading towards the club.
“Sorry about my friend here. He doesn’t know what boundaries are.” Xavier says with a strain in his voice. Dragging me further into the building, and it’s then I hear the giggles from the women behind me. “What the fuck, Mont.” Snorts Xaviers, “You like mauled the dude.”
“Evie said to hug him in thanks.” I throw my hand in the direction of my new buddy Brock. “That’s exactly what I did.”
Evie cackles, “I think Xavier’s definition was a little more accurate.”
“Whatever, I passed the challenge. So, what do I get for doing it?” I ask, hoping that I get some sort of reward after all that. That guy may seem pissed off now, but he will appreciate that hug when he’s dealing with all the drunk guys later on.
The music grows as we make our way deeper into the building. Evie is still chuckling about my interaction with Brock and how I don’t back down from a dare.
“I’ll be honest Evie,” I start as I walk toward an open booth that just became available. “These tasks you’ve been giving me are… a little weak. I expected better.”
“Oh fuck,” Harper says leaning forward toward Josie who has slid in beside me. “He’s going to regret those words by the end of the night.”
“I doubt it, I don’t think the man has regretted a thing in his life.” Josie responds, a smirk on her face.
“My wife would be correct.” replying smugly just as Xavier joins us with a tray of drinks he got from the bar.
Passing me a pint of amber liquid, which I happily accept and take a long pull.
“Have I done stupid shit throughout my life? Absolutely, but do I regret any of those things? None whatsoever.”
Evie is sitting silently beside me in the booth, with Josie at my other side. Xavier has taken his spot on the other side of the table, placing a kiss to the top of Harper’s head.
“I can second that motion. I don’t think you’ll be able to say anything that would falter his bravado.” Xavier adds in.
Evie brings her drink slowly up to her lips before she takes a long pull from it. I watch as her neck works the liquid down and then my eyes zero in as she glides her tongue across her plump bottom lip.
She catches my focus and a sexy little smirk dawns her lips.
“Okay.” She starts, eyes focused solely on me.
A tingle of excitement skitters across my skin at the attention, added in with Josie’s hand slowly stroking up and down my thigh that if we're not careful I am about to have a very obvious tell at how much I am enjoying things.
“I want you to go up to someone at the bar and convince them you’re someone famous.”
“That’s all?” I taunt as I lean forward. “Easy peasy, now watch and learn little minx.” Standing up, I toss my drink back. The burn works its way down my throat, as I quickly shake it off. Tossing a wink toward everyone at the table, I turn and make my way to the bar.
Scanning the people who are lined up across the bar top, I try to figure out the perfect target for this show. Evie has no idea that this is my bread and butter. I love acting out different characters when given the chance. It’s why I love telling bedtime stories, because Shiloh often gets a show.
There’s a small group of girls at the end of the bar, they’re laughing and talking over one another. They also look like they’ve… just hit drinking age. No thanks.
There’s a couple a few seats down, who are all over one another.
There is zero point in trying to talk to them.
I don’t even think they’d notice my existence if I even sat next to them.
He’s whispering something in her ear that has her smiling from ear to ear.
His hands are moving up her thigh and he squeezes her hip suggestively.
I realize I’ve been staring at them too long and need to move on.
Focusing on the other side of the bar, I see a couple of dudes sitting together with some beers.
They’re both bent over their phones. I decide to take my chances with these guys, if I had to bet they’re focusing on the NHL finals.
Sitting next to the one guy, my eyes peek over to confirm and– yup NHL scores.
Minnesota is up against New York, and they’re winning three to one in the third end. I didn’t care about this game, I’m more interested in Tampa’s game later this week. If they win this upcoming game they’ll be playing for the cup and I can’t wait for that game.
I wonder…
“Man Minnesota is out for blood tonight.” I comment, signaling to the bartender. The guy next to me looks up and chuckles.
“Yeah man, they aren’t letting New York anywhere near their defense line.” The guy replies. He’s about my height with dark black hair slicked back. “You following the play offs?”
“You could say that,” I surmise, telling the bartender my order and looking at my new friend. “Want a drink? My treat.”
He eyes me skeptically before ultimately agreeing. The bartender comes by a few minutes later and I ask for the drinks to be put on my tab. We spend the next twenty minutes talking about hockey. I drop my subtle hints that I am more involved in the sport than just a watching fan.
I don’t know that much about hockey, but this guy seems none the wiser. They hang on every word I say, but also try to ask questions that might give away who I am. I manage to swindle them with my charm and I really think I’m pulling it off.
At one point I have to piss so I run to the bathroom quickly and when I return I see the two guys hovering over one of the phones. They notice me coming and one guy quickly turns his screen off. Their eyes are wide and I falter in my steps for a second before I move forward and join them again.
“What do you guys say, should we do another round?” I signal the bartender, asking for another round.
“Uhh, well.” One guy starts.
“We know you aren’t a famous hockey player.” His buddy starts, and my eyes widen briefly. “At first we thought you were, and you went along with it. Then we looked you up. There is no Monty anywhere on any NHL team roster.”
Fuck.
Why did I give them my first name! That’s like rule number one when you’re trying to act in a different role. This isn’t my first walk in the playground.
Rookie move, Monty. Chastising myself, I don’t even realize the guys are still talking until I see their movement.
“Sorry man. I’m sure you’re a decent dude, but that just rubbed me the wrong way.” With that they turn and leave, and my shoulders deflate. Just then the bartender returns with three drinks.
With my tail between my legs, and three drinks balanced between my hands, I drag my feet back to everyone in the booth.
Xavier is snickering like a little girl, and I shoot daggers at him with my eyes.
Not real daggers, those imaginary ones you see in cartoons, you know? I wouldn’t want to hurt my buddy.
My body slumps into the booth and I quickly drop my face into Josie’s neck. Her hand slides up and down my legs before resting it on my knee.
“That was…” Evie starts.
My head snaps up and I point in her direction. “Don’t you say another word.”