Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(61)

“Hush, silly, these are just the undergoodies to make you feel sexy on your special day, there’s wrapping. Now lose the robe.”

She pulls the thin black dress over my head.

The dress is way too short, too thin, too tight, and too low cut. I can’t leave the house like this, NO WAY. I try telling her

this, several times, my voice in full-out panic, but she assures me that tonight will be semi-private and I look great, it’s my

birthday, yada yada.

Next she adorns my wrist, ears and neck with sparkles and a princess crown on my head—now that part I like! “Oh crap, I forgot,

no necklace,” she says as she removes it.

I have to ask. “Is there a no necklace rule at the brothel?”

She blows a raspberry at me but doesn’t answer specifically. Yup, we’re headed to a brothel and they don’t want girls to get

their necklaces caught in the cages—I knew it!

There’s a knock on our door but I don’t care, I’m not leaving this bathroom, no way no how.

“Where’s the birthday girl?” I hear Tate ask.

“She won’t come out,” Bennett whispers, like our room is so big I can’t hear her.

“Laney, are you decent? I’m coming in!”

Oh shit—that’s Sawyer. “Um, no, I’m far from decent.”

I see the door crack behind me and his head pops in. A flirty smile lights up his face. “Hot damn, woman, please jump out of a

cake on my birthday!”

“Not helping, Sawyer.”

“Laney, you look f*cking amazing. Come on, shy violet, it’s your birthday, strut your stuff!”

“Really? It’s not too much? Or too little, I mean?” I fight the urge to bite my nails, an old habit that’s hard to break.

“No way, it’s perfect. It’s ‘I told ya there was a hot body under here’ meets ‘I kick ass cause it’s my birthday.’ I swear

you look hot, now come on. I gotta find some ass now that you got me all worked up,” he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the

bathroom.

I walk into the living area and Tate’s jaw hits the floor. Bennett jumps up and down, clapping.

“Um, Laney, one more thing?” “Yes, Sawyer?” I’m afraid to ask.

“That’s what you should wear for pajamas!”

Everyone laughs, even me; he’s crude but irresistibly loveable. He really has grown on me; he’s quite charming with those big

blue eyes and dimples. Yes, his eyes are definitely blue, like sapphires.

“Okay, okay, let’s pregame toast, people.” Tate pours us each a Solo cup of champagne, only the classiest in college. “To Laney

’s birthday, a great night, a great year, and awakening for all!”

We all tap and down the chilled, crisp liquid. Whoo! That stuff will go to your head. I can’t help but wonder where Dane is?

Surely after the knee-buckling kiss he wouldn’t miss my birthday? I just can’t bring myself to ask, though.

“To the chariot!” Sawyer exclaims and we all follow. “Have fun, sweetie, it’s your day and I’m right behind you,” Bennett

whispers as we walk down to the parking lot.

*****

A short limo ride later we arrive at The Kickback. I don’t even ask who paid for the sleek ride because I give up on that mystery;

surely someone’s about to drop over from all the plasma they’ve donated for money, and then I’ll know the culprit. Oh crap, I

didn’t grab my ID! Oh well, I don’t have to drink.

There’s no line at the door and the bouncer just lets us in with not one check. We walk in to total darkness, and I’m frazzled

for just a second before people jump up into beaming lights and yell “Surprise!”

First thought: I don’t know this many people, who’s here? I see Zach front and center, I have Bennett, Tate and Sawyer yelling

behind me, hmmm. I spot Drew with a girl I don’t recognize and several girls from my softball team, some with what look like dates

—that was so nice of them to come. I then I realize we have this place to ourselves, how’s that possible? They have to be losing

a ton of revenue on this. And where is Dane?

“Are you surprised, sweetie?” Zach bear hugs me and asks with a kiss on my head.

“Oh my gosh, yes! How did you guys pull this off?’ “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to spank you. It is your birthday,” he

teases and I slap his arm.

Several of the girls from the team come over and greet me, a few even hand me cards; it’s touching, really. Maybe this new team

could be my team, my new sisterhood. Several guys are introduced to me. Some are dates, some aren’t, but I keep flicking my eyes

around the room, trying to spot only one guy.

Tate has jumped behind the bar and is starting to sling drinks. I just order an “anything” when Sawyer scoots in beside me.

“So, Laney, I gotta say, I thought you were the exception, but softball girls are f*cking hot!”

“Um, thank you?”

“WHO is the brunette in the red to our 3’o clock?”

I look over his shoulder; ah, he has a good eye. The Andrews twins, Avery and Kirby, are gorgeous girls and they’re a