Like Gravity(24)
“That’s what I’m telling you,” Lexi grinned at me.
“Well, if that doesn’t call for celebratory shots, I’m not sure what does,” I giggled, reaching out again for the tequila.
Within the hour, Lexi and I had finished off half the bottle and were unabashedly twirling around the kitchen, slurring our words as we serenaded each other along with the radio’s latest hits.
“Lets go out!” Lexi squealed, hauling me towards her bedroom and pushing me down on her bed while she beelined for her overflowing closet. Too tipsy to argue, I clutched the tequila bottle to my chest like a lifeline and watched her shimmy out of jeans and into a slinky pink halter dress.
“Put this on!” She tossed a bright red scrap of material at my face, followed by a pair of spiky black peep-toe stilettos that nearly took an eye out as they careened past my face and landed on the bedspread.
Maybe if today hadn’t been what it was, and if I hadn’t already had too much tequila coursing through my veins, I might’ve resisted Lexi’s demands. Then again, it was hard to deter her even in my most sober, mentally-stable mindset.
My head swam as I stood up and removed my jeans, swaying into the wall as I tried to tug off my sweater. Lexi laughed at me when she caught sight of my struggles in the mirror of her vanity, where she was applying makeup with the speed and ease of a professional. By the time I’d managed to pull on the strapless red dress, which was so short on me it must’ve been a shirt on Lexi’s tall frame, she’d finished applying her makeup and began attacking my face with a multitude of brushes and powders.
Fifteen minutes later, we were in a taxi on our way to the bar. In my less-than-sober state, I didn’t think to ask Lexi where we were headed. I knew I shouldn't have been surprised when we pulled to a stop outside Styx, given Lexi’s newfound love interest, yet I was still shocked that she’d bring me back here. By the time I’d managed to formulate any kind of objection, Lexi had tossed a twenty to the driver and yanked me from the backseat, leaving me standing openmouthed as I watched the cab’s taillights disappear around a corner.
“Lexi, you’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, spinning around to face her and nearly falling flat on my face as my heels caught the pavement. Note to self: pivoting in five-inch stilettos while intoxicated is highly inadvisable.
Lexi laughed at me and shrugged, clearly unapologetic. “The band is great, the drinks are cheap, and it’s not like you even have to talk to Finn. Jesus, Brookie, you make it seem like the boy is some kind of obsessed stalker who steals your used tissues and photographs your every movement,” she rolled her eyes at the thought. “Seriously, he’s probably forgotten you by now. I mean, have you seen the boy? He’s not exactly hurting for attention.”
Ouch.
As bitchy as Lexi had sounded, I had to agree that when she laid it all out there like that, my actions over the last two weeks did seem a little ridiculous. It was probably presumptuous, arrogant even, to assume I’d so much as crossed his radar – let alone that he wanted to be friends with me. I’d likely been avoiding him for no reason at all. Suddenly, I felt as brainless as one of his drooling groupies.
“Damn, I hate it when you’re right,” I complained, linking my arm through Lexi’s as we bypassed the crowd waiting to get in and approached the bouncer.
“Billy!” Lexi squealed in greeting, placing a swift peck on the cheek of the obscenely muscular man guarding the door. I had no idea how Lexi knew him, but he immediately pulled aside the velvet rope to allow us inside. Lexi blew him a kiss as we cut the line and disappeared through the doors. I waved playfully at the line of club-goers still awaiting admittance, and their answering groans of complaint were quickly drowned out by an amplified voice that sent chills racing down my spine.
My eyes immediately found Finn onstage. Damn, he looked good. A tight black t-shirt put his well-built chest on display. Low-slung dark jeans graced his hips, and his dark hair fell messily over eyes I knew to be the darkest shade of midnight blue. I couldn't deny that he was attractive, wishing for the hundredth time that I could simply sleep with him without any emotional complications. I tried to remind myself that he was dangerous, that I couldn't get involved, that sex wouldn’t be enough for him – he’d want to know me.
Then again, he’d slept with all kinds of sorority fangirls without forming any sort of attachment – wasn’t I being conceited in assuming he’d treat me any differently?
Lexi shook me from my drunken mental ramblings, leading me to the densely packed bar. We wheedled our way to the front of the line, heedless of the pushing bodies and close-quarters. It was no great surprise to see Tim bartending again, and he recognized me as soon as I approached.
“Brooklyn,” he said, smiling. At least he remembered my name. “What are you lovely ladies drinking tonight?”
“Two Long-Islands, please,” I said, smiling flirtatiously. Maybe I’d get a free round out of him. I knew it was shameless and under normal circumstances I’d probably feel bad for encouraging him, but this guy was an ass and I was too drunk to care anymore. Unsurprisingly, he passed me the drinks and refused my money. I grinned in thanks, turning back to Lexi and passing her one of the glasses.
“Cheers, bitch,” she said, clinking her glass to mine and heading to a small alcove off to the side of the dance floor where several private tables had been set up. Most of them were occupied, but we managed to find an empty one near the back of the section, relatively far from the stage. Lexi, of course, was disappointed by our location, but I took comfort in knowing that I wouldn’t have to deal with Finn tonight, since he likely wouldn’t spot me back here. It wasn’t a huge club – we were only about 50 feet from the stage – but he rarely broke eye contact with the swarm of scantily clad girls writhing at the front of the crowd.