Chapter 84

We’re let in immediately and make our way to the bar. Andy orders a round of whiskey shots, and we knock them back, ready to hit the dance floor.

The music is heavy, the lights strobe across the floor, and the air is thick and hot with bodies moving to the beat.

For the first time since the whole thing with my father happened, I find myself genuinely smiling. I just need to get wasted and let loose.

The DJ is killing it, playing throwback hits and mixing in chart-toppers. Andy takes my hand, twirls me around, and then pulls me into a hug. We dance and laugh with Hannah.

When a guy comes up behind Hannah, she shoots us a pleading look. Andy switches places with her to ward him off. I shout to Andy and Hannah that I’m heading back to the bar for a drink.

They follow me, and we ascend the steps to the bar where my sister is perched, sipping a cocktail and spinning on her stool like a child.

“Alex! Picture!” She demands, pointing to her iPhone. We pose for a few shots together.

“Come on, have you seen any guys yet? We need to piss Carter off!” She tries to whisper, but fails.

“No, no, we’re not pissing anyone off!” I warn her. I know what she’s trying to do—make him jealous so he cracks. But he won’t. I know he won’t.

I leave my sister singing along to the music and rejoin Andy and Hannah. Midway, I spot him leaning against the railing opposite the bar. He’s in a white t-shirt and grey jeans, talking to a girl who’s flirting shamelessly with him. His tattoo is more prominent against the white of his shirt, the black ink contrasting sharply.

His smile is directed at her, but as if sensing my gaze, he glances up. His eyes flicker over me without recognition, then snap back in a double-take. His eyes widen, mirroring the grin that spreads across his face.

“Alex?”

“Matt?”

I approach him, wrapping him in a warm hug. “I hope I’m not interrupting. How are you?” I apologize to the girl he was talking to, receiving a glare in return.

“I’m good... Wow! You look amazing. Haven’t seen you on the beach recently?” His question is laced with a playful smirk.

“Yeah, uh, long story... I didn’t mean to interrupt you and your girlfriend! I just wasn’t sure if it was you,” I reply, offering him an awkward smile.

He shakes his head, laughing. “I’ve got time... and she’s not my girlfriend, so don’t worry.” He winks, his teeth gleaming white.

“Come here, let me buy you a drink!”

“Oh, you don’t have to, it’s cool—”

“I want to...”

“Okay, thank you. Next one’s on me!” I smile, placing my order. Then my sister, drunk and obnoxious, decides to make her presence known.

“Alex! Who’s this sexy guy? This the guy you’re going to get dick from?” She winks, her words slurred.

~Oh, God.~ I cover my face, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry, Matt. That’s my sister—she’s an awful drunk—” I spin around to face her, catching Matt’s chuckle out of the corner of my eye. I bury my face in my hands again.

“Would you believe me if I told you that she’s getting married the week after next?” His laughter grows louder as he pays for our drinks and leads me away from the bar.

“Your sister’s funny. But I can’t help but ask... is that why you’re out tonight? To pick up a guy?” He sips the drink he bought me as he guides me upstairs to a quieter area in the back, filled with plush seats. It has a VIP vibe.

“Ugh, Matt, I’m not a VIP...”

“It’s alright, my uncle owns this place. I can do whatever I want here...” He gestures to a free table and we slide in. I was going to sit opposite him, but he gently guides me to sit next to him.

“And the answer to your question is no. My sister made that plan up in her head. She thinks I need a guy... I don’t. I’m perfectly fine just having fun with my friends.”

I take a sip of my drink, feeling the sting as it slides down my throat.

“So what you’re saying is that if a guy wanted to get with you, you’d turn him down?” He smirks, clearly teasing me.

I shrug in response. I don’t know what I want. He studies me, his arm resting on the back of the booth behind me.

“How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” He sets his drink down on the coaster. The booming bass from downstairs is a distant throb up here. We sit in our booth, watching the crowd below.

“24. How old are you?”

“24? I’m 28...” He laughs at my wide-eyed surprise. “28? Really? You don’t look 28! You look much younger...” He nods, taking another sip of his drink.

“Yeah, I get that a lot. Must be my good looks,” he winks at me. I bite my lower lip.

This no-guys rule isn’t really working out well for me right now. Matt looks so hot, especially with his tattoos. I can’t help but admire them.

“You must get a lot of girls with your sleeve,” I comment, pointing to his ink-covered arm.

“Yeah, well, I’m quite picky when it comes to girls. But I do get approached a lot. Not to sound big-headed or anything.”

“Trust me, you don’t. I live in a house with huge egos! You’re normal compared to those idiots...”

“I forgot you know Knox Carter! Shit!”

“I find it funny that when I said huge egos you immediately thought of him! I like you!” I raise my glass to clink with his.

“I like you too. I’d say it gets pretty annoying with the number of girls he has around him?”

I nod, replying, “You don’t know the half of it...” I take another sip of my drink, resting my head back against his arm.

“That bad, huh?... Isn’t he back with... what’s-her-face?”

“Lauren?”

“That’s her name? I thought it was Lacey... whoops!” His mistake makes me laugh. He reminds me a bit of Ben. He slides closer to me, causing a blush to creep up my cheeks. He looks so hot tonight.

We continue to order drinks on his tab, and despite my protests, he insists. My phone keeps buzzing with messages. I ignore it until the buzzing becomes too frequent.

“I’m sorry, my... stupid... phone won’t... stop buzzing,” I fumble for it in my clutch.

“The girls? I can take you back down to them if you want—”

“No, no! I’m perfectly fine up here... away from them... m-mostly my sister,” I manage to get out, my words starting to blur together. I feel drunk. Very drunk.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to get you some water or—”

“No! I need to get f-fucked up, like wasted and whatnot...”

Matt chuckles, taking a sip of the beer he’d ordered a few minutes ago.

“Alright then, at least you’re having fun! I enjoy talking to you. You’re funny.”

“I like t-talking to y-you too, Matty boy!” I poke his chest, letting my fingers wander up to his shoulder and down his arm. I can’t help but admire his body art.

“This is really cool. Sorry to go all basic b-bitch on you, but I think t-tattoos are fucking h-hot on a guy,” I confess, biting my lip as I study his skin.

“Oh yeah?” He whispers huskily, his mouth close to my ear. I snap my eyes to his, biting down on my lip hard.

He watches me do this, “You look hot when you bite your lip like that,” his voice is so deep and I feel that last drink start to hit me. I give him a smile and turn back to his tattoos, tracing my finger along the black ink.

“You’d look even hotter if I bit your lip like that,” he suggests, placing a hand on my back and rubbing his thumb over my exposed skin.

I once again meet his gaze, seeing the lust written all over his face. Still biting on my lip, I feel myself smile at him and I let go.

“So do it then.” Smirking, he leans in and bites on my lip, pulling it towards him before letting go. Feeling brave, I lean in closer to his face, brushing his lips with my own and trailing them over to his jawline.

He slides me along the leather seats, pulling me closer to him and holding my waist. We’re both drunk. We’re both feeling the effects of our last drink. Breathing on his skin, I bite on his jawline, making him grip my waist tighter.

I make my way up to his ear and whisper, “Do you like that?” It comes out so sultry that I even surprise myself. I hear him curse under his breath and I bite my lip once more, backing away from him.

I see his eyes are shut, savoring the moment. I’m so horny right now.

I need to forget about him. Forget about my feelings for him. Now.

As soon as Matt opens his eyes, he smirks at me, “Let’s go back to mine.” He kisses my neck and I nod. I need this right now. I need to forget everything.

We walk down the stairs towards the exit and I see all the girls still at the bar. I tell Matt to hang on for one second. I race over to them and put my arms around Andy and Hannah.

“I’m heading back to Matt’s. Don’t wait up, I won’t be back until t-tomorrow.” After kissing their cheeks, they cheer me on and I run back to Matt who holds the door open for me.

As I walk out, he smacks my ass and I let out a squeal of laughter.

Oh, this is going to be fun...