Page 37 of The Pass Protection
“Girl, it’s a wild time,” he says as he taps the plastic frame. “Ecstasy is going to be there, and they’re fucking awesome.”
“Yeah, that’s what my friend, Brynn, said.”
“Well, I’ll probably see ya tonight.”
“Have a good workout.”
And with a salute, he walks away and heads toward the building. Slowly but surely, I’m starting to build a new life here, and it’s so much better than I thought it would be.
Before reversing out of my spot, I scan the fifty-seven messages.Jesus. Most of them are between Chloe and Brynn as they debate on ifBrynn’s going out tonight. At the same time, Macy interjects with the occasional message.
Chloe: Wear something cute and come with the guys. I need a new best friend.
Brynn: Shut up, bitch. You know I’m still your favorite.
Brynn: Bret—don’t listen to her.
Brynn: But wear something hot and get you some!
I love their messages and toss my phone aside as I reverse out of my spot.
Guess I’m going out tonight.
It’s after ten when we pull up to The Eagles Nest. There’s a line of people waiting for their chance to be allowed inside while another smaller line is off to the side where a bouncer checks IDs. Luckily, Olivia knew a guy at her tattoo parlor who hooked us up with some epic fakes.
Tonight, I’m Sarah Swisher, a twenty-one-year-old from Missouri.
Harris holds the door open as music comes pouring outside while JP takes the lead, and I fall in behind him with Crew trailing me. It’s like the guys sandwiched me between them so I don’t get lost in the crowd, which I could see quickly happening. This placeis packed.
The Eagles Nest is nothing spectacular. It’s just a dive bar on campus which is everyone’s place to go, or so I’ve been told. Worn, tiled flooring and wood-paneled walls make up the interior. Since TVs hang everywhere you look, I imagine the place is just as packed as it is tonight on game days. High-top tables are scattered about while a small section has black vinyl booths. Straight ahead of the entrance is a large L-shaped bar. Following the long part of the bar is the stage.
Heads turn as they watch the guys stride through the dense crowd. The guys’ height and looks definitely draw attention.
Fingers graze against my exposed skin, and I glance over my shoulder. I’m dressed in light-washed denim jeans that hang baggy off my frame, the knees ripped out. A tight black short-sleeve cropped top hugs my chest sans bra. The shirt shows all of my tattoos, and my ears are filled with silver hoops from my cartilage to my lobes, exposing the ink behind my ear thanks to my slicked-back ponytail. A pair of white and green sneakers sit high on my ankles, completing the look. I’m dressed like me but still cute and sexy. Brynn and Chloe should be proud of me.
Crew’s dark-chocolate eyes blaze as he gives a subtle wink in my direction. His wink sets butterflies free in my stomach. Someone bumps into my shoulder and rocks me off balance. Crew’s hands glide around my waist keeping me from tumbling over as the guy who bumped me apologizes. The guy starts to speak to me, but I don’t hear him as Crew’s voice fills my ear.
“You look amazing tonight.” Warmth spreads through my body. “We have a private room to the right.”
Finally, I reach the private room, and shouts ring out as JP enters. The room fills the entire right side of the bar as multiple glass doors, which are propped open, separate the private room from the rest ofthe bar. Inside are large tables, which are overflowing, a pool table, dart boards, and more high-top tables that people lean against.
Guys from the football team, including my brother, sit at a long table in the middle. High-top tables are spread around the room where others mingle. Girls line the room, some standing next to the guys while others are on their laps. Two women flock to JP as he pours a glass of beer from the pitcher on the table.
“Babes! You made it!” Chloe stumbles over to us with Cody hot on her trail.
“I told you I’d be here.” I smile, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. “You look so cute.”
After only a few encounters with Chloe, I’ve noticed our style is completely different. Where I’m a mixture of edgy and casual with an athletic flair, Chloe is soft and feminine with her array of dresses and skirts. She’s dressed in a mauve spaghetti-strapped mini dress with tiny white flowers which flow around her waist. Her honey-blonde hair is curled down her back, and a clip secures the sides of her loose waves at the back of her head. While our style might not be the same, we both have a shared love for sneakers. Her white low tops give her a casual vibe.
“She’s had a few shots already,” Cody tells Crew from where the two are standing next to us.
“Shhh, babe, don’t tell my secrets.” Chloe wraps her arm around my waist and starts to lead me away. “Let’s go find you a drink.”
My feet falter as I try to pump the brakes so Chloe can’t lead me out toward the bar. “Oh, that’s okay. I’m fine for right now.”
Uneasiness pricks my skin as the fear of becoming intoxicated and letting my guard down rises. As much as I loved going out and dancing to music, it’s something I did in the past. In the before. My eyes find Crew’s, and he reads the panic across my face.
Cody must sense the change because he’s stepping into Chloe. His arms wrap around her neck as he stands behind her. “Come on, Wildflower. Let them breathe.”
