Page 17 of Dirty Martini
Skylar just shrugs and pushes away his pink bangs as he hip checks Rhys, shooing him with his hands. “Go and find someone else to serve. I’ve got Elty and… Who’s this?”
“This is my baby brother, Everest,” Elton says proudly, manhandling me until I’m in front of him and presented to Skylar. “Come on, Skylar. Do the thing.”
“It’s not a thing,” Rhys calls over his shoulder as he shakes a mixer.
I look at Elton, then skeptically at Skylar. “What thing?”
“He has a knack for guessing someone’s favorite drink,” Elton explains. “He guessed that I liked Neon Dildos.”
I chuckle weakly. “How…sexual.”
“Mmm, you’re a tricky one,” Skylar says, leaning on the bar top as he taps his forefinger against his chin. “I’m thinking you like it Bareback, am I right?”
I blush. “I?—”
“Stop flirting with Elton’s brother,” says the same woman that cursed him out only a moment ago. She’s pretty, with amber eyes and hair in several intricate braids. “I’m Britt. Don’t let Skylar get predatory.”
“It’s not predatory. It’s an observation,” Skylar defends with a dainty hand on his chest. Britt throws him a look, and he rolls his eyes. “Fine. I still think I’ll give it to you Bareback.”
“Skylar.”
“I’m just making drinks!”
This time, my chuckle is more lighthearted. Skylar gets fancy as he throws bottles in the air, doing some intricate dance move that looks like he’s got an itch on his ass as he makes our drinks. He presents Elton with what I guess is the Neon Dildo, and true to its name, it’s bright pink with a penis straw to drink out of. Mine is a little more composed. A bright yellow liquid in a martini glass with two lemons and a lime. I was half expecting it to come with a condom, but I guess that would be counterintuitive to the name.
“Have fun, my pretties,” Skylar says, batting his eyelashes. “Tip well, please.”
“When do I not?” Elton asks with mock offense, pulling out his wallet and handing Skylar his card. “Keep the tab open.”
As I wait for Elton to pay and get his card back, something prickles the back of my neck. I turn to look over my shoulder where the source of the discomfort seems to stem, only to see Rhys glaring a hole in my head. I hesitate, unsure of what to do when he doesn’t break his stare, not while he pours a green drink into a shot glass, and not when he hands it to the person in front of him. Like an idiot, I wave, giving him a sheepish smile, to which he just rolls his eyes.
My fingers twitch around my drink as Elton makes small talk with Britt. Something about his trip, or me, or Rhys, I have no idea, because it’s suddenly so loud in the club. I’m supposed to be having fun, enjoying my time, or at least getting drunk enough to forget it altogether.
That’s not happening. I sip on my Bareback, but instead of making me loose, it only serves to make my heartbeat race as the lights seem to become far too bright. I can feel my breath hitch as sweat prickles on the back of my neck, my feet becoming unstable and causing me to wobble.
Before I can even think about it, my free hand is reaching into my pocket and desperately grabbing my phone, texting the one person I know who can help me. The one person who’s become my rock these last four years when I needed one the most.
Me: You up to come out?
It only takes one second for three dots to appear before I have a text back.
Knox: Where are you?
I know this is a terrible idea in the making because Rhys and Elton have always seemed to have a problem with Knox, even though that was years ago. I also know that whatever Knox brings as his method of helping might not be the smartest choice, considering I’ve been deemed incompetent enough to earn myself a fucking babysitter, but I can’t care about that. I’mstarting to spiral, to freak out, to be weak just like I always am, and Knox has a way of making me feel better.
So, frankly, whatever happens?—
I don’t give a fuck.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Rhys
I’m annoyed.
I guess that’s just the permanent state I’m going to live in for the rest of my life—or as long as Everest is in it—because, once again, this is all his fault. Elton is supposed to be having a good time partying it up before he leaves for Spain tomorrow, but he’s just standing here. Everest disappeared a bit ago, saying he had to go to the bathroom, but he hasn’t been back to find Elton.
The hate I feel for Everest only intensifies, but I shouldn’t be surprised he’s such a massive piece of shit. Selfish, inconsiderate, fucking?—
