Page 57 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“Tyler swears it wasn’t him,” she says. “Or I think that’s what this says.”
She hands me the phone and I read through their texts. Her replies are filled with typos and too many exclamation points. But she’s right. “Maybe it was the guy at the door?”
Ev shrugs. “Whoever it was, thank you!” She screams the last two words and we get a few looks from a group of guys nearby.
A new song starts and Grace gasps and looks to Everly, who has the same wide-eyed, excited expression.
“I love this song!” they say in unison.
“We have to dance.”
“You two go ahead,” I tell them. “My feet are killing me.”
“No way!” They each grab one of my hands and pull me up.
I’m dragged behind them to the first floor. Every hour more people have piled into this space. We only make it to the edge of the dance floor before there’s a wall of bodies too thick to move farther.
The two of them sing along with the lyrics, basically shouting them at me until they realize I don’t know them. It’s some catchy pop song. I’ve heard it a dozen times but never really listened to the lyrics. I don’t register them now either. My heart is so happy and I feel so light and free. It’s probably that last drink talking, but I don’t care. Tonight feels like a tiny baby step to getting my life back.
We’re in our own little bubble, dancing with each other and a little drunk, so at the first shout, none of us react. I look up, but I can’t see anything but more happy people dancing around us.
It’s not until someone knocks into the back of Grace and pushes her into me that we realize something isn’t right, and then it’s too late. We’re all pushed again and then there are screams. It’s eerie because we can’t see anything. The path to leave the dance floor is blocked and suddenly everyone is rushing toward us, all trying to leave at the same time.
I grab on to both Everly and Grace and hold tight as we try to keep from being trampled. Staying upright is hard, but I’m so scared if one of us falls we’ll be seriously hurt. We huddle together as close as we can get. None of us speak.
It’s not long before security is everywhere and light floods the building. We’re escorted outside with everyone else. Police cars line the street and the three of us hurry with others until we’re far enough away that it feels safe.
My heart is hammering so hard in my chest. I’m still squeezing Everly and Grace’s hands.
“What the hell happened?” Everly asks, looking back toward the club where people are still pouring out.
“I don’t know.” Grace looks the most spooked and winces as she finally inspects her foot. She’s bleeding from where she got stepped on during the chaos.
“We should get out of here,” Ev says.
We’re all in agreement. The only problem is everyone else has the same idea. Everly’s teeth start chattering as we wait for the Uber.
“Maybe we should call Tyler,” Grace suggests.
I’m relieved not to be the first one to say it.
“No way. He’ll just use it as an excuse to tell me he should have been there with me.”
“I don’t know, Ev. I think he’ll just be glad you’re okay.” I check my phone again to get an update on our estimated wait. “And who knows how long until we can get a ride.”
She sighs and pulls out her phone. “Okay.”
As she brings the device up to her ear, a flashy Mercedes SUV comes speeding down the road, the black paint gleaming against the night and catching my eye seconds before the tires screech and the vehicle stops in front of us. All three of us jump back startled and still on edge from the club.
Jack rolls down the window, a murderous look on his face. I just barely register Tyler in the passenger seat before Jack says, “Get in the car.”
17
YOU’RE SO HOT YOU CAUSED A BAR FIGHT
BRIDGET
The three ofus pile in the back of Jack’s G-Wagon and he pulls away from the police-lined streets.
