Page 14 of Comeback
“It tastes like cotton candy and summer.” Brogan grins. “I like it.”
“I feel like I just drank a pixie stick.” Archer is still holding on to the shot glass but looking around for something to do with it.
I hold out my tray and they both set their empty plastic cups on it.
“There are some tables outside on the patio. It’s a little quieter out there. Give me two minutes to drop this off,” I say, indicating my tray.
When Brogan nods his agreement, I spin around and head toward the bar. My heart is racing, and nervous energy has me moving through the crowd without registering things like before.
I set my tray down. Olivia’s brows lift in question.
“Brogan’s here,” I say. “And Archer.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up and she glances back the way I came.
“I sent them outside.” I untie my apron. I’m still in my bikini top and jean shorts like the other female employees, but there’s not a lot I can do about that.
“Can you grab me a Modelo and a Blue Moon?” I give her the cash Brogan gave me, which is more than enough to cover the shots and beers.
“Here.” She hands me two bottles of beer.
“Thanks.”
While she gets back to pouring drinks, I head outside. Lilac Lounge is an indoor/outdoor club. The inside bar and seating area are smaller than the outdoor space. The bar is just out the doors and there’s a patio with seating under an alcove.
A massive pool takes up the middle and most people hang around the edge of it, sipping drinks and talking. There’s a stage behind the pool where a DJ is set up tonight. On either side of the stage is where I usually dance. Right now, my favorite guy friend is up there along with a dancer that started while I was gone.
Archer and Brogan are easy to find, even among the throngs of people out here. Saturday night is our busiest and with the college kids back in town, tonight is looking to be a long one. I’ll be glad when it’s my turn to dance, so I don’t have to mingle in the crowd selling shots.
The college guys are the worst. They’re always trying to get free stuff and offering up things in exchange. One guy said he’d and I quote, ‘make it worth my while.’ Uh-huh. Why is it the guys that think they’re the best in bed are always actually the worst?
Archer turns as I approach them. His gaze dips to my legs and up in a quick perusal that somehow still makes my stomach swoop.
I hand him the Blue Moon. He takes it after a beat of hesitation, then reaches for his wallet.
“I got it,” I say, shaking him off, then hand the other bottle to Brogan.
“You know what we drink?” He twists off the cap and tosses it in a nearby trashcan. I glance back at Archer in time to see him slip his top into his pocket.
“Occupational hazard.” I spot an empty couch on the patio and lead the guys to it. I motion for them to sit. Brogan does,then Archer, leaving me with a small space next to my brother’s best friend.
Our legs brush and he moves his over to give me more room.
“This is such a surprise,” I say, still feeling off-kilter that they’re here to see me. “Why didn’t you text me to tell me you were coming? I could have gotten you VIP access.” There’s a section of the pool with a swim-up bar that is reserved for only thirty people per night. Mostly people the club extends invitations to. If celebrities or local influencers come and share, then it brings even more people in.
I try to imagine Brogan and Archer in VIP and the mayhem it would likely cause. Brogan is my brother, but I’ m not oblivious to the way women are with him. He has a charm about him. And Archer has this whole quiet, almost overlookable hotness. He’s good at blending in and not drawing a lot of attention to himself, but when you look at him…really look at him, he’s breathtaking. His hair is a little too long and he has rough stubble along his square jaw. His eyes are what really do me in. They’re a stunning hazel with long inky-black lashes. There’s something about him that just hits all my buttons. Even knowing how much he dislikes me doesn’t detract from his appeal unfortunately.
“It was a last-minute decision,” Brogan says. “But this place is cool. I like it. I’ll have to bring London back sometime.”
Another pause hangs between us while I wait for him to tell me why he’s really here, but before he can do that two women approach Brogan.
“Are you Brogan Six?” one of them asks with a coy smile.
I hear Archer’s light laughter under his breath.
“Yes.” Brogan smiles politely at the women as they start talking fast, telling him what big fans they are.
Archer glances up at me. I find myself amused at the scene.
