Page 251 of The Perfect Spiral
“I am, Alex—” His protest was cut short as I hung up on him. I silenced my phone, ignoring the barrage of calls and messages that followed. I tucked it back into my purse and rejoined the party.
Across the room, I spotted Hannah with Sam and Andy. I sauntered over to them, ordering another round of drinks.
“Was it that bad?” Sam asked, a cheeky grin playing on her lips.
“You have no idea,” I replied, rolling my eyes as I paid the bartender.
“What did Kyle say? I knew he’d be pissed, but I didn’t think it would be this bad... Can you imagine their reactions when webring Lena to her first strip club?”
Her teasing remark had us all laughing, even as we winced at the thought of the verbal onslaught we’d likely receive from the guys. Cole, especially.
“Oh, it wasn’t Kyle!” I clarified, prompting them to furrow their brows in confusion. “It was Satan himself, roaring down the phone at me. He threatened to drag me home and—” I made air quotes with my fingers— “‘lock me in my room’ if I dared to make out with anyone else.”
I didn’t need him playing the overprotective bodyguard. “What video are they talking about? Andy, did you send them one?” I asked, watching as she downed a shot.
She shook her head, swallowing before answering. “No, Kyle told me Lauren took a video and sent it to Knox. Kyle’s pissed at Lauren because she called you a slut, which is pretty rich considering her current situation.” We all glanced over to see a guy awkwardly grinding on her while she tried to coax him into more.
Andy whipped out her phone, aiming the camera at Lauren. “Smile, Miss USA,” she murmured, snapping pictures and a short video before tucking her phone away with a satisfied smile.
“Two can play that game, bitch,” she declared, grinning over her drink at Sam, who returned the wink.
We said our goodbyes to the guys and tipped them generously. As we headed back to the bus, my sister pulled me aside. I looked down at her from the bus steps, following her nod to a figure running towards us, hastily pulling on a shirt. I recognized those abs.
“Are you okay?” I asked Ryder as he skidded to a halt by the bus. The girls continued to pile inside, leaving me alone in the darkness with Ryder.
“Just one more kiss,” he murmured, pressing me against the side of the bus and capturing my lips with his. His hand cradled my head, his arms resting above me against the bus, shielding me from the girls. His tongue slipped into my mouth, teasing mine.
As we made out against the bus, my sister banged on the window, apologizing that we had to get going. Ryder backed away with a boyish grin, waving. “Bye, Alex! Nice to meet you.”
I couldn’t help but return his grin. “Bye, Ryder! Nice to meet you too.” I climbed the bus steps to a sudden silence, which was quickly broken by a loud cheer and clapping.
Half an hour later, we arrived at the club my sister had booked. She was still proudly wearing her sash, posing for the cameras with the other WAGS. Lauren, of course, wouldn’t miss an opportunity to be seen with her WAG friends.
“Alex! Over here!” The paparazzi shouted my name over and over, but I ignored them, making my way into the club.
“Is that what it’s like?” Hannah asked, glancing back at the paparazzi swarming outside the club. I nodded, waiting for the rest of the party to join us.
She scrunched up her nose. “That’s so intense.” I agreed. It was intense, having strangers scream at you on the streets just to snap a picture.
Once everyone was inside, we were escorted to the VIP lounge. Drinks were set out on the tables, shots flying all around us. Sam grabbed my hand, pulling me onto the dance floor with her and our two best friends.
We danced and laughed, lost in the sea of bodies. I spotted Lauren across the room, surrounded by a group of guys and her friends. I continued to dance, laughing with my sister who was clearly wasted.
“I’m getting married tomorrow! Wooohoooo!” She raised her glass, drawing cheers from the crowd. I clinked my glass with hers, downing shots of whatever was being passed around.
Stumbling back to the VIP area, we clung to railings and walls for support. We were a mess.
The four of us collapsed into a booth, gossiping about the night’s events. “I’ve been getting so many texts and calls from Kyle asking where I am. He gets so jealous so easily. God, they’re all so protective!” Andy sounded surprisingly sober.
Perhaps it’s the alcohol talking.
“You didn’t get the brunt of Carter’s wrath! Damn it, he won’t leave me alone…” My words are slurred, struggling to form a coherent sentence.
Sam nods in agreement, “Yeah, Knox is ten times worse, Andy. When those two fought, he used to really get under Alex’s skin…”
“And apparently her skirt too,” Andy mumbles into her drink, a smug smile playing on her lips.
She breaks eye contact with me and looks down at the table. I cross my legs, the memory of that night in the pantry flooding back.
