Chapter 84
I’m sitting on the edge of the bed when I call Claire.
The phone rings longer than I expect, long enough for me to think she won’t pick up, long enough for me to consider hanging up and pretending I never tried. Just as my thumb moves toward the screen to end the call, she answers.
“Elaine?” she says, voice already suspicious. “Is this a prank, or are you actually alive p>
I wince. “I’m alive p>
“Wow. Incredible. Because last time I saw you, you vanished at the sex club I took you to and never came back or checked in with me after you left p>
“I know, I know ” I say quickly. “I’m really sorry about that p>
She snorts. “Sorry doesn’t cover it. I came out looking for you like an idiot, asked the bartender, asked the bouncers. Some guy tried to convince me you’d gone home with him, which was a whole other situation p>
My stomach twists. “I didn’t. I swear p>
“I figured. You don’t exactly give off ’runs off with strangers’ energy.” There’s a pause. “Still rude as hell though p>
“I know,” I say again, quieter this time. “Things got… a bit complicated. I should have texted you though. I didn’t mean to ditch you i promise p>
She sighs, the sound long and dramatic. “You scared me, El. For like ten minutes. Then I got mad and pissed p>
“That’s fair p>
Silence hangs between us, not really uncomfortable, just weighted. I can hear music faintly in the background on her end, voices, the clink of something glass.
“So,” she says finally, tone shifting. “Why are you calling now p>
I hesitate, then say it straight. “I was wondering if I could come with you tonight. To the club p>
She laughs. Actually laughs. “You’ve got nerve, you know that p>
“I do,” I admit. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really want to p>
It seems like she’s weighing it for a second, then ” you promise you won’t disappear again p>
“Yes p>
“Like, actually promise. Not a ’something came up’ promise p>
“I promise,” I say. “If I need to leave, I’ll tell you. If I freak out, I’ll tell you. If I suddenly decide I hate everyone and everything, I’ll still tell you p>
She hums, considering. “You sound very serious p>
“I am p>
Another pause. Then, “Alright,” she says. “I forgive you p>
Relief rushes through me so fast my shoulders drop without me realizing they were tense.
“Thank you p>
“But,” she adds immediately, “you’re not allowed to vanish, and you’re not allowed to judge me for my outfit p>
“I’ve never judged you p>
“Yes you did judge with your eyes p>
“That’s just my face p>
She laughs again. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Be ready. And Elaine p>
“Yeah p>
“If anything weird happens or you feel weirdyou grab me. No running off alone p>
“I will p>
“Good,” she says. “Because I’m not doing the lost-friend scavenger hunt again p>
“I deserve that p>
“You do,” she agrees cheerfully. “See you at seven El p>
The call ends, and I lower the phone into my lap.
My heart’s beating a little faster than it should be, part nerves, part something like anticipation. I don’t know if tonight is a good idea. I don’t know if it’s smart but I’m going to give it a shot either ways. I just hope my masks does a good job at covering my face so none of the bouncers recognize me and call Zane. I don’t want him interrupting my plans tonight.
Claire pulls up right on time, I just finished dressing up.
I spot her car from the window and immediately regret my outfit because now it’s too late to change It’s not because it’s bad, but because it shows too much skin and I’m already tugging at the hem before I’ve even stepped outside. The dress clings in places I usually keep hidden.
When I slide into the passenger seat, Claire looks me over once and grins.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about… you look good El” she says, like it’s obvious.
“I feel like I’m wearing nothing,” I mutter, pulling the seatbelt across me like it might hide some cleavage.
She laughs and pulls back onto the road. “That’s kind of the point p>
The drive is short… too short. My nerves don’t have time to settle before we’re there.
Same place as last time, I stay close to Claire as we walk up. Close enough that my shoulder brushes her arm. The bouncer barely looks at m, he just looks at her, nods, and steps aside. Just like that, I’m let in again, sheltered under her presence.
Inside,the lights are low. And the air is thick with heat and the sound of bodies slapping against each other. Everywhere I look there’s someone fuckin the shit out of the other person, people pressed together without any shame about. I spot someone in a spot on her knees in front of the man sucking the life out of his cock.
I stop just inside the entrance, my brain struggling to catch up with the scenery.
Claire doesn’t. She takes it in stride, like this is just another night out.
“Relax,” she says, leaning in so I can hear her. “No one’s going to force you into anything you don’t want to do p>
“I know,” I say, even though my shoulders are still tight.
We move through the crowd keeping my eyes forward, then accidentally glance left and immediately wish I hadn’t. I look away just as fast, my face hot.
Claire notices. “First time still hitting you p>
“A little,” I admit.
She grins. “You get used to it. Or you don’t. Both are fine p>
We reach the bar and I perch on one of the stools, grateful for something solid under me. The bartender asks what I want. I hesitate, then order something simple. When the glass slides toward me, my fingers wrap around it like an anchor.
Claire downs half her drink in one go. “I’m not babysitting tonight,” she tells me lightly. “I’m going to enjoy myself p>
“That’s fine,” I say quickly. “Really. I just want to… look around and take in in the scenery p>