“Um, mostly we just insulted one another,” I said, “I’m surprised you came up for air long enough to notice.”
“Very funny,” Lexi muttered.
The rest of the set flew by. I was feeling the full effects of the tequila, and everything was slightly fuzzy around the edges. Before I knew it, Lexi was tugging on my arm, waving a hand in front of my face to capture my attention.
“Brooklyn! How drunk are you?” She looked sternly down at me, hands planted firmly on her hips. “We’re leaving now, the set’s over. Come on,” she ordered.
I trailed behind her, one hand loosely clasped in hers, and we were carried along with the crowd as they poured out the club doors and into the night.
“Come on, drunky,” Lexi chided as we cleared the exit, leading me around a corner and down a dim alley between buildings.
A few yards into the alley, a side exit door opened into the narrow passageway. Tyler and the other band members were laughing as they walked outside, lugging instruments and stereo equipment into a waiting van.
“Tyler!” Lexi called out, announcing our arrival.
He finished storing his drums in the trunk before turning to greet us, swooping Lexi up into his arms and spinning her around like a child.
“Did you like the rest of the set?” Tyler asked, placing her back on her feet.
“You were so good!” Lexi squealed.
I began to tune them out, leaning back against the cool brick building and closing my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into my bed and sleep, even if it only was for a few brief hours. Drunk and exhausted, my legs felt almost as heavy as my eyelids, which had begun to drift closed of their own accord.
“You look like shit,” a voice said. Cracking open one eye, I took in the sight ofFinn standing directly in front of me, an amused smirk on his lips.
“Thanks,” I croaked, “That’s the look I was going for tonight.”
“I meant you look exhausted. And possibly wasted.”
I let my eyes close again, trying to shut him out. The tequila thrummed through my veins and I planted my palms flat against the brick to steady myself.
“Don’t pretend you know me,” I mumbled tiredly.
“Do you need a ride home? I’d guess Lexi isn’t leaving anytime soon.”
My eyes snapped open in surprise, fixing on his face. I’d come to expect asshole-Finn; I wasn’t quite sure what to do with an offer from chivalrous-Finn. I looked over at the van, now completely packed with band equipment.
“Where am I going to sit, the roof?” I asked acerbically. “Also, you’ve been drinking. I may be wasted, but I’m not stupid enough to climb into a car with you behind the wheel at the moment.”
“Relax, I’m not driving. It’s Scott’s van,” he said, indicating the bass player leaning against the driver’s side door. “Come on, let’s go tell Lexi you’re leaving.”
“I don’t even know you!”
“I’m not a serial killer, Brooklyn. Pinky promise,” he chuckled.
He walked over to Tyler and Lexi, who were sitting on the back bumper, intermittently kissing and staring deeply into each other’s eyes.
Ah, true lust,I thought sarcastically.
Finnlaughed, looking back at me. Shit, did I say that out loud?
“Not one for PDA, huh?” he asked.
Not really one for affection, generally speaking, I thought, this time managing to keep my drunken ramblings contained.
I just shrugged and shouldered past him, making my way to Lexi.
“Lex,” I said, trying to pull her gaze from Tyler. “I want to leave. I’m exhausted.”