CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Nova
The party is in full swing as we dance, sing, and enjoy ourselves. The shirtless waiters were an added bonus, and we all sang Happy Birthday while Bandit and Lace stood on either side, clapping with proud looks on their faces. Most of the guys wouldn’t set foot in this side of the club since it’s specifically aimed at women and gays, but we plan on going back to the clubhouse after.
Manny isn’t a big drinker, but he’s had a couple of cocktails, and he’s emotional. That’s nothing new, but it’s sweet and I smile when he blows out all the candles.
Today was fun. The boys let me off work just after lunchtime, and I don’t start the office interviews until next week, so this was a nice break to enjoy with my friends. The type of friends who have each other’s backs.
I haven’t checked my phone much tonight because I don’t want to bethatgirl. Just because me and Sawyer made out — okay, and dry humped— doesn’t mean I’m going to lose my head. I mean, I’m not saying I’ve been able to stop thinking about him,I haven’t.But I had a life before he came along, andas much as I want to get back to the clubhouse early to see him, this is Manny’s night, and it’s about what he wants.
Another hour passes, and Payden links her arm with mine. “Ready?”
“Where are we going?” I ask, yelling over the music.
“Back to HQ.”
I laugh. “HQ? Not hopingsomeonewill be there, are we?” I swore off alcohol a while back after my relationship with tequila that took a sorry turn. I don’t even feel I’m missing out on anything. People who say you need alcohol to have a good time are dumb, because I haven’t stopped laughing and enjoying myself all night. I don’t know why, but I just want to be myself when I see Sawyer. He’s seen me at my worst, and I don’t wanna be drunk in his presence.
Payden looks hopeful. “Why, did you hear he might?”
“Nope, but you never know, right?”
We navigate through the people dancing toward the exit, Payden laughing as she goes. “I so need to get laid.”
“Don’t say that too loudly at the clubhouse, you’ll never get rid of JJ, or Chains or fucking Wheels.”
Payden screws her nose up. “Isn’t Wheels like nineteen?”
“What’s wrong with a younger guy?” I roll my lips to save from laughing.
“You’re not fucking serious, are you? Like, ew, what could a younger guy possibly know?”
“I don’t know, but they could have more stamina?”
She thinks about it for a second. “I guess. I haven’t ever really thought about it, but Jesus, Wheels? He looks like a freaking teenager. No, and no.”
I laugh. “I was just joking. Though it would be cool if you hooked up with Logan in a way because then you’d be around the club more.”
She gives me a look. “Words that would never have come out of your mouth until you made out withyou know who.”
“Shhh!” I hiss, looking around, but there’s no way anyone heard us, there’s too much activity going on.
We make it outside, following behind Deanna, Summer and Bella. Nevada’s ol’ lady Star, and Riot’s ol’ lady Halo are up ahead of us, and Luna is pleading with the driver — Hustler, who probably only agreed because he and Audrina are like freaking teenagers — to stop off at a drive-through because she’s hungry.
“I’ll make you sliders!” Manny declares. “Orburgers,as you may also know them, which, by the way, is not the same thing.”
“Give it a rest with the food analogy,” Lace chastises. “And we’re not letting you cook on your birthday. I’ll order pizza on the way back to the clubhouse. Do you think you can hold off until then?”
“Yes, but I’m a vegetarian,” Luna declares. “And so is Stella, so no meat for us, heavy on the toppings, they always scrimp on the pineapple.”
This ensures a debate on the pineapple on pizza dilemma, something everyone has an opinion on as we climb onto the bus.
“Wait, but don’t you eat Tag’s meat, how is that vegetarian friendly?” Bandit laughs, earning him a shove in the ribs from Lace.
“Ha, ha, asshole,” Luna says, trying to shove him but Bandit doesn’t move a muscle. “His is the only sausage I’ll allow into my mouth.”