Chapter Seven
Amara
I give up. I stare at the spreadsheet and grow more frustrated. When I woke up this morning I quickly left the house so I didn’t have to come face-to-face with Nathan.
“Amara, you look like you could kill someone.” Starlight leans against my counter.
“You really do.” Baylor comes up on the other side of me. “Is it Alden again or the paperwork?”
“Nathan.” I sigh and toss the pen down.
“Tell me all about it.” Starlight’s eyes go wide. She probably thinks it some type of sexual details.
I go into how sweet it was coming home to the candles and homemade dinner. I tell them about the dance and kiss.
“I think you’re too much like Alden,” Baylor says.
“Hey.” I’m offended. “How can you say something like that?”
“Because he’s an Alpha and you are too. Maybe that’s a turnoff to Nathan.” Baylor explains.
“I’m tired of being a virgin.” I whine.
“Wait. You’re a virgin? As in a real life one?” Starlight stares at me as if I’m an alien who fell out of the sky.
“Yes and I’m going to remain one forever.”
“That’s not true.” Baylor rubs my back. “You’ll find someone. You’ll be in love and it’ll happen.”
“Doubt it.” I grumble.
“That’s it.” Starlight stands and hugs me. “I’m getting you laid. We’re going to The Vault tonight, picking the hottest guy, and you’re going to ride him to the moon.”
I do laugh at her and shake my head. “I’m going with you tonight, but I doubt I’ll ride anyone. Although I wouldn’t mind grinding up on a few guys.” I counter with a shy smile.
“You are so like Alden.” Baylor sighs and heads back to her station.
I pick out the shortest, hottest looking dress I can find on the rack when I went shopping. Right now, I’m staring at myself in my mirror wondering what the hell I was thinking. It’s hot pink, stopping just below my ass, and if I move too quickly, my breasts may come flying out.
“I wish I bought booby tape.” I adjust them again hoping I don’t flash them to everyone at the nightclub.
Starlight texts me again saying she’ll come pick me up in an Uber. I’m nervous about going out because I don’t know what to expect. Is it like the movies where everyone is laughing and having a good time? Or is there going to be a bar fight every two seconds and I’ll get hurt?
Knock. Knock.
“Come in,” I say turning toward my bedroom door.
When Nathan walks in he stutters on his steps. His mouth drops when he sees me. I watch as he studies me up and down.
“What are you wearing?”
“A dress.”
“Are you sure?” He barks.
“Yes, I am. What do you want?” I move about the room, picking up my phone and small clutch.
“Where are you going?”
“I told you last night. Starlight is taking me to The Vault.” I face him, putting my hand on my hip.
“Dressed like that?” He points at me.
“Yes.” I try to keep my cool and confidence, but I’m not sure it’s coming off that way. My phone dings.
Starlight: Here
“Bye.” I brush past him and head down the hall.
“Wait.” He grabs my elbow. “You can’t go out like this.”
I jerk my arm out of his grasp. “I’m twenty-one and you’re not my husband nor my boyfriend. In fact, even if you were, you can’t tell me what to do. Now, goodbye and have a good night.”
His mouth is still hanging open as I slam the door and head out to the waiting Uber.
“Damn, girl.” Starlight whistles as I slide into the seat next to her. “Someone’s getting laid.” She sings.
I giggle and change the topic. “I love your outfit.” She’s wearing a very mini jean skirt and a glitter top. It’s clear to see her entire back is open, and it’s just a tie-on shirt.
“I’m hoping to get laid.” She winks.
This makes us both laugh. Tonight’s going to be interesting and fun.
“What is it?” I yell over the music.
“Lemon drop. It’s a shot,” she says. “Drink it like this.” She opens the sugar packet and puts some on her tongue. Then she takes the drink and tosses it back, then picks up the lemon and sucks on it. “Just like that. Come on it’s your turn.” She claps and pushes a shot over to me.
I follow the same steps as she did and when I finish it I begin to cough. “It burns.” I manage to get the words out.
“It’ll go away when you drink more.” She jokes, but I really think she’s serious. “Let’s get you something fruity. Bartender, we need two sex on the beach.”
“I can’t spend too much money. I’m on a budget.” I want to drink but not fall over.
She gives me the look as if I’m growing a second head. “Girl, we won’t be buying drinks.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We’re going to get guys to buy us drinks.” She glances around the bar. “And those are the boys who are going to do it.”
“How do you know?”
“Watch and learn, grasshopper.” She bops my nose with her pointer finger and turns back to the guys. She makes eye contact and gives them a small smile. Then she waves and winks.
“This won’t work.” I tell her, but after another moment the two guys come over.
“Hello, ladies,” the taller of the two says. “I’m Franklin and this is Will.” He points to the other next to him. “Can we buy you ladies a drink?”
“Sure.” Starlight beams as the bartender sets down the drinks. “You can purchase these first and then we’ll see if we need more.”
Franklin lays down a fifty and tells the bartender to keep the change. I’m not sure who he’s trying to impress. “And what would your lovely names be, ladies?”
“I’m Starlight, and this is my girl Amara. It’s her twenty-first birthday.” She adds.
“Happy birthday.” Will raises his glass. “That’s some nice ink you both have.”
I glance down at my upper arm. Baylor did the design. It was an open book with all the items I love flowing out of it. Even Alden’s name.
“I’m a tattoo artist.” She volunteers her information. “Amara works there as well. She’s studying to be a nurse.”
“Really?” Will smirks. “I’m a resident at county.”
“Wow.” I turn fully to him with my drink. “What made you become a doctor?”
“I’m sure a lot would say to help people and pursue medical advancement, but I’m in it for the money.”
“Oh.” How does someone reply to a statement like that? “I hope you’re able to make lots of it then.”
“Thank you.” He grins.
Franklin is talking to Starlight, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. I look around the dance floor and watch everyone grinding on each other. I wish Nathan were here to dance with me. Although, he probably wouldn’t want to. Last night’s dance had been perfect. The kiss was spectacular. But he doesn’t want to rush anything. To me, it translates as he really doesn’t want me. Sure he made dinner, danced with me, and kissed me, but he treats me like a fragile doll.
I want more.
“Want to do a shot?” Will asks.
“Sure.” I nod.
He waves the bartender over and orders tequila. I give Starlight a look as to help me out here, but she’s deep in conversation and isn’t paying a bit of attention.
“Here.” He pushes the shot glass over to me. He hands me a salt pack and lime.
“I’m not sure how this works.”
“Really?”
I nod feeling like an idiot.
“Okay, let me show you.” He licks the back of his hand, opens the packet of salt and shakes it where he just licked. Then he licks up the salt, takes the shot, and then sucks on the lime.
“That’s a lot of steps.” I giggle.
“You try.”
I do everything he did and am barely able to keep the liquor down. “That’s gross.” I cough. “I need some water.”
“Just sip your drink.” He laughs.
The overly sweet drink does help a bit, but I’m feeling a bit tipsy. “Want to dance?” I ask. I need to step away from the bar for a moment before he tries to give me another drink.
“Sure.”
I ease off the stool and let Starlight know we’re hitting the floor. Will guides me by placing his hand on the small of my bare back. It doesn’t give me the same rush as it does when Nathan touches me.
The bass is loud enough that I can feel my heart jumping out of rhythm. We are able to find a small spot in the center of the dance floor. Will grinds up against me in an arrhythmic manner. In fact, his belt buckle is hurting me. It’s not as sexy as the movies make it out to be. I know it won’t be exactly like the movies, but this is uncomfortable and just plain sucks.
Thankfully, the song ends and I turn around to tell Will I’m going back to the bar. I get the feeling as if someone’s staring at me. When I look around I’m stunned to see Alden and Nathan glaring down at me from the second floor VIP rooms.
I roll my eyes and loudly tell Will to meet me back at the bar. I weave and push my way through the crowd until I manage to find the stairs. It takes me a second to find the correct room. Oddly the bodyguard already knew my name when I told him it and he let me right in.
Standing in the middle of the room is Nathan and Alden with their arms crossed. “What the hell?” I yell at them both.
“I think we should be asking you the same question.” Alden narrows his glare. “I can’t believe you’re wearing this.”
“Shut up.” I stomp my foot. “You have no right to follow me like this. I’m an adult.”
“No you’re not. Just because you’re twenty-one doesn’t make you an adult.” He continues.
“I don’t need my brother or my roommate to babysit me.” Nathan looks as if I hurt his feelings. “Now, I’m going back downstairs to drink enough alcohol that I’ll have to have a whole bottle of aspirin in the morning. Plus, I’m gonna lose my virginity in the bathroom.”
I spin on my toes and storm away from them. When I reach the bar, I tell Starlight I want to get drunk. I can’t believe I just announced I’m a virgin in front of Nathan. I’m embarrassed, but now I’m going to drink until I don’t have any more feelings.
Will is trying to talk to me, but when the bartender is near I order two more shots of tequila and another sex on the beach. Just for myself.
With each shot I do it’s in clear view for my brother and Nathan to see. Will is still trying to talk to me, but I finally tell him – in a nice way – to go away. He does with hesitation, and I continue my drinking.
I’m going to make sure I’m completely drunk by the end of the night.