43

ARIA

"I will fuck you up. Watch where the fuck you going," Tammy snapped to the unknown man who had bumped his large body into me from behind and knocked the wind out of me.

"It was an accident. Sorry," the blond man said half-assedly, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. He took a sloppy sip of his beer, messing all over his chin and shirt as he struggled to stay on his feet. The look of disgust on Tammy's face mirrored mine.

We scowled at him, and before Tammy could open her mouth, I grabbed her hand and led her towards the bar area. He was not about to fuck up out night before it had barely begun. Forcing our way through the thick crowd, we manoeuvred until we were slumping over the bar counter and free from the sweaty bodies.

The club was surprisingly full, considering how massive the ground floor was. It was also ridiculously fancy. The type of club that had fire breathers and women shaking their asses on stage. A grin spread on my face, loving the atmosphere.

Tammy and I had agreed we weren't going to talk about Elijah or Sandro. And truthfully, I was living for the distraction even with me being a bit apprehensive at first.

The music blared so loud that I had to shout. "Thanks. Asshole really fucking hurt me," I frowned, already feeling a bruise forming on my back.

I needed a drink.

"He's lucky I didn't take his eyes out," Tammy sneered, slinging her arm over my shoulders.

My tight skirt had hiked up a few inches, and I attempted to pull the material down even though it refused to go any further than my mid-thigh. I felt the cool air-conditioning of the club against my bare back despite my hair cascading down to caress the top of my ass. It was cold outside, yet Tammy and I were dressed in the skimpiest clothes.

"Let's not. I don't want to spend the night in a jail cell," I replied, pulling my card out of my purse, attempting to get the bartenders attention. He was a curly haired man, dressed in a black t-shirt with a small towel draped over his shoulder. He was talking to a girl, and the conversation seemed a bit flirtatious.

I groaned, knowing that it was impossible for him to hear me. Tammy laughed at my struggle and let out the loudest fucking whistle I had ever heard.

I gasped, clutching my ringing ear. "A warning next time, fuck."

She threw a sheepish smile my way, and shrugged uncaringly. It had worked, and the bartender had left his conversation and was now approaching us. He rested his elbows on the glass counter, looking at us expectantly, but more me specifically.

"What I can get for you tonight?" he asked, smiling down at me and I leaned forward so he could hear me.

"Vodka Redbull, and a G&T with a slice of lime. Please," I shouted over the music, knowing Tammy's favourite drink was the dangerous Gin and Tonic. I stayed away from that – not wanting to stumble over my heels. I was already clumsy enough.

"And two shots of tequila. Thank you," Tammy practically shoved me out of the way before I could utter a word and tapped her card on the machine. I gave her a nasty look, already grimacing at the thought of downing the hard liquor.

"Sure."

"Next round is on me," I told her, and she just waved her hand in a dismissive manner.

I watched the bartender pour the drinks, his back to us.

"He's kind of cute, isn't he?" I nodded in his direction, and gave her a suggestive smile. Tammy tilted her head, blatantly checking him out as she hummed in thought. Eventually she shook her head.

"Too cute. I like my men to look like they've been through some shit." She shrugged. I couldn't even blame her – we seemed to have the same type in men. I didn't know if I should be concerned or not.

"Can't even argue with that," I murmured, but mostly at myself.

The bartender slid our drinks to us, and we eagerly picked up the shot glasses filled with a clear liquid. A small saucer with salt and slices of lime was added. I had been in the club a few times, and that was the very first time someone had offered the extra trimmings to us. The bartender winked before averting his attention to another customer.

"Oooh," Tammy had a grin on her face. "Amazing service."

"I know," I said, nodding in approval. I was a bit impressed.

We licked the skin between our thumbs and index fingers, sprinkling the finest layer of salt before placing our tongues on it. A second later the hot, burning sensation of tequila was sliding down my throat.

My eyes watered immediately, and I sucked on the lime before I could cough my lungs out. One shot felt like a molten lava and tasted like fruity lighter fluid. I almost gagged as a violent shiver racked through me.

I glared down at the empty glass before taking a generous sip of my vodka Redbull. After a shot like that, my drink tasted regular.

"Are you ladies doing okay?" The bartender asked, the same flirtatious smirk on his lips. Or maybe it was a smirk he offered to all his customers. As his eyes glanced down my body, I wasn't entirely convinced that it was.

"Yes. Thank you," I grinned back at him, and his smile broadened.

"Kian," he introduced himself, extended his hand to me and without hesitation, I touched palms with him. His hands were cold and calloused, and I couldn't help but notice how different it felt from Sandro's. I shook away the thoughts. I wasn't supposed to be thinking about him.

"Aria."

Tammy huffed next to me, placing a sickly sweet smile on her face before stretching her hand to Kian. "I'm Tamara, but you can call me Tammy."

"Nice to meet you. Call me if you need anything, okay?" He said, gently knocking the side of his fist against the countertop before being called over by a customer.

Tammy waited until he was gone.

But before she could even speak, my eyes were narrowing at her. "I know what you're thinking. Nope. Not happening." I deadpanned, cutting off any plans she had whirling through her mind.

"I take back what I said earlier. He's cute. And did you see how he was looking at you? He definitely wants that ass," she tapped my ass, and I scoffed in response.

"Okay, fine. I'll stop." She rolled her eyes. "Just saying...if you want to leave with someone-"

"Tammy!"

"Okay. Okay. Let's go to the dance floor."

*

One thing about this particular nightclub, was that everyone minded their business. Nobody approached us, and nobody accidentally bumped into us. Again. Everyone was having fun and sticking to their own. It was the most fun I had in a while – and in a way, I was sort of happy that Tammy had dragged me to come out.

I went to take a sip, frowning when I saw my plastic cup was empty.

"You want another? I'm going to the bar." I shouted, and Tammy's response was an excited nod. Her cheeks were rosy, and her skin glowed underneath the strobe lights. She looked genuinely happy and I was relieved she was feeling better.

The slight buzz began to kick in. I wasn't a lightweight. I could hold my own but tequila wasn't my friend.

We probably should have eaten.

I shoved through the crowed, eventually slumping over the bar while I gasped for air. "Kian,"

"The same?"

"Yes." I am going to regret this in the morning.

I watched him as he prepared out drinks, his back facing towards me again, I looked away before my eyes could wander down to his butt. Kian was handsome- but not as handsome as....Oh my God, shut the fuck up.

I retrieved my card from my purse while I waited for him. He was going achingly slow- slower than last time. I frowned at him, starting to feel impatient. Maybe I was just in a rush to get back to Tammy. I didn't want to leave her alone for too long.

Finally, he was done.

"There you go. Enjoy." He pushed it to me and I muttered a quick thank you. I paid, and once again, I was shoving through the crowed. She was dancing with some guy, wrapping her arms around his neck as she swayed her hips.

My laugh was genuine – enjoying it when Tammy enjoyed herself.

The night went on, and I found myself finishing my drink. That's when I realised I probably drank too much.

I needed to pee. Urgently.

I asked Tammy if she wanted to use the toilet, but she shook her head and carried on dancing with the third guy for the night. I shrugged before stumbling my way to the bathroom.