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“Vixen look.” She wiggles her perfectly sculpted eyebrows. Somebody’s obviously been reading the naughty fairy tales again.
“It’s just drinks. It’s hardly like I’ll meet someone near campus tonight. Everyone already went home for break.”
“I was actually thinking, let’s just venture out a little farther. I heard about this new place that just opened. One of those mysterious underground pop-up places.”
“Aren’t you just full of surprises,” I tease.
“You only turn twenty-one once,” she reminds me as she puts the finishing touches on her own sultry makeup.
“Yeah, and that’s not for another week.”
“Good thing I have these.” Beatrix produces fake IDs out of her dress pocket.
“It’s always the quiet ones.” I shake my head.
Chapter 3
Adelaide
“So, how did you find out about this place again?” I ask Beatrix as we climb out of the taxi and into the dark alley we’ve just been dropped off in.
“This guy Gus wandered in the library, looking for the gym.”
“I bet he did.” She has quite the fan club. “Are you sure this is it?”
Beatrix rolls her eyes and pulls out her phone before holding it up to me. “1812 Wilhelm Ave. See?”
We walk down toward a gas lamp casting light on the frosty pavement.
“It’s not too late to turn back now.” I’m not judging and she knows me well enough to know I’m down for an adventure. But this is how an episode of Criminal Minds starts.
“Hey, he was cute.” She shrugs. “Plus, he mentioned the drinks were cheap and strong—I figured you only turn twenty-one once. Or, in your case, twice.” Her shoulder bumps mine teasing about the fake ID’s and the fact that it’s not my birthday yet.
“So true.” I lock arms with her, and we wander toward our dark fate, or cheap drinks… whichever comes first.
We walk down some steps, and a worn sign carved with the words The White Stag hangs in a dimly lit alcove. No line. No doorman. And definitely no one checking IDs. Not sure if that’s a good sign or a very bad one.
As soon as we step inside, we’re greeted by a deep pulsing bass and a small crowd filling the pub that looks like it was picked right off the corner of some rustic European village and dropped on the other side of Rosewood. The walls are covered with mahogany paneling and there are barrels turned into tables with lanterns that glow make it feel inviting, even though I can’t help the odd feeling of unease that hits me as soon as we make our way toward the bar.
“You made it!” A bear of a guy comes over and smiles at Beatrix.
“Gus!” She snakes her arm through his.
“Hey! You guys want a drink?”
“Sure thing.” She looks at me expectantly. “Addie?”
“Yeah, sounds good.” I follow them to the worn wooden bar that runs the length of the room. Behind it are shelves lined with more liquor bottles than I’ve ever seen in my life and, above that, an antique mirror with mercury glass.
“What will you girls have?” Gus asks over the loud music. I look at Bea for help; my knowledge of spirits is limited to spiked punch during the holidays family meals with the occasional glass of wine.
“Well, it’s a little early for shots,” she teases with a grin.
“It’s never too early for shots!” Gus laughs and pats his friend who has joined us on the back.
Why does this feel like a double-date setup? Oh yeah, because it is.
“Addie, meet Gus and his friend—” Bea smiles apologetically.
