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Chapter 1
Rory
Ican’t remember the last time I went out and had fun. The young, carefree version of me died the night I decided to go to a party with the wrong guy. This version of me doesn’t drink, let loose, or have much fun at all. She’s usually too exhausted caring for her son and sick mom. Tonight, however, she’s having a break.
Joel is at a sleepover with one of his friends and Mom insisted I go out withmyfriends. I sayfriends, but they’re more like work pals. We have fun together, but I wouldn’t say we were besties. Because of what happened, I have trust issues and I don’t let anyone get close.
“Drink this and then we dance,” Shona yells in my ear, passing me a glass of something colorful while Maddie rummages in her purse for lipstick to repair the damage caused by a sloppy kissfrom a recent admirer. I swear the girl attracts guys like flies. It’s the fifth time she’s been hit on since we arrived at the club.
Not that I blame the guys. Maddie is hot as fuck with her sleek ebony hair and legs a Victoria’s Secret model would kill for. Tonight, she’s wearing a ‘barely there’ little silver dress that clings to her curves and would look good on any guy’s bedroom floor. Shona and I usually sit back and let her reel in the men so we can enjoy the free drinks. It works every time.
Five minutes later, we’re in our own little bubble. This part of the venue is purely for killing it on the dance floor, but the floor above is where the club dancers work. We had a drink up there before coming down here. It’s the first time I’ve been to Venom and honestly, it’s impressive. The decor is tasteful, the music banging, and there are enough security people in evidence that it feels safe. I don’t need to worry about my drink being spiked by some asshole. Anyone who looks suspiciously out of it is taken away by one of the team for a welfare check before being placed in a cab home.
It’s good that the club takes this kind of thing seriously. I know what happens when shit goes south, and I wouldn’t want my friends to experience what I went through.
Dancing is my thing. It’s one of the few times when I can let go, forget about my shitty life, and feel like maybe things might one day get better. The music pulls me in, one track after another pulsing through my body. We’re surrounded by sweaty bodies and the girls are grinding against some dudes in shirts and dark denim. I step back, putting distance between us. The last thingI want is some college bro making a move on me. Not that they ever do. My resting bitch face usually acts as a strong deterrent to all but the most persistent creeps.
Three songs later, I’m ready for a bathroom break and another drink.
“Be right back,” I shout in Shona’s ear.
I push through the tightly packed bodies, making my way to the ladies’ bathroom. There’s a bit of a queue, but not too bad. While I wait, I text Mom to see how she is.
Mom: Watching The Bachelor
Me: You’ll pickle your brain
Mom: Never. Have fun sweetie xxx
So far, to my surprise, it has been fun, but I might not stick around for much longer. Shona and Maddie look like they’re ready to ditch me in favor of dick, and even though tomorrow is Saturday, I know Joel is being dropped off nice and early. Which means a lie-in is out of the question. Childcare with a hangover is impossible. Joel doesn’t have an ‘off’ switch at the best of times. He’ll be even more excitable after a sleepover with his friend, where they ate too much candy and neither of them had enough sleep.
The line reaches the bathroom and I use the facilities before heading back to the bar. One more drink, a bit more dancing, and then I’ll call an Uber. Maddie and Shona won’t mind. They can take the guys they’ve hooked home and I’ll catch up with the gossip on Monday.
Chapter 2
Romano
The club is throbbing with punters and the bars are raking in the cash. I nod at a couple of the security guys keeping an eye on things and ignore a drunk girl making eyes at me. Venom has proved a fertile hunting ground since we opened. I can come here and invariably pick up a willing woman when the mood suits.
Mama would love for me to settle down. She’s desperate for some bambinos to spoil. I’ve told her it’s not happening anytime soon. Honestly, the thought of settling down with someone scares the shit out of me. All that boring vanilla sex would send me into an early grave. Besides, most women I meet are either scared of who I am or desperate to get their claws into me because they see me as a convenient meal ticket.
This is why I have rules.
1. I never fuck the same woman more than twice.
2. I don’t do sleepovers.
3. They don’t come to my apartment.
These iron-clad rules have served me well up to now and I’m happy with my life. Relationships are not for me.
Thalia is a great girl, don’t get me wrong. She’s feisty as fuck, takes no shit from Salvo, and hasZioAroldo wrapped around her little finger. She and Salvo are great together, and I can see how besotted he is, but I can’t picture myself in a monogamous relationship.
So why am I a tiny bit jealous of my cousin?
Family is everything.
Family always has your back.
