"You," Bree replies with a smile. Carter glances between us, unsure if his sister is joking or not, but neither one of us clue him in.
"Do you know if Jack's in town?" Carter asks.
"Dunno," Bree replies with a shrug.
"He's back on the road," I answer.
"I can't believe you tackled him," Bree says. I glance down at my phone as she takes her brother to task. It just lit up with a new text message from an unknown number.
Please tell me you're back in town for the holidays.
Maybe, I type back. Depends on who this is.
Nikki, you ass!
Holy shit. Nikki? She was one of my best friends in high school. We both grew up in Tampa but didn't meet until we were in boarding school together. Any time I got into trouble, she was right by my side. Usually because she was the one who caused the trouble in the first place.
Back in town for the holidays and after, I reply.
WHATTTTT??? You have to come out tonight!! New club just opened. Can't believe you didn't text me you were back!
I do feel guilty I didn't let her know. It's just that if I'm trying to get serious about my life, Nikki's probably the last person I should be hanging out with. She married an heir she met on someone's yacht and has never worked a day in her life. Still, she's fun as hell and being in this house is driving me crazy.
K but just for a bit. Have to get up early tomorrow, I lie, trying to build in an excuse for not staying long. I stand, looking as nonchalant as possible, and head for the hallway. I'm hoping Carter is distracted by his sister's teasing, but I hear his footsteps behind me.
I keep my gaze forward as I head back for the boat house, refusing to acknowledge his presence. I pick out a strapless leather mini and pumps, then throw on some smoky eyeliner and a couple layers of black mascara. I grab a clutch and head back down the steps, knowing full well that Carter is waiting at the bottom of them.
"No," he states simply as I breeze past him, headed for the garage.
"Yep."
"You are not going out right now. A bar is the last place you should be."
"It's a club, actually."
"Even worse. There are too many people. I won't be able to keep you secure."
"Feel free to stay home then," I reply, opening the side door of the garage and heading down the steps to my Audi. I open the passenger door and sit down, shutting it behind me. I wait, my hands crossed calmly in my lap. After a moment, the driver's side door opens and Carter gets behind the wheel.
"There are Afghani generals that are easier to protect than you," he growls. I hand him the car keys.
Chapter Fifteen
I smile as we step out of the car and Carter begrudgingly hands the keys to the valet. There's a line wrapped all the way around the side of the building, but I walk straight up to the bouncer as Carter hurries after me.
"Alexa Stratton...and bodyguard," I tell him.
"That is some dress, Ms. Stratton," he replies with a smile. "I'd let you in even if you weren't on the list. You let me know if you need anything at all."
I feel rather than see Carter glare at him as he opens the etched metal door for us. My heartbeat rises with the rhythm of the music and I feel perfectly in my element as I walk through the throngs of people. Any insecurity and anxiety I've been feeling melts away, driven by the music's heavy bass.
My head turns at a woman's high-pitched shriek, and I feel Carter tense next to me. "LEX! Oh my god oh my god!" I laugh as I spot Nikki standing on a couch in the VIP area and frantically waving at me. The VIP hostess raises the red velvet rope as I walk over to meet her. "I can't believe you're really here!" she cries, jumping onto the floor and wrapping me in a hug.
"You look exactly the same, but with bangs!" I laugh, running my hand over her long, golden blonde hair.
"To old friends!" she says, grabbing a shot from a tray as a cocktail waitress drops them at the table.
"Old friends!" I echo her, automatically reaching out and downing a shot with her. The vodka burns as it runs down my throat and I gladly accept a gulp from Nikki's Cosmo to wash it down.
"Thought you weren't drinking," Carter murmurs in my ear. I feel my hackles rise, even though I know he's right.
"And who's this?" Nikki purrs, laying her hand on Carter's shoulder.
"Future step-brother and current pain in the ass," I explain.
"You want a drink?" Nikki offers.
"No thanks," he replies.
"I'll take one!"
"Alexa..." Carter protests, but whatever he wants me to do, I only want to do the opposite.
Nikki steps between us and links her arms with ours, guiding us to the couches. A few people from my old gang are here, along with a bunch of new faces that I don't recognize. After the pleasantries, I turn back to Nikki.