Arranged love

ALEXA

MITCH RUINED MY buzz. Or at least that’s what it feels like. I hate when I’m drunk and get mad. I find myself walking faster toward the large bar by the ring.

Jasmine notices and laughs. “Slow down. The bar isn’t going anywhere.”

“I need a drink,” I state, looking over my shoulder to see if I can spot Mitch anywhere. What is he doing here? We were together for two years, and he never brought me here. Didn’t even speak of it. But that’s what guys do, right? Change their life when they get out of a relationship? Find new friends to hang out with. A new crowd to meet new people so they can get away from everyone who knows the truth about why it didn’t work.

I was the one who lost our mutual friends. All because I wouldn’t take him back. Like I was supposed to roll over and take the manipulation. Cheating is not something that I was going to overlook. Forget the lies that were told in order to cover it up.

But then I went and fucked it all up. Literally.

A while back, I was drunk one night out with April, Jasmine, and Emilee, and he messaged me. That was when I had him in my phone under his name. He said all the right things, and in a moment of weakness, I let him in. The following morning, I woke up at his place and changed his contact from Mitch to CUNT and told myself never again! The alcohol had temporarily given me memory loss of why I left him in the first place.

I’ve done nothing but ignore every text and every call since then. Self-respect is more important than sex-especially when you don’t even get off from it.

“You okay?” Jasmine asks, her blue eyes searching my face for any sign that I’m about to lose my shit.

It’s not going to take much tonight. “Fine.” I lie.

“We can go home if you want-”

“No. I want to stay,” I interrupt her. I don’t know if Mitch is watching me or not, but I sure as hell don’t want him to see me leave now. Not after he spotted me. That would make him think I care he’s here, and I don’t. And he thought I was here with Cross. That makes me smile. They seemed to know one another and obviously don’t like each other. Nice. I can use that.

“Jasmine?” We both look to our right to see a guy coming toward us. I’ve never seen him before, but I can tell she knows him when she rolls her eyes at the sight of him.

“Trenton? We’re both having shit luck tonight,” she mumbles, then turns to face him.

He smiles at her, his eyes dropping to her chest. “It’s been too long. Last time I saw you, you were here. It must be a sign. Let me buy you a drink.”

“I’m good.” She gives him her back.

His face morphs from happy to pissy at her dismissal. And like any other man who has a hurt ego, he goes for insults. “You’re such a slut.”

Original.

“Excuse me?” She slowly turns to face him.

“You heard me.” He huffs, and his eyes now look her over as if the sight of her alone disgusts him. Typical man. “That picture you posted on social media earlier tonight made you look like a slut.”

“Don’t believe everything you see on the internet, Trenton,” she says sweetly. “You of all people should know that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he demands.

“I saw a picture of you on the internet last week of you and your kids. And we both know that you’re no father.”

His mouth drops open, and she gives him her back, once again silently telling him to fuck off. He gets the hint and takes off, letting out an audible growl in the process.

“An ex?” I ask.

“Something like that,” she grumbles.

“We need to go out of town to party next time,” I suggest. Get the fuck away from Sin City. No matter how big some might think this city is, I promise you, it’s not big enough.

“Yes!” Her eyes light up. “I’ve been wanting to go to Miami. I’ve got some friends there.”

“I’m down for wherever.” At this point, I’ll go to another country.

“What the fuck?” a man snaps from behind us.

We both spin around. I expect it to be another stalker ex, but it’s Cross, and he looks pissed.

“I told you to stay put.” He glares down at us.

I look up at him. “I’m not a fucking dog.”

“I don’t mind walking around on all fours,” Jasmine jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

I don’t laugh. I’m just not in the mood at the moment. Not after Mitch. Cross says nothing to that, so I give him my back and get the bartender’s attention. I came to drink, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

GRAVE WON HIS fight, but I didn’t have any doubt that he would. And to my surprise, he didn’t make us leave afterward. He’s hanging out with Cross while Jasmine and I drink the night away.

The guys stand to our left while we wait at the bar for new drinks. I’ve lost count of how many shots we’ve had, but I haven’t seen fuck-face anymore. Thank God.

We throw back our new drink, and I don’t even taste it. My lips are now numb, tastebuds gone, and my throat used to the burn.

My eyes go over to Cross while he looks to be having an intense conversation with Grave. He wears a pair of combat boots, jeans, and a plain black T-shirt. He’s covered in ink, just like the rest of the Kings. You wouldn’t know the guy is a billionaire by the looks of it. I don’t know much about the Kings other than they own Kingdom-the biggest hotel and casino on the Strip. Reaching up, he runs his hand down over his face, looking stressed all of a sudden. The action has me realizing that he has shaved his beard since I saw him last at Titan and Emilee’s wedding. Now it’s just a five o’clock shadow. I like it. Shows off his defined jawline. He’s got the top of his dark hair spiked. He’s trimmed it, the sides now short. His green eyes meet mine for a brief second, then he looks away, only to come back to mine. I don’t look away. The alcohol gives me that extra courage I need.

We already played this game at the wedding, but I was sober. Nervous about what his strong stare meant. But right now, I like it. He looks like the kind of guy you’d call up whenever you need a good time but would never introduce to your father. Good thing I don’t have one. Jasmine places another shot in front of me, and I take it, not looking away.

His eyes drop to my chest, and my heart picks up when he licks his lips, informing me he’s thinking the same thing I am. The last guy I slept with was Mitch, and I’m not going there tonight.

But Cross? I could do that. Or let him do me. Yeah, why not? I should get to have fun, right? I’m a single woman who knows what she wants, and he’s staring at me like he wants me too. He can sit on his throne while I kneel for him.

Make me your queen for the night.

“I’m ready to go,” I announce to no one in particular.

Jasmine laughs. “Yeah, I noticed that.”

I look over at her, and she’s giving me a lopsided smile. I don’t say anything. I’m not hiding what I want. Why should I?

“Let’s go.” She slides her arm into the crook of mine, and we stumble over to the guys. “We’re ready.”

“About time,” Grave says, checking his watch. “Did you two come together?”

“Yep.” I nod, my eyes still on Cross. He’s got to be around six-two by the way I’m looking up at him, even in my heels. Now that I’m close and paying attention, I see how broad his shoulders are. His tight shirt shows me every curve of muscle that it hides. His right hand holds a cup of water. His left has a Zippo in it, flipping it open and closed. The small movement is mesmerizing in his tatted fingers, momentarily stealing my attention. I keep expecting him to light it.

Jasmine elbows me, and I look up. “I rode …” Hiccup. “With Jasmine.”

Grave turns to Cross. “You drive Alexa home, and I’ll take Jasmine.”Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Fuck yes! I want to jump up and down at that, but I’m afraid I’ll fall over.

Cross agrees with a nod. “Need me to follow you and give you a ride home after you drop her off.”

Grave shakes his head. “She’s coming with me. She can drive herself home in the morning.” He then grabs her arm and yanks her from us.

“Have fun!” Jasmine calls out, laughing while he drags her through the crowd.