Page 8 of Chains
I sensed some unease from Lexie as we stood there staring each other down. But then she sighs deeply and finally speaks.
“When I told the guys, I wanted to take you out for a girls' night, just the three of us without a chaperone, they weren’t happy about it. Especially Chains. This place is owned by the club. I had a choice of here or to take you to the clubhouse. I chose here. Tank is the bouncer outside and a member of the MC.”
It was a full minute before I could say anything. I understood the workings of club life, especially for Lexie. She was the club princess, along with her sister Sage, who had disappeared for several years before reconnecting with Tiny and the rest of her family this past year. But I was just Lexie’s friend. So, I didn’t see why I had to be part of the club dynamic when it was only one night, and it’s been months since I’ve seen Lexie last, anyway.
I opened my mouth to give her a serve, knowing I shouldn’t really be angry with her, but with the club. But before I could get the words out, my phone vibrated in my cross-body bag, and I sighed resignedly. Almost not wanting to look at the message that I know would be there.
But I did anyway, surprised to see at least half a dozen missed calls, and as many texts. Shaking my head, I ignored them all, and headed silently towards the bar.
“Tequila, please.” I growl at the bartender.
He looks me up and down, sees Lexie standing beside me, and arches a brow. “Whatever she wants, Conner.” she tells him.
“Whatever you say,” he shrugs and goes to get my drink.
“Are you going to be pissed off at me all night?” she demands.
“I’m not pissed off.” I tell her, taking the drink the bartender left, and knocking it back in one go. I needed the liquid courage for what was waiting for me at home when I returned later on tonight. Because surely, I would have disappointed Caleb with my no show as well as ignoring his calls and texts.
“Does everybody know you here?” I ask. Tapping the bar to get the barman’s attention.
Lexie shrugs. “I’ve been here a time or two,” she admits.
“Of course you have.” I grumble.
“Come on. I brought you here to have fun. Not to be pissed off at me.” I felt my phone vibrate with another incoming message, but didn’t even bother looking at it this time. Chugging back my second tequila, I grabbed Lexie’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. Come hell or high water, I was determined to enjoy myself.
***
I stopped counting the drinks I was consuming after my third one. Dancing and drinking were loosening me up, but it was also filling my bladder. I needed to use the bathroom. And quickly. Silently telling Lexie and Sage where I was going, they nod, sipping their own drink.
Entering the bathroom, which was luckily empty, I quickly did my business, and was just about to leave the stall when two women entered. I froze on the spot.
“Oh my God, Caleb fucked me so good. I can hardly walk,” woman number one says.
“So where is this sex god you’ve been talking about the entire night?” woman number two replies.
Another giggle and I couldn’t help my eye roll, shaking my head. “He got held up at work, unfortunately, says his wife was getting suspicious, but that he’d definitely see me tomorrow night.” Woman number one swooned.
I wanted to gag. The asshole. You would think after eight years of marriage, I’d feel something other than disgust at the revelation that my husband was having an affair. But all I felt was numb. And that’s excluding all the alcohol I’d consumed. After being together so long, it didn’t surprise me he was sleeping with someone else. Our sex life had whittled away to almost nothing over the last year, particularly.
“He has the biggest dick I’d ever had, and he sure knows how to use it.” Woman number one prattled on.
I was sick of hiding away in the stall like I had something to hide. Well, fuck that. And fuck him. Squaring my shoulders, I held my head high as I left the stall, not making eye contact with either woman, as I washed my hands at the basin. But I couldn’t help taking a peek at them through the mirror, and they were staring at me. Watching me closely. It was interesting to note that both women had bleached blonde hair. So, I didn’t know which one was sleeping with my husband. But I really didn’t care at this late stage in the game.
Instead, I gave them a small smile, and without a word I left the bathroom, walking as fast and as dignified my drunk legs would carry me. As I got closer to the bar table where I left Lexie, I noticed two guys standing there with her. Both dressed in button down dress shirts open at the collar, and dress pants. And I immediately thought of Caleb. He always dressed that way, and I was sick of it. Just because you’re clean cut and dress flashy doesn’t make you a good person. Though neither does being a biker. I also didn’t think Lexie was into the frat boy look. But who was I to judge?
“You’ve been holding out on us.” Frat boy number one turns accusatory eyes towards Lexie when they notice me.
“You really don’t want to act like a douche right now.” Lexie drawls, as I was fighting to keep my nervousness at bay. The women in the bathroom completely forgotten.
“Why don’t we just go home?” I cut in, trying to diffuse the situation.
“No, we’re not finished for the night. I was just about to tell these idiots to fuck off when you arrived.”
Frat boy number one leans over us, his amenable attitude disappearing, it’s then I see the police badge hanging from a lanyard tucked into his shirt. Caleb sent two of his friends to check up on me?
“Why don’t you listen to your friend? Leave and take her home. Her husband is waiting.” With that, he gave a chin lift to his friend, and they left.