Page 6 of Playing for the Dark
Ellinor
Ihaven’t been to this club before. It’s fairly new, and of course, Blair is the one who found it. Before I could argue, she was pushing me into a little black dress that I’ve had in my closet for way too long. I added some fishnets and we marched out the door to grab our ride share. She always knows where the vibes are. My little social butterfly.
Thankfully, I had enough time to throw on a quick wing of eyeliner and smoke it out with some black eye shadow, a bright highlighter, and some fake lashes. Thank whatever spirit gods that Blair taught me how to put fake lashes on. They can turn any outfit into a statement so fucking fast. I paired the fit with my favorite platform Doc Martens, big silver hoops, and a leather choker to finish it off. I have all my other normal earringsin, which is pretty much any ear piercing you can think of.
I whine, “Where are we going?”
“Don’t say a word,” she says to the driver. He just looks at her like she’s grown an extra head. I wonder if he’s concerned for me? Apparently not. No one in Vegas asks questions. They don’t want to be involved. He’s probably thinking this is some kind of kinky role-play we’re doing for the night.Honestly, I’m here for that too.
“You know it’s a surprise. Now, sit back and chill out. Get ready to shake some ass.”
Well, that gives me a little bit of an answer. I know it’s a new club, but which one, I have no clue.
We strut into Club Onyx for the first time, and my jaw drops. Blair skips the line like she owns the place as we stride past security. This club is the epitome of perfection. All the red lighting is giving a sultry vibe, and it reflects off the gold metal oval cut-out shapes on the walls along the hallway from floor to ceiling. We get to the end of the hall and there’s a fluorescent red sign that says “SINNER.”
Blair whips her head towards me, saying, “We have to get a picture!”
I usually hate taking pictures, and sure as shit don’t keep up with my social media, but this place has such a vibe that it is definitely going on the grid for a permanent spot.
“Hey, will you take a picture of us real quick?” I ask the random guy walking in behind us.
“For sure,” he replies. I hand my phone over to him, and in the process, my fingers brush against his. My eyes shoot up, meeting his. He looks just as shocked. I ignore that, turning around and strolling up beside Blair.
I’ve got to stop running into these random hot-ass men. Pulling Blair into my side and smiling at the phone, I try not to focus too much on this fine as fuck specimen holding my phone right now.
“Got some good ones for you,” he says with the brightest smile I’ve ever seen.Lord have mercy. Is this boy even old enough to be here?
I thank him and walk back the other way to catch up with Blair to head into the main part of the club. She’s already walking over to the roped-off area, where I’m guessing we have a table. Has she been here? She’s really in here acting like she owns the damn place.
Lo and behold, here comes the big boy. “I didn’t get your name.”Oh, how original?
“Ellie. What’s yours? Because you’re Big Boy in my head right now.”
“Nash Hayden.” He cowers away when responding.
“Why’d you say it like that?” He’s looking at me like he’s waiting for me to freak the fuck out.
“Do you not know who I am?”
I’m about to fuck with this one; of course I know who he is. “Fucking great. Let me guess, some Tiktoker orinfluencer? No, no, let me guess again”—I keep going while holding my hand up, telling him to stay quiet—“finance bro, maybe a trust fund baby? I don’t know the patchwork tattoos scream TikToker,” I say, sitting back in our high back booth, steepling my hands together.
“You weren’t even close… I’m the Rebels’ rookie quarterback,” he says with a wince.
Shit, I think this is who the guy from the bar was in there sulking over. My night just got a lot more interesting.
“You were our number one pick since we sucked so much dick last year, right?” He looks at me like women shouldn’t, or wouldn’t, know these things, so I keep going. “You played at Palm University for three years, brought the championship back to them, then entered the draft when you became eligible. Six four, two twenty, and a saint off the field. You are an August Leo, which explains you being a great quarterback and leader, and you’re from El Paso, Texas.” I finish with a smirk. Let’s see if I can get Mr. Good Boy to break out of his shell. Maybe it’s all a front for socials, and he’s an actual asshole, but I haven’t gotten those vibes from him. This man, or should I say boy, is so fucking young and hasn’t murmured so much as a mean word to a reporter. He does no wrong.
His jaw is slack. “Ho—you know sports? Andso much about me.”
Oh, this poor soul. “I grew up with a dad that had some kind of sports game on the TV at all times… Football just so happened to be my fave, so yes, I know sports.” I keep going. “I loved watching you play in college. I’m just glad the Rebels owners got you on the team. I need to reel it in. I’m sure your ego needs no more boosting.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right… Especially from someone as ethereal as you.” He’s just staring at me now. Fuck. I don’t need another pretty boy following me around. I figured he would say something cheesy but ethereal… I like the sound of that.
I get up and strut over to the bar, where I know Blair is probably getting us drinks. She took a quick turn earlier when we were heading over to the tables. Almost like she saw someone she didn’t want to see. Nash is following behind me like the lost puppy he is. A drop-dead gorgeous puppy.He could be fun for a night.
This DJ has to have access to my playlist. Banger after banger has played. Blair and I are beside the bar scream rapping the lyrics to1“Rolling Stone” by The Weeknd. I wave to the bartender for another round of tequila shots while Nash is looking at us like we’ve officially lost it.
“Please tell me you’re not too young to know one of the best EP’s?” I ask,quizzing him.