Chapter 4 No.4

The week flew by without a snag. I avoided Julius at all costs, taking alternative routes to classes and even being early to the classes we had in the same building. Leo hadn't texted me since Monday and I was thinking he'd forgotten about us going out today. I honestly wouldn't mind, as I'm sure he only invited me out of pity.

I could thankfully talk with minimal pain now. The swelling had gone down, and the stitches were slowly dissolving. I was grateful to have my voice back, and be able to thank my advisor for pulling miracles and getting me out of Professor Dune's class. She got me into Professor Lewis' class, which was my last class for today.

Leo: Hey Olive. Can't wait to see you tonight! We're going to the tunnel nightclub in Manhattan. We're all meeting up outside the dorms if you wanna come with us. Otherwise you can meet us there at 9:30.

Well shit, it seems he didn't forget.

Olive: Sounds like fun. See you there!

I sighed, pushing away the insecurities that were trying to brew inside me. I sat my phone down and focused on the lecture. Professor Lewis was a fabulous teacher so much better than Professor Dune. She explained things well and encouraged questions. I found her class refreshing and 100 times better than Dunes.

"So where are we going tonight?" Hailey asked, having waited for me outside my class. We had class in the same building at the same time today.

"The tunnel nightclub. Have you been there before?"

"Are you kidding? That place is amazing. It looks like some old warehouse by day, but by night they set it up with fun in mind." Hailey practically screeched with excitement as she locked arms with me. "We need to get you looking sexy for tonight and I know just the dress."

"Hailey no," I whined, foreseeing hours of torture in the name of beauty.

"Olive, yes." She said sternly. "It's rare that I get an excuse to dress you up. Besides, Leo may be a freshman, but he's hot as fuck and if you don't plan on snatching him up, I just might." She winked at me.

"Go for it. I think my one-night stand days are done."

I still couldn't get Lucas out of my mind. He ruined me for every man after him. I am not sure I'll meet another man as skilled as him.

"Already? After just one?" She complained.

"Yup."

----

"Stop pulling at it." Hailey scolded me as I tugged down at the hem of my dress for the millionth time since leaving the penthouse.

"It's too short. I feel like my ass is hanging out." I complained.

Hailey had dressed me in a small black dress that glowed in the light from the glitter that littered it. It had thin spaghetti straps and was tight against me, like a second skin. I felt like my boobs were about to spill out of the top with my ass hanging out. I was so uncomfortable, but Hailey refused to let me change. She even locked the door and took my key so I couldn't get back in.

"That's the point, Livie. You look ready to devour." She bit the air around me, acting like I was a meal.

"Stop," I laughed, linking our arms as we approached the doors of the club.

"Damn." I heard Leo whisper under his breath as we approached. His eyes dragged over my body, making me blush as he obviously checked me out. "Glad you guys could make it. We're waiting for two others before we go in. Let me introduce you to everyone."

He walked us over to a small group of guys with a couple of girls. The guys all looked like catalog models with chiseled faces and toned muscles. The girls looked like runway models with long legs, and perfect bodies. They had high heels that wrapped around their calves and dresses just as short as mine if not shorter.

"Guys this is Olive and her friend Hailey." Leo gestured to us. "Girls, this is CJ, Kade, and Willis." He pointed to the guys. "This is Claire, and Shelby."

We all nodded at each other a little awkwardly before a loud motorcycle caught all of our attention. I watched as the motorcycle parked in front of us with two people sitting on it. The person on the back got off first. She removed her helmet, allowing her long black hair to cascade down around her.

"Finally! Took him long enough." Kade complained, looking at the driver of the motorcycle. He took his helmet off to reveal an all too familiar face. His intense brown eyes met mine before roaming my body. The right corner of his lips turned up in a smirk.

Lucas.

"Isn't that...?" Hailey started, unable to finish her question as I nodded in confirmation.

"Nice of you to finally join us," Leo greeted him, sliding their hands across one another into a bro hug.

"Sorry, I had to take care of something." He gestured to the girl with a smirk. An innuendo if I ever saw one. I don't know why the thought of him with her made my stomach twist.

"I am sure you did," Leo laughed. "Oh, right, I want you to meet someone." Leo turned to Hailey and I. "This is Hailey and that's-"

"Rose." Lucas interjected, causing me to shake my head.

"That could have been your chance to learn my name." I looked up at him, not shying away or showing him any of the jealousy I was feeling. I discreetly squeezed onto Hailey's arm for support, still having it linked with mine.

"That would have been too easy. I want you to tell me it." He stepped closer to me. He was here with another girl, yet was shamelessly flirting with me. It turned me off real quick.

"You guys know each other?" Leo raised a brow in question.

"You could say that." I answered, having Leo nod his head.

"Shall we go in, now that everyone is here?" CJ pointed to the door, clearly over this awkward interaction.

"Yeah, let's go." Leo draped his arm over my shoulders, guiding me away from Lucas and into the nightclub.

I never thought I would run into him again.

Lights were flashing, moving all around the place. It was poorly lit and reeked of alcohol and sweat. The bass was blaring, rumbling the floor beneath us. It was hard to hear anyone at this volume. Leo turned his head, leaning into my ear to speak.

"Want a drink?" He asked me, causing me to nod my head. "What's your preference?"

"Surprise me!" I yelled at him through the music.

He smiled at me as he went towards the bar. I felt Lucas' eyes on me, but I refused to look his way. He's here with someone else and he shouldn't be paying me any mind, even if that's exactly what I wanted. I wanted him to grab me and take me behind the building, reminding me of the pleasure he can bring me.

No, you horny bitch. He's here with someone else.

I caged my lip between my teeth, trying hard to focus my thoughts away from him. Leo returned with a fruity cocktail, letting me see what kind of person he thought I was. He thinks I can't handle strong drinks or that I drink little. He has the wrong view of me, but I took the drink with a smile.

"Thank you," I told him, but before I could take a drink it was taken from my hands, replaced by a shot of fireball. My kind of drink. I looked at the culprit in my drink switch to find Lucas. I furrowed my brows at him, but he wasn't looking at me. He was looking at Leo with a shake of his head.

"That's not her kind of drink," he yelled over the music at Leo.

He wasn't wrong, but I didn't like that. He knew that about me already. How did he even know? I never told him what I liked the last time we were together. In fact, I had been drinking tequila for most of that night.

"How would you know what I like?" I questioned him, downing my shot without complaint.

"I know exactly what you like." His face was serious as he spoke, but there was a hunger in his eyes.

I couldn't help the crimson that stained my cheeks at his comment. He wasn't lying. He knew exactly what I liked that night without me having to tell him a thing.

Trying to stay clear of Lucas tonight is going to be nearly impossible.