I turn to the girl in the car. “There’s no time limit,” I say as I crack the door open.
“Yeah, but I want to get there already,” Corina whines.
I eye her. “You haven’t been drinking yet, have you?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I’m planning on it. So, if we could go—oh is that your friend?”
“Yeah, she’s—”
“I’ll ride in the back,” Rylie announces as she appears at my side.
“Sure…” I barely get the word out before she’s shoving the front passenger seat forward and climbing into the tiny back portion.
“Well, at least someone’s smart enough to realize when Mama needs a margarita,” Corina says. “Come on.” She waves me in and I roll my eyes as I crawl into the incredibly small interior of what must be a million dollar car. The leather feels like fucking gold under my ass. Maybe more than a million dollars.
Corina grins as the door closes behind me and revs the engine. “Urban here we come!” she shouts excitedly.
My seatbelt clicks into place and as she puts her foot to the gas, I glance back. Rylie is staring at the back of Corina’s head in a way that can only be described as pure fear. I’m not exactly sure why, but now is definitely not the time to ask. I flip back around just as the car slides into traffic and speeds forward, throwing me against the seat. Hopefully, we’ll actually make it to the fucking club before we all perish.
20
Avalon
The lights in the club are dim, but what looks like paint is splattered across the floor, walls, and even the bar. Heavy rock-pop music echoes up towards the rafters. Corina pulls both Rylie and me through the crowd, heading straight for the long counter where two bartenders buzz back and forth, filling drink orders and passing out bills.
"Three rum and cokes," Corina calls from the end of the bar, lifting her hand high in the air. The bartender closest to us catches sight of her—or rather, her fucking massive tits as they nearly jiggle straight out of her tube top—and hurries over to collect her card.
I let my eyes wander. The place is massive. Three stories tall at least, but only the first floor has a full layout. The top two look like open balconies that line the perimeter. I can just barely make out people sitting on lounges and at tables that overlook the floor as they watch the rest of us below. Most eyes, though, are on the dance floor that acts as the centerpiece to the entire place. Even at this early hour, it's crowded with people.
"Here ya go!" A drink is shoved into my hand in one second and by the time I have the chance to look up, Corina's already downed half of hers.
"I don't drink," Rylie states, setting hers down on the counter. "But thanks anyway." She looks awkward and uncomfortable. For a brief moment, I regret forcing her to come, but truth be told, I didn't want to be here alone with Corina. I used her to get me here, but the fact is—I don't trust her. And Rylie, for all her claims that she doesn't like me, doesn't seem like the worst person to have at my back.
Not that I've ever had a friend at my back before, I think. Shit. Maybe it really was a poor idea to bring her along.
Before I can say anything, though, Rylie's head tips up and she looks past me. Her whole body stiffens up. "Hey, um, you need me around right now?" she asks.
I follow her gaze, but I can't see whatever it is she's looking at. So, I flip back to her and arch a brow. "Not really..."
"Cool, I'm gonna take off. Text me when you leave or if you need something and I'll catch up."
I blink and she's gone. "Well, that didn't last long," Corina says with a giggle as she slams back the rest of her drink before replacing it with Rylie's abandoned one. "Then again, I'm not surprised. She never comes to these kinds of places. It's not really her style."
My eyes settle on Corina. "What do you mean by that?"
She sips at her new drink and shrugs. "Oh, nothing really." Her gaze trails away and I have the distinct feeling that she's lying.
I set my own drink on the counter with a scowl. “I’m not here to have a good time,” I state. “I’m just here to find those assholes and get some answers.”
Corina