A few nights later, Dax was still avoiding the looming contract from Kane. The weight of the decision felt heavy in his chest, but there was nothing that could be done about it until he was ready to face it head-on. For now, though, he was more focused on the fun distraction of the evening ahead.

It was Jinx's birthday, and the crew had decided to hit the club. Dax had always enjoyed nights out like this, no business, no worries, just music, friends, and a break from the grind. It had been a while since they'd all gone out together, so he was looking forward to letting loose a bit.

As the crew gathered in the parking lot outside the club, Dax could hear the music thumping through the walls. Jinx was already grinning ear-to-ear, practically bouncing with excitement, while Rev was playfully mocking him.

"You sure you're not getting too old for this, Jinx?" Rev teased, his voice full of mischief.

"Never!" Jinx shot back, nudging Rev with his elbow. "I'm still young enough to party all night. C'mon, let's get in there!"

Dax chuckled at the back-and-forth, but he wasn't looking at Jinx. His eyes were on Erin, who had just walked up to the group.

She was dressed in a floral, casual dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, paired with simple but elegant sandals. The dress was just the right balance between relaxed and stylish, perfect for a night out. Her hair was loosely styled, a few strands framing her face, and the soft glow of the streetlights highlighted her features in a way that made Dax's breath catch in his throat.

For a moment, he just stared at her, feeling his heart race for reasons he hadn't expected.

Erin, noticing his silence, raised an eyebrow as she approached him with a smirk. "You okay, Dax?" she teased, her eyes dancing with playful curiosity.

"Uh, yeah," he cleared his throat, trying to snap out of his trance. "Just... didn't expect you to look so... stunning tonight."

Erin laughed lightly, a soft blush creeping up her neck as she shrugged. "Guess I scrub up well, huh?"

Dax shook his head, still a little stunned by how effortlessly she could make him lose his composure. "You always look good, but tonight... damn."

The rest of the crew were already heading toward the entrance, chatting amongst themselves, but Dax couldn't tear his eyes away from Erin. It was a simple night out but seeing her dressed up like this was different, her beauty wasn't just about looks; it was about how comfortable and confident she seemed, how easy it was to talk to her, how she fit perfectly into the life they'd built together.

Erin caught him staring again and winked, clearly amused. "You keep looking at me like that, and I might start getting self-conscious."

"Don't be," Dax said quickly, walking up to her and offering his arm with a playful grin. "I'm just trying to figure out how I got so lucky."

She took his arm with a teasing smile. "You're lucky because you finally decided to ask me out. Took you long enough."

"Yeah, well, I'm good at taking my time," Dax replied with a wink of his own. "But it was worth the wait."

They shared a smile as they walked toward the club, the sound of the music getting louder. Jinx and Rev were already in the club, heading for the bar, and as Dax and Erin entered together, the familiar energy of the night took over.

The bass from the music reverberated through the floor, the flashing lights creating a chaotic, vibrant atmosphere. The crew immediately split up, each of them drawn to different parts of the club, Jinx and Rev to the bar, Dax and Erin toward the dance floor.

They didn't immediately join the crowd; instead, they found a quieter spot along the side, watching as people swayed and moved with the rhythm. Erin smiled up at Dax, looking more relaxed than he'd seen her in a while.

"You know, it's nice to see you like this," Erin said, her voice quiet over the music. "I feel like we've been working nonstop, and it's good to let off some steam."

Dax nodded, feeling the same. "Yeah, it's been too long since we did something just for fun. No contracts, no customers, no cars... just us."

She smiled, her gaze softening as she leaned in closer. "Yeah. I'm glad we're doing this. It feels like we're... normal for a change."

Before Dax could respond, Jinx appeared at their side, nearly out of breath and laughing. "Hey, Dax! Erin!" he shouted over the music. "Come on, the dance floor's calling our names!"

"Let's go!" Erin laughed, grabbing Dax's hand and pulling him toward the crowd.

For the rest of the night, they danced, laughed, and let the worries fade away. Even though the looming decision about Kane's offer was still there, neither Dax nor Erin allowed it to spoil the night. They were surrounded by the people they trusted most, and for now, that was enough.

Later, as the night wound down and they all piled into the cars to head home, Dax couldn't help but look over at Erin, her face flushed and happy, her laughter filling the car. He realised he was grateful for moments like these, where everything felt right, where it was just about being together and enjoying life.

And when he looked at her, all he could think was that no matter what came next, they were in this together.