Tessa

Two and a half hours later, I'm primed and polished for the night. Leah and Colin set to work the second she showed up at the apartment. While Leah fussed over my hair and makeup, Colin combed through the trove of clothing she brought with her.

Micah, bless his soul, was my only ally while the others turned me into their own personal dress-up doll. He made sure I stayed hydrated- with margaritas and water- while Leah plucked at my eyebrows and Colin coordinated my outfit for the night with my skin tone.

He saved me when Leah and Colin brought up the topic of waxing my legs by distracting them with homemade daiquiris. Thanks to Micah's perfectly timed interruption, the subject was dropped, and my friends loosened up a bit.

By the time they were through with me, my makeup was done to perfection, my hair looked better than it had in months, and my outfit made me look like a model. The smoky eye and maroon lip combo Leah picked out made me feel sexy. Pair that with the loose waves, black pumps, and body con dress from her closet- I was a knockout.

The dress was a bit scandalous on me since Leah is about three inches shorter and has a smaller bust. Because of our body differences, her dress stopped above my mid-thigh, and my boobs were pushed out more than hers would be. Still, I felt hot. I was sure to turn heads tonight. I only wondered if any of them would be worth it.

~

The music was bumping inside the club when the four of us arrived. It didn't take long for us to get in and find our way to the dancefloor. I decided earlier that I wasn't going to let Levi Daniels dictate how I spent my time here in the limited days I had.

I was going to let loose and have fun, especially tonight. It's been too long since I had a night out like this with my friends. As the music blared and the lights surrounded us, Leah, Colin, Micah, and I formed a cluster, taking turns dancing with one another, letting ourselves get lost in the euphoria.

I'm not sure how long we danced, but before I knew it, the club was packed, and I was suddenly parched. With a tap on the shoulder, I got Colin's attention. "I'm going to get something to drink. Want anything?"

He crooked his finger at Micah, asking him the same as I got Leah's attention.

A moment later, Colin wrapped an arm around my waist, leaning close to tell me what he and Micah wanted to drink as Leah mouthed, I'll come with you, pointing to the closest bar.

We weaved our way through sweaty bodies, finding an open spot at the bar. Noticing us, one of the bartenders came over immediately. "What can I get you, ladies?"

"Can I get two mojitos, a Moscow mule, and..." I looked at Leah.

"A sex on the beach," she continued.

With a smile, the bartender got to work on our order. "Coming right up."

"Thank you," Leah coos, shooting him a bright smile.

Once he's out of earshot, she mouths OMG. "He's so hot. Did you get a look at his ass? Woo-ee."

I laugh as she dramatically fans herself. "I didn't, but I'll take your word for it."

She giggles, taking one more look at our bartender before turning to face me. "How've you been, Tess? I feel like we haven't done this in ages."

A pang of guilt hits me. It has been a long time since I've hung out with everyone. Last summer made me a recluse; I've been hiding away in the house I rented to escape the heartache that came with seeing Levi. It's completely fucked up, I know.

Maybe I can make up for that while I'm here. "I've been okay. Work keeps me pretty busy, and I'm usually at the beach when I'm not there. But I'm glad to be back. I missed you guys."

Leah's bottom lip puckers. "I've missed you too. Things haven't been quite the same without you."

I try to stop my face from falling as she fills me in on what's new with her and what I've missed out on in my seclusion. While she updates me on what's new in the world of social media influencing, our bartender brings us our drinks.

Leah smiles at him as I hand over my credit card. When his eyes flit to her, he shoots her a wink before walking to the register.

I hear a gasp-moan sound come from my friend. "Did you see that? He winked at me! I'm so getting his number before we leave."

I start to laugh as she ogles him with her lip between her teeth. She's definitely determined. "What's your name?" She asks when he returns, handing back my card.

The bartender looks at Leah, smiling. "Oliver. What's yours?"

"Leah," she tells him, batting her eyelashes. "I think you're really hot."

Holy shit, she's really going for it.

I take a sip of my Moscow mule as Leah continues to flirt. Minutes later, they're exchanging numbers- and bedroom eyes- as I set my mug on the bar.

"Thanks, I'll call you later," Leah tells him, dragging one of her perfectly manicured nails over his arm.

Oliver licks his lips, smiling flirtatiously as Leah bites her lip. "Looking forward to it."

"Hey! Maybe a little less flirting and a lot more bartending," someone shouts behind me. "I'm sure she's cute, but we're thirsty down here!"

I turn around, spotting a familiar face a few patrons down. "Landon?"

Hearing his name, he whips his head my way. "Tessa?"

A smile appears on his lips as he moves to where Leah and I are. "Holy shit! It is you! How have you been?"

I know Landon through Jason- and Levi. They went to school together at NCSU for their undergrad degrees before Jason- and Levi- completed law school in Durham. Jason brought Landon into the fold of our ever-growing group his first summer back from NCSU. From that summer forward, Landon was in, and our group expanded.

Two summers later, Leah and Micah joined the fold thanks to our college connections. The small group that was once only Jason, Levi, and myself, now included five others- Charlotte, Colin, Landon, Leah, and Micah. Our combined friends' group decided one year to start spending two weeks each summer at a lake house owned by Leah's family.

It became a tradition for us. Every summer, we would all get together and two weeks in semi-secluded bliss at the lake, having the time of our lives. This summer was the exception, due to Jason and Charlotte's wedding, but after last summer, I'm not sure the tradition will resume next year.

I'm certain it won't for me, anyway.

I smile at Landon. "I'm okay. I'm back in town for a couple of weeks for the wedding."

"Yeah, it's getting close. I can't believe the big day is almost here. Who'd you come with? Colin?"

I nod. "Him, Micah, and Leah," I tell him, pointing at the bar behind me.

Landon follows my finger, his eyes zeroing in on Leah's hand on Oliver's wrist. I watch as his eyes narrow. "I should have known she'd be the one stealing the bartender's attention."

He made sure Leah heard him. She freezes as Landon's voice hits her. "Landon?" Her eyes widen as she faces us.

"Leah."

I feel the tension growing as they stare back and forth. Before the silence can stretch to an uncomfortable length, Landon speaks up. "Maybe you should leave your boyfriend alone so he can serve the rest of the bar."

"He's not my boyfriend."

Oliver looks between the two before busying himself with other customers. Landon's eyes roll as he leans against the bar in front of me, dismissing Leah's statement.

"Anyway, Tessa, you can come find me if you get sick of hanging with Leah. I'm here with Levi."

My stomach instantly drops. Levi. He's here. At the place where I was supposed to forget him. At the place I was supposed to be free of him. He's freaking here!

Fuck my life!

"Screw that! She's sticking with me!" Leah informs him, grabbing two drinks and linking our arms together. "If you get sick of hanging with pricks, you can find us on the dancefloor. Come on, Tess."

I quickly snag the remaining two drinks and follow Leah through the club. Lucky for us, Colin and Micah are right where we left them.

We pass their drinks over, and I instantly feel like I need a shot. I down the rest of my mule, catching Colin's attention. He gives me a look of concern, and I shuffle closer to him.

"Levi is here."

Colin's jaw drops for a second before asking, "Are you freaking serious?"

"Yep." I stare sadly at my empty mug.

I'm going to need more alcohol to get through this night.

Suddenly, a drink is placed in my hand as Colin takes my empty mug. "Here, you need this more than I do."

I send him a grateful smile before latching my lips to the side of the glass. "Okay, here's what's going to happen. We're going to find you a boy toy. You are going to dance, flirt, and bat those eyelashes at him all night, and Levi can watch from a distance and see exactly what he's missing out on."

My mouth opens to reject Colin's plan, but I stop myself. Why shouldn't I? Levi deserves to see me having fun with someone else. And I'm over letting him control my emotions.

Screw it!

"I'm in!"

"Of course you are," Colin says matter-of-factly as his eyes scan the dancefloor. When he finds what he's looking for, he smirks, turning me by my hips so my back is facing the DJ. "Okay, now, stay facing this way and work your magic. Your catch will come to you."

The music tempo picks up and I down Colin's mojito, thrusting the empty glass into his hand so it's free to slide down my sides as I sway my hips. I let myself go to get lost in the beat as the bass thrums through my body. A minute ticks by before I feel hands circling my waist.

Well, that didn't take long.

I glance at Colin to confirm that the guy behind me is a winner. He nods enthusiastically as Leah gives me a thumbs up.

I grind my ass to the beat as I turn my head so I can see my dance partner. He's hot- blond hair, gray eyes, and biceps the size of my thigh. Yep, he'll do. If this guy can't make me forget Levi Daniels, I don't know who can.

My hips continue rocking as I smile up at him. "Hi."

I see his white teeth as he returns my smile. "Hey, there. What's your name?"

"Tessa. You?"

"Maverick. You're really hot; you know that?"

I feel my face heat. "Thanks. So are you," I shout back over the music.

Our conversation dwindles as the beat continues. For nearly an hour, we dance, leaving no space between us, letting our hands wander, and our hips do the talking. The several drinks from earlier, plus the shots I've downed out here on the dancefloor, are starting to catch up to me. I feel light and airy- not a care in the world, though I am starting to get thirsty again.

I go to lean up to tell Maverick I need a drink when he grabs my hips and spins me around, pulling so my ass is flush against his crotch. A giggle escapes me as my arms lift, circling around his neck as he tries to pull me closer. I close my eyes, getting lost in the sensation.

When my eyes open, I see him- Levi. He's glaring at me from across the dancefloor as he grinds against some blond with fake boobs. Earlier, I may have wilted under his stare, but now that I'm fueled by liquid encouragement, I stare right back, tugging my lip between my teeth as I press against Maverick's growing erection.

Levi sneers as Maverick trails a hand between my breasts, his thumb grazing my nipple, making me gasp. He leans down, planting wet kisses against my neck as I arch back for him. Just as I go to spin around, he asks if I want to get another drink. When I nod, he pulls me through the crowd behind him.

I make sure to shoot Levi a smirk as we pass. He returns it with a scowl, not even paying attention to the bimbo gyrating against him. Looks like I win.

At the bar, Maverick asks what I want and orders for us. A few seconds later, I see an all too familiar face a few feet away. Levi followed us to the bar. Lovely.

I glare his way as he meets my eye. Screw him. This is ridiculous! I tell Maverick I have to talk to someone real quick, and he tells me he'll be waiting for me. The smile I give him fades away as I stalk up to Levi.

"Why are you following me?"

He narrows his eyes at me before locking them back on Maverick. "I'm not."

"Well, it sure seems like it. Just lay off and let me have my fun. I didn't stop you from having yours the other night!"

Levi glares daggers at Maverick before giving me an undiscernible look. He glances back down the bar again before saying, "I need to talk to you."

"No! We're done talking. Leave me alone, Levi!"

With that, I walk back to Maverick, and we disappear onto the dancefloor, leaving Levi to wallow at the bar. Or so I thought...

The second I go to take a sip of my drink, Levi appears, swatting it out of my hand. I stare at him in disbelief. "What the fuck!"

Before I can process what just happened, Levi pulls my arm, dragging me toward the exit. "We're leaving! Now!"

"I'm taking her home," he barks as we storm past Colin, Micah, and Leah.

They stare, unsure what to do as Levi ushers me away like some deranged caveman. Everyone we pass just gawks at us as I mentally skewer him with my mind. No one tries to stop him, but I know I'm not in danger, just really pissed off. The lights and music start to fade as we get closer to the back exit.

What the hell is happening?

I start to pull back harder as Levi pushes the door open. It's a fruitless effort, Levi is bigger and stronger, but I won't let him win so easily. I tug away again, making him take a step back. "Dammit, Tessa, stop. I'm trying to help you!"

"Yeah, help me by ruining my life? Oh-kay, no thanks!" I pull back again, making him stumble.

Levi grits his teeth, squaring up to me. The next thing I know, he's tossing me over his shoulder, carrying me out the door. "Stop fighting me, Tessa!"

"No!" I pound my fists against his backside as he carries me toward his car.

The alcohol and the blood rushing to my head starts to make me feel queasy. By the time we reach his car, I'm too lightheaded to fight him anymore. He plops me down in the passenger seat and latches the seatbelt across my lap. I hardly notice as he slides into the driver's seat next to me.

I clutch my head as he starts the car. A loud pounding sound is giving me a headache. "Levi! What the hell are you doing?"

Is that Colin?

I look up and see Leah, Micah, and Colin standing outside Levi's door. "I'm taking her home."

Leah's voice cuts through the air next. "That's ridiculous. She came with us. We can take her home."

"What? In an hour after you get good and hammered, and she's been dragged to some back room with that guy while you aren't looking? Fuck no! I'm taking her home now." Levi sounds pissed.

What the fuck is his problem?

Leah huffs, "I don't see what the big deal is. We were having a good time, and we would never let anything like that happen to her."

"Really? Because I just saw you three let her walk off with that guy by herself. You didn't have eyes on her then! Anything could have happened!" Levi was seething. "I'm taking her home now!"

Before anyone could argue further, Levi put the car in motion and peeled onto the road, leaving my friends in the dust. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel.

My queasiness was subsiding, and my anger was starting to return. "What's your problem?" I demanded.

Levi's head snapped toward me. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. What the fuck is your problem, Levi? I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."

I hear him scoff. "Like you handled me as I pulled you through the club? What if that wasn't me? What if it was that guy you were dancing with? What if he'd done something to your drink? What then, Tessa?"

I snort. "You're being ridiculous. That would never happen."

"Really? Because I saw that asshole put something in your drink at the bar. That's what I wanted to talk to you about before you blew me off."

My body tenses. It feels like someone dumped a bucket of ice-cold water on top of me. Maverick spiked my drink. He would have taken advantage of me had Levi not intervened.

That's when it all clicks. Levi wasn't doing what he did to be an asshole. He was trying to save me. He did save me.

My knight in shining armor once again. 

A/N:

What do you think will happen next?

I hope you all enjoyed this mammoth chapter. Lots of drama ahead. Strap in everyone, it's gonna be a bumpy ride (wink). 

Til next time, have a wonderful day!

❤️