Falling for the Billionaire Dad Next Door

Chapter 5 : Mischief Deal

*Harper*

On this particular night, the stars were visible, and the sky was clear. After overcoming the stress of ignoring my responsibilities on my first night, I felt drawn to the late-night activities of the Santa Monica nightlife scene. I was looking for a specific flavor this evening, something that would let me gyrate without worrying about what anyone would think or say.

There would be no one to yell at me to turn my music down here. My pastor and parents weren't around to offer me unsolicited sermons and prayers. I needed to find my footing in this newfound freedom; I needed to let loose.

When Jolee, Candy, Jack, and I arrived at the Crab Club, I opened my eyes in pure bewilderment. I'd expected to arrive at something a little more pristine than a club that was hidden in a dark alley. It was a sleazy little place that hosted breakbeat and jungle music. It wasn't much to look at, with its dark entrance and several vagrants sleeping in the street near the entrance. A different crowd hung out there. It was a mixture of old dance party burnouts and very young ambitious club-goers.

I wondered why Jolee, with all her classiness, would choose such a place for partying. This didn't look anything like the clubs I saw on television. It didn't even look like the type of club scene my college friends always raved about. If anything, this looked like the kind of place that could be easily featured in 'Let's not meet again' Reddit articles.

We joined the line of people walking toward the door.

“Are you okay, baby?" Jack asked as he casually put his arm around my shoulders. I frowned, wanting to move away from his embrace, but rather appreciating the false safety his arm afforded, given where we were.

“Are you sure this place is safe?" I asked Jolee.

“Of course. This is an exclusive pop-up club. We're safe. You'll have a blast, girl. Trust me."

I forced a stiff smile on my face and nodded. My mother had always warned me about trusting anyone who encouraged me to trust them.

When we finally got little ink stamps on our wrists and entered the club, I relaxed a bit. The inside looked a bit decent compared to the outside. Maybe I really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

The loud music was deafening. Well, Jolee's father ought to come here. He'd know the real definition of loud.

“Let's find an empty booth," Candy said.

We all made our way across the dance floor in the dimly lit club toward an empty sitting area. After getting settled, a young girl made her way toward us. She was dressed in a shiny cocktail dress, and the glitter in her hair and face made her shine just as brightly as the disco ball.

“Would you like to order something to drink?" she asked.

“Give us a bottle of Asombroso Del Porto Extra Anejo and all the trimmings. My friend is new in town, and we're celebrating her arrival," Jolee said.

The girl's eyes opened wide at the request, but she nodded her head before walking away. I wondered why she had acted like Jolee had just ordered the president to come over and provide entertainment for our table.

“What is that?" I asked.

The other three looked at me as if I'd just uttered an abomination.

“You don't go out often, do you?" Candy asked.

I shook my head, feeling rather stupid. Maybe I shouldn't have asked. I could have Googled the name on my phone to find out what that was. I knew telling them that I had never really drank alcohol before would be an idiotic move. The only time I had tasted alcohol was when my roommate, Ellen, offered me a sip of her wine in college. I had hated the bitter taste and wondered if my alcohol taste buds had matured since then. Would I enjoy the taste of alcohol on this night that I craved freedom and trying out new things?

The girl returned a few minutes later with a tray then placed it in front of us. On it were some mini plastic tumblers and a fancy-looking oval bottle with brown liquid in it. There was also a little silver platter with lime wedges and a salt shaker.

After she'd placed the contents of the tray on the table, she turned to Jolee.

“Will that be cash or card?"

Jolee snorted and took out a card from her jean pocket. The girl provided the machine and Jolee tapped it with the card, then the transaction was completed.

“She thought I couldn't afford to pay for such a cheap order. The wench!"

Candy let out a giggle. “I'm sure she is used to people who dine and dash."

I wanted to ask what dining and dashing meant, but bit my tongue before I could embarrass myself. This club lingo was something I would need a dictionary for.

“Have you ever drank tequila?" Jolee was talking to me.

I chuckled nervously and didn't respond. I had heard of the name before, but admitting that I had never tasted the beverage would just continue making me look like I had just crawled out from under a rock. The fact that I hadn't even known what she was ordering seemed like it should have made it clear that I didn't have much experience with alcohol.

“So, here's how you do it," Jack said as he poured the liquid into two mini glasses. “You put a little salt on your wrist like this. Lick the salt, then immediately down your drink and bite into the lime. Easy, right?"

I nodded, and he dipped his head for us to do it together. I copied his movements and the liquid burned from my lips down to my chest. The flavor was disgusting, and the lime seemed to have no effect on the awful aftertaste.

“Awesome, right?" Jolee asked as she flashed her pearly whites at me.

I forced a smile and nodded. 'Awesome in what universe?' I wanted to scream. I'd often experienced peer pressure, but it had never led to drinking like this.

After four shots, I felt a bit lightheaded. Jolee ordered a few cocktails to complete the drinking binge experience. The white chocolate martinis tasted great, and I found myself chugging one glass after the other.

“Hey, there, baby. You do know that thing contains vodka?" Jack said as he leaned in close to my face. I could smell his sour breath as his hands gripped my thigh under the table. I could feel his hand moving up my thigh toward my warm core.

'Hey, there, i***t. You do know you are annoyingly handsy?' I wanted to shout at him.

Just then, my favorite song blared out from the speakers, and I used the excuse of wanting to dance to get away from Jack. As I swayed to the music, I realized how the flashing disco lights were contributing to my swimming head.

I wanted to sit back down, but a glance toward our table to see Jack's stare and bizarre smile forced me to continue dancing against the dizziness.

As I moved, I felt a pair of hands grabbing me from behind. I could feel someone breathe heavily down my neck. I tried to wriggle out of the hands, but they held me tightly. The person was grinding against my back, making me uncomfortable.

“Wanna go to the toilet?" a gruff voice said against my ear.

I could feel my heart pounding as I tried to get away. Suddenly, someone pulled the person off me. I saw Jack standing between me and a man who seemed to be struggling to keep his balance.

“I will count to five, and if you're still here, you'll leave this club on a stretcher," Jack said.

The man raised his arms in surrender and staggered away. Jack turned to face me.

“Are you okay?" he asked.

I swallowed and nodded. He was a jerk and handsy, but he had just stood up for me.

He searched my face and pulled me into his arms. For a few minutes, he held me there before announcing to Candy and Jolee that it was probably time to go.

Clubbing had been quite an adventure, but I had enjoyed the unique experience. We walked out of the club and stood outside. Judging by how I felt, I was certain none of us were in a position to drive home.

“I think we can leave Jolee's car here tonight. I'll make a plan to get it tomorrow. I'll order two taxis. Since you and Jolee are staying in the same direction, you can share one car, and I'll go with Candy," Jack suggested.

I nodded and smiled at him. I was glad someone was thinking straight.

As we were about to get into the car, Jack pulled me in for a hug. As he held me, I felt something poke me from just below his belt. Suddenly he squeezed my buttocks, and I felt nauseated. Just when I had started thinking he was more than an irritating handsy jerk, he had to go and do that.

Jolee passed out cold on my lap during the drive home. It seemed she was oblivious to where we were. We got to her house, and soon as the car stopped, her father stepped out of the front door, then he walked over to the car and helped me get Jolee out.

“Good eve… morning, sir," I said. I wasn't even sure how late it was. Was it after midnight already, or was it still nighttime?

He got Jolee to stand with her weight against his body. There was no mistaking the striking biceps protruding from the eyelet cotton jersey he was wearing.

Up close, he was even more handsome that what I'd seen before. He, well, was different from any man his age I had ever seen. He was gorgeous in the traditional sense, yet, he had a look that might make him stick out in a crowd. He was toned, a sign of days working out, his tan skin making me think he did so in the sun. His bronzed face contrasted brilliantly with his unfathomable, golden-brown eyes. His eyes were so expressive and profound as they gave me a look over. One could get lost in them if they stared long enough.

“Do you need help getting her into the house?" I asked and smiled up at him.

“I think you've done enough for one night," he said as he glared at me disapprovingly.

He partially dragged and partially lifted Jolee back to the house, leaving me staring after them.

D*mn, this guy must really think I'm nothing but trouble.