We’re in our own little bubble, dancing with each other and a little drunk, so at the first shout, none of us react. I look up, but I can’t see anything but more happy people dancing around us.
It’s not until someone knocks into the back of Grace and pushes her into me that we realize something isn’t right, and then it’s too late. We’re all pushed again and then there are screams. It’s eerie because we can’t see anything. The path to leave the dance floor is blocked and suddenly everyone is rushing toward us, all trying to leave at the same time.
I grab on to both Everly and Grace and hold tight as we try to keep from being trampled. Staying upright is hard, but I’m so scared if one of us falls we’ll be seriously hurt. We huddle together as close as we can get. None of us speak.
It’s not long before security is everywhere and light floods the building. We’re escorted outside with everyone else. Police cars line the street and the three of us hurry with others until we’re far enough away that it feels safe.
My heart is hammering so hard in my chest. I’m still squeezing Everly and Grace’s hands.
“What the hell happened?” Everly asks, looking back toward the club where people are still pouring out.
“I don’t know.” Grace looks the most spooked and winces as she finally inspects her foot. She’s bleeding from where she got stepped on during the chaos.
“We should get out of here,” Ev says.
We’re all in agreement. The only problem is everyone else has the same idea. Everly’s teeth start chattering as we wait for the Uber.
“Maybe we should call Tyler,” Grace suggests.
I’m relieved not to be the first one to say it.
“No way. He’ll just use it as an excuse to tell me he should have been there with me.”
“I don’t know, Ev. I think he’ll just be glad you’re okay.” I check my phone again to get an update on our estimated wait. “And who knows how long until we can get a ride.”
She sighs and pulls out her phone. “Okay.”
As she brings the device up to her ear, a flashy Mercedes SUV comes speeding down the road, the black paint gleaming against the night and catching my eye seconds before the tires screech and the vehicle stops in front of us. All three of us jump back startled and still on edge from the club.
Jack rolls down the window, a murderous look on his face. I just barely register Tyler in the passenger seat before Jack says, “Get in the car.”
17
YOU’RE SO HOT YOU CAUSED A BAR FIGHT
BRIDGET
The three of us pile in the back of Jack’s G-Wagon and he pulls away from the police-lined streets.
“Is everybody okay?” Tyler turns in the passenger seat to look us over.
“Yeah. We’re fine,” Grace answers. “What’s going on?”
“There was a fight,” Tyler says. “Couple of guys got into it and then their friends jumped in. Turned into a brawl in a hurry.”
“How did you find out what was going on before us?” Ev sits forward, staring between her brother and Jack. “And how did you get here so quickly?”
Tyler glances at Jack, who says nothing, before replying, “Jack heard it from a friend.”
“A friend?” Everly’s voice is full of suspicion.
“I know the guy that runs the place.” He keeps driving while Grace, Ev, and I relax into the back seat.
My heartbeat slows, but I’m still antsy. So is Grace, if the death grip she has on her seat belt is any indication.
“Are you okay?” I ask Everly quietly.
“Yeah,” she says, not at all convincing, then lets out a long breath. “Yeah. That was nuts. I’m totally sober now and going to be home before midnight.”
“You got drunk at Club Midnight?” Jack asks, glaring back from the rearview mirror.
“Tipsy.”
“How? You’re underage.”
“Yeah, well, I’m sneaky. It was only a few shots.”
Jack curses under his breath.
Tyler turns around again and before he can say anything, Everly holds up her hand. “Don’t say it.”
“What?” her brother asks defensively, fighting a smile.
“If you’re about to scold me for underage drinking or tell me I should have let you throw me a party and this wouldn’t have happened—”
“That’s not what I was going to say at all.” The expression on his face is full of sincerity. “I’m sure I would have tried to sneak drinks at the club when I was twenty too.”
Jack pulls into a gas station and parks in front of the storefront. “Be right back.”
“I’m sorry your night got ruined, Ev,” Tyler says. “That majorly sucks. I’m glad you’re okay.”
Her shoulders relax. “Thanks for coming to get us. Were you really asleep?”
“Yeah, I passed out early.”
“You’re the oldest twenty-five-year-old I know,” Ev teases him. “I should have invited Piper to come out with us.”
“Yeah, about that.”
Jack returns with a tray of to-go coffees in one hand and a brown paper bag tucked under the other. He opens the back and sets it all inside, except the coffees, which he passes up to us.
“What’s this for?” Ev asks him.
“It’ll help you sober up. Try not to spill it all over my back seat.”
“God. Just when I think you’re being nice, you ruin it by opening your mouth.” Ev takes the coffee with a huff.
He shuts the back without another word, but then two seconds later, he opens Everly’s door and tosses a sweatshirt at her. “And put that on. I can’t focus with your teeth chattering in my ear.”
She opens her mouth to talk back, but the door closes again.
Tyler clears his throat and hides a laugh. “Like I was saying, I feel bad your night out got ruined and I know it isn’t what you wanted, but as soon as Piper heard, she called everyone and they’re waiting back at our house to help make it up to you.”
“At your place?”
He nods.
“Define everyone,” Grace says.
“The team and anyone else in her contacts she could get a hold of for a last-minute party.”
No one says anything else. Everly looks at me and I shrug. Grace does the same.
Ty sounds sincere when he says, “If you’re not up for it, then we’ll take you home. Your call. I just want to make sure you have the best birthday possible.”
I think it’s sweet, but keep that to myself. I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to have a famous brother that you feel overshadowed by.
“Yeah, fine, let’s do it.” Everly sets the coffee between her legs and pulls on Jack’s sweatshirt. “But no hovering around me and acting all protective. I’m twenty now. I can take care of myself.”
Jack snorts from the driver’s seat and Tyler shoots him a glare before saying, “Deal.”
Tyler and Piper’s house is filled with people when we get there. There are even balloons and streamers hung up. Piper comes running forward to greet us at the door. She pulls Everly into a hug and then steps back to look the three of us over. “I’m so glad no one was hurt.”
“How did you get so many people here this fast?” Everly asks, cocking her head to the side and giving her sister-in-law an endearing smile.