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LACEY

This date.

Noah started off so well. He showed up with a dozen roses and in a button up shirt and nice pants. I disregarded the fact that I hated roses and just appreciated it because who doesn't love flowers. We went to a nicer Italian restaurant in downtown and it was great. We were talking about random things, classes, our majors, and favorite color type of things. I sigh pushing around my ravioli as he continues to drone on and on.

This man should have been in a frat the way he is talking about Greek life. I swear I haven't heard a word in the last ten minutes that hasn't been about it. I hate Greek life if I am being honest, hate it. I keep seeing my phone light up and I know it's the girls.

They are probably on their way to Darby's for the night and I wish I was going. Maybe if this date ends soon I can be there. I'd be way over dressed but when am I not. I am also pissed I didn't use my fake to buy the biggest drink here. We are now just waiting for the check and honestly our waitress has disappeared. I nod my head bringing the water glass to my lips as to acknowledge that I'm still listening.

"Lacey," Noah calling my name brings me back to earth. I sit up glancing at him then where his hazel eyes are narrowed. My phone screen is lit up with Julie and I and Julie's name.

I clear my throat, "Oh sorry, excuse me."

I grab my jacket and purse from the back of my chair standing up.

"I'll get the check."

"Are you sure?" I ask him clutching my phon in my hand. I really want to just dash out of here and have one of the girls pick me up but I don't want to be mean. Or this getting back to anyone.

"Nonsense, I'll meet you outside," he says, like a gentlemen. I shoot him a smile before heading towards the door. I call Julie back and bring the phone to my ear. I put my black jean jacket on over my red lace bodysuit.

"Lacey, are you okay?" she asks very loudly. I can hear people laughing and talking around her with the low bar music in the back. I put a hand on my forehead as I stare at the busy parking lot of the restaurant. It was a nice gesture and this is a very nice place. I just can't bring myself to like him all that much.

"Yeah fine, are you guys at Darby's?" I ask her as I walk away from the entrance. A couple holding hands walks through the doors. A twinge of jealousy bubbles in my chest watching them. Noah and I didn't look like that walking in. Nothing is natural about it.

"Yes. Are you coming?"

I freeze when I hear that laugh. That deep chuckle. Julie snaps at him and I hear him laugh again.

I clear my throat, "Yes, I'm on my way."

"Cool, Lace. We'll see you then," Julie says. I hear the guys chanting my name making me laugh hysterically. "Hurry, the guys are drunk."

"Okay, okay. Bye!" I laugh as the door opens. Noah sends me a smile as I hang up the phone. Darby's is not too far away from here. I can hear the strip of bars from the restaurant.

"All set?" he asks me. I smile and nod my head at him pushing my purse up my shoulder.

"Thank you for dinner it was great. I am going to head to Darby's to meet up with friends," I say motioning in the direction of the bars. He looks behind me and then back down at me.

"Mind if I join? A couple of the team is there too," he says tucking his hands inside his pockets. I try not to frown at his comment and put on a smile.

"What about your car?" I ask him as I tuck my phone into my purse.

"I'll just pick it up tomorrow morning," he says walking towards the sidewalk. I shoot him another smile and follow him. The walk to the bars is quiet. Which I don't mind. I don't think I can listen to him talk anymore. He's just too, perfect? I don't know what it is about him but there's something off that's not visible to the eye.

There's no line at Darby's, which surprises me since it's a Thursday but I can see that it's pretty busy in there. We show the bouncer our IDs as we head inside. The music is low as we head towards the bar first.

"Do you know where your friends are?" Noah asks placing a hand on my lower back. I look around and pause when I see Trey's short brown hair. He looks towards me and heads towards me.

"Lacey!" Trey yells running towards me. He skirts to a stop when he sees who is behind me. I hear an 'oof' from behind him and see Julie's brown head of hair fly back. "And what's his face."

"Noah," he says from behind me. Trey looks down at me and then back at Noah. Tori is rushing to help Julie, who is rubbing her forehead sitting on the bar floor.

"Jesus, you're going to get us kicked out," Tori grumbles grabbing her arms. Julie says something but I can't hear it over the music.

"Nice to meet you, you're on the football team right?" Trey asks. Noah goes to respond but Trey lurches forwards. He whips around as I bit my lip to keep myself from laughing. "Ow what the fuck!"

"You stopped you butt muncher," Julie says going to kick him again. Tori grumbles while Trey grabs Julie's foot to keep her from kicking him again.

"Can we just please get her up," Tori yells over the music. Trey mumbles a 'bossy' at her but helps get Julie up. She huffs dusting herself off with an annoyed look. Trey gives Julie a sad puppy dog face and she sighs before going off on him. Tori motions towards the back of the bar, "The rest of them are over there."

I see Asher's grown out hair and Robbie standing beside him. I'm assuming the girls are in front of them. I turn to Noah, who is engaged in a conversation with some other guy.

"Hey, I'm going over with my roommates," I say simply. It's not an invitation nor is it telling him to get lost. Win, win. Noah glances down at me nodding his head before turning back to the conversation. I sigh before starting my shove through the crowd of people. I go on the outskirts because I know going straight through would be madness and no one would move for me anyways.

I squeeze past a couple making out and finally reach Asher. I pinch his arm as he whips around and looks around. He looks down at me in realization and grabs my arm pulling me in front of him.

"Lacey!" Rae says stumbling out of the high top booth. She wraps her arms around me as I let out a laugh. Robbie nods his head in recognization and I nod it back. "How was your date?"

I give her a look and she grimaces, "Talk later?"

"That bad huh?" she asks as I wave her off. Sanders is seating in the booth as well looking uncomfortable as ever. I can't help but laugh at the image in front of me. Sanders is sipping a fruity drink smushed in between a drunk Braden and one of his teammates making out with a girl. He meets my eyes and mouths 'help me.' I can't help the laugh that actually falls from my lips this time as Braden shoots up.

"Here he goes again," Asher sighs drinking from his beer. I give him a funny look as Braden stumbles out of the booth allowing Sanders to move over.

"Fuck," Braden stumbles in front of me. I resist the urge to grab him as Rae drunkenly goes back to the booth. Leaving me with Braden. He shoots me a sloppy smile tipping his beer at me.

"How was your date?" he slurs leaning against the high top table. I frown looking into his dark glassy eyes. How does he know? "Your bestie Sanders told me."

"Hey! In my defense, I was trying to rip the bandaid off asshole!" he yells motioning at Braden. Braden flips him off as I let out another laugh. What the hell is going on? I glance at Asher for help but he holds his hands up in defense.

"Um, good?" It sounds like more of a question rather than a statement. And from the smirk that's playing on Braden's lips he can tell I'm lying. He just always fucking knows. He's about to respond when Carter slides in between Asher and I.

"Drink?" she asks me sliding a dirty Shirley into my hands. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding in and bring the drink to my lips. Braden says something incoherent as Carter hands Asher his beer and takes a sip from her own drink. Trey, Julie, and Tori have joined us again. I'm still surprised no one saw Julie fall and kick her out of the bar.

"The date?" Carter whispers. I should have guessed they all would be asking me about it but honestly, we didn't even kiss and nothing exciting even happened. Noah doesn't give me butterflies, he doesn't make me excited to see him. He's just bleh to me. I am sure he isn't bleh to other people but to me he is.

"Tomorrow's problem," I respond to her in the simplest of terms. She nods in understanding as Sanders leans into Rae who is bitching him out.

"Hey! Díaz can you please stop sucking face with your girl on my lap!" Sanders yells at the couple. They make no move to pull away as Sanders ushers Rae out of the booth. Robbie walks in between Braden and I to grab her. I can feel eyes on the side of my face as I look away from Robbie and Rae. Braden's staring at me with a cocky smirk on his face and eyes that stare at me like they see me. My stomach flips as I look away from him and his tattooed arms bulging out of his shirt. He's too damn good looking for his own good and he knows it.

"Lace!" Julie yells stumbling towards me. I snap out of my daydream of Braden looking at her. Trey is holding onto her by her belt loops and shaking his head in amusement. I think when Julie said the guys are drunk, she meant her and Braden. Everyone seems pretty tame tonight.

"Hey Julie," I say as she plants a kiss onto my cheek. I laugh as she grabs my cheeks in her hands.

"You're so pretty. Isn't she pretty?" Julie says turning to look at Trey. He nods his head looking down at her in admiration. If only she could see the way he looks at her. I need to join Carter and Asher's bet about them because I need this to happen sooner rather than later.

"Thank you and you are just as pretty, even prettier," I say grabbing her cheeks. She juts out her bottom lip as we let go of each other and she falls into Trey.

"Not possible," she says raising her arms up almost punching Trey. He moves out of them way shooting her a glare but it doesn't stay for long. I laugh even harder watching the two of them as they bump into grumpy Braden.

"Drunk fucks," Braden grumbles drinking from his beer. Julie sticks her tongue out at him crossing her arms over her chest.

"You're a fuck," she slurs back. Trey laughs but drags her away from Braden while Carter rolls her eyes.

"Mr Grumpy Pants," Carter states pinching his cheek. He smacks her hand away as she lets out a laugh. "You need a shot."

"Someone said shots?" Sanders says with raised eyebrows. Robbie and Rae head towards the bar to order a tray of green tea shots while the couple, Díaz and his girl, get off the booth. Sanders puts his hands up in praise, "Hallelujah!"

We all laugh as he slides back into the booth grabbing the corner. I sit beside him while Braden sits next to me. On the other side of Sanders is Rae, Robbie, and Julie. Trey stands in front of Julie with Carter and Asher standing in front of us. Except Carter barely reaches the high top.

"Someone get my short ass a stool," she says leaning her elbows on the table. I let out a laugh and try to ignore that Braden is so close to me. Why did he sit here? Why would he sit here? What the hell?

"The date?" he says lowly. No one else is paying attention too busy in their own conversations. I turn towards him with a raised eyebrow.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I say. He smells like wood and beer. Weird but I love it, it's Braden.

"You're right I would," he says with a challenging look in his eyes. I look away from him again as I hear him sigh. Glancing back at him I see his head laid against the back of the booth. I let my eyes trail his neck as his Adam's apple bobs up and down. His silver chain wrapped around his neck with his tattooed, dark hand wrapped around his beer bottle. His chocolate tattooed skin looks amazing underneath the dim lights of Darby's. I swallow harshly.

"Having fun?"

I jump at Braden's voice snapping me back to look at his eyes. They have a shine to them I haven't seen in awhile as he crosses his arms over his chest. His muscles bulging and I am having a hard time looking away. I cross my legs, clearing my throat.

"What?"

"Checking me out, having fun?" he asks me turning his head away from me. He shuts his eyes again but the smirk is still evident. I feel my cheeks flush as I bring my curled blonde hair over my shoulder to hide it.

"I wasn't even-"

"Don't be embarrassed, I don't mind, Lace. Look all you want," he says as goosebumps form over my arms. I need to get out of this booth, now. I can't handle the flirting and my mind is spinning.

What's going on?

I release a shaky breath with Robbie and Rae returning with the green tea shots. I feel Braden's leg rub against mine as I move it away instinctively. If he notices, he doesn't make a move to say so or acknowledge it. He keeps the same position that he was in before. I grab a shot from the tray and watch Julie argue with Trey. She clearly does not need a shot and I appreciate him trying to stop her.

"We got water for you and Braden. You two clearly need it," Robbie says sliding a glass in Braden's direction. He finally lifts his head up bringing the glass to his lips. His eyes meet mine again placing the glass of water down.

"Alright, I'm heading out," Braden says wiping his hands on his jeans. I can't help the look of shock that overtakes my face. He is so up and down that I never know what Braden I am going to get. Everyone boo's him but I stay silent. He offers a wave to everyone as his eyes drags over our friends to look at me. He sends me a nod before turning to Carter and Asher. They say something to him but I can't hear over the group. He responds nodding his head something flashing across his eyes for a second before shutting it down.

I follow him until I loose him in the crowd of people. I glance down at the shot in my hand and bring it to my lips. The bitter shot flows down my throat but doesn't do anything to ease my confusion and anxiety. I don't know if anything will at this point.


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