Today was so not my day. A pang hit my chest at the thought because I wanted to look good. Not because the media might eat me if I showed up looking anything less than perfect, and the women, yeah... they wouldn't be able to hold themselves back. But also... Ian, he liked looking good, and took pride in his appearance. and liked it when I looked good on his arm. It was a male thing. Because out there I represented him whether I liked it or not. A man like that, I didn’t want to embarrass him.I didn't know there was going to be a time I thought of looking good because of a man but here we are.What was it he said the other time; Now you look like the wife of Ian Quinn. Yeh, it was very much a male thing. I didn’t have much time left so I did one of my easier styles. Starting with a blow out to get everything dry, I tried not to use too much heat on my hair, saving it for when the occasion called for it, mostly it was just when I was late for school and needed my hair to be presen

“A bottle of Rosé for the lady" Damien ordered, laughter still clinging to his voice "I'll have the usual."The others called out their drink orders, Ian included, the waiter, a young woman in a black mini dress fishnet stockings and neon green stripper heels, penned down our drink order and left. “When was your last game you?” Damien implores accusingly. Rollings flicked his fingers as if doing a mental calculation, a platinum cuff around his wrist above the sleeves of his navy blue sweater pushed off his forearm exposing golden skin pulling taut around his thick biceps as he gestured “He’s only attended twice since...” a nudge of his chin at me.I looked between the two men, did they mean me? What were they talking about? And what did that have to do with me?The man who has uttered only one word since our arrival shifted slightly, his tatted hands shuttling a deck of red cards between his fingers.Beside me Ian shifted, his thigh meeting mine as he spread his legs to get comfortab

“Are we gonna keep playing or are you boys tired of losing?” Someone scoffed and Damien tossed back his drink, in one go. “Oh, I can go all day shortie”“Watch it,” Ian growled. "Last warning"That infuriating smile remains and I get the feeling he was doing it to needle Ian which makes me smile.I would never understand the dynamics of male friendships, they were constantly cursing out and ribbing at each other, the amount of curse words that flew about was enough to make me blush or feel the need to scrub my ear after this evening.I let out a sigh of relief when Saint goes back to shuffling the cards and the game continues. Crap, that was intense. “I’m out” Ian announced, two games later, cards abandoned on the table. And only a handful of chips left. “I can give you some of mine” was that allowed? He was kind enough to lend me some of his at the beginning after all. He dipped his chin and I felt his breath fan my ear, trailing his fingers over my arm “I’d rather play with you

Back in the private area, I'm led to one of the leather couches lining the wall blending in nicely with the low light in the room. I had no idea they were back here. "Wait here, Quinn will be back in a bit, need anything? More champagne? Something stronger?""Actually, I'd like some water" alcohol always made me thirsty.He nods before slipping out of the room. A moment later a waiter brings me a sealed bottle and a glass on a tray."Is it time for the live performance?" Rolling asked as he fell on the couch on the other side "Who's up tonight?""Don't know" a low voice replied, Saint, seriously how did I not see him? then it was Daimen, five tumblers clasped between his fingers, I had no idea how he held those without slipping, Saint, Rollings and Ronan take one each, he hands me one muttering something like Quinn under his breath before crossing to take a seat beside Ronan on the other side of Saint. I sniffed at the glass and wrinkled my nose at the smooth smell of hard liquor.A

I couldn't stop laughing as I got in, Mr Allen closed the door and I buckled in, Outside, the others seemed to have gotten into their vehicles. Ian appeared beside me a moment later.“After a loss like this one would think he’d cool down on the betting” Eyes on his phone he replies “He enjoys the rush” “Still, I’d die if I lost an expensive car like this” I smooth up my hands on the cool leather of the interior. The last time we’d been out I sat at the front but tonight we were at the back and Mr. Allen drove tonight, affording me the opportunity to take it in.“He can afford it” he clicks something on his phone before putting it away. The vehicle starts and pulls out of the curb. I lean my head on the car seat. My scalp was beginning to feel tight from my high ponytail, I glanced at him from the side but I was glad I came out tonight.“You’re friends are something else”He made a disagreeable sound looking out the window “I wouldn’t go that far” I laughed. Men. “Sorry, I meant y