So Much More (Book One in the Enough Series)

67. Naughty

Reed

Christmas was one of the best days of my life. Proposing to Eden and hearing her say yes, I couldn't think of a time I had been happier. Christmas dinner was nice, even though we were missing Brynn and Tate. The others made up for it with their company; we enjoyed a delicious meal, lots of laughs, and a few gifts. By the time we collapsed in bed, Eden and I were exhausted in the best way.

"So, where did the girls go?" Bennett asked as we waited for Tate. Tonight was their respective Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. We were all just getting together and hitting up a few bars, the girls on their own and, of course, the guys on our own.

"A club called Bangers is their first stop, then Eden said she'd let me know where they went to next. They want us to meet up at Tally's at the end of the night." I replied, pulling my jacket closer as the rain sprinkled down.

"Tallys?! The strip club?" Bennett asked with his eyebrows raised in a mischievous look.

"Yep. I should've known Brynn was a wild one; she's a spunky little thing." I laughed just as Tate and a few of his friends walked up. We were standing, waiting for them, before entering the first bar. Just a local pub we'd been to before to start the evening off.

"Were you talking about my almost wife?" Tate teased, giving me a quick hug.

"We were discussing the strip club." We both laughed before he began introducing everyone. We headed inside, starting off with some beer and just talking about our holidays.

After several beers, a shot or two, and walking several blocks, we found ourselves outside of Bennett's choice for our last stop before the strip club. A new place that none of us had been to yet called Splash.

"So, I've heard of this place. It's just a regular bar except for every thirty minutes they call 'splash,' and it becomes a wet t-shirt contest. Sounded interesting and fun." He wiggled his brows as we waited for our turn to enter. He wasn't wrong; that was exactly what we found upon entering.

The place packed them in, and all you could hear was the sound of hoots and hollers, whistles and chants. It was clearly 'splash' time as several ladies and a couple of men were standing on one of the bars, pouring a bucket of water over themselves.

One of Tate's friends immediately began whistling and patting us all on the back in excitement. It was definitely an exciting place, something I'd never seen before. We made our way to the bar area, ordering a round of drinks as the wet t-shirt people hopped down.

"Who told you about this place?" I yelled toward Bennett.

"Hugh." He responded, looking around. He went to speak again, but this time all that came out was a slew of curses. "What the fuck. Are you fucking with me?" I followed his gaze toward the end of the bar, where I saw Gemma filling drinks in a soaking wet white t-shirt, her nipples poking out. I turned my head quickly, feeling guilty for even catching that glance.

"That's Gemma!" Tate exclaimed in his slightly buzzed state.

"Did you know she worked here?" I asked Bennett.

"No, I didn't fucking know." He growled. I'd never seen him act so predatory and jealous before. I watched as he stared her down, his fists clenching as men threw money toward her. Tate and I shared a look before we both attempted to calm him down. It was pointless, though, because he stalked away straight for her. We sat back with our drinks, watching the shit show go down.

"Are they dating? What's his deal?" Tate asked me, throwing back the remainder of his drink. I was doing my best to pace myself, wanting to stay sober and responsible for these losers.

"I have no idea. He's pretty tight-lipped about it. I think he wants to be dating and doesn't know how to do it." I laughed. My laughter was cut short as we watched Gemma slap Bennett across the face before walking away from him. When she looked and saw us watching, mouths open in shock, her face flushed, and she rushed toward the back of the bar. I felt terrible for her, wanting to text Eden to check on her friend, but I had my own friend to handle.

"Let's fucking go," Bennett grunted, stomping past and for the door.

"Wouldn't be a bachelor party without some drama, am I right?" One of Tate's buddies laughed before stumbling ahead of us. I was exhausted, ready for this night to be over, and we hadn't even made it to the strip club yet.

"Bennett!!" I yelled, jogging to catch up to him as he made his way down the sidewalk. "C'mon, man, what's going on?"

"Nothing. Let's just go to Tallys and get this night over."

"That wasn't nothing; she slapped you! What'd you do?" I hopped around in front of him, glancing back to make sure the other guys were still with us.

"What did I do?! I didn't do anything!! I tried to get her out of there, told her it wasn't a place for her to work, and she slapped ME!" He bellowed. I ran my hand down over my face.

"Are you two dating?" I dared to ask.

"Not really, no. Just drop it. This shit is stupid. No, we're not dating, which means I can do what I want to do as well. Let's get to the club; I can find someone to entertain me for the evening."

I fell back a step, letting him have his tantrum. I silently thanked the heavens that I had Eden and wouldn't have to deal with this drama any longer. I also decided then that we would not have any bachelor or bachelorette parties; at this point, eloping may even be an option.

I pulled the other guys along to catch up with Bennett and walked together to the curb before grabbing a cab to the strip club. If our night was any indication, this wouldn't go so well, and I was dreading it. We packed the cab, forcing me to ride in front with the cabbie. It was awkward, but at least I didn't have to hear the murmurs from the drunks in the back.

Once we arrived at the club, I waited for the guys to rally at the door. A scantily clad hostess greeted us at the door and instructed our group to follow her. She knew of our pending arrival and took us to a designated area.

"I need Reed to go over to that table, Tate, you will sit here, and the rest will come with me." She smiled, her black hair flowing down to her waist and the corset she wore pushing her breasts up and almost out. I was ready to get my girl and head home; this night was too much. I'd turned into a softie, and I was perfectly fine with it.

Tate took his spot just before I took mine, waiting to see what this would be. Instead, another lady appeared, pulling a curtain separating Tate and me, leaving me essentially alone. My mind could not come up with what was about to happen, and if I thought this night was already wild, I would be proven wrong.