More Than A Favor

Chapter 10

RILEY

MY FRIENDS AREN'T TELLING ME WHERE WE'RE GOING TONIGHT.

Originally, Mattie asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday.

All of that went out because we never talked about it again. I never told them what I wanted because... well, I don't know what I want. A little happy birthday helium balloon and a birthday message would be fine enough for me. But Kianna, Sutton and Mattie told me to get dressed because they're taking me somewhere and it's my twenty-first so I can't say no. I don't know where and they won't budge.

So here I am, sitting in the passenger seat of Mattie's car staring at the signs of every place we pass by. Yup. They're not letting me drive tonight either. And honestly? That's very wise. I plan to take full advantage of wherever. This is how I know that they're my girls. They know so well.

"You're gonna love it," Sutton claims from the backseat, "Now stop asking questions."

I oblige.

For the rest of the way, I take pictures of myself. Tonight, I decided to go with a little green eyeshadow over my eyelids, glitter to make it pop, my usual liner and lashes. It sucks that my natural lashes weren't long enough. I used my middle finger to dap blush over my cheeks and I couldn't be done without applying lipgloss. Kie said I look like a beautiful nightmare.

I'm wearing a long sleeved black dress that I've been dying to put on ever since I brought it. It's turtle neck which is perfect for the weather with a section exposing my chest—not my breasts— not that I have breasts to show because I'm flat chested. Another split carved out one side of my leg—the right one— and the material is so soft I never want to take it off.

The car finally comes to a stop outside a hookah lounge and bar. I know because there's a neon light sign that can't go unnoticed. I unbuckle my seatbelt and turn around to look at my best friends.

Kie and Sutton are grinning from ear to ear.

"Told ya you'll love it." Sutton winks at me.

Outside, Mattie shrieks. "It's cold!" She slams the door shut, the entire car shaking from impact. I dread stepping out now because as much as I'm fine living in Warren, the cold and I are enemies.

"Hoes never get cold!"Kie claims, hopping out of the car behind our blonde friend. I hear Mattie chuckle and she swings an arm around Kie's mesh covered shoulders.

Sutton's tanned hand wraps around mine when my feet hit the asphalt. Cold air attacks my exposed skin but it's not the crippling type of cold. It's bearable enough where I'm able to make it to the entrance doors of the hookah lounge without begging for a coat or puffer jacket.

Music blasts through speakers and wraps us in a bubble the minute we enter. I don't know what's louder, my heart beating or the base of the song that's on. It's a shame I've never been here before because it's unlike any hookah lounge I've ever been to. People are drinking straight from the bottle, some are grinding on each other and it looks like so much fun. No one is standing in a corner by themselves. I know I'm about to have a good time when I spot a few guys playing pool. Yup. There seems to be other games here as well. Then I see Cole. As in—my brother—Cole. Coleslaw.

He's walking towards us, with both arms outstretched for a hug. "Happy birthday twin."

"Happy birthday to you." I go in for the hug, and I swear my jaw touched the floor. "What are you doing here?"

"We had a group chat without you." Kie answers. "Your brother wanted to spend his birthday with you."

"You sneaky little—"