Only for You

8: The Unspoken

10:00 p.m., Castell Rooftop Lounge

The air at Castell Rooftop Lounge was warm, and the New York skyline stretched out like a painting around them, shimmering lights flickering in the distance. Zac walked in with his crew—Darius, Joe, and Kenny—all dressed to impress, the energy buzzing in the air.

"Let's get a round or two," Joe announced with a grin, already making his way towards the bar.

"You buying?" Kenny asked, arching an eyebrow.

Joe waved his hand dismissively. "It's on me!"

Kenny scoffed, disbelief dripping from his tone. "Man, since when you buying?"

Joe glared at him over his shoulder. "Man, fuck you! I got cash on me."

"Today," Darius, Kenny, and Zac all said in unison, their voices carrying the same teasing tone.

Joe groaned loudly, throwing his hands up as they approached the bar. "Man, fuck y'all! Y'all want these drinks or not?"

"If you buying, yeah," Kenny said, leaning casually against the counter, smirking. "Your cheap ass finally decided to spend some money."

"Yeah, you owe me like six thousand dollars from all the times I covered you," Zac added with a smirk, giving Joe a playful nudge.

"Man, stop playing," Joe waved Zac's dramatics off, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Darius leaned in, looking at Joe with narrowed eyes. "You tryna impress someone tonight? You only buy drinks when there's a girl you're tryna impress."

Joe held up his hands, feigning innocence. "Nah, bro, I'm just feelin' generous tonight, that's all."

Kenny laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, okay. We'll see about that when the tab comes."

Zac chuckled, watching the banter play out while he signaled the bartender. The rooftop was packed, filled with people either at the bar or lounging around in groups, enjoying the warm evening and the sophisticated, relaxed vibe of the place.

The bartender came over, eyeing the group with a raised brow. "What can I get for you guys?"

Joe took the lead, smiling confidently. "Four shots of Casamigos and a round of Old Fashioneds."

Kenny whistled. "Oh, we doin' it big tonight, huh?"

Joe shot him a glare. "Man, I said I got this. Let me treat y'all for once."

Zac smirked, leaning against the bar. "I appreciate it, but don't think this erases your tab."

Joe laughed, shaking his head. "I ain't forget."

As they waited for the drinks, Zac found himself scanning the room. It wasn't that he didn't want to be here, but his mind kept drifting to Fatima. He thought a night out would help, but it wasn't working.

Zac's eyes flickered back to the bar as the shots of Casamigos were placed in front of them. Darius, Kenny, and Joe grinned in anticipation, ready for the count.

"One, two, three!" Joe called out, and they all downed their shots in unison. The tequila burned slightly, but it was smooth, sliding down with a familiar warmth that settled in their chests.

"That's what I'm talkin' about!" Kenny said, slamming the glass down on the bar.

Zac picked up his Old Fashioned, letting the ice clink against the sides of the glass as he swirled it slightly. Just then, "You Right" by Doja Cat and The Weeknd started playing, the music filling the rooftop. As he lifted the drink to his lips, something caught his attention—or rather, someone.