He's not my dad

part 6

Pure was exactly what its name promised—and nothing like it.

The place was packed wall to wall, bodies pressed together, bass thudding so hard it rattled my ribs. The air was thick with sweat, perfume, and alcohol. When we finally fought our way to the bar, the bartender leaned in, cupped his ear, and immediately gave up.

“You get what you get!” he shouted, already pouring.

I accepted a drink that might have been vodka. Or gin. Possibly regret.

I glanced at Bree. She was grinning like she’d just been handed a loaded weapon.

“Oh, this is going to get messy,” I said.

She clinked her glass against mine. “Oh, absolutely.”

We ended up dancing near the toilets—apparently the quietest place in the club, which was saying something. The music still thumped, but at least we could hear ourselves think… barely.

Jack appeared out of nowhere, sliding into our space with practiced ease. He flirted shamelessly, leaning close, smiling like he’d never been told no in his life.
Normally, I might’ve humored him.
Tonight? Nothing.

My mind kept drifting—black hair, inked arms, a lazy smirk and the roar of a Harley engine.

Jack noticed my lack of interest quickly enough and pivoted smoothly toward Bree. She accepted the attention with enthusiasm, laughing, touching his arm, clearly enjoying herself.

I slipped away as the heat became unbearable and followed Kate outside for air—though “fresh” was generous, considering we were standing in the smoking area.

I had just leaned against the wall when a familiar, deep voice came from my left.
“Those heels look lethal,” he said. “I’m impressed you haven’t fallen yet.”

I turned.
And there he was.
The stranger from the garage.
Up close, he was even more unfairly attractive—tattoos disappearing beneath his shirt, dark hair falling into his eyes, confidence rolling off him like smoke.
I smiled brightly. I’d had a few drinks. I looked good. And for once, I felt it.

“Give it time,” I said lightly. “The night’s still young.”

He laughed, low and rich. “I’d volunteer to catch you again, but I’m starting to think you do this on purpose.”

“Maybe I just like making an entrance.”

His gaze dipped—appreciative, unapologetic. “Hard to miss.”

We flirted easily, words sharp and playful, tension humming between us. He leaned closer. I didn’t step back.

Then—just as his interest was unmistakable—I pushed off the wall.

“Enjoy your night,” I said sweetly.

And I walked away.

Kate stared at me the second I rejoined her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m leaving him wanting more.”

“He’s obviously interested,” she hissed. “Go back.”
I shook my head, smiling. “The chase is the best part of the game.”

As we headed back inside, it hit me.
I didn’t even know his name.
And somehow, that made it even better.

.......

Bree is nowhere to be seen when we enter the club, Richie tells me she left with jack but that can't be true she has a fiancé.

"Do you know who that guy was, I saw him outside the parking garage earlier" I ask Kate.

With a shake of her head she tells me she does not, she dramatically fans her face "he was hot"

I agree, I'm seriously regretting my decision to walk away from him. No doubt if I would have stayed he would have had me moaning his name within the hour. Sometimes you can just look at someone and know they are amazing in bed and I know he would have been a ride I would not have forgotten.

"Another drink" Dan asks, I shake my head. Bree isn't here to convince me so I use my common sense and decide to head home before I become totally useless in the morning.

"Do you want to share a cab"

Kate shakes her head " I'm like an hour west of here "

"No way you are going all that way on your own , you should have told me you could have gotten ready at my place and stayed over. I can't believe you went all the way home to come back"

She shakes her head " I didn't I bought a new outfit after work and left my car at the office"

I'm horrified "come on you can stay with me" I link my arms with hers and pull her to the waiting cabs.

"I can wear my clothes from yesterday in the morning if you can drive me to the office early"

"I'm sure between us Bree and I have an outfit you can wear" I tell her as I mentally go through my work outfits.

Kate laughs " not to be rude but everyone would be a little surprised if I leave work one day wearing forever 21 and return the next wearing Prada"

I tilt my head a little confused " what do you think my closet is like, I'm not rich not ally clothes are designer "

Kate smiles and rolls her eyes " babe you rocked a 20 grand birkin today I think it's safe to say your richer than me.

I had never thought about the consequences of using my birkin bag and what people would assume about me and my social status.

" It was a gift, my parents come from old wealth. I'm trying to be independent from them and make it in this world without relying on their money. I want to make my own life"

We sit in the cab and she places her head on my shoulder "you will , I have faith in you"

7 words from a practical stranger and I feel the happiest I have in a long time. If she has faith in me and hardly knows me I need to have faith in myself. I can do this !