Just The Right Black

Chapter 29

What is he doing here?
Ariana wondered.

"I was expecting a much warmer welcome but I'll take what I can get." Mark walked further into the room.

"You'd get one once you're out of here." Alex said,

"Oh, c'mon guys. What's with the sour mood?" Mark asked, "After all, I'm the birthday boy's brother."

Ariana could feel Jace grow madder by the second.

"Mark, what are you doing here?" Ariana asked,

"Ariana?" He looked surprised "What are you doing here?"

"I..."

"I invited her." Jace interrupted her,

"Oh," Mark said, sadly,

"Dude I don't know what you're doing here but if you're going to stay, you better shut the hell up about anything work or family related," Alex said,

Mark had his palms up,
"Fine. I'm just here to celebrate my brother's birthday."

Half an hour later, Ariana had figured out that they all were together on tour before they were all honourably discharged after their last tour which none of them seemed to want to remember much less talk about. Ariana understood and didn't ask even though she wanted to.

Mark sat next to Rick across from Ariana and she felt his eyes on her every once in a while. It was starting to tick her off. Jace, unlike his friends, stayed quiet and spoke only when spoken to. Rick kept up with his drinks and his jokes, Dante and Alex kept the conversation flowing.

They were all slowly getting inebriated, Jace stopped drinking while the other continued. Ariana glanced at Jace when she looked at his wristwatch.
"Shit," He cursed, "I need to get home."

"Nah-uhn, too early." Rick said,

"Not when you have a company to run." Jace pushed himself up,

"Oh, c'mon bro, the company can handle one day without you," Mark said,

"Not surprised to hear you say that," Jace said,

Ariana placed the one drink she'd been given that was still full on the table and got up. She looked at Jace to find him glaring at Mark,
"Are you okay?"

He looked at her for a moment,
"I'm fine."

Ariana left it at that when she saw that he was not in a good mood.
"Nice to meet you."

"Same here." They all said before she turned around and headed to the door,

"Thanks for the night, guys." Jace said,

"Anytime, man," Alex said, "It's been a while since we all hung out. Let's not wait so long, next time."

Jace smiled.
"I'm a call away."

"See you soon, man," Dante said,

"Cheers, brother." A lightly drunk Rick said,

Jace headed towards the door where Ariana waited for him and together, they made their way towards the exit. Stepping into the narrow hallway leading out of the club, Jace swayed slightly and Ariana quickly held onto him.

"Careful."

Jace looked at her and pulled away from her and headed outside,
"I'm not drunk."

What's wrong with him now?
Ariana walked behind him towards the car and went around to the driver's seat while Jace got in. Ariana glanced at the rear-view mirror as she fastened her seatbelt.