✔Vengeful Valentine

Twenty: Everly

We arrived at the Viper Lounge right on time. As Layla pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Emmett's truck and Mal's rust-bucket of a car beside it. Emmett and Kaz waited for us outside the truck, smoking cigarettes.

"Well, don't y'all look lovely tonight," Emmett remarked, blowing a puff of smoke to the air.

My brother dressed his best in one of his fancy-shmancy suits and derby hat. Kaz, on the other hand, chose something more laid back. A plaid pullover and ripped in the knees jeans. Amid the dim glow of the parking lot lamps, I almost overlooked Kaz's new rainbow converse.

"And you look just as ugly as always," I teased him, clutching Sydney's wrapped presents to my chest.

Emmett rolled his eyes as he reached in the backseat for the presents they'd brought. He handed two of them to Kaz and carried the rest of them up there himself. We got our ID's out before reaching the door so we could enter the place.

After they guard stamped the backs of ours hands with a smiley face, we entered the LGBTQ nightclub. Strobe lights blinded me as I kept close on Emmett's tail. Music blared from the speakers, pulsing in sync to my heartbeat.

It was quite crowded that night. People mingled up at the bar while others chose to show their moves out on the dance floor. Why did they choose a gay bar, of all places, to celebrate her birthday? Maybe that was what she wanted. Sydney loved to party and be carefree. I'd attended several parties with her before, even at the Viper Lounge. She could drink booze almost as much as Kaz could.

Sydney's reserved table for the night was smack dab in the middle of the bar. Mal and Charlie were already there, downing their beers. Sydney had yet to show up it seemed. Presents scattered across the table and we added ours to the colorful pile.

"Sydney not here yet?" Emmett asked as he scooted out a chair, plopping down beside Charlie.

"Nope. She better hurry too cause that cake's calling my name," Charlie said.

Mal gently scooted the cake closer to Charlie, mocking in a cartoony voice, "Eat me, Charlie. Eat me."

Kazimir replied, "I swear, if you ruin my nice cake before Sydney gets here –"

"What are you gonna do, chimp?" Charlie taunted.

Kazimir took one of his plastic forks and directed it at Charlie. "You don't wanna find out, I can promise you that."

Nobody could stifle their laughter at Kaz's worthless threat. Poor guy, he must've worked a lot on making that cake. It looked so delicious too. If Sydney didn't show up soon, I might even sneak a small slice out for myself.

"Yeah, and I did the icing," Emmett said, as if he were proud of that. "So none of you can fuck up our masterpiece dessert."

"Exactly." Kaz carefully pulled the cake closer to us, away from both Charlie and Mal.

Soon enough, the birthday girl arrived and the fun began. I left all my worries and fears at home that night, but maybe that had been a huge mistake.

Sydney loved the gifts I bought her, as she came over to hug me tightly. It embarrassed the hell out of her when we all sung happy birthday to her before serving out slices of cake. Despite that, she smiled so happily the entire night. Meanwhile, I had to force my smile not to fade. I was supposed to be enjoying my best friend's birthday, but my mind weighed heavily with all the crap going on in my life.

Not only did I worry about my stalker, but I was concerned about my relationship with Adam. Layla's comforting words earlier didn't keep my hopes up either. Mostly because I understood Adam's point and why he wanted me to stop dealing drugs for my brother.