Page 20

"Let's get a round of shots for the table," Phoenix suggests.

"Grey Goose?" I suggest.

"Whatever you want." Phoenix smiles at me and rests his arm on the back of my chair.

"Temperature is starting to rise," I clear my throat, "I mean, this place is filling up fast. Is it always this lit?"

"It's a hot spot, usually our first stop before hitting up the Lotus," Riz tells us.

"And our last stop before heading home. You're already up on the breakfast, Aria," JC reminds me.

"What breakfast?" Mia and Penelope ask simultaneously.

"This place is slick. It doubles as a brunch restaurant on the weekends." Phoenix guzzles his Corona.

"I came here with these guys for breakfast one morning, a little while back," I confess.

"So, you stayed out all night with these guys?" Penelope asks with a side of attitude.

Under her breath, Mia whispers to Penelope, "And, where were we?"

"Protective, are we?" Phoenix looks a bit thrown.

"That's what you get when you grow up without a father. Gotta look out for each other." Mia's nostrils flare in annoyance.

"We didn't go out. Just breakfast."

Phoenix comes to my defense. "We ran into each other that morning and got a bite to eat. What's wrong with that?"

"She said, someone at work told her about this place. You," Penelope points to Phoenix, "had to tell us she's been here before. If it wasn't for you, we'd never know." She looks at me. "What's up with that? Why are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything." My glare tells her to back down, but she conveniently ignores it.

"I just want to know the truth." Penelope pretends to be innocent.

"Me too!" Mia chimes in.

"You two hook up yet?"

"What is this? The Gestapo?" Phoenix asks, clearly frazzled.

"No! Let me set the record straight since everybody wants to gang up on me.

Sebastian came by at like three in the morning.

I thought he came to work things out. Turns out I was wrong, at least partially.

He came to tell me he's going to be a father.

He got Trina pregnant. I was floored. There were no words.

I went for a walk, wandered to the lake. "

Mia raises her eyebrows, not buying it.

"That has to be like five miles or something." Penelope looks wide-eyed. "That bastard!"

"That fuckin' jerk. I always hated him," Mia confesses.

"It's more like six blocks," Phoenix interjects.

"Wait a minute," Penelope signals time out, "More like six blocks? How would you know that, Phoenix? So, you've been to Aria's place?" Penelope gives me the evil eye.

I roll my eyes. "Not like that."

"Well then what's it like?" Penelope pries.

"He just dropped me off. It was nothing. Back to what I was saying, so I walked to the lake and stumbled on them practicing capora. How do you say it?" I glance up at Phoenix.

"Capoeira," Phoenix annunciates.

"Right. Capoeira. After their class, we left and got a bite to eat. End of story."

Riz laughs, "You girls are crazy. I could use some popcorn right about now."

"I'll be first to admit, we are protective over each other. It's just how we grew up. We're just now finding out about her little escapades with you guys. We used to tell each other everything but she's been keeping this to her chest." Mia purses her lips in disapproval.

"She's breaking off, doing her own thing." Penelope contemplates for a moment. "So, wait. That was your group at Summerfest?"

Mia shakes her head. "I didn't see them backstage."

JC nods. "We performed opening weekend."

"Mia, Penelope, it's been a while since we had a chance to talk."

Penelope rolls her eyes at me before turning to Mia. "Is this real life? We were right there with her at Summerfest! She could've told us about them then, but she didn't."

Mia whispers back, "What else we don't know?"

"You two know I'm sitting right here?"

"Wait a second. Is this?" Mia looks at Penelope. "No, it can't be."

"What, Mia? What do you want to know now?" I'm exasperated. All my little secrets are coming out.

"Are you the one who harassed her at the club? The one that called her a bitch?" Mia looks to me. "His name sounds familiar. What was that guy's name?"

"Oh. Snap!" Riz covers his mouth with his fist and puts his head down.

"That's not a good look," JC whispers under his breath.

"It was me. I did it but it's not like that. See —"

"— Not like what?" Mia squints her eyes at Phoenix.

"You know you sound like one of those crazies that always has an excuse." Penelope cuts her eyes at Phoenix.

"What I mean to say is — "

"— What? That you're an ass?"

"— Hole?" Mia high fives Penelope.

"This is why I didn't tell you two anything. Your leaps of logic are ridiculous. Let him talk!"

"Oh, and he has a girlfriend, right, Aria?" Penelope rolls her eyes at me.

"I feel like I'm in that "Confessions" song by Usher.

Man, you two are a tough crowd! I made a mistake.

" He places a hand on his chest. "People do it sometimes.

I'm human. I apologized for it and I meant it but things have changed since then.

Majorly." Phoenix turns to me. "Your girl is dope. " His smile is warm and inviting.

Penelope looks back and forth, back and forth between me and Phoenix. "Oh! Well. I get it now. That's all you had to say!"

"If you like it, Ari, I love it." Mia bumps my shoulder.

"He seems alright, Ari." Penelope shrugs. "He's cool."

"I hate you two!"

"Love you, Sis!"

"Long hair, don't care. Love you, chica!"

"That's right! Long hair, don't care!" I roll my eyes and flip my hair at the girls. "I'll go get shots." I walk away shaking my head.

Just as I'm leaving the table for the bar, the DJ mentions a throwback from the 90s is up next. Aaliyah's sweet voice, complemented with edgy video game themed music and hypnotic bass fills the club and the dance floor. She serenades, asking if the guy she likes is the one.

"I haven't heard this song in forever! Dance with me!

" Growing bolder by the minute, I take Phoenix's hand and lead him to the dance floor.

For a moment, he stands there watching me, mesmerized like I'm the only girl in the entire club.

He can't take his eyes off me. Our eyes lock in a long gaze. This time, I refuse to turn away.

This is so badass! You're the one seducing him right now.

"So, you're naughty, naughty?" Phoenix moves in, getting closer as we dance.

"Depends on who's asking."

"All this time I thought you were a goody."

I flash a mischievous smile. "Since this is where you guys start the party, where's the next stop?"

"You wanna tag along?" Phoenix's interest is peaked.

"We're out to have fun, so why not? Show me all your hot spots."

Phoenix grins from ear to ear. "I like the sound of that." He laughs to himself.

"What? What's so funny?" I ask, confused. "Wait, that's not what I meant!"

"You know this song is fitting. Took the question right out of my mouth. Are you that somebody?"

"Hmm. So, you're out again without Kim, tonight?"

"I told you like a month ago, that's over. I meant it. She's gone."

"Oh." I try concealing it, but a smile creeps across my lips. Yes! "You know people break up and get back together all the time. You never know."

"No. I know. There's no chance of that happening. She got caught cheating, and she's been trying to get me back ever since. Honestly, that's the only reason you ever saw me with those other girls."

"You were the faithful one? I thought it was the other way around."

"Now you know," he says matter-of-factly. He gets infinitely closer. I can feel his breath on my neck. I literally feel every move he makes . . . everywhere. I turn around with my back against his chest, my butt against his groin. He gently places his hands on my hips and we dance to the music.

Is this really happening right now?

"Hmm. Your hair smells so good. Like cotton candy." As if it's even possible at this point, Phoenix gets even closer, leaning over as he wraps his arms around my waist. An elusive limb boldly makes itself known. My back arches in response.

I feel a tingle up my spine as I reach up and over, wrapping my arms around his neck. My breasts buzz, aching for him to touch them, but of course, he'd never do that. Not in public. His hands travel from my hips to my waist and back again. Heat rushes over my body. My panties are melting.

Suddenly, I get the inexplicable impulse to turn around and climb his tall, muscular frame.

A new song comes on and the moment is lost.

A little embarrassed, I brush it off and start walking towards the bar. "Shouldn't we be getting shots?"

He grabs my arm. "Leaving so soon?" His dark eyes are filled with a burning hunger. If I wasn't so self-conscious about my own yearning for him, I might get sucked in and be willing to do anything.

Woozy from getting so close to losing myself in him, I deflect. "Um. That's what we left for, remember?"

If only that song played a little longer.

A few moments later, we return to the table with shots.

"It's about time!" Penelope whines in her usual, entitled way.

"The bar was packed," I lie, smirking at Phoenix.

"Too many people, not enough bartenders," Phoenix co-signs with me.

We finish our round of drinks and leave the artsy, bohemian vibe of the East Side to head towards the eclectic, avant-garde feel of the Historic Third Ward, the crossroads of Milwaukee.

When we get to our first stop, we see that Wicked Trip is at or near capacity tonight. And no wonder, the band is live, the music is good and so are the Bloody Marys, from what I hear.

Mia suggests we play a round of Never Have I Ever. I'm tipsy enough to think that's a good idea.

"OK. I'll play," I yell over the music.

"Bring a bottle," Riz tells a waitress. She comes back with a bottle of Grey Goose, a carafe of tonic, a carafe of orange juice, glasses, ice, cherries, and olives.

I pour six mixed drinks and set them in front of each player. We sit around the table facing each other. "I'll go first. Never have I ever . . . driven on the Autobahn." I look around the table.

Phoenix and Riz drink.

"Really?"

"Been to Germany twice." Phoenix throws up two fingers. "Went once to get my R8 fresh out the factory."

"That's an Audi, right?"

"Right! I had it custom built. Drove it on the Autobahn, hot off the press. It was sick. No limits. You've got to drive on it at least once in your life."

"I've been there once. NFL had us over there playing a game in London. After the game, I stuck around Europe for a while. Visited Germany and a few other countries. The Autobahn is a thrill everybody should experience at least once."

"My turn!" Penelope jumps out of her seat. "Never have I ever . . . made a million dollars."

All the guys drink.

"That was too easy and really? All of you?" Mia looks doubtful. "OK. Never have I ever jumped out of a plane." Mia looks around.

Phoenix drinks.

"Seriously?" He's changing right before my eyes, from a laid-back, around-the-way type guy to a wealthy businessman with daring, extravagant hobbies.

"Yep, a bunch of times. It never gets old. Every time you do it, it's a different experience."

"I'd skydive in a heartbeat. I've never done it before but I bet I'd be good at it." I pop an olive into my mouth.

Phoenix looks me square in the eye. "Bold proclamation for a little woman."

"Well, it's true." I purse my lips defiantly.

"Alright, it's on me. Never have I ever . . . been hit by a car." JC's eyes dart from face to face.

Poor Penelope drinks.

"Yeah. I was like twelve. Luckily the guy was just pulling away from a stop sign, so there were no broken bones but it was scary as hell, and my bike was completely crushed. I loved that bike."

"Aww, Penelope!"

"Never have I ever . . ." Riz sits there scratching his chin. ". . . stolen anything."

"Mia drink!" I yell over the music.

She stares at me in surprise. "Are there no secrets between sisters?"

"Come on, girl! You were only like five.

Mia went to the gas station around the corner from the house with some of the neighborhood kids.

The bad ones. She got caught stealing a Butterfinger.

Tried to walk out with it sticking right out of her pocket.

It was so obvious. The clerk locked her inside and made her call home.

Mama was livid!" We all found a big-eyed, Butterfinger-stealing little Mia to be the most hilarious thing ever.

"Really? You're snitching already?" She shakes her head as she drinks. "Didn't take much." Mia scowls at me. "Snitches get stitches!" She pretends to punch the palm of her hand.

"Gotta find a way to make you girls drink." Phoenix rubs his hands together. "I got one. Never have I ever wore lipstick." He lifts his chin and eyes all of us, girls, then back to me. "Now drink!"

"That was cheap!" I give him the stink eye.

"What? Aria hadn't had a drink yet. I had to make her drink!"

"Actually, if you've ever kissed a girl, you have worn lipstick! Drink up, boys!"

"You got us paying for your sin, bruh!" Riz pretends to be annoyed.

"Good one, Ari!" JC drinks.

"Trapped me with my own trap." He shakes his head.

"Pour a little salt on that wound!" I'm all smiles, celebrating my double-crossing win. "OK. I've got a game. Let's play Gun to Your Head. You have to answer, with the truth, as if your life depends on it."

"I'll play," Phoenix volunteers.

"OK. You're so bold. Gun to your head, what's the craziest place you've ever had sex?"

Everyone grins, looking around the table at each other.

Phoenix's intense dark eyes search mine.

My heart somersaults.

A sly smirk crosses his lips. "I'm adventurous with mine. Don't know if you really want to know what you're asking."

"Tell me," I dare him. Immediately I wonder if it was wise to press. Maybe I don't want to know what he's done with other women. Maybe I only really want to know what he'll do to me . . . when he gets the chance.

He stares at me, without any regard for anyone else at the table. It's as if it's just me and him standing there. I imagine him taking me right there. Lifting me up on the table, spreading my legs and having his way with me. It makes me blush.

". . . so, that's the craziest place I've had sex."

"Hmm." I take my glass and brush the condensation over my bare arms and exposed cleavage, leaving a trail of wetness. I need to cool off. Phoenix watches my every move, like a sexy-ass stalker.