Page 84 of Triumphant Kings

The ride to the club is oddly fun. The music blares, we drink some wine, and sing along. I’m smiling and laughing so much bythe time we get there, my face hurts, and my stomach cramps, but I love it.

“I like this,” Grayson says, pulling me into his arms after helping me out of the limo.

“Like what?”

“Happy.” He smiles, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear before giving it a tug. “Laughing.” He rolls his hips, and I bite my lower lip. “Makes me fucking hard.”

“Stop it.” I laugh.

“Really, Sadie.” His smile grows softer. “Seeing you happy and healthy, it’s the thing I live for.”

“Grayson.” I blink up at him, trying not to let myself cry.

“I love you, Pretty Girl.” He kisses me like it’s going to be our last time.

It’s a reminder of just how much my actions hurt others. I didn’t think about how much my hurt and pain were going to affect them in the long run. I regret it so much. Because they worry, they hurt. And I’m going to work my ass off to make sure I fix the little things I broke. Because to them, it’s not so little.

“I love you, too,” I murmur against his lips. “Now, let's go get drunk and grind against each other.”

“That sounds like a fantastic idea,” he growls, slapping my ass as I dart away, laughing hard and feeling good.

WE’RE TWO HOURS INand I’m not ready for the night to end. I’m a drunk, sweaty mess, but I’ve never felt more amazing than I do right now.

I may have been pulled away a few times for a quick fuck after dancing with Grayson, then Preston, now Collin.

As I stumble out of the room from my third orgasm of the night, I watch a flushed face and needy Declan get dragged by Preston into the room next to the one I’m coming out of.

Grinning, I laugh. “Suck his dick good, Preston! Make our man cum!”

“Sunshine, I don’t want to think about my brother having sex.” Collin groans, pulling me back down the hallway.

“Why not?” I ask. “It’s hot as fuck.”

Collin just shakes his head. As soon as we make it back into the crowd, I’m pulled away by my friends.

“Stop doing that!” Alice shouts in my ear. “Every time we turn around, you're getting dicked down!”

“Sorry.” I laugh, closing my eyes as I dance to the music, just feeling so damn good.

“No, you’re not.” Emma laughs, her boyfriend's arms wrapped around her waist as she leans back into him. He met up with us when we got here and has been pretty good, like always, with our shenanigans.

“Not even a little bit.” I laugh, grinning widely.

The song changes, andHard Timesby Paramore comes on. We all laugh and start to sing, belting out the lyrics, not caring at all that none of us can sing.

It might be an upbeat melody, but the lyrics have never fit so well with my life.

Even though it’s true, I have my friends, my men, and my family who love me. I’m not alone and will always have people at my side.

So despite the hard times, I’ll be okay.

And sometimes, you just need to laugh when you want to cry. Like right now.

“I DON’T WANNA GO,”I whine, sounding just as drunk as I feel.

“I know. But you need to,” Preston says, scooping me up into his arms.

“You're no fun.” I boop him on his nose as he carries me towards the limo.