“No,” I say. She bats her eyelashes at me, and I can't help but laugh. Giving in, I shake my head.
“Fine, but I have to text Ty and let him know so he picks up Ella. God, he’s going to have to give her a bath, she’s a terror in the tub.” I stalk off into the bathroom to clean up. I put on jeans and a cute top, brush through my hair, and grab my shoes before walking into the bedroom.
Julie’s face is priceless. “I know that is not what you plan to wear, right?” she asks.
“What's wrong with my clothes?” I ask. “I thought this looked pretty damn good.” Julie rolls her eyes at me and practically drags me over to the closet.
“Hmmmmm…” she says, sifting through my wardrobe.
Towards the back, she finds a little black dress. She yanks it out and her eyes light up.
“This! This is the one!” she squeals.
The thin satin sheath slides down my skin as I put it on. The intricate lace comes up around my neck in a halter fashion, while the hemline sits at my upper thigh. The plunging neckline emphasizes my breasts, and the open back is cut clear down to my lower back.
I step out of the bathroom and she whistles at me. Feeling the blush as it covers my cheeks, I giggle as I look at myself in the full-length mirror. My silky, long legs look amazing against the black fabric, and the silver jewelry I add is the perfect accent.
“Now that, my dear cousin, is proper attire for the club. Time to talk shoes,” she says, waggling her eyebrows.
She sits down in the middle of my closet and rummages through my shoes. Coming out with a pair of strappy silver heels, she smiles. I groan loudly, knowing I'm a wreck in heels.
“Put them on,” she commands, and sits on the bed. I give her the dirtiest look I can manage and she just laughs. “Strut your stuff,” she says with a grin, “you better get used to them. We’re going to be out for a while.”
I draw in a deep breath and take a few careful steps, looking completely awkward. She jumps up, trying to contain her laughter.
“Here, let me show you,” she says, demonstrating the right way to walk in heels. I still have no faith in my ability to pull this off, but I am willing to admit that the heels make my long legs look even sexier. I feel excitement bubble within. It’s been ages since I’ve gone out anywhere like this. The last time, Ty ended up getting smashed and fighting with some dude at the club and then getting kicked out. Naturally, I left with him.
We pull up to a dingy looking bar just after 10pm.
“What the hell is this place?” There’s neon signs and bikes everywhere. I can hear the bass thumping; wherever we are, they’re throwing one hell of a party.
“This is the Brotherhood.”
“What?” I can’t hide the shock on my face. “Is this like a motorcycle club? Like a gang? Are you serious? Jules, we can’t go in there!” Ty said yes to a club, not a packed bar full of rebels.
“I got a personal invite, it’s fine. Besides, they’re an ex-military club. Good guys.”
Good guys, sure. Good guys with guns and ties to people in jail. Not my idea of good guys. “Julie, I want to go home, this is nuts.”
“Well, I drove, and I’m not taking your ass home. Let’s go.”
She leaves the car, walking across the asphalt towards the neon lights and men smoking in front of the entrance. I watch from the car as she beckons me. This is a bad idea, I know it. But I find myself exiting the car and joining her next to three guys in black leather vests.
“You lost, little girl?” one guy asks me. He’s older, maybe in his fifties. The other two are younger, taking in deep drafts of their cigarettes.
“No.”
“No, we’re not lost, Grandpa. We’re here for Shawn. He invited me.”
The older man nods. “My mistake then, go right in. Last time I saw Shawn, he was behind the bar with the new prospect. Have a good time, ladies.” He dips his head to us and another guy puts out his cigarette and opens the door for us. He pushes past us after we’re inside. And inside, it’s chaos.
“This is insane,” I say as I watch a girl lie on the bar while some guy pours whiskey into her mouth.
“It’s a prospect party, of course it’s insane.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest as I watch men with hungry eyes look me over.
She looks over at me. “You look hot,” she says with a smile.