We made our way to the three pompom girls on the dance floor.
They saw us coming, and I immediately saw the interest in their eyes as we approached.
I forced a smile on my face. This was the first time I would do this, but there was no way in hell I’d let Nicholas beat me in this game.
We probably have the same goal: get the other to sleep with a stranger, hopefully, the one with the huge I have STD sign on the forehead.
“Can we join you, ladies?” I asked politely.
I could tell they were ecstatic to dance with us. Trixie was the girl who had long black hair, dressed in a black skintight dress that ended decently above her knees. Elle was the cute redhead with pixie hair, wearing skintight jeans and a Sabrina top. The provocative girl wearing a white dress that left nothing to the imagination was named Saucy, which sounded more like her stage name than her real name.
I smiled at Saucy. She was my target tonight. “Hi, Saucy. This is Nicky,” I said to her, putting my hand on Nicholas’ back and giving him a shove as if I were feeding him to a very hungry wolf. Well, I actually was.
Nicholas was taken by surprise and almost lost his balance with the force I applied in pushing him toward the female predator. She immediately caught him, wasting no time in snaking her arm around his waist. Nicholas turned to me, giving me a grave look. But before he could say something, Saucy pulled his face toward hers, and she gave him a very suggestive smile.
One point for Ken Clarke!
I turned my attention to the other two girls.
“Hi, I’m Ken.”
Elle nodded and said, “We know. Ken Clarke.”
I nodded, trying my best not to feel awkward or shy. I do not fare well with popularity.
Trixie turned in the direction of Nicholas and Saucy. Saucy had her back on him, grinding her ass against his leg. Nicholas was trying his best to put some distance between them, but the girl was on a mission.
Two points for Ken Clarke.
“Sorry about our friend. She’s a little liberated,” Elle said.
A little?
That was the biggest understatement of the year if you ask me.
“So, what made you step down from the stage to the dance floor?” Elle asked me.
I shrugged. “I was just standing in for the real drummer. So, I would be playing less often.”
“Too bad,” Elle said. “You’re really good.”
“Th-thank you,” I murmured. I don’t take compliments well. I’m usually shy about my skills or achievements.
I found out that they were also sophomores in a university in the neighboring town. They come to our town at least twice a month to visit Rhythemes. Apparently, our music had reached the ears of those outside, which gave me a sense of pride. These girls had probably seen me play more than Jen ever did.
Nicholas seemed to be struggling. I could almost feel his pain as he tried to keep Saucy at arm’s length. When she managed to get both her arms around his neck to wrap herself all over him, I didn’t waste time grabbing my phone and taking a snapshot of them.
This is definitely going on my Instagram!
“You enjoy torturing him, don’t you?” Elle asked.
“No,” I replied almost too defensively. Elle raised a brow at me, and then I smiled. “Okay, maybe a little.”
“He’s hot, you know,” Trixie commented.
I shrugged. “Well, he definitely knows that.”
“Sorry, but Saucy is just like that. I think she came here tonight with only one thing in mind.”
“Don’t worry, I think Nicholas got that message loud and clear,” I said, winking at them.
“Doesn’t look like he wants the same thing, though,” Elle observed, sounding genuinely concerned for Nicholas.
I shrugged and leaned closer to her ear to say, “Well, sometimes he likes to role play.”
The girls looked at me in surprise, and then they both burst into giggles. Nicholas turned to us and shot me a stern look. I simply shrugged innocently.
I’d win this game. Maybe a few more shots of alcohol and Nicholas would finally give in. He couldn’t deny his true nature. He’s a hot-blooded, testosterone-filled player with a piece of cheap, easy meat dangling in front of him.
We took a break from dancing. My spirits were soaring high. Nicholas looked relieved that the dancing was over. We joined the girls at their table. I sat opposite Elle and Trixie, with Nicholas sitting quietly beside me. Saucy disappeared to the ladies’ room.
“So, you looked like you enjoyed the dance,” I told Nicholas, a little too enthusiastically. It was obvious that I was taunting him.
The look on his face was sharp and cold as if he was struggling to get a grip of his emotions. Was that anger I saw, or was he struggling to keep something down between his legs?
Saucy finally returned to the table and poised to sit beside Elle.
“Saucy, do you want to—” I started offering her my seat, but I felt Nicholas’ firm grip on my wrist as he pulled me back to sit beside him.
His grip was tight, and the tone in his voice was grave as he whispered to my ear, “Don’t you dare. I didn’t come here to hook up with anybody.”
I fought the urge to laugh out loud. We both knew he was losing this ground. Goal number one was to get Nicholas on with another girl.
I decided to push my luck for goal number two: Get him to sleep with Saucy!
I looked at the ladies in front of us. “Drinks on me, ladies.”
When I called the waiter to order beer, Nicholas had a frown on his face.
“What? Don’t tell me you didn’t come here to drink,” I said, trying to keep my voice down to keep the ladies from hearing.
He leaned back on this seat and raised a brow at me. “Okay. Since you want to get me drunk, I challenge you to do the same.”
“What?”
He shrugged. “I drink, you drink.” His voice was full of challenge.
I narrowed my eyes at him. I was just about to protest, but then Trixie interrupted me.
“Why, Ken? You don’t have the stomach for it?”
Saucy laughed. “Yes, sweetheart. Nicky drinks. You drink. We drink. Loser pays for all the drinks.”
“Well, I already said I will pay for all the drinks, didn’t I?” I argued.
“We know you’re loaded. You’re Ken Clarke,” Elle said. “But it’s not really money we’re betting on, is it?”
The look on her face told me exactly what she meant. We’re betting on our names, our dignities!
When I looked at Nicholas, he had a smug look on his face. He knew he had me right where he wanted me.
Shit!
“What did you say, Kenny?” he asked in an amused voice. “You never get drunk?”
The ladies in front of us cheered. “Kenny! Kenny! Kenny”
Fuck!