Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4) (21 page)

“Thank you, and goodnight,’’ Harlow shouts, laughing and sounding so out of breath I begin to worry she’s going to pass out.

“Who’s next?’’ Kennedy asks, grinning and shaking the pint glass. She’s gone from merry to being pissed in the space of two songs and I can’t actually blame her. We’ve been drinking shot after shot and that’s not including the drinks we’ve been sipping on.

“Kayla, you’re up, babe,’’ Nay grins at her.

“It’s so unfair that we’ll all most likely sound like strangled, tortured animals and you’ll sound like an angel,’’ Denny pouts, her words beginning to slur.

“I’ve got
Christina Perry’s, Thousand Years,
’’ she grins looking pleased.

And I find out why when she gets up on the stage and begins to sing, making the song her own. Her voice is husky, soft. It’s spectacular.

“Fucking hell! She sounds freaking amazing,’’ I blurt out, making everyone laugh. I don’t care; it’s the first time I’ve heard her sing and it’s the most beautiful sound ever.

“She’s really good,’’ Kennedy whispers in awe. “I’m actually pretty scared about going up next.’’

“She is awesome. Look at her blushing. I don’t get why, she owns it. She’s got such a fantastic voice,’’ Harlow mentions and I agree, looking back to the stage to where Kayla is slowly finishing the song.

A round of applause erupts from around the bar when she finishes and we all stand up hollering and shouting. She laughs, throwing her head back on the stage, before stepping forward and taking a dramatic bow.

“Quick, Kennedy, you’re up next.’’

Kennedy reluctantly shakes the glass before taking one of the slips out. “You were amazing, Kayla. I don’t think I’m gonna top that. No one could top that performance. You should have gone last.’’

“Knock um dead,’’ Kayla laughs shaking off the compliment, and I move out the booth to let her sit back down.

“I got
Bruno Mars’, Marry you,
’’ Kennedy giggles. “I freaking love this song.’’ We all laugh and cheer her on as she jumps out from the booth and up onto the stage: her earlier reluctance gone.

We’re all clapping when she starts singing. Then Denny has a bright idea as the song really gets going, Kennedy enjoying herself up on the stage.

“Let’s dance,’’ Denny grins and we all smile in agreement.

We all jump down to the little area that has been cleared and start to dance, singing along with Kennedy who seems more relaxed and is working the stage, making us giggle.

‘I think I wanna marry you,’ is sung and we all point to Denny, singing the words to her and she throws her head back laughing.

I grab Kayla’s hands and start swinging her around, jiggling my hips and body to the music. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had and I feel so free, so alive, and I’m having the best time of my life, finally feeling like I belong.

The song finishes and we all take our seats, laughing. I soon lose mine when I find out it’s my turn next.

“Damn it,’’ I mutter, then grab a slip and groan loudly throwing my head back. “You’ve got to be kidding me.’’

“What did you get?’’ Denny laughs.

“
Whitney Houston’s, I Will Always Love You,’’
I groan but move out of the booth and take the slip to the DJ. “Don’t suppose the mic broke before I got up here?’’

He laughs, shaking his head. I flop my head back groaning and take the stage. I send Harlow a glare but she just laughs along with the rest of the girls. I feel like I’m in the spotlight, which I guess I am, but more so wearing a hooker outfit that shows more skin than a bikini.

“Come on, Lake, work it, baby,’’ Nay shouts, making me laugh. Then I begin to sing. The song isn’t that bad at first and I don’t feel like I sound like a drowning cat. But then the song continues and the notes get higher and my voice begins to crack and get out of tune.

Just when the highest note of the song begins, I burst out laughing. Denny, Harlow, Kennedy, Kayla, Nay and Stace are all standing up, swinging their arms from side to side and screaming out the song for me.

I end up finishing the song in a fit of laughter but no one seems to care; they all seem to be having as much fun as the rest of us.

When I jump down from the stage, Nay is already making her way up, her hips jiggling from side to side as she walks.

I grin when she gives me a high five and a hip bump. “Knock um dead,’’ I laugh, carrying on to my seat.

I flop down on the seat, feeling myself becoming hotter: sweat starting to bead my forehead and the back of my neck.

“You were brilliant,’’ they all cheer when I finish downing my drink and wishing I didn’t when a sudden dizziness hits me.

I wave them off with a grin. When I realise the song Nay has picked out, I sigh. Lucky cow!

“Let’s dance,’’ Denny shouts again and we all hit the make shift dance floor and wiggle our hips to the music.

Crazy in Love by Beyonce
begins to play and we’re all shaking our hips to the beat. Nay, on stage, starts singing and she actually sounds okay. She works the stage walking back and forth like a real pop star, making us all giggle and sing along with her.

She starts full on dancing at the chorus, copying the moves that
Beyonce
does in the video. When she starts twerking, her hips twisting all the way to the floor then snapping back up with her ass in the air, we all scream. Lads start hollering and I’m pretty sure they’re having the night of their lives. They’re basically getting a free show with the way Nay is working the stage in that outfit. She looks pretty fucking awesome up there.

“Whooohoooo,’’ I shout, cheering her on, but the girl doesn’t need it. She’s got it going on.

“This night is so awesome,’’ Kayla slurs in my ear and I giggle, swinging my hips up against hers in a sexy way. Both obviously not used to the nightlife, we end up giggling, tripping over our own shadows and falling to the floor.

We both land with a loud umph but end up in a fit of laughter. It’s then I realise Nay isn’t singing anymore, the song now finished. She’s joined the other girls and is laughing down at me and Kayla.

“You said knock um dead, not over,’’ Nay laughs which makes us laugh harder. It takes them a few attempts to help us up. Finally back in our seats we all look to Stace.

“You’re next,’’ Kayla shouts, pointing a finger right in Stace’s face.

Stace laughs, knocking her hand away before picking the last slip out of the pint glass.

“Oh my God, I love this song,’’ Stace shouts squealing. She doesn’t give us chance to ask what it is, she’s out of the booth and running up on the stage, handing the DJ the slip.

When the song begins we all look at each other and grin. Jumping out of the booth, we all head back to the dance floor.

We listen, sing and dance as Stace sings
Dirty Dancing’s, Time Of My Life.
Just like Nay, she works the stage. We all laugh at her facial expressions. She’s proper getting into the song.

“I wonder what the boys are up to?’’ Kayla shouts and I smile.

“Let’s see,’’ I answer with mischief in my voice. I grab my phone and hold it up, trying to get a selfie to send to Max, but it doesn’t work. Every time I think I’ve got the picture I take a look and find the picture a complete disaster. On one, half of our faces are missing and on the other, neither of us end up in the shot at all. We both laugh at my failed attempts at photography.

“Here, I’ll take it,’’ Nay laughs, grabbing my phone. Kayla and I wrap our arms around each other, posing for the picture. Nay snaps the picture, winking when she hands me my phone back.

“We’re heading to the next club,’’ Harlow shouts, warning us to finish our drinks.

I make quick work of uploading the photo. Writing a message out, though, turns out to be a little more difficult whilst intoxicated.

Me: Having thee timeee of myyy wife. Wifi. Duck sake. Wife. No. I’m having the dime of my lifeeeeeeee.

Laughing, I send the message. “Ha, I rocked that message,’ I tell Kayla, but when I turn to face her, she’s gone.

I’d be a millionaire by now if I had a pound for every time someone has mentioned how blue I’m looking. I’ve been able to forget about my skin deficiency, but then some little fucker would bring it up making me feel small. Like a gnome.

Like now.

“Aww, you look like Papa Smurf,’’ a drunk, giggling girl snickers with her mates.

“Aww, you look like Joker from Batman,’’ I tell her dryly. Her friends all curse and call me names but I carry on walking, ignoring them. Okay, staggering, towards Bamboos.

“I think we should have skipped that last bar,’’ Myles laughs as he steadies Adam who is two sheets to the wind.

“It was Malik’s idea. Blame him,’’ I chuckle.

Malik had suggested heading into another bar while we waited for Lee’s message to say that they’ve finished. That other bar ended up being another three. Poor Mason and Lee will have to catch the fuck up when we reach them.

Rounding the corner, I see Bamboos up ahead of us. A large queue is lining up outside and I inwardly groan. Hopefully someone we know is working the door tonight because you can forget about me waiting in that line.

“There’s Mason,’’ Maverick laughs and we all look up and follow his line of direction. And there he is. Mason. His body rigid, stiff as a board. He’s giving some stocky built girl a hug. His face is scrunched up in distaste, while Lee is laughing his ass off beside him, taking a picture for evidence.

“How much are you charging tonight, bro?’’ I shout, laughing when his head snaps up and he glares over at us.

When we’re closer we all notice his cardboard cut-out is looking a little bent out of shape. His wig has disappeared, along with his fake boobs. And if I’m not mistaken, his lipstick is looking a little smudged.

“What the fuck happened to you?’’ Malik laughs, stepping closer for a better inspection.

“I’m never, and I mean, never, going to forgive you for this. I feel violated. That last girl stunk like a sewer. I’m not even going to get into how many times I’ve been groped and touched in places I didn’t give them permission to touch,’’ he whines. Taking off his cardboard cut-out he shoves it at me.

Laughing my head off, I grab the cardboard cut out and hand it over to the girl that he just accused of stinking like a sewer.

“You look like you could use a hug,’’ I wink. I wince when she smiles, her teeth looking like they’ve been brushed with a mouldy banana.

I dry heave and Mason gives me a sympathetic look like he knows what I just witnessed and how I’m feeling. Which I suppose he does. He did just get up close and personal with her.

“What’s next? Please say it involves a lot of alcohol,’’ he pleads, turning his back on banana teeth girl.

“It does,’’ Maverick laughs. “You’ve got a lot of catching up to do.’’ He gestures to Adam who looks like he’s about to pass out and we all laugh.

“But first, the next part of tonight,’’ Myles chuckles.

Mason groans, throwing his head back. “Please don’t make me wear any more stupid shit.’’

“You won’t be,’’ Myles laughs. “When I shout ‘ants’ you guys have to hit the deck, waving your arms and legs around in the air. Failure to follow through will earn you a punishment.’’

“But I can drink?’’ Mason asks, double-checking.

“You got a drinking problem, bro?’’ I ask chuckling.

“Fuck off.’’

“Elliot is on the door tonight. He’s got a new doorman working for him but he said we can go right on through,’’ Maverick adds as he holds a drunk Adam up. I follow behind for backup. There’s no guessing when Adam will lose his footing. I want to be ready with my phone to capture the epic moment.

“What the fuck? Why you lookin’ so blue? Are you tryin’ to be an Avatar?’’ Elliot, the big, burly doorman, booms. His deep laughter rumbles through the air and I tip my head back to the tall fucker and smirk.

“What the fuck? Why you looking so big? Are you trying to be The Rock?’’ I reply sarcastically. Taking my teasing in goodwill he just laughs me off, slapping me on the back.

“Easy there, tiger.
Some
might call that assault,’’ I groan, twisting my shoulders. Shit that hurt.

‘Ants,’ is shouted and I groan. I’m standing in front of two massive doormen and have a queue of people behind me and he decides to shout ‘ants’ now.

Yep. It’s official. This game sucks for me.

Making quick work of dropping to the floor, I begin waving my legs and arms around. Myles didn’t mention for us to do anything else, or for how long. So once I’ve made a show of myself, I get up acting like nothing happened.

Elliot is staring at me like I’ve lost the plot. People from the queue behind me are shouting and laughing. And when I look around Elliot I notice my brothers, Adam and Lee all laughing their heads off with their phones aimed in my direction.

“You fuckers,’’ I rumble.

“I’m the only one who can shout it,’’ Myles laughs.

“Sorry,’’ Mason grins, looking smug, and I know then it was that fucker that shouted ants.

“Payback’s a bitch,’’ I remind him; pointing my finger warningly towards him. Turning around I face the queue and give them a bow. “Thank you, Coldenshire, and goodnight,’’ I boom, earning a few more giggles and laughter.

Walking past Elliot towards the rest of the group I swear I hear him mumble about mental institutions, but I can’t be sure. Maybe he has a relative in one.

“That was fucking classic,’’ Mason roars over the loud music. He’s still laughing at my expense. Fucker.

I jump on his back, causing him to stumble. “Giddy up. It’s party time.’’

“I’ll get the drinks. You fuckers go grab that table bar over by the dance floor,’’ I shout.

The place is packed. People are huddled at the bar waiting to be served but I push my way through until I’m happily at the front. The girl next to me sends me a glare but I just wink, blowing her a kiss.

When I see one of the girls I’ve fucked before I shout her over. I can’t really remember her name. I’m pretty sure it begins with a D but it could be anything. I just don’t want to risk calling her the wrong name and not being served.

One thing I’m short of and that’s patience. I can’t stand waiting in line for anything. Even at a bank when there are more than two people in front of me, I’ll leave.

“Hey, gorgeous,’’ she purrs, leaning over the bar. Her heavy breasts squeezing together and with the small tank top she’s wearing, I get more than a good eyeful.

“Hey, Da- darling,’’ I greet smiling. I try to recall her name again, but I’m getting nothing. I just hope the whole darling thing worked. When she smiles I take that as a good sign and that she hasn’t caught on that I have no idea what her name is.

“What can I get ya, Senator?’’

I grin. “Can I get seven vodka Red Bulls, fourteen shots of whatever you have and four shots of the strongest liquor you have,’’ I wink. Mason needs to catch up but he also needs to learn the concept of revenge.

“Walk to the end of the bar,’’ she shouts over the music. Handing me my change, she picks up the tray of drinks. I nod my head, knowing the drill. Whenever they have a big order they always ask the customer to head to the end of the bar. That way the drinks won’t get spilt trying to get out of the crowd of people waiting to be served.

“Call me. I finish at three,’’ she winks, leaning in to kiss my cheek. My mouth, for once, stays shut. I’ll probably end up wearing the tray of drinks with the comebacks flying through my mind right now. Instead, I give her a tight smile and walk off. I don’t even know what I’ll be doing at three, but one thing is for certain, I know who I’d love to be doing at three and it’s most certainly not her.

“That was quick,’’ Mason comments as I place the tray down.

“That’s what Denny said about you,’’ I smart off. Clearly not amused, I carry on. “Joking. People just separated to let me through. They were lining up to serve
me,
’’ I tell him.

“Dickhead,’’ he mutters.

“Did you buy the bar?’’ Maverick shouts over the music.

“These are Mason’s,’’ I shout. Picking up the four shots the D chick poured. I hand them over to Mason with a grin on my face. “You need to catch up.’’

He nods grinning. Poor sod really does look like he needs a drink. He takes the first shot and ends up bent over coughing his lungs up.

“What the fuck is that?’’ he wheezes. I slap his back hard while trying to control my laughter.

“That, my friend, is payback. Here, take this. It will ease the burn,’’ I lie.

Not reading into my lie, Mason happily takes the shot glass from me, downing the drink quickly. His eyes shoot wide open, a look of horror crossing his face. I burst out laughing, no longer able to control it. His cheeks are puffed out like a hamster and I’m pretty sure I’ll be seeing steam shooting from his ears soon.

“Two more,’’ I shout, grinning.

“You’re an ass,’’ he growls but takes the two shots anyway. I laugh when he starts coughing again. He grabs for the glass of vodka Red Bull, downing most of it in one go.

“Bottoms up,’’ Maverick shouts, holding one of the shots up. We all follow, grabbing our own and shooting it back.

“Ants,’’ Myles laughs.

I groan, but then the seven of us are on the floor with our legs and arms flapping around. I’m pretty sure Adam was already playing Ants before we even dropped the deck, but it all happened so fast I can’t be sure.

Getting back up I begin to feel a little wheezy. It’s then I realise the gist of the game. The quick movements are guaranteed to get us pissed quicker.

“You sly dog,’’ I laugh at Myles who just salutes me with his drink, pocketing his phone. Mason and Maverick are helping Adam up, leaning him up against the post next to the dance floor.

“He’s not going to last the night,’’ I point out to anyone who is listening.

“We’ll drag him with us anyway. He can be like our mascot or something,’’ Lee grins, grabbing a pen out of his pocket.

“You carry a colouring book in there too?’’ I ask, leaning back to see.

“No,’’ he laughs. Walking over to a swaying Adam; Lee begins to draw on his face. I laugh. So cliché.

Dick move. But still funny as fuck.

Walking over to Lee, I snatch the pen from his hand, ignoring his protests. He was in the middle of drawing a moustache. It looks more like a two year old has been scribbling on his face, though, I don’t tell Lee that in fear of hurting his feelings. “What’s his number?’’ I ask Lee. He rattles it off while I copy it down on Adam’s head. ‘Call me in the morning’ is written above the number and I step back, admiring my handi work.

“He’s going to kill you,’’ Mason chuckles as I pocket the pen, hoping it will come in handy later on.

Maybe that’s why Lee had it,
I think to myself.

I shrug. Then I hear it. I jump in the air, twisting around mid jump to face the others and start going crazy.

My fucking song!

I love this tune.

“Ooooh watch me, watch me,’’ I sing and start throwing down some moves. Everyone moves out of my way as I jump up the two steps leading to the dance floor.

Everyone cheers me on and I grin, busting another move as the song continues.

Myles and Lee join me, showing off their own skills, but Mason and Maverick watch on laughing. They move their bodies every so often but, apart from that, the two look like two stiff robots.

Dorks.

Adam. Poor Adam. He’s standing against the pole, nodding his head with heavy, jerky movements. Every so often I’ll see him try to move his arms in the air, but it doesn’t happen for the poor lad.

Bless him, he does soldier on.

The song finishes and a girly song comes on but it doesn’t stop me. Helping me, Lee and Myles grab Mason onto the dance floor. I try to grab Maverick but the ‘fuck off’ look he gives me has me dancing backwards, hands in the air, back to the others.

Back in the group huddle, I start jumping around Mason shaking my chest as Jessie J and Ariana start talking about banging some chick. Drunk, and feeling stupid, I keep pretending to shake my tits at him. He shakes his head amused. But then hands Maverick his drink to hold and starts shaking his ass.

“Whooo, Clitoris Love-Bandit is getting married next month,’’ I shout over the crowd.

“Two months,’’ Mason laughs, correcting me.

“And you’re having your stag now?’’ Lee asks laughing.

“We didn’t want hangovers on our wedding day,’’ Mason shouts back, then starts twerking like a fool.

Laughing hard, I copy, bouncing my way around our small group. A few girls try to join in by acting like retards. It’s like they’re thinking if they can dance like us they’ll be accepted, but it doesn’t work like that. You have to be a special kind of retard to join our huddle, they just look like crazy clowns on drugs.

Listening to hollers around us, I look up and notice we’ve formed a nice crowd. None of us seem to care. Even Maverick has joined us. He’s not exactly busting any moves but at least he’s not robotically moving his shoulders from side to side anymore.