Enemy Beloved

39 | party disaster

trigger warning: drug usage and sexual assault; please read at your own discretion.

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C L A I R E

I can't imagine living without you — bloody liar!

The music blares through the speakers as The Devils sing their latest single. Rock' n roll is what they are generally known for, although tonight they have peeled off a layer or two with some pop. They are a group of four guys with their signature long hair and tattoos. The lead vocalist is a handsome man with a nice trimmed beard and an enchanting voice. The bar is packed with people, more entering by each minute.

The scent of sweat and drinks mix in the air, making me scrunch my nose when people bump into me on their way to get a closer look at the band. The bar counter has men and women ordering drinks and some teenagers showing their fake IDs to get hooked up on alcohol. Their antics frustrate the bartender and he mutters curses under his breath, making me throw him a glance of sympathy.

Rose swings her hips in the crowd. She is dressed in a midnight blue dress, her hair tied in a high bun on top of her head. The guitarist in the band has his eyes on her. His gaze is lustful as he watches her while playing his instrument.

"What do you think, Jake? Will she take him?"

Jake Gallagher's eyes snap toward me at my question. He looks completely out of place in his black suit and professional get-up. He has been shaking his legs for minutes now, knocking on the table every time and apologizing to the bartender.

"Huh...I don't know..." he comments, looking at Rose. The latter must have followed his gaze because she quickly starts stalking toward us, swinging her hips all the way.

"Hey, Jake...come dance with me."

She grabs hold of his hands and tries to pull him off the stool. I watch them curiously. Rose laughs and bats her eyelashes at him but he seems to tense under her touch.

"Forgive me, Miss Jackson," he says, letting her loosen his grip on him. "But I'm under strict orders to only look after you and not do anything else."

Rose rolls her eyes at his comment. "Damn...you're just like David. Does my brother drain the life out of all of you?"

Jake is about to say something when his eyes suddenly fall behind Rose and he blinks. I turn around and find Nina and Jesse rushing towards us. I have to take a second look as their appearance takes me by surprise.

I had no idea they would be here too. They are both wearing short dresses and an awful lot of makeup, blending in with the crowd perfectly. I take a glance at my own dress as Nina approaches me — a black mini skirt and crop top, paired with my favorite boots. I have put on a lot of makeup too but my reason was to cover those hideous scars on my face. They seem to be darkening every day.

"Oh, my God...Claire! You're here too?" Nina pulls me into a hug, screaming at the top of her voice. When she pulls away, her eyes fall on Jake and Rose.

"Yeah, Rose got us tickets," I say, pointing towards Rose who mutters something to Nina, and then point towards Jake who has his eyes on the floor. "And this is Jake, Vaughn's PA and our bodyguard for tonight."

"Oh, hey," Nina and Jesse both greet my company in unison.

Jake gets up from his seat as Nina takes a step towards him and gestures his hand towards the stool, asking her to take his place. She smiles as she gets on the stool.

"Thanks, Jake."

Jake rubs a hand on the nape of his neck, the disco lights above hiding his blush.

"By the way, I texted Noah too," Nina tells me, shifting her body so that she is facing me. "He won't be able to come though."