Summary: A night out for Robby's birthday. Everyone's drinking, having fun....what could go wrong?
TW: Cussing? Nothing crazy yet.
Word Count: 3.9K.....I went a little crazy
note: I am SO SORRY it has taken me this long. I just kept writing. This is a LONG ONE. And then got distracted with Shawns new movie coming out....but I hope you enjoy! I need a rough read through but if you notice any mistakes let me know.
By the time you make it to Whitaker and Santos’s house, the music is so loud you can feel it from your car. Bass bumping through your chest, rattling the windows. They’ve definitely already started pre-gaming.
You kill the engine, stepping out into the night air. You’re already feeling the music, dancing around to it. Swaying your hips, head tipped back while laughing.
Headlights sweep across you from behind.
You glance over your shoulder, already smiling when you see Shen climbing out of his car. He’s got a case of beer tucked under his arm. He hasn’t even shut his door before he’s moving along to the beat, looking over at you.
You turn to him, walking backwards the rest of the way up the driveway. “Look who decided to show up.”
Shen lets out a laugh, walking up to catch up to you. “I’m on time. You just had a head start.”
You roll your eyes with a smile. “Please, if you can’t keep up with me, just say that.”
“Is that a challenge?” He starts pulling out moves.
You laugh, joining him. Turning it into a dance battle in the middle of their driveway. You’re both off-beat, dumb moves, very embarrassing if anyone else saw.
The front door flies open. Santos leans against the frame, a drink in her hand. She watches you two like she doesn’t know if she should cheer you both on and shut the door again. Behind her, Whitaker is already dancing. Probably already having a small buzz since he never drinks.
“Come on you two, we’ve got to get moving if we don’t want to be late.” She turns back around to go back inside.
You roll your eyes with a laugh, following her in, Shen right behind you.
They have some 2000’s hits playing as Whitaker comes around the corner of the hallway, pulling on his shirt. “How’s this one?” He holds his arms out and turns.
Santos lets out a long sigh, “It looks fine, just like the other 3 you’ve put on.”
You let out a laugh, walking past him down the hallway. You slip into the bathroom, catching your reflection in the mirror. Hair slightly messy from the drive, face flushed from laughing. You run your fingers through your hair, fluffing the curls that remain from earlier. Reapply a little lip gloss and adjust your top.
You adjust your top in the mirror—sheer black fabric stretching across your arms, the bralette underneath just visible enough to make it intentional. Paired with your favorite ripped jeans and worn-in Vans, it’s simple. Easy. But it works.
Santos squeezes in beside you, quickly checking her own reflection, “We look good,” she says with a grin, touching up her mascara.
“I know,” you reply with a laugh, dancing along to the music.
Shen appears in the doorway, leaning against the frame behind you, “You two done or are we going to be late on purpose?”
You glance over your head in the mirror at him, he’s checking himself out.
“Look who’s talking.” you turn around to give him a shove out the door.
He laughs, heading back down the hallway. “Okay, let’s go guys.”
You all head to his car, jumping in the passenger seat before one of the other two could claim it. As you make your way to the bar, Shen puts on some music, rolling the windows down. You stick your hand out, catching the wind as you laugh at something Santos said. Her and Whitaker are already bickering about something. Shen just shakes his head, laughing along, tapping his fingers against the wheel while he sings to the music.
As you guys pull into the parking lot, all four of you are singing your hearts out, wind in your hair. Shen pulls into a spot, the music still going for a second longer before he finally cuts the engine. You’re all still giddy from the drive, laughter lingering as you each step out of the car.
You glance toward the bar, spotting a small group gathered along the side of the building.
You spot Princess and Perlah already whispering about something like they’re planning some drama. Dana and Robby having a conversation. Then Robby moves as he talks, and you spot him. He's leaning against the side of the building, talking to Robby.
Shen starts heading over, calling out to Robby. You, Whitaker and Santos follow behind him., You walk straight into the crowd just as Robby turns toward you.
You step in and give him a quick hug. “Happy birthday old man,” you laugh.
He laughs as he hugs you back quickly, “That’s just mean.”
Pulling away you put yourself beside him and Jack. The group continues their conversation as you look over at Jack.
Crossing your arms over your chest, a smirk rises on your lips. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
He rolls his eyes but you notice the edge of his lips tip up. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
Dana claps her hands to get everyone’s attention, “Okay party people, let’s move this inside.”
Everyone starts moving towards the door, making it very crowded. Just as everyone starts crowding in a little too close, you feel a hand on your back. You already know who it is. It’s become second nature. You instantly feel at ease. Jack helps guide you in until you all reach the bar.
The music is bumping. It’s not overly packed, but enough to make it hard to hear someone right next to you. You find an opening at the bar next to Santos, Jack coming in just behind you. His hand lands on your waist, the other resting on the bartop.
Everyone is ordering their drinks. You lean over to him, raising your voice. “What are you getting?”
He leans down enough to hear you. Shrugging his shoulders, he straightens slightly. “Probably just a beer, you?”
“Make it two!” You grin up at him, already feeling the music effect your body.
He orders for you both, handing you the beer and leading you away from the bar towards the group. Dana is already walking up to a cluster of high-top tables.
Whitaker and Santos claim one, placing their drinks on it. You break off from Jack to join them.
He makes his way to the one beside you, dropping into the seat across from Robby and Dana. He keeps an eye on you, making sure you’re good.
As Whitaker explains something dramatically to you, Shen, and Santos, the opening of No Hands cuts through the noise. You’re already standing. “We’ve got to get out there.”
You grab Shen by the wrist, tugging him toward the dance floor, already laughing. “You guys are coming too!” you call back over your shoulder.
Whitaker points at himself like he needs confirmation.
The second you hit the dance floor, it’s chaos.
Bad dancing, laughter filling the air. Shen trying to act like he’s not into it and then immediately giving in. Santos pretending she’s too cool for it while fully dancing. You and Whitaker having a full on dance battle.
Back at the tables, Jack is watching. Leaning back in his chair, hand not holding onto his beer resting on the table. He’s keeping up a conversation with Robby and Dana, casually glancing back out to the floor where you are.
After a few songs worth of singing and dancing, you feel it. The alcohol settling and the heat of the room catching up to you.
You grab Santos’s arm, steading yourself. “I need a break,” you laugh.
“Thank god, I’m about to pass out.”
Your group heads back to your table, weaving through the crowd that has slowly gotten thicker over the last thirty minutes. As you approach the table, you squeeze by Jack, placing a hand on his shoulder to steady you.
He glances up as you pass, giving a look as if asking are you good?
You give him a nod, removing your hand and settling into your seat. Taking a moment to cool down and catch your breath. Your skin is warm, hair sticking to your face slightly. Smile plastered to your face.
You're halfway listening to Whitaker tell another story, Shen and Santos laughing from either side of you. A laugh spills out of you as you tilt your head back.
Suddenly, Dana’s voice cuts through the air. “Alright everybody, birthday shots!”
You glance over at the other table, seeing her set down a huge tray of shots in front of Robby. Santos is already out of her chair, grabbing you and Whitaker. You walk up to their table, scooting in beside Jack. He shifts slightly to make room for you.
Dana starts passing out the shots, Jack holds his hand up to pass, how responsible of him.
One gets placed in your hand. You glance at the shot then over at Jack. You lean in close enough for him to hear you, “What is it?”
He glances down at your shot, then back at you shrugging his shoulders, “No clue, but it sounds like bad decisions.”
Robby raises his glass. “To another year of surviving this place, and all of you idiots!”
Everyone cheers, raising their glasses. You follow, throwing back your shot. The burn is instant. You reach out, grabbing Jack's forearm he has resting on the table for support.
His muscles tense under your touch. And for a second you notice.
You lean into him slightly as you laugh, squeezing your eyes shut for a second. “That shit is rough.” You cough, laughing again.
Beside you, Jack doesn’t pull away. The arm next to you comes up to your waist, steadying you as you start to sway. He grabs the chair from your table, bringing it up behind you to let you sit.
You carry on, not thinking anything else of it. Letting go of his arm. Staying close.
He leans back in his chair, relaxing a bit as the conversation flows between everyone at the table. His arm finds the back of your chair. Natural. Comfortable.
The music changes. The beginning notes catch your attention before you even register it. You’re already standing, a grin spreading across your face.
You grab Jack’s arm again, shaking it softly. “Come on, you have to come dance.”
He barely moves, looking up at you with an amused expression. “Absolutely not.”
You narrow your eyes at him, “Jack-”
He places his other hand on your wrist, stopping the shaking you’re doing. Not rough. Just enough pressure to stop you.
He glances toward Shen on the other side of you, “Take him, he’s more your speed.”
Shen steps closer, throwing his hands up with a laugh, “Oh, we’re just volunteering people now?”
You let out a laugh, grabbing Shen’s wrist. Already dragging him to the dance floor. “Let’s go!”
You don’t look back, but Jack watches you go. A smile growing on his face.
On the dance floor, you let the music move you. Dancing along with Shen. Whitaker and Santos joining.
You're laughing at Whitaker's awful moves when you glance back at the table. Not intentionally, just on instinct. Your eyes land on Jack. Except, he’s already looking at you.
As you hold eye contact for a second, your chest tightens. Strange. Different.
You look away first. Laughing it off as you jump back into the chaos of your friends. Ignoring whatever that feeling was.
Back at the table, Jack blows out a breath. Leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. He shakes his head, trying to focus on the conversation at the table. On anything else. But his eyes keep drifting back to you.
A couple songs later, the music feels louder. The space of the dance floor feels smaller as the crowd grows.
You're still having fun. A little breathless. Hair sticking to your neck as the heat gets you again.
Shen and Whitaker have resulted in spinning each other. Leaving you and Santos bursting out laughing as you watch.
Back at the table, Jack stands. Looking at Robby with a nod to the bar. “Water. Need anything?”
Robby shakes his head, turning back to the conversation he’s having with Frank and Dana.
He moves away from the table. Moving between people to make it to the bar. He leans against the bar as he waits for his water, glancing out at the floor where you are.
Across the room, the door opens.
Brendon Park and two of his buddies walk in. He surveys the room, eyes drifting over the dance floor before landing on the table Robby is at. Making his way over to the table, he gives Robby a nod. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Robby nods, looking away from him shrugging, “Last minute thing.”
Jack finally gets his water at the bar, turning to make his way back through the crowd. He passes by your group out on the dance floor.
Coming up behind you, his hand settles on your waist as he leans down just enough for you to hear him. “Doing okay?”
You lean into him, a little more than usual in your state. You glance up at him a grin, “Yeah…getting worn out,” you laugh.
He shakes his head, a small grin pulling at his mouth. His hand lingers just a moment before he pats your hip lightly. “Take a break,” he steps past you as he heads to the table.
Back at the table, Park finishes his conversation with Robby. His attention has shifted to the dance floor. To you. The way you’re leaning into Jack like second nature. He files it away as he walks to his own table.
The song you guys were dancing to merges into another before you finally give in. “I need water,” You fan yourself.
Everyone nods in agreement and your group heads off towards the bar together, weaving through the crowd.
Whitaker breaks off to go to the bathroom, Shen gets caught up talking to someone he knows, Santos runs off to the other side, trying to flag down the bartender.
Before you know it. You’re standing at the bar alone.
You lean against it, catching your breath as you wait for the bartender to come back around.
Then, a body slides in the space beside you.
You glance over and realize who it is. Park. He’s leaning against the bar like he owns it. Gaze dragging over you once. Slow, cocky.
You straighten instantly, looking back as the bartender approaches, “Water please,”
You turn slightly to look at him, “That’s the whole point right?”
He hums, smirk tugging at his mouth. “Yeah, but with them?”
He glances over to where Whitaker and Shen have made it back to the tables where Jack and Robby are. “Especially the one who likes to hover.”
“Yes,” you say simply, irritation rising in you. You feel the heat rising up your neck.
The bartender sets the water down in front of you. You grab it, taking a sip to cool down.
He leans in closer, “Well if you wanted a better time-.”
You glance over at him, eyes narrowing, “I don’t.” You turn and walk away. Eyes drifting towards the tables as you weave through the crowd.
Jack notices you coming back. He can already tell something is off.
You slip back into your seat without saying much. Trying to avoid eye contact with everyone as you calm down.
Jack is already sliding your chair over closer to him. Talking loud enough for only you to hear. “Everything okay?”
You nod, taking another sip of your water, “Yeah, just got too hot.”
He studies you for a moment, longer than necessary. Then nods. Letting it go for now.
Slowly, conversations start picking back up. Santos joined the group at the table. Whitaker starts a debate with Robby. Shen leaning against the table with a tired laugh.
You feel the anger begin to melt off of you. Settling back into yourself.
Jack’s arm finds the back of your chair at some point, you don’t think anything of it.
By the time it’s getting close to one, everyone has started slowing down. The energy of the room starting to die down.
You’re all still sitting at the table. Conversations growing softer. Tired now. Everyone starts making their plans to leave. Shen was supposed to drive your group back but now that all 4 of you are drunk, an uber is a better option.
Just as he puts in the request, you see a figure walking up to your table.
Park. Again. This time with a slight sway in his steps.
“God, you all really don’t know when to call it a night.”
Everyone goes quiet. Whitaker huffs out a breath.
Park’s eyes flick to him immediately. He walks over, gripping his shoulder with one hand. “You look like you’re about to pass out. Can’t handle your liquor?”
You roll your eyes, sighing, “Go home, no one cares Park.”
His eyes flick to you. “I’ve had a good time watching you tonight, made it easy for me.”
You glare at him, feeling the anger rise in you.
His eyes shift to Jack sitting next to you, arm still splayed over the back of your chair.
“Does he ever let you out of his sight? I wouldn’t blame him.” A smirk settles on his face “You’re wasting your time with him, you need a real man to take care of you.”
Before you realize what you’re doing, you’re moving. Rounding the table quickly. Standing in front of him now. You shove him. Hard.
Robby and Shen are already leaning up like they’re ready to step in. Santos and Whitaker are frozen. Jack is already standing, starting to make his way to you.
Park laughs at your shove.
Your hand connects with his face before the laugh fully escapes him. The echo of it fills the area, cutting through the music.
Everything pauses for half a second. No one moves.
Then everything is happening at once.
Park’s head snaps to the side, he brings a hand up to his jaw. More shocked than anything.
Robby and Shen jump up. Putting space between you and Park. Preventing anything else from happening.
You’re standing there. Chest rising and falling rapidly. Adrenaline buzzing through you.
Then a hand is at your waist and you’re in the air. Lifted off the ground.
“Hey-” you start, protesting. You look over your shoulder and see Jack.
“Not here, you need air.” His voice is low and controlled.
You don’t argue with him.
The night air hits you as the door swings open at the front of the bar. Cold to your hot skin.
He sets you down. Keeping his hands on your shoulders for a moment to steady you. Then you’re pacing. Back and forth, running your fingers through your hair.
“Did you hear that shit?” you snap, “Like he thinks he can just say whatever he wants- just gets to stand there and-” you cut yourself with a loud groan. Shaking your head.
“He doesn’t know a damn thing,” your words are flying out fast now, “He doesn’t get to talk about them like that. Or me. Especially you.” You stop pacing. Looking at the door with fire in your eyes. “God I can’t stand him, he’s such a-”
You launch yourself back to the door. Jack catches you. Both hands on your waist, stopping you. “Hey.”
You ignore him, trying to get out of his grip.
“Hey, look at me,” he repeats himself, a little louder.
Your eyes finally snap up to his.
You stare at him for a moment. Then your shoulders drop slightly. You let out a shaky breath.
“He pissed me off,” you mutter quietly.
“I noticed,” he says dryly.
You huff out a laugh, looking over at the door again.
Neither of you moves for a moment, but Jack continues to watch you. Studying you.
You finally look back at him. Really look at him. That stupid tightness happening again.
“He doesn’t get to talk about you like that,” you say softly, shaking your head, “He doesn’t get to act like you’re……like you’re nothing.”
Jack watches you, something softening in his expression. Something he doesn’t know what to do with yet.
The door opens behind you as the rest of the group spills out. Voices loud as everyone regroups. Robby making sure everyone is getting home safely, Shen letting Whitaker and Santos know the uber will be pulling up soon.
Everything is suddenly too loud, too much. You take a step back.
Jack notices. “You good?” he asks quietly.
You nod, “Yeah,” but you're continuing to move back, away from all the noise. You cross your arms over your chest, “Just don’t feel like dealing with all that right now.”
He nods, “I’ll take you home.”
You blink up at him, “Jack, you don’t have to do-”
“I know,” he cuts in, “I want to.”
You glance at the group, then back at him. “Okay,” you say quietly.
You let Shen know and then Jack is leading you to his truck. Hand resting on your back as he guides you.
The night air is quieter now. The adrenaline is slowly melting off you. You shiver.
Jack notices, of course he does.
As you make it to the truck, he opens the door to the back seat, pulling out a hoodie. He hands it to you.
You take it and slip it on. It’s warm. It smells like him. “Thanks,” you mutter,
He nods, opening the passenger door for you, before walking around to the driver's side.
As he starts the truck, neither of you say anything. You stare out the windshield as you tuck your hands into the sleeve of his hoodie.
“I’m sorry for everything back there, you shouldn’t have to deal with that,” you say quietly.
“Don’t apologize,” he glances over at you briefly before pulling out of the parking lot, “That wasn’t on you. He got what he deserved.”
“It did feel pretty good,” you huff out a laugh, “he doesn’t get to say things about you like that.”
His grip on the steering wheel tightens slightly.
You shift in the seat just enough to look at him, “You’re a good person Jack. Like…a really good person.”
You pause, “And you care and you're…" you hesitate, “...he’s just an idiot.” you shake your head.
He doesn’t say anything for a moment. Trying to wrap his head around everything.
“Yeah,” he says finally, “I’ve gathered.”
You smile, looking back out the window.
The truck pulls up to the front of your house. He cuts the engine. You both sit there for a moment.
Then you reach for the handle, opening the door. You slip off the seat, landing on your feet outside the truck.
Jack is already around the front, next to you.
“Thanks for the ride,” you say softly.
He nods, following your lead up to the steps towards your front door.
At the top, you turn back towards him.
Neither of you say anything. But something is there.
He hesitates, as if he’s going to say something. Letting out a breath, “Get some sleep, text me in the morning so I know you're alive.” he mutters. A small grin forming on his face.
You nod, grinning back. “You too, let me know when you get home.”
He steps back, then turns to walk back to his truck.
