Mates Next Door

Frost Bite

~ASTRA~

Flynn had gone from being utterly clingy and possessive to outright cold and it baffled me how he could be one person one moment and the other the next moment.

I remember being worried about how he was suddenly treating me nicely and somehow, I was right.

I hated being swung like a pendulum and he was doing just that. Coupled with the slight embarrassment that came with him helping me, all I wanted to do was return to my room and sleep off to music or a book. Anything to get my mind off the fact that he had left me at the counter, all alone, while he went up to the VVIP section to attend to whatever it was he had to attend to.

I couldn't even go home now if I wanted to. It would look odd to be leaving the club less than an hour before you came, so I remained seated on the bar stool and distracted myself with the colorful drinks lined on the shelves and the bartender serving drinks.

"What would you like to have, miss?"

I looked up to find the bartender staring at me, a smile on his face. Sitting up and brushing my hair behind my ear, I smiled in return. "What do you think I am going to like?"

Thankfully, there was no one else but me here. So I didn't feel comfortable that I was taking all his time.

He stroked his chin and glanced back at his array of drinks before turning to look at me.

"So, I am about to make a creamy, strong cocktail for you. It's made with blue curaçao, crème dey cacao, cream and tequila."

"Sounds quite chaotic," I chuckled and added. "Exotically chaotic."

He chuckled and picked up a cocktail shaker with perfect fluidity. "Sit back and wait while I make this masterpiece."

"You sure have a lot of confidence in your craft," I muttered under my breath before turning my attention from him, towards the VVIP section up there.

There was a party down here; strobe lights, drunken clubbers dancing and looking for a hot night date and overwhelmingly loud music which my ears got accustomed to in no time.

I searched the semi bright areas for Flynn, wondering why he was taking so long. But I didn't even get a glimpse of him at all.

I was starting to feel grossly uncomfortable and annoyed by just sitting here and feeling all alone. This wasn't what I signed up for. Flynn didn't watch me change into over ten dresses just to leave me here, seated and all alone. I couldn't handle it.

"And here..." The bartender pushed a glass cup, filled with blue, creamy liquid towards me. "Is your glass of frostbite."

I turned to him with a soft smile on my face. My shoulders lifted slightly at the sight before me and I looked up at him, into his bright, beautiful eyes and wondered if doing something stupid right now would bring Flynn down here.

Kissing a bartender wasn't an option so I snapped out of that stupid thought.

"Thank you," I grinned quite too widely and picked the cold drink between my hand, cradling it before I pressed the brim against my lips.

I was immediately hit by the strong taste of this cocktail. It had a creamy, velvety taste against my tongue and it was cold and slightly sweet but the sourness overshadowed it, immediately leaving me light headed.

"Wow," I placed the cup on the counter and looked up at him. I could see the look of expectancy on his face. He was waiting for my feedback. "This is amazing. I mean, I'm not a fan of alcohol but now, I want to get other cocktails you might have in mind."

"Just one night isn't enough to have a taste of them all," He replied, moving towards a new customer. "You should come by from time to time and I promise to make you different cocktails."

While he spoke, my eyes darted across the room to see familiar faces walking into the club. Valerie's glossy brunette hair and Ryder's dirty blond and spiky hair raised an alarm in my head.

First and foremost, what the hell were they doing here at the same time as me? Did Flynn by any chance, invite them?

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my eyes following them as they pushed past dancers.

Valerie had a pair of jean shorts and a crop top on and the boots she wore made her taller than usual. Standing beside Ryder who had a rugged biker fit on, made them look like supermodels who were just stepping out of a shoot.

I slowly picked up my glass and took soft sips, watching as they headed towards the steps that led to the VVIP section.

It didn't occur to me that I could have gone in with them to search for Flynn until they were halfway up the steps.

Pushing to my feet, I turned to the bartender and slipped a twenty dollar bill towards him, not minding if I overpaid him. He could use that as a tip.

I hurried after the couple, pushing past people and throwing apologies here and there and by the time I got to the staircase, Valerie and Ryder already slipped past the bouncers with no restriction at all.

I thought about turning back, but I could just tell them I came with my friends and get an easy entrance.

Well, it didn't turn out quite as much as I thought it would, because they stood in the way just as I tried to push past them.

"You have to show us a VVIP card, ma'am." The first bouncer said, giving me a once over.

"A VVIP card?" I scratched my head, acting oblivious. "I actually came with my friends and they just got in. You can ask them."

"It doesn't work like that." The second bouncer replied. "Show us a card or go back to the main club."

That was harsh.

A few clubbers pushed past me and all they had to do was shake hands with the bouncers before they were allowed in. Totally unfair.

"Why do they get to walk in without a card?" I asked.

"Because you're not a face we know."

"Wow," I chucked and looked up to see if I would find anyone I know.

Flynn appeared out of the dark and tm eyes flew wide in anticipation, hoping he would look my way. But he didn't.

My shoulders sagged in disappointment and I decided that walking away right now was better than being carried off by these bouncers. That would draw more attention to me and I wasn't ready to be the face of a meme for the next few weeks.

And just as I turned to leave, I heard Ryder's familiar voice.

"Let her in."