We were in hell.

No, really, we were.

I had never seen a place with so much red in it, smelt a place so funky, or felt a place hotter.

I could feel my brow starting to sweat, and also, my hair starting to frizz. No place could get worse than this.

As with every other club I have been to in my life, this one was lackluster to say the least. It was some hole in the wall bar with a rinky dink stage in the middle being played by a band no one had ever heard of, the floors were sticky and the glasses the drinks were served in were suspiciously besmirched.

It was safe to say that I would not be drinking anything from this bar. It disgusted me to even sit down on the chairs that were in here.

"Carla...this is the place that you rave about all the time?" I asked

Everyone but Carla had looks of uncertainty on their faces. And neat freak Jack looked ready to jump out of his skin as he started scratching.

"Is it itchy in here or is it just me?"

"Yes! This place has the best margarita's I have ever tasted. It looks dirty but come on, it builds character!"

"The only thing this place builds is your immune system, I am out!" Jack said, practically sprinting towards the exit

We still looked at her like she was crazy and all unanimously headed towards the exit, following Jack's lead.

"Oh come on guys!" Carla yelled behind us

"We're good." We called in unison

We all walked outside, thankful to be breathing fresh air and feeling cold air on our faces.

"Five more minutes in there and I would've either passed out from the heat or that God awful smell." Jonathan said

"Ditto. Come on guys, we came out tonight to party, and I think we should actually find a club that will let us have fun." I replied

"But where are we going to go? The only jumping club near here is club Caged and you know that's out of the question." Jack piped up

"Hey I got it!" Evan suddenly exclaimed

"What?"

"NightLyfe is a new club that just opened downtown. We could try to go there if you guys want."

"I'll go anywhere that isn't here. Let's go." Johnathan said

"Awh you guys are no fun. Fine, let's go check this out." Carla said, no doubt disappointed

We all piled into our cars and followed Evan towards the location. Eerily, a sense of something came over me and I started feeling weird....in a good way. Almost as if my body knew something good...or bad was going to happen tonight.

I didn't know which would, so I guess it was best to keep on high alert.

After we had gotten there, we all parked in a nearby parking garage and then walked back towards the club. It was a warm but breezy late August night and it felt really nice.

Honestly, I had grown tired of going to countless clubs, but it seemed the only way that any of us could even hang out anymore. With Evan always fighting fires, Jack trying to get his Masters in business, Amber literally jetting off to other continents for weeks on end, and Ellie in the Dominican Republic...things were changing and changing fast. I had never told any of them this, but I was always afraid of being alone. It felt nice to come home and see their smiling faces, having stupid fights with one another, and just being a family. And even though I knew we technically always would be family, it wouldn't be the same without us all under the same roof.

When we walked into the club, it was the same as the rest: gyrating, sweaty bodies, pounding music, ear splitting chatter, and of course drunk people that could barely walk.

Ah, this was the life.

"Alright, I'm going to go get a drink." I yelled at the others

"I'll come with." Carla yelled back

We all went our separate ways and I headed for the bar.

"What can I get you lovely ladies?" The bartender asked

"Well I'll have a margarita. And your number maybe?" Carla boldly asked

"Well...I'm flattered but I have a girlfriend. But I can get you that drink though. What about you?" He asked me

"The strongest drink you got."

He left momentarily and came back with a black Russian cocktail for me and Carla's martini.

"Enjoy ladies." He said, going to the next customer.

And enjoy I did...about twice actually. I was shockingly only buzzed when I finished my second drink. For something that was supposed to be strong, this didn't really pack a punch.

"Hey I'm going to the bathroom, be right back." Carla told me

"Okay, I'll be here."

I drank a little more of my drink when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned around and saw a guy who looked like he would fall at any second, he was even swaying while standing still.

"Hello." I said cautiously

"You know, you are very beautiful." He slurred

"Thank you, that's really nice of you."

He walked up a bit too close to me and draped his arm around my shoulders. I smelled the alcohol on his breath and wrinkled my nose.

"Why don't we take this party to the bathroom huh? I'm sure a lady as yourself would like that."

He smiled cheesily and it made my skin crawl. I really wish he'd just go away. Like was this guy really serious? 

"1st of all, I have a man. And secondly, I wouldn't fuck you if you paid me!" I said, pushing his arm of of me and stepping back

Of course, he got pissed and it made me roll my eyes in annoyance. I really didn't have time for this.

"You don't have to be a bitch!"

"What do you expect when you come up to some random ass girl and ask for toilet sex? Are you seriously that pathetic that you can't get any without trying to hit up some random girl in a club?!"

"Watch your mouth, bitch!"

"I'm not interested, now get the fuck away from me." I scoffed, attempting to walk off.

He stepped in front of me blocking my path.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! You don't get to disrespect me, and you owe me an apology."

"I don't owe you shitI!"

I attempted to walk away again when he gripped my arm. 

"Get off of me!"

I felt his grip tighten and I smacked him. His grip loosened and he stumbled, falling on his ass.

"You shouldn't have done that!" He yelled from the floor

It was amazing that no one seemed to notice this shit. Well, at least I had my taser. And just as I was about to fish it out of my clutch, I felt a presence behind me and heard a cool yet hard voice.

"I think my girl said that she is not interested. Now why don't you get out of here before I kick your ass?"

"Whatever man." He muttered, leaving

"Thank you so much for that." I said in awe, turning around

And to my surprise, Josh was standing there.

"You're welcome. You alright?" He asked me

"Yeah. Just a bit shaken up. Seriously, thank you."

"No problem. I hate to see a lady being harassed by some creep. You here with anyone?" He asked me

"Just some friends. I think they're dancing."

"Oh okay. You sure you're alright?"

"Yeah. Thanks Josh."

"No problem."

And then he disappeared into the dancing bodies. I quickly went to find my friends before that creep came back. When I finally did find them, they were still on the dance floor, oblivious to what I had gone through. I was no longer in the mood to dance, so I went outside to catch some fresh air. This whole night was bust and honestly, all I wanted to do was go home and get under the covers.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I suddenly heard

I jumped slightly and looked over to see Josh joining me.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Look that jerk is gone, he won't be bothering you anymore."

"I appreciate your help. There's not many guys like you around anymore."

"Guys like me?"

"You know, who actually step in to help a woman being harassed. No one even looked my way, and those who did pretended nothing happened."

"I always help a lady. I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Again, thank you." I smiled

"You know...this is my second time saving you,I think that garners a date, don't you think?" He asked, brow raised.

"And here I thought you just wanted to be a nice guy." 

"I never said I was nice, but I do the right thing."

That made me ponder a little, but I quickly glossed over it. 

"Hm, I guess you aren't if you have to get a date out of me like this." I teased

"You certainly have a mouth on you." He smirked

"Brandi Montenegro, nice to meet you." I said sardonically, reaching out my hand.

He looked confused for a second and slowly started to smile.

"Josh Calavetti, nice to meet you."

We shook hands and I stepped back. 

"With me this is what you get and more. Think you could handle that?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

He chuckled and shook his head.

"Oh trust me beautiful, I definitely can. How about I pick you up tomorrow at eight?"

"Eight it is. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go find my friends."

"Let me get your number first."

We switched phones and put our numbers in each others phones, and then switched back.

"You gonna be alright? Want me to make sure you get back to your friends?"

"I'll be fine. The guy is gone anyway right?"

"Yeah, I made sure security kicked his sorry ass out, he won't be back."

"Then I should be fine, thanks again by the way."

"No problem, I'll see you tomorrow right?" He asked

"You'll see me. Bye Josh."

I turned away from him and walked back into the club, heart pounding, finding Carla first.

"Hey, where have you been, I was worried something happened to you!" She yelled over the loud music.

"I was just outside, I needed some air. But I honestly want to go home, I'm not feeling well."

"I can go find the others if you want."

"I can take her." I heard yelled from behind me

It of course was Josh.

"Wait, who are you? I'm not letting my girl go home with some random guy!"

"It's cool Carla, I know him. Remember, he's the guy that came into the restaurant the other nigh.t"

She looked towards me, then at him, and then back at me.

"You sure about this Brandi?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Carla eyed Josh once more before finally relenting.

"Well no wonder I could never get his number, seems you beat me to it. Very sneaky Brandi." Sme smiled

"I had nothing to do with it, I swear."

"Uh huh, sure. Well Alright chica, call me when you get home, alright? I'll tell everyone that you left."

"Alright, see ya Carla."

She waved and disappeared into the crowd. Josh grabbed my hand and started leading me out of the club towards the back of it. I noticed that we were heading to the restricted area mostly for employees.

"Wait, is it okay to even be back here?" I asked in my normal voice, once the music and voices started to fade

"Yes. My car is in the back, come on."

"Wait, is this the club you mentioned owning?"

"Yes, it is."

We reached his car, which was a freaking Tesla, and he opened the door for me. I thanked him and got in. He got in after I did and clicked the push to start button.

"You must do very well for yourself to have a Tesla of all things."

"Eh, I do alright. Not the one to brag about my accomplishments." He commented as he pulled away from the parking space.

"I really appreciate you taking me home, you didn't have to do that."

"It's no problem. I don't mind being superman."

"Whatever." I laughed

He asked me the directions to my apartment and started going into the direction I told him.

"So, how many clubs do you own?"

"About six now. I co own three and I am sole proprietor of three others."

"Wow, that's impressive. You don't even look that old."

"Well, how old do you think I am?"

"I'm guessing late twenties, early thirties?"

"I'm 27."

"Even more impressive."

"What about you?"

"Well I don't own any clubs, but, I'd like to own my own restaurant one day."

"Really? I think that's a good aspiration to have."

"Well it won't be as impressive as what you've accomplished, but it'll be mine."

"I admire that. You seem like a hard working lady and I know your dreams will come true. Where do you want your restaurant to be?"

He parked in my apartment complex and looked towards me expectantly.

"The upscale part of town. But, I also want to buy out the owner and not have a lease, so I may start out in another area and build my way up."

"Have you saved up any money?"

"Yeah, quite a bit. But still trying to reach my goal."

"I'm sure you will."

"Well, goodnight. And thank you for the ride." I smiled, getting out of the car

"I'll see you tomorrow right?"

"Yep, at 8:00. See you then."

I closed the door to the car and walked up to my door, letting myself in. I turned and waved, and he beeped his horn twice, pulling off.