Broken kingdom

Chapter 71 Bianca

The last thing I wanted to do tonight was pour myself into a skintight red dress and show up at some club.

However, I knew being here for Dylan’s new client’s show would mean the world to her.

Therefore, here I fucking am.

I don’t miss the way the bouncer peruses my body from head to toe as I hand him my ID.

I’ve been cooped up in my dorm room for weeks and haven’t gone out much—with the exception of class—so I made sure to take my time with my hair and makeup.

Seeing as the grimy dude’s eyes are about ready to pop out of his skull, I’m starting to regret that decision.

“You’re not twenty-one yet, so no wristband,” he tells me.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I don’t plan on drinking, but then he says, “But if you want to meet me in the back and show me what that mouth can—”

“Wow, that’s so sad.”

 He blinks. “What is?”

Patting him on the shoulder, I slip past him. “You thinking I don’t have any standards.” I crinkle my nose. “But it’s okay, champ. By the looks of things, you’re not packing what it takes to satisfy me anyway.”

He tries to blow it off, but I can tell I ruffled his feathers. “Bitch.”

I quickly snatch my ID from his hand and snap my clutch closed. “I guess we have something in common then.”

Tossing my blown-out hair over my shoulder, I saunter past the velvet ropes.

Given the concert hasn’t started yet, the venue isn’t too crowded.

Looking around, I scan the room for my brothers and their girls, but I don’t spot them.

Not wanting to stand around by myself like a loser, I decide to grab a seat at the bar.

“What will it be?” the bartender asks after I sit down.

“Just a soda.”

I’m pulling some money out of my purse when I hear the girl next to me hiss, “Seriously, dude? How many times do I have to tell you to leave me alone?”

I take in her blonde hair with bright pink tips and the various tattoos and piercings she has.

She looks like a tough chick who can hold her own just fine.

 “Come on, sexy,” the guy whines. “I just want to buy you a drink.”

Visibly aggravated, the girl slams her hand on the bar. “I’m good. Thanks.”

When the guy protests, she bites out, “You’re wasting your time, dude. I don’t play for your team.”

That doesn’t deter the guy at all. “No way in hell is a smoking girl like you gay.”

I bite back the urge to ask him what being beautiful has to do with someone’s sexual preference, but the girl scowls and says, “I’m serious, douchebag. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Deciding to help her out, I place my arm around her shoulders, “Hey, baby. Sorry I was late.”

She blinks up at me in confusion before she catches on. “It’s okay.” Leaning into my touch, she glowers at the guy. “I was just telling this asshole here that I was waiting for my gorgeous girlfriend.”

I narrow my eyes at the asshole in question. “You can fuck off now.”

He mutters something under his breath before he takes a sip of his beer and the bartender returns with my drink.

I go to pay for it, but the girl waves a hand. “Nope, it’s on me.”

When I protest, she shakes her head and says, “You did me a favor and came to my rescue. Paying for your drink is the least I can do.”

“Thanks.”

 “I’m Kit.” She leans in. “And the name of my new girlfriend is?”

I can’t help but laugh. There’s a genuine aura about her that I dig. “Bianca—”

“If you two hotties are go

I’m about to tell him off, but out of nowhere, some tall, scary guy rushes over to us.

Before I can blink, he grabs the dipshit’s collar. “If you don’t stop hitting on my wife, the only action you’re going to get tonight is that beer bottle shoved up your ass.”

The guy’s eyes widen and he looks like he’s about to shit his pants. “Sorry, man. I didn’t know she was taken.”

Kit pinches the bridge of her nose and I notice the glint from her wedding ring. “Dammit, Preston. What are you doing here?”

His entire focus shifts to her. “We need to talk.”

Despite my curiosity, I slink off the barstool because that situation sounds complicated as fuck and I want a drama-free night.

I’m about to go to the bathroom to apply some more lipstick, but my phone buzzes with an incoming text.

Jace: Where you at?

Bianca: At the bar. Where are you?

Jace: Look to the left.

When I do, I spot Jace, Cole, and Sawyer in the middle of the nearly empty dance floor.

Sawyer’s pretending to reel Cole in like a fish and Cole’s flailing his arms, pretending to be caught.

Good Lord. It would be embarrassing if they weren’t so damn cute together. 

I smack a kiss on Jace’s cheek. “Hey. Where’s Dylan?”

He takes a sip of his drink. “She’s still backstage with Landon.”

Sawyer practically has heart-eye emojis flashing in her brown orbs at the mention of Landon’s name. “I can’t believe we’re hearing Landon Parker sing his new song tonight.”

I have no clue who Landon Parker is, but he’s obviously a big deal if Sawyer’s this excited about it.

Then again, her favorite musician is Nick Jonas…so there’s that.

Cole looks like he’s bursting at the seams and ready to pop any moment. 

“What’s wrong with you?”

 “I tried to wait for Dylan to come back, but I can’t hold it in any longer.” He looks at Sawyer. “I have to tell them.”

Sawyer beams. “Do it.” 

Excitement lights up his features. “Okay, so…I have some really big news.”

Jace and I exchange a glance.

“Great,” Jace says. “Spit it out.”

Cole takes a breath. “The Patriot’s organization reached out and strongly suggested that I declare for the draft early. Obviously with Tom Brady leaving for Florida and all, they need a new quarterback.” He peers at Sawyer who’s blinking back tears. “And evidently…they want me.”

Holy shit. This is huge.

Jace and I both erupt in cheers and rush to give him a hug. I can’t believe my freaking brother is going to be an NFL football player.

“Damn, that’s huge,” Jace exclaims. “But what about finishing school?” 

Cole shrugs. “What’s the point? Yeah, an education is important, but I’ve wanted to be in the NFL my entire life. Who knows if I’ll ever get another shot at it. Plus, I can always finish school on the off-season.”

He’s right. He needs to jump now before the opportunity slips from his fingers.

Jace hugs him again. “I’m really proud of you, brother. I knew you could do it.”

My heart swells. “Me too.”

He smiles at Sawyer. “Sawyer’s already agreed to move to New England with me after her senior year is over.”

Sawyer pulls him in for a quick kiss. “And I’ll visit whenever I can in the meantime.”

As sad as I am that Cole will be moving away—along with my girl Sawyer—I’m so happy his dreams are coming true.

Cole grins. “It’s crazy. Never in a million years did I think I’d be taking over for the best football player in the whole entire world. I mean Tom Brady is the GOAT and my favorite football player for a reason. He’s hands down the most skillful quarterback to ever step onto the field.”

Oh, boy. Here we go.

As proud as I am of my brother, I don’t want to hear him drone on and on about Tom Brady the entire night.