157 - The chapter with the celebration

Christian

I stopped the bike in a parking space in front of the bar where Rose met Josh at the beginning of the year. I frowned as everyone got off their bikes there. That place wasn't one of my favorites and Rose must have known that, since we hadn't been back there since everything happened.

She got off before me, taking off her helmet, running her fingers through her hair to adjust it and standing next to me when she noticed my hesitation in getting off the bike.

"Come on, it's about time we gave this place a second chance "she winked at me "let's enjoy it like we should have done that day.

That was enough to convince me, so I took off my helmet and got off the bike. From there we could hear a band playing a cover of Aerosmith. Everyone started to enter the venue, not bothering to wait for me. I took a deep breath, slung my arm around Rose's shoulder and started heading towards the entrance.

Both Rose and I ended up with the backs of our hands stamped indicating that we were underage and couldn't buy any alcohol, but as soon as we entered, that became just a detail. The place had practically been taken over by members of the motorcycle club, and the few university students who were there seemed lost in the place.

My friends soon came over to greet us, Theo was the first to hug me, expressing how happy he was that I was free of that mess, and my attention was soon drawn to Camille, who had braided her hair to the side, showing off her tattoo behind her ear. She was wearing a shabby jacket and tight pants that gave her a stripped-down look that was very different from what she was used to wearing on a daily basis.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly, looking relieved that I was there and I had no choice but to return the hug, lifting her a few centimeters off the ground as I straightened up.

"I was so worried, don't ever do that again," she mumbled without letting go of me.

I put her back down, giving her a half-smile as I moved away from her.

"You can rest easy, pretty girl. I don't intend to get arrested very often "I winked at her.

"It's a good thing, I've never seen you so worried "Sky smiled, standing with her arms crossed beside Theo.

Before I could reply, I felt a body throw itself against mine, and I turned my face to Liam, who was smiling openly as he put his arm around my shoulder.

""You know, Davis, I always thought that Rose would be the first to get arrested, not you," he joked, making me smell the alcohol emanating from his breath.

I always thought it was amazing how Liam could keep his tone of voice and diction perfectly normal, even when he was as drunk as he was at that moment.

But I couldn't say the same about his attitude.

"You're hugging me, man," I muttered, trying to push him away without knocking him over.

It was strange to see him in that state, especially since he'd started dating Sky, Liam had always avoided drinking too much, but the fact that the girl was keeping her distance from him and still casting annoyed glances at him, explained his state a little.

"You're right, I should be with Rose "he stared at my girlfriend.

"What? "she arched her eyebrows.

Liam let go of me and staggered over to the girl, holding out his hand to her.

"I love this song, you have to dance with me!

"Liam, I don't think that's a good idea "Rose alternated her gaze between Liam and Sky.

"It's not a good idea, it's a great idea, like everything I do, come on "he grabbed her hand, pulling her towards him.

Rose stumbled, almost falling with him, but I was quicker to keep them both on their feet, receiving a grateful smile in return.

"You're something, Davis. That's why they didn't lock you up," Liam joked.

"I thought it was because my dad and stepmom kick ass "Rose laughed in response.

That's when the band started playing Last kiss, making Liam groan audibly.

"I love this song, you have to dance with me Rose. Come on "this time he actually pulled her onto the dance floor.

"Liam, it's a song about the death of a girl in a car accident, it's not for dancing "I heard Rose complaining, even though she was moving away.

"Maybe by the end of tonight I'll be arrested "Sky muttered with his arms crossed.

"Hey, I just want to make it clear that I've already used up this month's free defense quota "Alex warned, approaching my father-in-law's side.

"And after all this stress, I deserve to stay out of it "Jack added "that son of a bitch messed with my daughter and I had to keep my head on straight so as not to do anything stupid.

My father, who had approached my mother and sister, frowned when he heard that sentence, but in the end it was my mother who voiced the man's thoughts.

"How did you manage to keep your head? "my mother asked, entering the conversation unceremoniously.

"It was quite simple," Jackson replied, "I just had to keep in mind that if I lost control, there would be no one to get my daughter's mother and boyfriend out of jail. Even though in the back of my mind I wanted to be in their place.

"But you didn't have to send the bastard to hospital to make him pay for what he did. Today we were told that everyone involved in the situation has been dismissed from the university "Sky commented, although he kept his gaze on Rose, who was dancing more and more excitedly to Cherry Pie, which had started playing.

"I'm going to sue everyone involved in this. I'm going to make them all regret the day they crossed my daughter's path." A wicked little smile appeared on my father-in-law's face, causing my father to arch both eyebrows.

"You're one of those suits, aren't you?

For a second, silence reigned among our group, until a small, rare laugh burst from my father's lips.

"I like you, come on, I'll introduce you to everyone. Let the kids have fun "he put his hand on Jack's back, guiding him and Alex towards the members of the motorcycle club, where Addison seemed to have settled in better than the other two and was already sitting at a table, laughing and chatting with a group.

"Liam, let me go! "I heard Rose shout through her laughter.

We all turned towards them, surprised to see Liam carrying Rose on his shoulder, staggering towards the bar.

"I'm helping you, you said you wanted to," he replied.

"Hey, Davis. Your girl's with some drunk "one of my sister's friends teased me.

"He's not just any drunk, he's her drunk "Theo pointed at Sky, who seemed about to fly into her boyfriend's neck.

"Not for long," she muttered, walking over to the two of them.

I took a deep breath and followed her, catching up with Liam who arrived at the bar with Rose laughing on his shoulder.

"Hey man, she wants to dance on the bar, can you make some room? "He asked the barman, who didn't even flinch before taking a few glasses that were in the way -"Thanks. Now kick ass like you usually do, my... I'm sorry I can't think of a nickname, just go...

Liam placed Rose on the counter, and I approached, receiving an embarrassed look from my girlfriend, who didn't seem to know how to get away from it.

"Van Derr Waal, I'll thank you if you give me my girlfriend back now "I offered my hand to her, helping her back to the floor.

"I'm sorry about that, he's had a bit too much to drink "Rose asked.

"Liam, what are you doing? "Skyller whispered to her boyfriend.

"I'm enjoying my evening, like you told me to, remember? "he pointed out in a resentful tone.

I slung my arm around Rose's shoulder, pulling her away from the small mess that was forming between our friends.

"Haven't these two sorted themselves out yet? "I muttered.

"She wants to know exactly what he said to Audrey to make her so furious and he insists it's not important "Rose sighed "It would be much easier if he just admitted it. I could tell him, but it's not something I can do.

"If Savannah was serious and he said he was going to marry her, it really has to come from him," I shrugged.

"But it sucks," she muttered, "I don't like to see the two of them fighting. I'm beginning to understand how you felt about us.

"Let's not think about that now "I pulled her into a kiss, wondering how much longer I would have to stay in that place instead of enjoying my evening with her.

I brought my hand to the back of her head, tangling my fingers in a handful of her hair while the other remained on her lower back, holding her body to mine. But before I could deepen the kiss, someone approached, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Hey Davis, can you leave the foreplay with my daughter somewhere I can't see? "Jack complained

"Dad "Rose complained with a half-smile on her face.

"Come on, little girl, I need you now "he unceremoniously pulled me away from his daughter, receiving a tired snort in return.

"Jackson, I told you this was a bad idea "Addison complained, standing next to three members of the motorcycle club.

"What's a bad idea? "I frowned.

"Dad?

"Me and you in pool against those two "he pointed at the men next to Addison.

"I agree with Addison, it's not a good idea "I tried to pull Rose back, but she wouldn't make my job any easier.

Rose stepped forward, going to her father's side, looking excited at the prospect of playing anything alongside him. Seeing the proud smile on the man's face, I took a deep breath, knowing that the battle was lost.

"None of you better end up running around outside in your underwear," Alex warned his fiancé.

"Don't worry, we'll win," Rose assured me, making me roll my eyes.

"I'm going to find shelter somewhere safe "I rolled my eyes, heading towards the table where my family was sitting, chatting with Theo and Camille.