Thank you thank you thank you to everybody who reviewed the last chapter - it's so much more than I expected! This is a bit of a fun chapter and I had a great time writing it, so I hope you enjoy reading it :)
Please remember to review with any feedback, it's really inspiring!
Chapter 3 – Girls Night Out
"Hey babe," Jay called from the kitchen to Erin as she emerged from her bedroom.
"Jay, why didn't you wake me? We're gonna be late now," she called back, rubbing a towel through her damp hair. It was Friday morning and Jay had stayed over last night.
"You looked so peaceful," he grinned back at her. "And we're not going to be late, see, I've already made breakfast," he said as he divided a stack of pancakes onto two plates.
"Yeah well, you better just hope we don't get stuck in traffic," she said as she sat down at the kitchen table.
"Even if we do, with your driving we'll still be there early," he teased back as he set a plate of pancakes in front of her and gave her a quick kiss.
She pulled a face at him and started eating. "Where's Nadia?" she asked, noticing her absence.
"She went to the library, said she wanted to get a couple hours of studying in before work," Jay informed her.
Erin nodded, her mouth full of pancakes.
"So, you excited for tonight?" he asked as he leaned across the table to wipe off a blob of syrup that had landed on her chin.
"Do I have to go?" she moaned and her shoulders sagged.
"Yes!" Jay smiled at her. "It'll be fun and it'll be good for you."
"But I'd rather stay in with you," she said seductively as she ran her bare foot up his leg under the table.
"We can stay in tomorrow night, but tonight you're going out with the girls. Besides, I'm having poker night with the guys over at Ruzek's," Jay asserted, although his insistence was fading the further up her foot travelled.
Erin moaned again. Last week, Adam had suggested that she and Kim got to know each other better. Before she knew what was happening she was being dragged into a girls night out and Antonio was saying he'd ask Gabby if she was free too. It turned out Gabby was free and she was also bringing Sylvie Brett with her. Kim had asked Nadia to join them, but she'd insisted she needed to study.
So the plan had been made. They would meet at Molly's and have a few drinks before heading to a club that Kim liked. Erin had never been a 'girl's girl', much preferring the company of guys, and she'd never enjoyed clubbing. She just didn't see the fun in hundreds of sweaty bodies grinding against each other as deafening music played. But it was too late now to back out and Erin just hoped she could drink enough at Molly's get her through the clubbing.
Erin stood outside of Molly's, psyching herself up before she entered. The late January temperature got the better of her and she pulled the door open. She walked into the bar, welcoming the wave of warmth that hit her. She quickly spotted Kim, Gabby and Sylvie sitting at a table in the corner, waving her over.
"Hey guys," she greeted them, draping her coat over the back of her chair.
"Check you out, hot stuff!" Gabby exclaimed as she saw Erin's outfit.
Erin rolled her eyes. She had had no idea what to wear, so settled on a simple black cocktail dress that she at least felt comfortable in. She'd paired it with a pair of plain black heels that she was confident she'd be able to walk in after a few drinks. Her hair was wavy and fell just over her shoulders, and she'd kept her makeup minimal, not liking to wear too much. She knew she looked good because Jay's tongue had practically fallen out of his mouth when she emerged from her bedroom.
"Shots!" Kim cried and ran to the bar.
Two and a half hours later and Erin had to admit she was enjoying herself, although that probably had something to do with the multiple tequila shots.
"Wait wait, so you're saying Ruzek actually likes that!?" snorted Gabby.
"Only when he's feeling really kinky!" revealed Kim as Sylvie collapsed into a heap of giggles.
"I'm never gonna be able to look at Ruzek the same again!" Erin choked through her own laughter.
"Maybe I should suggest that to Casey," Gabby wondered aloud and the four of them howled with renewed laughter.
"One more round of shots and then we hit the club?" suggested Kim, slurring her words slightly. They all nodded.
"This one's on me guys," Erin said as she headed for the bar.
She made her way through the tables, definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol.
"Four more shots please Herrmann," she said as the firefighter served her.
"You girls look like you're having fun," Herrmann said, reaching for the shot glasses.
"Yeah, surprisingly," she agreed.
Just then, a tall figure came out of nowhere and leaned on the bar next to Erin. She heard him say to Herrmann "I'll get those," indicating the shots he was pouring.
Erin turned her head towards him. He was about six feet tall with dark brown hair, and Erin could see his rippling muscles beneath the button down shirt he was wearing. He was very good looking, with dark eyes and a strong jawline that was lightly covered in stubble.
"Oh, thank you," she mumbled, slightly taken aback.
"Anything for a beautiful woman," he teased, his tone flirtatious.
Shocked by his openness, she managed to say "I should get back to my friends," as she scooped up the shots. "Thanks again."
"No problem," he replied. "I'm Dean by the way."
"Erin," she said backing away.
"It was nice to meet you Erin," he called after her.
Erin reached the table and handed the shots out.
"Who's the hunk?' demanded Sylvie, gazing towards the bar.
"Oh, just some guy who offered to pay for the drinks," Erin replied.
"Erin, he is totally checking you out!" squealed Kim.
"What? No he's not," Erin scoffed.
"Yes he is!"
Erin turned to look back at the bar and sure enough, Dean was staring back at her. She turned away and sat down.
"You should totally go for it Erin," Gabby said as they downed their shots.
"I don't think so," Erin replied, putting her shot glass on the table.
"Why not?" Kim asked. "He's hot stuff!"
"Kim! You have a boyfriend!" Erin exclaimed.
"What, just because I have a boyfriend means I can't admire other men?!" Kim shot back and they all laughed. "But you are a single pringle Erin Lindsay! What's stopping you?"
"I… uh," Erin stammered, not knowing what to say.
"Unless you're not single!?" Sylvie interjected, correctly interpreting Erin's feeble objections.
"Erin Lindsay do you have a secret boyfriend!?" demanded Gabby and Erin felt them all staring at her.
"What, no!" she insisted, but she could feel her face getting redder by the second and the alcohol was dramatically reducing her lying capability.
"She does!" Kim cried and the girls squealed with delight.
They continued to press her for details and Erin could deny it no longer.
"Fine, guys, alright, I am seeing someone," she said, holding her hands up. "But we're not ready to tell people yet so can we just drop it please?"
"Alright," said Kim, sensing Erin had reached her limit with this conversation. "But when you are ready to tell, we want all the juicy details!"
Erin rolled her eyes.
"In the meantime, I wouldn't say no to a piece of hot stuff," Sylvie slurred, her eyes back on the bar.
"Well I definitely need another drink after that revelation," Gabby announced. "One more round?"
"Fine, but this really is the last one this time," Kim insisted. They'd been saying "one more round" for the last hour.
Gabby returned with the shots a few minutes later and they quickly downed them.
"Alright, let's hit the club!" cried Kim, getting to her feet.
"I have a better idea," interjected Erin, the tequila definitely doing the talking.
Twenty minutes later, the four girls were stumbling out of a cab onto the sidewalk.
"C'mon, up here," called Kim, already halfway up a set of steps. The other three followed, giggling as they staggered their way up. They pushed open the doors at the top and swerved their way inside. "This way," Kim whispered loudly, gesturing to the others. They reached the end of a corridor and Kim knocked on a door as they all held their breath, trying not to laugh.
The door opened revealing Adam Ruzek holding a cigar.
"Surprise!" they cried before bursting into laughter.
"Kim, baby, what are you doing here? You know this is poker night, no chicks allowed."
"Baby!" Kim cried as she staggered over the threshold and grabbed hold of Adam for support. "We just wanted to see you all, is that so bad?" she pouted as she looked up at Adam.
The other three made their way into the apartment and Erin looked at the other guests. Sitting around the poker table was Antonio Dawson, Kevin Atwater, Jay Halstead, Matt Casey, Joe Cruz, and Mouch. Each of them had a cigar in his hand and a pile of poker chips in front of him.
Gabby had positioned herself on Matt's lap while Sylvie had draped her arms over Cruz's shoulders, leaning on his back. Adam was still supporting Kim as they made their way over to the table. Erin met Jay's eyes and wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms. She resisted the temptation and instead pulled herself up onto one of Ruzek's kitchen counters, where she sat.
"So, you girls having a good night?" enquired Antonio. The guys suppressed grins. The answer was obvious from the girls' slurred speech and staggering footsteps.
"You betcha!" Erin shot back, winking.
"Lindsay, are you drunk!?" Atwater teased.
"As a skunk," she replied, and the girls fell into fits of laughter.
The guys all exchanged shocked grins. Erin was usually better at holding her alcohol than any of them, so most of them had never seen her properly drunk before. Not even after a late night a Molly's.
"Hey guys, I think it's best if I get this one home," Matt said, indicating Gabby who was draped over him.
"Yeah, me too," Cruz said as he got to his feet, supporting Sylvie as she swayed dangerously.
"Hey Erin, you need a ride home?" Antonio offered, looking round at her.
"I've got her," Jay said quickly as he made his way over to where she sat on the counter.
"My hero," she said as Jay helped her down, keeping a supportive arm around her waist and steered her towards the door. "Kim, thanks for a great night," Erin called as they made their exit. At the last second, Kim reached them and pulled Erin into a tight hug.
"You too!" she cried as she squeezed Erin. Then she lowered her voice and said, just loud enough for Jay to hear, "don't worry, I won't say a thing about your secret boyfriend."
Erin couldn't keep her hands to herself on the car ride back to Jay's apartment. He didn't want to take Erin back to her own apartment in case they disturbed Nadia.
"So I think it's safe to say that girl's night was a success then?" Jay said as Erin ran her fingers over the back of his neck.
Erin giggled and said "I don't know what I was so worried about! I had a great time!"
"I can see that," smiled Jay. He was happy Erin had had a good time, she deserved to cut loose every once in a while.
When they reached Jay's building, he slipped an arm around Erin's waist and supported her up to his apartment. As he unlocked the door he said "so, the girls know about your secret boyfriend, huh?"
She groaned as he pushed the door shut and half carried her to his bedroom.
"They got it out of me Jay, I'm sorry! But I swear I didn't tell them it was you!" Jay laid her on the bed and began to slip her shoes off. She raised her head from the pillow to look at him. "Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad," he said gently, and she laid her head back down.
"Good," she breathed. "Because I don't think I could stand it if you were mad at me," she said softly into the pillow.
Jay looked over to her. Erin's eyes had closed and her breathing was deep and steady.
Jay pulled the covers over her and gently swept a stray wave of hair from her face. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and whispered "I could never be mad at you, Erin Lindsay," before he got ready for bed and crawled in beside her.
