#Chapter71

The Pink Panther was everything I expected it to be and more. People were all over the place by the time we arrived, dancing, and grinding against each other in the dim neon lights and flashes, as most everyone was already wasted.

Jude led me through the crowd, holding me close so I don't get lost in the chaos, but I didn't feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The music was so loud it was resinating in my chest, but it wasn't awful, I let it rush through me. Distractions. That's what I came here for... and that's what I'll get.

As we successfully cut through the room to the bar,...