Avenging Alex by Lewis Ericson Page B

Stay out for as long as you like.”
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    Bricks was among the flashiest nightclubs in the San Fernando Valley area that dotted Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood (NoHo as it was referred to by the locals). Like most new hot spots it had quickly become the happening place to be. Alex navigated up to her place in the line of cars and waited for the valet; the velvet rope, the beefy bouncers at the door, the air of celebrity all reminded her of grander days. Once she entered the club she wandered around looking for Margot, who had promised to be waiting near the door at the designated time. She wasn’t.
    Alex made her way to the bar. “I’ll have Grey Goose with a twist of lime.”
    â€œI gotcha.” The bartender winked and smiled.
    One of the best things about bars in California was that smoking was prohibited. Alex had no worry about going home smelling like an ashtray. Just as she got her drink and took a sip she heard her name being screamed through the crowd over the volume of music.
    â€œAdriane!”
    She turned and saw Margot pushing through and headed toward her, dragging a man behind her who could have been a Ryan Gosling lookalike. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was so backed up on the 134. Damn, girl, you look great,” Margot shrieked. “I love that dress. You look totally hot!”
    Alex smiled. “Thanks.”
    â€œFor somebody who doesn’t go to clubs you sure know how to pull it together.”
    The man standing with her smiled salaciously. “Margot, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
    â€œOh, yeah, Zach, this is Adriane. She’s the one I was telling you about. She thought I was a lesbiiiiaan.”
    Judging by the slur of her words it appeared that Margot already had a drink or two.
    Alex ignored her comment and extended her hand to the man. “Nice to meet you, Zach.”
    â€œNice to meet you too.” The man held on to Alex’s hand a little too long. She was uncomfortable feeling his index finger massaging her palm, and wrested it away.
    Margot leaned in closer to her. “Hey . . . you want a bump?”
    â€œA bump?”
    â€œCoke. You want some?”
    Alex shook her head. “No. I’ll pass.”
    â€œC’mon . . . this is some really quality shit.”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    The man caressed Alex’s bare shoulder. “You don’t know what you’re missin’.”
    Alex pulled away. “I have some idea, and I’m not interested.”
    â€œI think Zach likes you,” Margot cooed. “We should really have some fun. Have you ever been part of a ménage à trois?”
    Alex chuckled. The irony of Margot’s enticement wasn’t lost considering her prior denouncement of being a lesbian. She was no prude. In another life she had been a little more sexually uninhibited. But she didn’t think getting it on with a coworker and her movie idol–looking boyfriend was the sort of thing Adriane should be doing. “Why don’t you guys go ahead. I’ll sit this one out.”
    â€œSuit yourself. C’mon, Zach, let’s dance.”
    As Alex watched the two go off to the dance floor she thought that it was funny how you really don’t get to know the people you work with until you see them in a social setting.
    â€œFriends of yours?” the bartender queried.
    â€œUm . . . ‘friends’ is debatable.” Alex laughed again.
    The bartender turned to tend to other customers and Alex curiously continued to check out the crowd. David Guetta and Akon’s aptly titled “Sexy Bitch” reverberated through the club and sent the revelers into a frenzy of twisting and sexually energized thrusts. A few minutes later the bartender returned and set another drink down in front of Alex.
    â€œCourtesy of the gentleman at the end of the bar,” he noted.
    Alex glanced down the length of the bar and