Destroy Me Gently:Ex-Enemy Becomes My Lover!-Chapter 139: Blue vibes

**OLIVER WEST**

I’d never been to a club before. This should have been exciting, a whole new experience, but I couldn’t stop staring at Kieran’s back as we walked through the entrance.

"Is something wrong, Oliver?"

My heart jumped. How did he know I was staring? Did he have eyes in his back or what?!

"The music," I blurted. "It’s too loud!"

We’d literally just walked in and the bass hadn’t even hit us properly yet.

Kieran studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll get them to turn it down."

The moment he walked away toward the DJ booth, I let out a shaky breath.

I’ve only heard about this place from William. Was it supposed to be this empty? I stared at the bar counter that gleamed under purple and blue lighting.

"Oliver!" William’s voice cut through my thoughts. He was sprawled across one of the leather couches near the back.

It seemed it was just us as Kieran said. He reserved the whole place?

I made my way to where Heath, Claude, and Vince were already settled. The couch was ridiculously comfortable, the kind that sucked you in the moment you sat down.

William immediately draped an arm around my shoulders and leaned in close, his eyes shining with that particular glint that followed a new talk. "So, what did you get for him?"

"For who?"

He slapped my arm. "For Kieran! And what did he give you? He asked me all these questions about what you liked. I’m dying to know what he picked!"

I stared at William like he’d grown wings. "Wait, Kieran is planning a surprise for me?"

William’s eyes went wide. He slapped a hand over his mouth. "Oops. I guess he hasn’t given it to you yet."

My stomach dropped. "William! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

I had nothing for Kieran. Absolutely nothing. What kind of terrible boyfriend showed up empty-handed to their own surprise party?

"Happy birthday, short legs!" Heath appeared beside me, holding out a neatly wrapped box with a silver bow.

I took it carefully, surprised by the present. "Heath, you didn’t have to—"

"Open it later," he said with a grin. "Trust me, you’ll like it."

Claude appeared next to Heath, setting another wrapped package on the table, shocking me further. "Hope you’re feeling better." He said quietly.

"Thank you," I managed a nod, my throat suddenly tight. "Really, you guys didn’t have to do this."

"Here, from me," Vince added, sliding an envelope across the table. "Gift cards. Figured you could use them for art supplies or whatever."

The gesture made my chest ache. These people barely knew me, but they’d thought about bringing gifts.

I DON’T WANT TO GET TEARY-EYED, SO WHY ARE MY FREAKING EYES BURNING RIGHT NOW?!

The main doors burst open and two waiters struggled through carrying the largest wrapped present I’d ever seen.

"No one’s gift is going to be bigger than mine!" William announced proudly, gesturing to the monstrosity like a game show host.

I gaped at it. "William, please tell me there’s not a person in there."

"Where’s the fun if I tell you?" He waggled his eyebrows.

"What’s going on?" Kieran’s voice came from behind me.

I turned to see him returning from the DJ booth. The music had dropped to a more low level, letting us actually hear each other more clearly.

William and I were still sitting close, his arm casually draped over my shoulders. I saw the exact moment Kieran focused on that.

His eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening in that way that meant he was trying not to say something.

He crossed the space in quick strides and simply... relocated me. His hands found my waist and pulled me away from William, settling me against his side instead. So, now I was sitting beside Kieran on the edge of the cushion.

"Hey!" William protested. "We were having a moment!"

"Get your own boyfriend," Kieran scoffed, but his arm stayed locked around my waist.

"Time for the fun! Tonight I will be your bartender" Heath announced, already pulling bottles from behind the bar.

Kieran muttered that he should leave that to Vince which Heath completely ignored.

"Don’t underestimate my skills," He started mixing drinks, in my eyes, he looked like someone who had done it before, the bottles clinking together as he worked.

Claude snatched the first glass from him and took a sip. "Hey, that was for the celebrants!" Heath scowled at him, but Claude made a bitter expression. "Taste’s too strong, do you plan on poisoning us all? Anyways, cheers to Oliver’s recovery and Kieran’s... well, happy birthday to both!" He raised the glass.

William cheered at that, clapping both arms excitedly. "Wooooh! Let’s get drunk tonight!"

The drinks passed around while Heath reserved the fullest glass for himself.

"One would think you’d have learned your lesson the last time," Kieran mocked, eying the glass of booze.

Heath’s smile vanished instantly, and then he groaned.

"Don’t remind me of that tragedy, I already forgot about that!"

While Vince laughed, I couldn’t help but notice the way Claude’s gaze lingered on Heath as though those words had angered him, from the way he slammed his glass on the table.

Okay, I guessed they still hadn’t resolved their issues.

My fingers wrapped around the shot Heath had prepared for me, something bright blue and it indeed looked like poison as Claude said.

I hesitated, but then lifted the glass to my lips, Claude and Vince had drank, and they were still alive. For now.

Maybe this was what I needed. If I got drunk enough, I might be able to confront Kieran. But that didn’t happen, before the liquid touched my tongue, Kieran’s hand shot out and intercepted the glass and before I could protest, he drained half of it in one smooth motion while making a bitter face.

"Hey! That was mine!"

"You’re still recovering," he said, setting the now-half-empty glass out of my reach. "You wouldn’t have liked it anyway,"

"And how would you know that?" I scowled at him.

"That’s no fun!" Heath called out. "Who doesn’t drink at parties? It’s Ollie’s birthday, let him have fun"

"Exactly!" I turned to Kieran. "It’s just one drink. I’m fine now—"

"The doctor said no alcohol with your medication," Kieran interrupted. "Which you’re still taking."

"But—"

"No."

I glared at him. His expression didn’t budge, but there was concern in his eyes under the stubbornness.

Still, it didn’t mean that he got to make this decision for me in front of everyone! This was embarrassing, I mean, why come to a club if I wasn’t allowed to drink, to watch them have all the fun or something?

"Are you mad at me?" Kieran asked quietly when I turned away from him, he had leaned closer so his lips grazed my ears. I jumped away from that touch.

"Yes," I said, even though I wasn’t sure if I was mad about the drink or about everything else churning in my mind.

"I’ll make it up to you later." His voice took on a tone that made my skin heat up.

I smacked his chest. "Don’t say things like that!"

He laughed, the sound warm against my ear. "Can’t help it. You’re cute when you’re angry. How about I prepare a special drink for you? Something healthy that will also keep you relaxed for tonight?"

"Do whatever you like," I turned away from him.

Wait...

Tonight?

What the hell was happening tonight?

I looked back at Kieran, but his expression looked innocent enough.

Geez, I think I have to remove my mind from the gutters!!!