Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 38

Nik's POV:

The night was still as I drove down the nearly empty streets, the hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of Harvey's off-key singing the only sounds in the car. The Lagoon had been a blur of lights and music, but now it was just the six of us—me behind the wheel, Ria in the passenger seat, and the rest of the crew piled into the back.

Victoria was talking, or rather, mumbling in a way that I couldn't help but find absolutely hilarious. She was completely sloshed, and every other sentence was a half-formed thought that trailed off into nothing.

For more than an hour before we left i tried to get her to drink as much water as possible, since she was totally wasted. But she was one stubborn woman.

"You know, Nikolai, I think...I think you're...you're not as scary as people say," she slurred, her head lolling back against the headrest as she gazed up at the ceiling like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. "But, you gotta know, Nikki, your...consequences have actions."

I bit down on my lip, fighting the urge to burst out laughing. Your consequences have actions. Sure, Victoria. Sure. My grip tightened on the steering wheel as I tried to keep my composure, but it was damn near impossible. Victoria was hilarious when she was drunk, completely unaware of how entertaining she was being.

Padma, Noah, and Dickie were laughing in the backseat, their chuckles mingling with Harvey's loud, off-tune rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

"...and the rockets' red glare...!" Harvey sang, his voice so far off pitch it was almost painful, but he was having the time of his life.

Victoria turned to look at him, a confused expression on her face. "Wait...something's not right," she mumbled, frowning as if she was trying to puzzle out why her words didn't make sense. Then, without missing a beat, she joined Harvey in singing the anthem, her voice loud and proud, if not entirely on key.

The whole scene was ridiculous and hilarious, and I had to focus harder than ever to keep my attention on the road and not burst out laughing at the chaos around me. Harvey's singing, Victoria's nonsensical ramblings, and the way Padma was now laughing so hard she was practically crying—it was all too much.

I stole a glance at Victoria, who was now fully engrossed in the national anthem, her voice belting out the lyrics with more enthusiasm than accuracy. There was something endearing about the way she was so uninhibited, so free. Despite how wild the night had been, there was a warmth in my chest that I couldn't quite explain. I'd been the designated driver tonight, opting to stay sober, which in hindsight was probably a smart move given the state Ria was in now.

Eventually, I pulled into the driveway of the townhouse I shared with the guys. The car came to a stop, and I took a moment to just breathe, letting the laughter from the backseat wash over me. I glanced over at Victoria again. She was still giggling to herself, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright even in her inebriated state.

Everyone stumbled out of the car, Harvey still singing as he tripped over his own feet. Padma and Noah were leaning on each other for support, and Dickie was in the middle, grinning like an idiot. I couldn't help but shake my head at the sight. They were all a mess, but a fun mess. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I knew I couldn't let Victoria go back to her own place in this state, not when she was so drunk and barely able to form a coherent sentence. It wasn't safe, and I didn't trust anyone else to take care of her, so I made a quick decision.

"Victoria," I said softly, catching her attention as she tried to steady herself on her feet. "You're staying here tonight, okay?"

She blinked up at me, her eyes wide and a little glassy. "Huh? But...I have...my place..."