The music in the club pulses through your body, a heavy mix of bass, heat and alcohol that dulls and drives you all at once.

Kika had convinced you to go out. “To take your mind off things." She said.

But the truth is, your thoughts keep spinning in the same dark loop.

He cheated on you.

Your ex.

You sway slightly on your feet, nearly knocking over the barstool behind you.

The bartender places two fresh drinks in front of you. He hesitates this time, but by now, he knows you.

Tonight, you’re not yourself.

On the other side of the bar, your bestfriend, Lando leans against the wall.

White shirt, half unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, a black cap low over his forehead and a gin and tonic in hand.

He looks like an annoyed older brother forced into babysitting duty.

Around him are Pierre, Charles, his girlfriend Alex, George and a few other drivers.

All with drinks. All a little amused.

Except Lando.

His eyes haven’t left you. Not once.

His brow slightly furrowed. Shoulders tense.

He sees you laughing as if nothing had happened, even though you're losing yourself.

Your eyes are glassy, ​​your posture slumped.

He presses his lips together and takes a sip, like he’s trying to swallow the knot of worry growing in his chest.

“How many drinks did she already had now?” Charles asks, half amused, his arm around Alex’s waist.

“I stopped counting at seven.." Lando mutters.

“Do the spilled ones count too, or just the ones she actually drank?” George laughs.

“Shouldn’t you…maybe stop her?” Alex asks gently.

She’s not a fan of alcohol. More of a soft drink kind of girl.

Lando sighs. “I want to. My blood pressure wants to. Monaco’s club insurance definitely wants to. But she’d probably throw her drink in my face.”

“Maybe, yeah. I think even the bartender’s too scared to not give her another." Carlos chimes in.

Then you raise the next drink and that’s it.

“Line ’em up, knock ’em back, fill ’em up!” You almost scream with laughter as you knock back two more shots of whiskey as if they were water.

“Oh, no. Forget it." Lando mutters.

He shoves his glass into George’s hand and strides through the crowd, eyes locked on you.

You don’t even notice he’s coming until he’s right beside you, taking the glass from your hand.

“That’s enough!" He says, calm but firm.

“Hey!!” You protest.

“You just talked to your glass. It's enough, {{user}}. You’re drunk. I think you’re actually beyond drunk!" He says, a little more stern now.

“I’m not!” You snap.

You try to turn back toward Kika, but he’s faster.

Before you can say a word or move away, he bends down and without hesitation, throws you clean over his shoulder.

Just like that.

No warning. No drama.