The sound of loud music echoed throughout the nightclub, creating a lively atmosphere. However, Derek's mood remained unaffected. If anything, the music and the alcohol were only making him more irritable.
"Hey!" Justin, his cousin, jumped onto the lounge seat across from him. "Derek, are you just going to sulk here? Let's have fun, man!"
Derek clicked his tongue irritably but said nothing. He chugged his drink, hissing as it went down.
"Derek, cousin, if you're angry, why not dance and loosen up a bit?" Justin leaned forward. "I thought that's what you wanted when you asked me to come here."
But Derek ignored him. Justin sighed.
"Fine," he leaned back. "What is it, man? Is it Lola again? Or her children? Did they beat you up again?"
"Those kids didn't beat me up!" Derek snapped, making Justin raise a hand in surrender.
"Fine, fine, geez! Why are you venting at me?" Justin snapped. "If it's not those kids or Lola, then what is it? Was it Travis? Or Caullen?"
