Lauren Kinkade // [Capitol]

It was Thursday night. Or a Wednesday. Or a Sunday? It didn't actually matter. What mattered is that the evening was warm, he was young (ish) and a new club was calling his name.

Well not Lauren Darcy Kinkade, but you knew what he meant.

He'd parked his sleek sports car a few streets over, which seemed prudent in that it was less likely to get scratched by drunk randos. But one block later his calves were killing him. Probably he shouldn't have worn brand new heels for a night out dancing, but that's what vodka was for, right?

He linked arms with Ex Oh, even though she was like an entire person shorter. Their friendship was one of utmost convenience: he fed her juicy tidbits gleaned from his brother, and she deigned to be seen with him in public.

Together, they rounded the corner and found the line stretched the entire city block. "Oh my god," he gasped. Ex started typing furiously on her phone.

Lauren put his hand over the screen. He gave her a look, both heavy Kinkade eyebrows raised. "I'll handle it. Face to face is better."

He dragged his booted feet the length of the block, touching up his lipstick and his hair as he went. At the door, he waited to catch the bouncer's attention. It didn't take long. "How's your night going? Good, me too. I was just wondering if there was any way we could like, speed this up? You probably recognize me." He smiled prettily. "I'm," he lifted one hand to cover part of his mouth, badly, "Glamour Kinkade's brother."

Ex was only a few steps behind, breathless, when the bouncer waved them through.

"See?" She said, barely over the blare of the bass. "Your brother is good for something."

"Hmm," Lauren huffed, holding back a flood of damning childhood memories. "In absentia, I suppose. Anyhow, time to numb these toes! Shots!"