Getting to the bar doesn’t take long; it’s the parking that’s hell. As we’re circling another block, I spot a familiar vehicle.

“There’s my car!”

“Why is your car here? And why aren’t we on campus?” Sammy glances between the two of us, obviously suspicious.

I’m sure we’re found out, but Jasper is a manipulative ninja.

“We have to make a pit stop first. Ben lent Holly his car.”

“Who’s Holly?”

“Who’s Holly? Are you serious? She’s giving Ben her kidney! And she’s so cool. You’ve gotta meet her.”

“Meet her? I mean, sure. I’ll meet her at some point.”

“Nah, we can do it tonight. And check it out!” Jasper slides his car into an empty space. The bar is right around the corner. “Can’t waste a primo spot like this. We’ll just pop in with Ben, say hi, maybe grab a quick drink, and then head out.”

Before Sammy can take the moment he needs to catch up, Jasper jumps out of the car and jogs toward Both Ways. Sammy stares back at me, as if I might explain what is happening, but I just grin and open the door to chase after my friend.

I wonder if Sammy will stay behind in the car in protest. My question is answered when I hear a car door slam and am soon joined by my confused roommate.

Jasper gets in the back of the line by the door, but I wave for him to follow me to the front. When I reach the bouncer, I smile at him in what I hope is not a douchey I expect to be let in immediately kind of way. The guy is huge, muscles bulging in his tight black T-shirt, and he has that classic security-guy frown.

“Hi. I’m a friend of Holly’s. She said I should give her name at the front door.”

A silence extends between us as the guy runs his eyes over me, then Jasper, and then Sammy. I start to worry she never got around to letting him know we were stopping by. After an uncomfortable amount of time, he gives a slight nod.

“IDs.”

We all pull out our licenses, which he scans with a handheld device before stamping each of our hands.

“Check the second-floor bar.”

I thank him and move through the door before he can change his mind and throw us back out. The first floor has a decent crowd of people all centering around a square-shaped bar. I don’t see Holly passing out drinks, so I take the bouncer’s advice and look for a set of stairs.

“Back left.” Jasper points, and past his finger, I spy our route to the next floor.

“You been here before?”

“Maybe.” That and a shrug are all I get.

“Come on. Let’s get your keys and head out.” Somehow, Sammy is now in the lead, heading for the stairs.

Jasper and I grin at each other and follow along. Poor guy still thinks this is just a side trip.