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“Hey, Jackson,” Cara greeted me, a worried look on her face.
“Where is everyone?” I questioned, looking into the sea of patrons that filled the bar.
“Most of the girls left around eleven. We were going to join them and head to Sierra’s place for a movie, but Bailey wouldn’t come with us. I wasn’t leaving her here alone,” she said, nodding toward the bar. I turned around and saw Bailey sitting on a barstool. She was milking a beverage while Marcus, the only bartender I couldn’t stand in this entire establishment, stood there in front of her. He leaned down on the bar, running his finger down her cheek as she flirted back.
“How long has this been going on?” I asked, some form of jealous rage coming over me as I kept my eyes glued to Marcus.
“It’s been going on a while. He’s been hitting on her all night. The more she drank, the more attention he showed her. Apparently, he’s taking a real liking to her, and she told me he started getting handsy during their shared shifts here. She was complaining to me the other day about him. Regardless, he’s been buzzing around us all night. An hour ago, he convinced her to go up to the bar. That’s when he started pouring her shots.” Cara said, looking at me with a worried expression.
I knew Bailey had a low tolerance for alcohol and could only imagine what she would be like if she’d been downing shots. “How many do you think she’s had?” I questioned, watching them more carefully now.
“We lost count, but once she started drinking those, the less she interacted with us, right to where she didn’t want to leave no matter what I said. I don’t trust this guy, Jackson, and we didn’t want to leave her alone, but Sierra’s waiting for us to arrive at her place.”
I blew out an irritated breath. “Look, you go. I’ll make sure she gets home, okay?”
“You sure? I mean, I will stay if you want.”
I glanced at Cara and gave her a knowing look. “Please, I think I know how to handle her. You also know I would let nothing happen to her. Go, have fun, okay?” I said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’m glad you called.”
Cara smiled, leaned in, and kissed my cheek, then threw her arms around me. “You always were a good guy, Jackson. Look after my girl.” She winked, then grabbed her purse and headed to the door.
I waited until the girls were gone. That gave me time to watch and see exactly what was going on. Marcus set another drink down, along with another shot, down on the bar in front of Bailey. I frowned and looked at a very drunk Bailey. From the looks of it, she really didn’t need anything else to drink as she swayed on the stool. The second Marcus turned and walked away to serve another customer, I walked over and leaned against the bar beside Bailey, placing my arm on the back of her chair.
“Hey.”
She looked up at me, squinting until I came into focus. “What—where—what are you doing here?”
“I think it’s time we get home. Looks like the party is over here.” I said, leaning into her.
She turned and looked up at me, a low chuckle escaping her lips. “No thanks, I’m good,” she said, raising the shot in the air and downing it.
“Aren’t you tired?” I questioned.
She picked up the shot and grimaced as she swallowed the clear liquid, then smiled at me and placed the shot glass down on the bar top. “Nope.”
“I beg to differ. I think it’s time for you to get home and get into bed. Come on, let’s go.” I gripped her arm, which she ripped away from my grasp. She lost her balance and almost fell from the chair. I grabbed hold of her, securing her against me before she fell over, holding her until she got her bearings.
“You okay?” I asked, meeting her eyes.
“Why are you always so good to me?” she grumbled, resting her head on my chest, closing her eyes for a split second.
“What can I get for you?” Marcus asked, eyeing me as Bailey pulled away the second she heard his voice. He gave me a glaring look and then looked at Bailey and signaled for her to drink up.
“I’ll have water.”
He quickly got me a glass of cold water, which I set down in front of Bailey, removing the other untouched drink from her reach.
“Hey, give me that.” Bailey cried, reaching for the glass.
“No. I think you should drink this instead. It’s better for you.”
“But I don’t want it. I want that one,” she said, pointing to the glass I had moved away from her.
“I’m sure you do, but I think you’ve had enough.”
Bailey looked over at Marcus and waved her hand. He looked me directly in the eyes as he brought over another shot and set it down in front of her. Before I could stop her, she picked it up and pounded it back, making a face.
“Bailey, come on, let’s go. I’m going to take you home.”
