He’s never really liked me, but lately it’s more than that. He’s been colder. Harsher. Right around the time Sadie and I started hanging out more. Which makes sense, I guess. He’s not subtle, and I’m not blind.
From what I’ve heard, he had his shot. And he blew it. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake. But that doesn’t explain why he’s been a dick to her since she got here.
The crew talks. It’s not a secret that he’s always pissed off after being around her. But him being an asshole to her for no reason? Yeah, that’s gonna end now. I’ll be damned if anyone thinks they’re gonna treat my girl like that and get away with it.
My girl.
I pull her in tighter, daring him to say something. Her cheek rests against my chest and I breathe her in.
She’s mine. We haven’t said the words yet, but after tonight, after everything, I think we both know.
Emmett and Lydia spend the entire drive arguing over who gets to pick the music. The sexual tension between them is ridiculous. I don’t know how I’m the only one who seems to pick up on it.
When we get to Lucky’s, we all head straight for the bar, my hand resting on the small of Sadie’s back the entire way. Lydia sweet-talks Brantley into letting her order a round of tequila shots for everyone.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Emmett mutters. “Remember what happened last time?”
She rolls her eyes. “As long as you keep the elitist dickheads away from me, everything will befine.”
Brantley lines up five shots. I count them twice, my heart sinking a little realizing she ordered one for me.
Not her fault. Nobody here knows—except Sadie now. Her gaze flicks to mine, worry written all over her face. I shake my head, mouthingit’s okay.
But she doesn’t look convinced.
Lydia slides a shot toward Sadie as she glares at Brantley over her shoulder. “Ugh, you forgot the limes! That’s one-star-review behavior, Brant,” she shouts over the music.
“My mom said to stop serving you until you pay your tab, Lyd. Be grateful for what I gave you. Limes are reserved for respectful andpayingcustomers only.”
Lydia motions zipping her lips and nudges the final shot into my hand. I keep it there, holding my hand steady.
“I’m the DD tonight,” I say easily.
She frowns. “Come on, big guy. One won’t kill you.”
I shake my head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“It’s one little baby shooter. Don’t be a pus—”
Sadie snatches the shot out of my hand and throws it back like a champ.
“Yummy,” she says, grimacing before she slams it down beside hers and turns to me with a grin. “Well?” she asks playfully. “You gonna ask me to dance?”
God help me, I think I might love her.
I hold out my hand. “May I have this dance, love?”
Her smile is going to get me in trouble.
And when she takes my hand, when I lead her into the dark and the music swells around us, I know one thing with absolute certainty: however long I get to have her, it’ll never be long enough.
CHAPTER TWELVE
WESLEY
Thisisfuckingtorture.
Lucky’s used to be a place to blow off some steam after a long week. Now it’s my own personal purgatory.
