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“I’m not. I just wanted to see what the big deal is .”
I couldn’t tell him I needed a break from him. That if I stayed in my room tonight, I’d just think about last night .
He dropped the smile from his lips. “Well, be careful. It’s a big crowd and things get a little crazy down there .”
“So you’ve been before?” I tried to imagine Cole in a dance club. Should I ask him to go with me ?
“I’m not that old. Yeah, I’ve been before. It’s not really my scene. I like Peabody’s.” He picked up the ladder .
I hesitated in the walkway, hoping for a sign of familiarity between us—a smile, a wink, anything. “Ok. See you around, I guess .”
I tucked the palm tree key into my purse and walked away from Cole. I liked Peabody’s too. If he had asked me, I would have gladly ditched my Bottoms Up plan to go have a drink with him at the bar, but he didn’t. Instead, he acted as if nothing happened last night .
* * *
T he bouncer at the door barely looked at my ID before shuttling me through the gate that led into Bottoms Up. I was wedged against the back wall by a crowd of people in line for drinks at the bar. I edged along the wall, taking in my surroundings. There were cages dangling from the ceiling with bikini-clad girls dancing, a rapper I had never heard of performing on stage, and girls with beer logos strategically placed over their breasts handing out free drink samples .
Everything was flashing and the bass was so loud that I couldn’t think. Bottoms Up was all wrong for me. I knew it within my first two minutes
inside the club. Why did I think this was a good idea ?
“Can I buy you a shot?” An overly muscled guy wrapped his hand around my waist and shouted into my ear. He had doused himself with at least half a bottle of cologne and was wearing a tight tank top .
I tried to push back a little from him. “No, thanks. I was just leaving .”
I could still make it to Peabody’s and have a margarita. This evening didn’t have to be a total waste .
“You here alone?” His hand was attached to my waist, and I didn’t have much room to move .
“I’m meeting someone, so thanks for the offer.” I tried to smile and brush past him, but he was like a solid statue I couldn’t escape. I looked around his sculpted arms, pretending to search for my imaginary friend .
“I’d like to buy you a drink .”
The guy was really pissing me off. “I already said no thank you.” I dropped my sweet girl act .
This time I made no hesitation in my attempt to breakaway from him. I pressed my hand against his chest and shoved. It was like pushing against a rock .
“Hey, bitch. Watch it .”
He grabbed me by my wrist and twisted it. If he was trying to get me to cave to my knees, he knew what he was doing. I looked around to see if anyone noticed what was happening, but the energy was frenetic in the club and no one saw the dick who now had me in a mercy hold .
“Let her go.” From out of nowhere, Cole appeared .
He towered over the guy. Before he had a chance to negotiate whatever he was thinking, I raised my knee and brought it straight up with as much force as I could .
“Aww. Bitch!” The asshole let go of my wrist and crumpled to the floor .
I rubbed my wrist and stood over the guy who was writhing in pain .
“Wait, you didn’t even let me hit him.” Cole looked pissed .
“I didn’t need you to hit him. I took care of it.” I placed my hands on my hips .
The guy rolled on his side into a fetal position .
“But I was going to hit him.” Cole watched as he shifted to his knees and started to crawl away .
“I had it under control.” I glanced at Cole. “I already have one big brother.” I realized how bitter and nasty the words sounded .
