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“Yeah, let’s dance,” I say, hating how I’m taking something that once was sacred between Grace and me, a cherished memory with my mom, and using it to move on.
Honey, as she wants to be known, smiles as she holds out her hand and I take it, allowing her to lead me through the crowd of people to the dance floor.
Frank isn’t far behind, and not because he wants to dance; I think it’s something inside him that doesn’t allow me to be alone. Like he’s a damn bodyguard or something. The guy needs to loosen up.
I motion to the bartender for shots, and within seconds a waitress is delivering them to us before we step onto the dance floor.
I throw back two shots and follow Honey’s hips. The women dance more with one another which is completely fine with me. The grinding Honey is doing against me while her friend dances against her is more than a welcome show.
Frank’s eyes keep moving, though, and eventually I see them light up and then he flicks his gaze to mine, pulling me from my intoxicated haze. When I turn, I spot Cat walking toward me with Hanson following closely behind.
Fuck, when I invited her, I didn’t think she’d bring that ass.
Honey’s arm wraps around my waist trying to pull my attention, but I’ve given up. There will be more Honeys as the night goes on. I’d rather not have my sister watch me embarrass myself.
Spinning out of her needy embrace, I walk away without a second glance. Cat raises her eyes letting me know she didn’t miss my dancing, and I shrug. As we reach one another, I lean into her ear and speak over the music. “Glad you came. Although, you could have left the asshole home.”
She pinches my arm and replies, “Why would I leave him at home when all the assholes are here for him to play with?”
I roll my eyes and motion to the cordoned off area where we can sit and get drinks. I can’t believe I’m actually inviting Hanson to join me, but I guess it’s better than having no one in the huge VIP space.
The asshole slaps me on the back. “Looks like it’s a good thing we showed up. Your brothers still missing?” He smiles at me like he actually cares, but his words and eyes tell me differently. The man is always plotting. I can’t believe my sister lets him anywhere near her.
With a tilt of his head, Frank motions for me to sit next to him, keeping me from a reaction.
Cat sits on the edge of Hanson’s chair, and I bite back anger. She’s only in this damn mess because of me, but she doesn’t have to be so fucking friendly with him. He puts his arm around her waist, and she smiles down at him. “This place is awesome, Cash. I must admit, I think this was a good buy for you.”
I nod. “So far, so good. So where were you guys before this?”
Cat turns to Hanson and after he shrugs, she turns back to me and admits, “We had dinner with friends. A little celebration.”
Hanson picks up his drink and sips it, watching me.
Why is he watching me?
“What friends?” I ask, already wishing I didn’t.
Before Cat can reply, Hanson speaks for her. “Tessa and Grace.”
My jaw tightens and Frank sits up. It’s like he’s trying to protect me from the emotional assault of this conversation.
I should stop. I should let it go. But I don’t. “And what were you celebrating?”
Hanson smiles as he looks directly at me, delivering his final shot. “Grace’s divorce.”
It hits me square in the chest. Grace is finally single. And she’s celebrating.
I close my eyes before I can ask what I already know. I turn to Frank, and without me having to say a word, he’s up and scanning the club. If she’s here, he’ll find her.
Cat launches herself up. “Let her be. It was hard enough to get her out tonight. Don’t ruin this for her.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “You brought her tomyclub and you wantmeto leaveheralone?”
“If you’re going to send Frank over there to make her leave then yes. I was hoping that you could be an adult about this, see Grace, and realize that you made a mistake. Maybe fix things before it’s too late,” Cat says with fire in her voice. It’s not often that we go toe-to-toe. Clearly, Grace has come to mean something to her, although I have no idea why.
I sigh. “I’m not going to make her leave. Honestly, I can’t believe she’d want to come to a club that I own.”
Frank walks back to our table and sits down. Before he can tell me what I need to know, Cat says, “She doesn’t know you own this place. And she wasn’t exactly in her right mind to argue with us anyway.”
