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“I’m sorry, man. Presley told me she invited her after the fact.” He shrugs. “I couldn’t uninvite her. That’s rude as hell, and my mama taught me better than that.”
I glare at him, not entirely believing his lies. “If Presley’s tryin’ to play matchmaker or have us reconcile our differences, it’s not happening.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. Not after what Kat had to say about you.” He chuckles. “Your next drink is on me.”
I narrow my eyes at him, curious as to what she said. “How about the next five?”
Colton waves his hand in the air and walks back to Presley and Kat. I finish my beer, and a waitress takes the empty bottle just as a cute little blonde smiles at me from across the room. I shoot her a wink, and she walks over.
“Hey,” she says, looking me up and down. I love her confidence right now.
“Hi, sweetheart. Wanna dance?” I hold out my hand, and she happily takes it. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her tight, and we glide around the room, twirling and turning to the beat of the country music.
“I’m Leah,” she tells me.
“Braxton. Nice to meet you, darlin’.” I pull her in tight as a slow song begins. When I look past her, I catch a glimpse of Kat watching us. Our eyes meet, and she quickly turns her head. Kat can talk all the shit she wants, but she’s mighty intrigued by what I’m doing, so maybe she can’t get me off her mind either.
Leah and I dance the night away, and eventually, she’s replaced by a cute redhead. Knowing Kat is witnessing this brings me nothing but joy. Colton and Presley step onto the dance floor and make out like teenagers at prom, so I randomly keep tabs on Kat. A man walks up to her and makes small talk, which I knew would ultimately happen. She’s the prettiest girl in this place even if she has the worst attitude of them all.
I’m half-tempted to give him a warning, and when her body language says everything I need to know—she’s not into him—I lock my eyes on them. She’s being polite and chatting with him, but he’s standing too close, and she keeps taking a step back, which only causes him to step forward. I’m trying not to be rude to the girl I’m dancing with, but at this point, I’m worried about Kat’s safety.
The asshole grabs her wrist and tries to pull her onto the dance floor, but she’s not having it. He moves closer, violating her personal space, then tries to kiss her. I quickly excuse myself and see nothing but red as I cross the room. I’m too damn sober for this since I’ve been dancing and not drinking at the bar.
I step between Kat and the idiot, forcing the space she’s tried to create for the past ten minutes.
“You need to back the fuck up,” I demand, pressing a hand to his chest and literally pushing him back a step. I should beat the shit out of this guy for not understanding when a lady isn’t interested, but somehow, I keep my temper in check.
“Don’t touch me, asshole. My girl and I were havin’ a chat.” He attempts to intimidate me, but his breath reeks of alcohol and cigarettes.
Instead of beating him to a pulp, I push him again, harder this time, and he stumbles back and falls on his ass.
“She ain’t your girl,” I correct.
What confuses me the most is when he bounces up like he hit a trampoline and rushes toward me with his fists drawn. “You wanna fuck her too, huh?” he yells, attracting attention to us. “She’s mine. I claimed her!”
People surround us, and I see the bouncers making their way over.
All it takes is one swing, and I lay him out flat. There are too many eyes on me and Kat, and I know she tries to avoid that, considering her parents basically own half the town. Looking at her, I notice she’s upset. I reach for her so I can make sure she’s okay, but she rushes out the door. I quickly follow her.
“Are you okay?” I ask as soon as we’re outside.
She spins on her heels, pointing a finger in my face. “You should’ve minded your own damn business, Braxton. I don’t need you riding up like some knight in shining armor trying to save the day. I had it under control,” she hisses.
“Are you sure about that, Kat? I don’t think the guy was getting the hint.”
She takes a step forward and jabs her finger into my chest. “That’s not your decision to make, now is it? I don’t need your help, Braxton.”
I shake my head, tasting the venom in her words. “A thank you would’ve worked just fine.”
