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Not even giving her a chance to respond, I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her into me. Inside the crowded space, her scent lingers and makes me want to lick the sweat off her neck, desperate to taste her.
No, stop going there. It’s just the tequila. Drink more. It will go away, I promise.
“It’s so hot in here,” she complains, trying to fan her face with her hand. “I’m dying. I’m just going to go to the restroom. Will you be okay?”
“I’m a big boy.” My lips slowly rise into a smirk. “You worried I’m going to hook up while you’re gone? You’re so hot when you’re jealous.”
“Remember the pact,” she warns while pointing her finger. “You break it. I break it. And, I’m not jealous.”
My eyes lazily glance aside in annoyance. “Go, and you ain’t breaking a thing.”
Alexa weaves in and out of the crowd until she disappears around the corner. I dance with some people I know but then begin to worry when it feels like forever, and Alexa hasn’t returned. I scan the dance floor, unable to find her, but then spot her at the bar throwing back a shot.
What in the actual fuck?
“Hey there, crazy, slow down. What the hell happened for you to be drinking like this? I thought you wanted to take it easy?”
She bows her head, then lifts it again moments later with an angered expression. Her usually emerald dancing eyes are anything but happy. What the hell would have happened in that short time for her to be so angry?
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay, so can I join in?”
A smile graces her lips. “Much appreciated, buddy.”
Our night becomes a blur. Too much tequila and way too much laughter. If we’re good for anything, it’s to make each other forget and pretend this fucked up world we live in doesn’t exist. I’m pretty decent when it comes to holding my liquor, but Alexa tends to get sloppy.
“Maybe…” I begin with, holding her up as she falls to the ground in a fit of laughter, unable to get up “… we should get some fresh air and go home.”
“You’re a party po… pper,” she slurs.
I laugh. “I think you meant to say party pooper.”
On the way home, we laugh about all the times we’ve pranked Eric. He’s an easy target. Yet, Dad is even easier. The guy has screwed around way too much before Mom. He’s forgotten just how colorful his college years were.
I insist on walking Alexa home after the cab ride, given all the weirdos who prey on young women just like her. There are times when we talk non-stop or argue over the most trivial things, and there are times when Alexa falls into a digestive silence. At least she’s sobered up a little and hasn’t completely passed out on me.
In front of her door, she fumbles for her keys and manages to open it. This time, she’s been quiet for a longer period, and I’m done playing games.
“Alexa…” I begin softly while grabbing her arm to stop her before continuing, “… what got into you tonight?”
Her cheeks flush, but then she bows her head almost as if she’s embarrassed. What happened in the restroom?No one better of touched her or I’ll kill them with my bare hands.
Anger surges through me, forcing me to clench my fists into a ball to control what’s about to come out of my mouth. Then, her gaze flicks upward, and just like me, she looks angry.
“Ava told me Hunter is expecting a child,” she rushes in a pitched tone. “A child he conceived while I was sleeping with him.”
My mouth remains shut, unable to connect my thoughts and speech together. Well, let’s be honest here. He’s a fucking jerk for hurting her and taking advantage of a younger woman.
Should she know that? My better judgment warns me to keep my opinions to myself. The last thing I want is to make her feel worse than she already does even though it was always bound to leak out to her.
“I’m sorry, I guess.”
Alexa crosses her arms, tilting her head in confusion. “You’re sorry, you guess? The guy cheated on me. It makes me feel like shit, even though we aren’t together. No one wants to be cheated on.”
“Yeah, you aren’t together. You know, you weren’t innocent in all this. He was married,” I grit, struggling to hold back my anger over the fucking prick. “Move on. If you want to get him back because you’re angry, then I’m here, Alexa.”
“What does that even mean, Beau?”
