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Butch raises a brow at me.
Duke booms with laughter while Tanner just stares wide-eyed in astonishment like he can’t believe she could’ve offered him such a thing.
“I knew it.”
“Seriously?” Tanner asks, shock written all over his face.
“Yup,” I say, sipping my drink. “It’s a wild world out there in the dating cesspool.”
“She’s Stan’s ex, too,” Duke grumbles. “That’s why she waited until he walked away to come over. She did the same thing right before you got here.”
I spit out my drink a little at that. Butch chuckles, handing me a napkin. “And she’s over here trying to hook up with his friends right in front of him? Jeez.”
Stan comes back a moment later with eight shots of whiskey and two shots of tequila for me. We all take a shot, clink, and drink.
This night might actually turn out to be a good one.
We’re all rattling off jokes and talking shit about everyone and anyone around the bar. Telling stories and laughing so loud we’re getting annoyed stares from the surrounding patrons. If you would’ve told me I’d be having this much fun with Butch Montgomery a few weeks ago, I would have told you to get checked into the looney bin. But right now, I am. We’re all several drinks in, and I’m currently walking the line between buzzing to drunk.
“So, how come we’ve never seen you out until margarita night?” Stan asks me with a lingering chuckle.
I shrug, smiling. Heck, I think I’ve been smiling nonstop since I got here. “Men are assholes.” I quickly wave a hand around the table. “No offense.”
Duke groans, slapping Butch on the shoulder. “Aw, man, Cassidy. Don’t tell me you’re sworn off men right now?”
I roll my eyes. “No. I mean, it’s hard to enjoy a night out when you’re not looking for the attention, you know? Kind of like…when you’re looking no one else is, then when you’re not, they’re everywhere, type of thing.”
And just as I say that, Alex comes stumbling over to the table. “Ay, there you are, Cass. How the hell are ya?” he slurs, attempting to toss his arm around me, but I lean away, pressing my body into Butch’s broad side.
Butch instantly takes the cue, shoving Alex’s slimy outreached hand away.
Shock shows on the swaying nuisance. “Woah, man.” He throws his hands up in surrender with a near-empty beer in hand. “Relax, we’re cool. Cass and I go way back. Right, baby girl?”
I scrunch my nose, leaning further into Butch’s side to get away from the stench of him. “Don’t call me that, Alex. And go away, you smell like piss.”
Alex scoffs, taking a step closer. “Don’t be such a bitch, Cass.”
A heavy, protective arm slides around my waist, drawing me in tighter. His masculine woodsy scent floods my senses and invades my space. I drink it in, inhaling long and deep as a heavy warmth envelops me.
Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?
“She told you to fuck off. I’d listen if I were you because if she has to tell you again, I’ll be doing it for her,” Butch growls. And my lady bits swoon a little at the threatening undertone of his words.
Alex’s drunken eyes widen, putting his hands up and backing away.
Once he’s gone, I sigh, readjusting in my seat. “Thanks.”
Much to my displeasure, Butch releases his hold on my waist. His hand caresses slowly over my back, warm and lingering as he pulls away. I fight the urge to lean back into him, to let him hold me like that again.
I bet he’s a dream to curl up against on a cool night.
Huh. Where’d that thought come from?
Duke shakes his head. “Guess that’s what you were talkin’ about, huh?”
“Yeah.” I sigh, downing the rest of my drink. The alcohol hits me instantly. And like the stars aligning, the band starts to play a song that justscreamsdance to me. Wiggling a little in my seat, I slip off to my feet. “Do any of you dance? Or are you a sit and watch kind of crowd?”
Duke raises a brow and Iswearhe kicks Butch under the table, but no one responds. I take off my purse and set it on the table. “You’re all not gonna let me go by myself, are you?” I mock pout.
