Page 24 of Tats

Crap….

Twenty minutes later, I'm parking in front of the club's bar with Lewis parking right next to me—no shocker.

I grab my purse from the bench seat and climb out, giving Lewis a smile. I walk to him before we head inside. It's visibly busy, so hopefully, I can find someone and see if I can squash my non-casual feelings, ignoring the voice inside my head telling me I'm wasting my time.

We go to the bar, and I notice Leo straight away. He looks my way and smiles, but it soon disappears when he notices the arm over my shoulder.

When we get near, he leans against the bar, watching me and Lewis with a raised brow and a smirk.

"Hey Leo, I didn't know you worked the bar," I say when we're near, Lewis's hold tightening on me as he tries to mark his territory.

Seriously, why not just piss on me.

Leo smiles, replying, "Not often, doll. We're short-staffed today because of a meeting, so I'm helping out." He looks at Lewis, who has started checking out Suzy, a woman who works mainly at Devil's Temptation and loves the brothers who are currently walking toward the back of the room. "Does…uh, Tats know you're here?"

I guess he wanted to add “with someone” by the look on his face.

I just shrug, knowing Leo is the only one who knows about us, and say, "We're casual, Leo."

He nods before leaning over, whispering, "Even though you don't want to be."

He gives me a knowing look before grabbing my usual diet cola and bringing it to me. Lewis furrows his brows, but Leo shrugs as he places the glass down in front of me, stating, "She's like my sister; she drinks free. What can I get you?"

Lewis' eyes brighten, thinking he's getting a free ride, and I have to hold in my snort. He orders a Bud Light and five shots, and again, I hold in my snort. But I soon let it out when Leo states, "$62.45," and Lewis' face falls.

I can't wipe the smile off my face at his confused and pissed-off look as he gets his wallet out. Suddenly, I feel eyes on me. I look around the room, leaving my drink on the counter, before my eyes meet Tats'. My smile widens when I see him, but it soon falls at the look he's giving me.

I feel like I should be burning to ashes with the fiery daggers he's sending me.

What the hell?

Lewis wraps his arm around my shoulders, and Tats' face goes darker, confusing me. until I notice Suzy pressing up against him, making bile rise in my throat.

Yeah, no, I can't see that.

I turn, not wanting that shoved in my face. I know I'm here with Lewis, but I knew before leaving the school that nothing would happen, and seeing Tats proves I also won't want to hook up with anyone else, him being all I want even though he'll probably screw Suzy later.

"Yo Lewis!" someone shouts, getting his attention as I look down at the chipped oak bar, trying to keep my tears at bay. Lewis removes his arm, making me look his way. I see him walk over to a group of guys who all look at me and say something before Lewis' eyes come my way, then flick back to them. I huff, knowing they're talking about the bet.

I grab my drink but a funny feeling overtakes me. I look at the liquid in my glass, before my gaze subtly glide his way again, only to see his eyes on the drink in my hand. He looks back at the idiots who are also looking at my glass. Some have guilt in their eyes while others look almost too giddy.

Holy…he did not spike my drink!

Leo grabs it from my hand, making me look at him. He tips it angrily down the sink before we make eye contact. Instantly, I knew my instincts were right, Lewis slipped me something, and with the anger in Leo's eyes, I knew Lewis was a dead man and not because of Leo, nope. But because of the eyes I can feel burning into my back.

We may be casual but he’s still my best friend.

I know I should feel something about this, but I honestly can't. The guy is clearly an attempted rapist, that's if he hasn't already done this with someone else.

He's dug his own grave as far as I'm concerned.

I give Leo a thank you smile and lean over the bar, kissing his cheek before turning and leaving.

I never should have agreed to this, knowing nothing would have happened because Tats is all I want despite my not being all he wants.

God, I never wanted to feel like this. I've lost so much already, and now, unless I terminate this arrangement, I'll lose him too, which would destroy me.

He's my light at the end of the tunnel, if only I was his.

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