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Chapter Six
Ellie
I swayed to the music of the live country band on the small platform in the corner of Splinter’s Tavern, my favorite dive bar. Wren threw an arm around my waist and danced with me. Raising her drink, she tried to sing along, but had no idea what the lyrics were. I laughed and took a swig from my own glass.
The night was fantastic so far. It had been a long time since I went out with someone who wasn’t trying to get in my pants. I clung to Wren and her vibrant energy. It must’ve been a long time for her too because she had let loose. It felt like we were teenagers, back when things were simple and all we wanted was a good time.
Wren leaned close to me. Her lip gloss was a little smudged, but she didn’t seem to care.
“There’s a guy staring at you,” she yelled the words directly into my ear and I pulled away with a wince. I glanced in the direction her slightly unfocused eyes indicated.
Callen sat at a high-top table at the other end of the room, his stare boring into me.Great. It didn’t surprise me to see him, but I’d hoped to be spared tonight. Wren and I got a relatively early start, considering my normal bar hours. I supposed I should be happy for the time we’d had in peace.
I rolled my eyes as I turned back to Wren. She raised her brows questioningly.
“He’s a dick,” I said, and took another drink from my glass.
Wren frowned. “He’s cute.”
I shrugged. “Still a dick.”
Wren pouted. “Boo.” She looked over at Callen again, and stuck her tongue out like a disgusted child berating a bully.
I laughed so hard my ribs hurt. “I’m heading to the bar.” I shook my empty glass, the ice clinking. “Do you need anything?”
Wren shook her head as she danced to the music again. “I’m good.”
I waded toward the bar, squeezing between bodies and avoiding being burned by lit cigarettes dangling from hands. I was pretty sure smoking wasn’t allowed indoors, but they didn’t care at this place.
I slammed my empty glass down on the glossy bar top. Abel raised a bushy eyebrow as he popped the tops off a couple beer bottles and slid them toward some guys at the other end of the bar.
“Need another already?” he asked. Abel knew me well, unfortunately. But he was a good guy. He watched out for me.
I nodded, my lips stretching up into a lushed grin. “Make it a double please.”
Abel took my glass and started refilling it.
“You look good tonight.” A deep voice in my ear made me cringe.
My head turned to Callen leaning against the bar next to me. He gave me a once over as he swigged his beer.
I looked away, focusing on Abel making my drink. “Go away.”
Callen laughed and I stiffened, clutching onto the bar to ground me.
“Whatever, sweetheart. You know you’ve missed me.”
I hadn’t. It’d been a couple weeks since I’d been to the bar after our encounter on the porch of my trailer. Abel sat my drink in front of me. His attention shifted to Callen as his gaze narrowed. Then he locked eyes with me as I took a long drink. “You okay?” Abel asked, voice low.
I nodded and waved him off. The bar was swamped and he had more important things to do than make mean faces at Callen Hunter.
Whirling around, I started to make my way back to Wren, who was still dancing in front of the band. But Callen moved, his burly body blocking mine. “Where you goin’?” He stepped so close I felt the heat radiating from him.
I grimaced, my mind slow to process. I’d lost count of how many drinks I’d had. We were having so much fun I hadn’t noticed that the floor swayed beneath me.
“I’m busy, Callen.” I huffed, trying to push past him, but he grabbed my arm.
The hairs on my neck rose. Callen lips pulled back in a dark grin. “Why don’t you dance with me?” He leaned down, his nose almost touching my face. “Please?”
