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Jesus. As if all this wasn’t bad enough, the theme for the night is Home for the Holidays to celebrate the upcoming break. It’s a nightmare sea of red and green, with elf hats and those stupid little necklaces that looks like Christmas lights. Christmas music shakes the walls and I shudder. I just want to collect Katie and escape to my quiet cabin to wait out all the hoopla. How am I ever supposed to find Katie in here? Two women in tiny elf suits brush past me, pushing me closing to Naughty Mrs. Claus. I lean in, raising my voice to be heard over the piercing sounds of Run, Run, Reindeer.
“Do you know Katie Black?”
“Who?”
Shit. That’s not her name here. “Katie Williams. Do you know Katie Williams?”
Naughty Mrs. Claus sucks her candy cane again, her eyes brightening. “Oh, you’re looking for Kate?” She sweeps her gaze over me again, tongue swirling in blatant invitation. I wait it out until she rolls her eyes and gestures over her shoulder. “Yeah, she’s probably in the back where the pool tables are.”
I push my way through the crowd, past what I assume is a dance floor full of writhing bodies. Near the entrance to what I assume is the pool room, a bunch of dude bros look like they’re demonstrating a football play and one idiot bumps into me, spilling beer on my dark grey suit. I clench my jaw, reminding myself that Henry sounded scared when he called me, which makes my spine straighten in anger. My best friend shouldn’t ever have to worry about the safety of his family.
And to extend that threat to Katie? Someone has a death wish.
I step inside, expecting a more laidback vibe, but whatever I’m expecting, this isn’t it.
A huge wheel is set-up in the corner, spinning as I watch. A shirtless guy in a red sequined top hat and green bow-tie is riling the crowd up. Next to him is a tiny girl in a Santa hat, her hands over her eyes, as she waits out the spin.
“Striptease!” The guy screams as the arrow slowly ticks to a stop. The girl throws her head back in laughter, accepting a shot glass from a tray being held by another shirtless dude, this one in red pants and black boots. A half-dressed Santa, maybe? Someone pumps up the music, and I roll my eyes as Santa Baby comes on, the girl getting a boost up onto a nearby pool table amid cheers from the crowd. Her back is to me, as she circles her hips, before dropping into a squat, her red, cheerleader skirt flaring out over a perfectly round ass.
I start walking through the room, looking for Katie’s auburn hair when a low wolf whistle draws my attention back to the impromptu show. The girl kicks a leg up in a dancer’s pose, running her hand over her candy cane striped thigh-highs, before gracefully lifting her arms and pulling her Santa hat off, tossing it out to the crowd. My jaw goes slack as auburn ringlets spill down the girl’s back.
I’ve seen those curls in my dreams too often not to recognize them.
No freaking way. Fuck me. If Henry Black knew his baby sister was gyrating on a pool table, while she slowly unbuttoned her white, schoolgirl blouse in front of these slack-jawed yokels…
Fuck. A growl escapes me, causing a few heads to turn my way. I push my way to the pool table, reaching in and placing my hand over Katie’s shoe, one that looks alarmingly like those I’ve seen on actual strippers. “Katie.”
Startled blue eyes meet mine. “Hiro?” She glances around wildly. “Is Henry here?”
“This guy bothering you, Kate?” A guy with more muscles than brains leans in, shoving my hand away from her. I’m grateful she has someone in her corner if she’s pulling stupid stunts like this striptease in a room full of drunken frat guys, but right now he’s one more obstacle between me and my cabin. The music changes and not for the better. I wince as something that sounds remarkably like Alvin and the Chipmunks’ Christmas Song blares out from the speakers. My silent cabin.
I give the guy a look that’s been known to make bigger men piss their pants, but he doesn’t get it. I raise my hand, offering it to Katie. “Come here, Katie.”
She places her small hand in mine, and I help her down off the table, trying not to notice her soft weight sliding against me in that ridiculous getup. “Where’s Henry?” she asks again. “Is everything okay?”
Shit. I never thought to ask Henry what she knows about what’s going on. If she hasn’t received any threats, I’m scaring her unnecessarily. If she has, seeing me show up at her college party isn’t helping.
“Henry’s fine. Everyone’s fine,” I assure her. “I just need you to come with me.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere, buddy.” Muscles steps in front of us. “Who is this old dude, Kate?”
I bristle with annoyance, but Katie places a hand on the guy’s chest. “It’s okay, Owen. He’s my brother’s friend.” She sways and gives a little hiccup. “I just need to see what he wants.”
I grip her arm and steer her out of the back room. “Hey, where are we going?” Katie tries to dig in her heels, but those shoes are ridiculous, and I resist the urge to just pick her up and carry her out of the bar, but I’m afraid that’s going to attract too much attention.
“Are you seriously here to ruin my fun, again? How did you even find me?”
“Henry asked me to come.” I can almost see the door when Ms. Naughty or Nice from earlier steps directly in our path.
“Kate!” She turns to me. “You found her.” The woman throws her arms around Katie. “You finally get to meet Tom.” She drags Katie away from me and I clasp her hand to keep from losing her again in this crowd. At the sudden tug, the girl stops, looking down at our hands.
“What’s this?” She searches Katie’s face. “Who is this guy?”
Katie tries to pull her hand free, grimacing at me when I don’t let her go. “My brother’s friend.”
Naughty-or-nice arches an eyebrow. “Where’s Owen?” She leans past Katie. “I’m her best friend, Karli, with an ‘i’, by the way. You’re a little overdressed for the party.” She flicks my vest.
“Owen’s back there.” She cranes her neck. “I assume. I just need to see what my brother wants.” Katie wobbles a little on her heels as she looks back at me. “I assume he wants something.”
