Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I didn’t feel angry. I had no reason to be. As far as I was concerned, they were doing me a favor by distracting him. But it did little to help me feel less out of place. I didn’t know anyone, so I stayed put.
On my barstool, shot in hand, taking it all in.
I took another quick glance around the room, and that’s when I spotted Luke. He was off to the side, talking with the brother who was there when Davis moved in, and while I had no idea what they were saying, they looked to be having a good time. Especially Luke.
He was grinning, cutting up, and being his usual self. He looked like he belonged there, and I was a little envious of the fact. I found myself smiling without meaning to.
I couldn’t help it.
There was something about watching him in his element.
He looked genuinely happy, and the chaos around him seemed to fade away. I was a little mesmerized by it all. And somewhere along the way, it made me feel a bit better about being there.
I finished off my shot, and the bartender quickly poured me another. I planned on just nursing it until Davis sauntered over to the counter with three empty beer bottles in hand. He tossed them in the trash before ordering, “Three Lites and make ‘em cold.”
I watched him for a second, then leaned over and asked, “Why am I here?”
“Ah, fuck. Don’t start with me,” he snorted, like I’d said something funny. “I’m not here to play house, Pres.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“I’m gathering intel.” He shot me a look, letting me know he wasn’t pleased with my reaction. “This is work. Only way I can help your sister is by being where people talk too much, and these girls have lots to say.”
“I bet they do.”
“Don’t gotta be a bitch, Pres. You’re no better than they are.” The bartender slid the beers over, and Davis scooped them up as he told me, “But don’t worry. Just a little longer, and this will all be over.”
He started back toward the group, and panic washed over me. “Davis!”
I reached out and grabbed his arm before stopping him. He whipped around with a cold look in his eyes and barked, “What?”
“Just let this go. We can find another way.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“Luke is your brother,” I pushed. “He loves you. He’s tried to help you… more than once. You can’t betray him like this.”
For a split second, I saw a glimmer of compassion flicker in his eyes, but it was gone as quick as it came. “I don’t give a fuck about Luke. Never have.”
“But….”
“But nothing,” he snarled. “You don’t think he’d toss me aside the second it got inconvenient?”
“No, I don’t think he would.”
“You don’t know shit, and when I get the cash that saves your sister, you’ll see that I was right.”
Dread filled my chest as I watched him walk off toward the girls. Whatever he was planning wasn’t just about the money. It was something much more malicious than that.
I continued to watch as he weaved his way through the crowd. He reached the girls and handed off the drinks, smiling like he was the man of the year. They ate it up. They even leaned in when he placed his arms around their shoulders, pulling them in close like he’d done it a million times before.
My stomach turned when he leaned down and said something that made them laugh. I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I had to turn away. That’s when I spotted Luke. He was still sitting with his friends, but he was no longer alone.
Now, he had a beautiful woman sitting in his lap. She had long, blonde hair and boobs for days, and she had her legs wrapped around his hips with one arm looped around his neck. Her mouth was close to his ear as she whispered something that made him smile.
It wasn’t a polite smile.
It was genuine.
He liked this girl, and that made my chest tighten even more.
I stared a moment longer, hoping to get some idea of whether she was his ol’ lady or just some random hookup. I didn’t know which answer bothered me more.
Get it together, Presley.
I turned away, and when I reached for my drink, I glanced back over at them. Her hand was now on his chest, and her fingers were splayed like they belonged there—like she belonged there. And suddenly, the jealous twinge from earlier was no longer just a twinge.
It was a full-blown knot.
I picked up my shot and drank it without thinking. And then, I ordered another. I downed the shot, and it wasn’t long before my head began to swim. I wanted to believe that I was one of those girls who could handle their alcohol.