She had kicked him in the nuts and slapped him.Hard.
He’d gotten damned lucky the sheriff at the time had sided with him when some stupid ass teacher had called the cops—boys would be boys, and all.But that girl had had it out for him ever since.And that girl held a real grudge.Why was his brother fucking around with her twin sister?
It had to be revenge against Jacob or something.He slipped his hand into his pocket.The pistol was there.What would people in this damned building with its 1970s shit panel walls do if he wiped that smirk off of Kameron’s face right now?Everyone remembered the shooting on Main Street.When that bitch Tyler girl nearly bought it.It had been a big fucking deal.That one that had hit the diner with that fancy Hollywood guy, too.Hadn’t there been a Tyler girl involved in that, too?
He'd been up the road from there, doing a pick-up, and had seen the entire thing.He’d never forget what it had looked like, how it had sounded.How he had felt after.
He stepped into his brother’s path, while those Clary girls headed toward the back of the hall and the restrooms there.“What you think you are doing with that girl?”
Kameron just stopped and looked at him.His brother was four inches taller, but Jacob was heftier.“What do you mean?That was called dancing, Jake.”
“You screwing with her just to mess with me.”
“What is your problem now?”Kameron leaned closer.“Are you drunk?Let me call Dad.He can come get you.”
Of course, pawn him off on their dad.Because Kameron was embarrassed by him.Jacob had always known the truth.“That’s your way, isn’t it?Just hide Jacob the screw up away.You are such a fucking asshole.”
Kameron actually looked like he was going to hit him or something.Jacob smirked.He almost dared his brother to do it.Ruin his perfect image with everyone watching.“I am not doing this here tonight.So just…leave me alone.I’ll call Dad to come get you.I have plans for tonight.”
Kameron tried to step away, but Jacob shifted.Blocked him.“You are such a fucking prick, think you are better than everyone else, screwing your assistant, acting like you are fucking rich now.Dad should be ashamed of you.”
Jacob jerked back when Kameron grabbed his shirt and yanked him closer.“Not one more word about Quinn, got me?I don’t care what Dad will say—I’ll rip you into shreds.Not one more word about her or I’ll rip your damned head off.”
“Problem here, boys?”a female voice said behind Kameron.“Kam, I’m sure this probably isn’t the place for family…discussions.”
“Fuck off, bitch,” Jacob told the smaller woman in the dark blue dress.He recognized her, though.That cop.Calloway Grady’s sister.Didn’t she think she was the shit, walking around with a badge all the time.
He didn’t see the badge now—just a lot of bare female skin.She was a hot bitch, and she knew it.And there were two huge assholes right behind her that heknewwere Wyoming Highway Patrol.And they were watching now.Shifting closer.
Even though Jacob wanted to put Kameron back in his place where he belonged, he stepped back.The last thing he wanted was to tangle with those assholes, tonight.
He looked at the woman instead.She was staring at him from bright green eyes.He remembered her—she’d been a year or so ahead of him in school, too.“You’re nothing special now that your daddy’s rotting in a cell.Fuck off, bitch.And take Kam here with you.”
Jacob headed toward the door.That girl he’d been waiting for was there, finally.He was going to tell her—she wasn’t to keep him waiting ever again.
There were other girls out there if she didn’t like it.He didn’t give a damn.
14
Cal spentthe rest of the dance just sitting and people watching, when he could.Trying to figure out how to help his brother somehow.When he wasn’t riding herd on three sisters, now that Cloe Jane had finally arrived.It was worse than herding cats, especially since they outnumbered him and Cadell by a factor of one.
Claudia had snarled at Kameron’s brother Jacob half an hour ago—now Cal was watching over her for a bit.To make sure Jacob, who’d probably had a few too many, didn’t make trouble for his sister.He despised that guy and wouldn’t put it past him to cause trouble for Claudia out of spite.
Claudia could take care of herself just fine—as she’d told him multiple times—but he was still her big brother.That wasn’t something he took lightly.
But…he was enjoying himself people watching.
Tyler-female-type people watching, mostly.
Auggie and her sisters were very entertaining when someone observed them for a while.They were very fiery, those three beautiful women.Passionate.
A bit on the uncivilized side, though.Which made them even more fascinating.
They drew the male crowd effortlessly.Even Em, who somehow didn’t see that for herself.Cal didn’t have to worry, though—Cadell was watching over Em and Clancy tonight, apparently.He’d heard Cadell and Clancy arguing again a few moments ago.Cadell had insisted on driving Clancy home, tonight.Said he had something to talk to her about.Cal suspected that was not going to go as Cadell seemed to think.Clancy had fangs when she wanted.And it was a five-minute drive.
A lot could happen between those two in five minutes.He had experienced it many times before.Thosetwo were far too much alike, honestly.
Cal was almost afraid to take his eyes off Auggie and her sisters, though.They drew trouble.They all three just did.
