I told him and Mateo what happened between Gage, Alessa, and me because I needed someone to talk to. They didn’t judge me; they helped me make up my mind. If this is how I can be with her, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not turning my back on her, not now, not ever.
“I’m sure that was Ryder’s fucking problem,” I grit out. “I don’t know about Dex. He never talks.”
“I’m going to say something, and I need you to listen without getting pissed off,” Evander says, and I immediately know it’s going to piss me off. “Ryder’s been in her life for twenty-five years. Maybe you need to step back and see it from his point of view.”
“What the hell, Van?” Did he just take that asshole’s side? “He’s why she’s here drunk on a Tuesday night before ten.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think it’s just that. I don’t know her well, but I know this isn’t her. She burns shit to the ground when she’s pissed, not drown in tequila. That girl out there,” he points in the club’s direction, “is hurting.”
“Because of me?”
“I think it’s been building, and whatever happened today tipped it over the edge. You guys still haven’t talked?”
I give him a sheepish look. “No.”
He punches me hard in the shoulder. “Talk to her before youput your dick in her again.” He jerks the office door open, muttering “dumbass” under his breath. I can’t even be mad. I don’t regret last night—quite the opposite. I realized a few things about myself that I probably need to look closer at after I take care of my girl.
We walk back to where Alessa is sitting, and she’s staring at Mateo, head tilted to the side. It’s cute in her drunken state instead of scary like that move typically is. “You know,” she starts, pointing at him. “You’re kind of pretty.” She leans her elbows up on the table. “But your brother is hotter,” she whispers loudly, jerking a thumb at Evander. Mateo’s face goes from smug to shocked in a second flat. Gage loses it, laughing so hard he almost slides out of the booth. I take another look at Mateo’s wounded expression and join in his laughter.
“Thanks,” Evander says with a chuckle.
“Don’t get a big head.” She points at me. “That brother, though? Hm,” she hums, and it sounds distinctly sexual, almost like a moan. “Is the hottest.”
I feel my chest puff out, giving Evander and Mateo a smug grin, causing them to roll their eyes.
“What about me, Pretty girl?” Gage asks teasingly.
She snorts, then hiccups. “You know you’re hot. Dark hair, blue eyes, dimples. You’re a walking wet dream.”
Gage gives her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “That’s you.”
He’s not wrong. Even inebriated with a plain band t-shirt over ripped jeans, hair in a messy bun with no makeup on, she is easily the prettiest girl in the room.
“And here I thought we were making friends,” Mateo comments with a pout.
“Oh. Yeah. Sure,” she giggles. “Friends.” She waves a hand between Gage and me. “My friends get lots of perks. I have lots of friends, friends I like to fuc….”
“Okay,” Gage interrupts, trying to fight a laugh. “I think it’s time to go.”
“Aw,” she pouts, and it’s the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen. “But I’m making new friends.”
“Pretty girl.” Gage rubs his knuckles down her cheek. “Let’s make friends with them when you’re sober.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m pretty sure you just propositioned Mateo and Evander for sex in a roundabout way.” Gage loses his battle and laughs but covers it up with a cough.
“Did I?” she asks, her brow creasing in confusion. She isn’t even following her own conversations anymore.
“I agree, Baby. Let us take you home.”
“Fine,” she grumbles. “Thanks for hanging out with me,” she says to Mateo.
“Anytime, Alessa.” He grins, but it’s strained around the corners. I need to find out what exactly she said to make EvanderandMateo’s protective instincts kick in.
Gage slides out of the booth holding his hand out to help her. She slides out and almost goes right back down. His arms flash out, locking around her waist, pulling her against him. She giggles. “Whoa.” She tilts her head back to look up at him. He’s almost a foot taller than her when she has flat shoes on. “Hot and chivalrous. Rest in peace to my panties.”
I hear Evander and Mateo snort a laugh behind me and have to struggle to control my face. She might be cracking jokes and seem one hundred percent fine, but I didn’t forget what Evander said.
