“At least I have something worth showing off naked.” Kai’s grin is all teeth. “Can’t say the same for everyone.”
Carter snorts out a laugh.
Tanner’s face goes red. “Fuck you. I’m huge. Every woman I’ve been with has cried from my size.”
I can’t help myself. “Yeah, cried with disappointment.”
The people at the surrounding tables are starting to pay attention now, conversations dying as they tune in to the drama unfolding at our corner.
Tanner sputters, looking between us. “You—I—that’s not?—”
“The true measure of a man,” Carter continues, his tone philosophical, “isn’t what’s in his pants. It’s how much he can drink.”
Tanner blinks, thrown by the change in direction. “What?”
“You heard me.” Carter leans back in his seat, arms crossed, completely at ease. “Anyone can brag about size. But it takes a real man to hold his liquor.”
I see what he’s doing. Tanner has always been competitive, always needed to prove himself, and alcohol has always been his weakness. Carter is dangling bait, and Tanner, drunk, angry, humiliated, looks like he’s going to take it.
Sure enough, Tanner puffs up his chest. “I can outdrink any of you clowns.”
“Prove it.” Carter’s smile is slow and dangerous. “You and me. Shot for shot. Right here. We’ll see who the real man is.”
“Not tonight,” Tanner states.
“Why not?” Kai answers.
“Because I’m not a fucking idiot. I’ve already had a head start. Wouldn’t want anyone to say you cheated.”
“Fine, then you won’t have any problem showing up sober tomorrow.” Carter’s eyes glitter with challenge. “Unless you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared of shit.” Tanner’s chest is heaving now, his face mottled red. “Shot for shot. And when I win, you admit, publicly, that you stole my police car.”
“I can’t claim something I never did,” Carter adds.
“Fuck you.”
“Look, I’ll admit you’re the better man,” Carter states. “How’s that?”
“And when you lose,” Kai interjects, “you leave June alone. Forever. No more talking to her, no drunk confrontations or pathetic attempts to win her back. You stay away from her and from us. Deal?”
Tanner’s gaze jumps to me, something ugly passing across his face. Then he nods sharply. “Deal.”
“Excellent.” Carter raises his beer in a mock toast. “See you tomorrow, Tanner. Try not to piss yourself thinking about it.”
Tanner opens his mouth—probably to deliver some devastating comeback—but nothing comes out. He just stands there for a moment, jaw working, before finally turning and stumbling away toward a table in the far corner where a group of his buddies are waiting. A girl I don’t recognize drapes herself over his arm, shooting me a smug look.
You’re welcome to him, honey.
“Fucking prick,” I mutter under my breath as I sink back into my seat.
Kai slides in beside me and drapes an arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”
“I will be once he’s gone.” I glance at Carter and shake my head. “You don’t have to do this. Seriously. He’s not worth it.”
His grin stays bright, almost cheerful, which is unfair considering he is about to start a war over a man he doesn’t even respect. “Oh, I know he’s not worth it. That’s why it’s going to be fun.”
Kai snorts. “If anyone can win a drinking contest, it’s Carter. I’ve seen him put away a whole bottle of whiskey and still recite poetry.”
