“Speechless? Interesting.” They reached over and tugged at my braid. “I’m teasing you. Honestly, I’m not surprised. He’s always watching you.”
I turned, and sure enough, Cal’s attention was on me. “Okay, fine. Yes, but dear god, I don’t wanna gossip about it.”
Alex laughed. “Fair enough. Gotta say, I think you suit him. Known the kid for three years, and he needs more… you in his life.”
“What does that mean?”
“Annoying. Happy.”
“Wow, that was almost a compliment.” My own lips curved, and I wanted to ask more about their comment. I never got the chance though. Cal headed over, a wild look on his face. “What is it?”
“A party bus just arrived. At least twenty people.” His face darkened. “Once I check IDs, I’ll help behind the bar.”
“I’m sure I can—”
“I know you can. But these tend to get rowdy.” His eyes pleaded with me, and I nodded. I didn’t get the worry when we’d had even double that amount a few weeks ago, but I trusted Cal’s judgement.
Alex sighed. “Fuck, I hate those party buses. You get entitled drunks mixing with our regulars, who are generally blue-collared workers here to relax, and there’s always a fight.”
“Really?” I stood straighter, a prickle of worry edging itself down my spine.
“Yes.” They rolled their shoulders back. “Once the shots start, it’s bad.”
The noise was the first clue Cal’s reservations were spot-on. The group of partyers were loud as hell. Chanting and cheering as they walked in. Ridiculously obnoxious. They wore polos and goofy hats and beads, and Cal’s stare bored into me.Be safe.
The group of men, all very large, tanned, and halfway drunk came up to the bar.
“Oh, hello, beautiful. My god, look at this angel.”
“She’s gorgeous. Come here, honey. Let me see you up close.” One pushed onto the bar and leaned over the edge.
My skin crawled. I took a step back and pointed to the tap. “What can I get you to drink?”
“All business, no play, no fun.” One guy pouted his lips at me, like a baby. It was horrid. “Twenty shots of whiskey, top shelf. Surprise me, baby doll. Papa’s got some cash, and he wants to give it to you.”
I swallowed down the gross feeling. Both Alex and Cal neared the bar, their bodies tense. It wasn’t that the men creeped me out, but it was the amount of them. Their size. Sure, they were creepers, but ugh, I could feel them ogling me, and I regretted wearing short shorts and a crop top.
“I’ll help.” Cal appeared next to me, putting his hand on mine as I tried opening a second bottle. Twenty shots was a lot. I set up the glasses, my skin turning red at the attention. They screamed and shouted, earning complaints from the other guests.
I didn’t blame them.
I had the glasses set up and poured the first ten before the bottle ran out. Cal did the second half, and we slid them toward King Bro. “That’ll be hundred and twenty.”
The guy tossed two hundreds at me. “Keep the change, baby, but give me some sugar.”
“Take the shots and leave,” I said, my voice growing louder.
“Oh, feisty thing.” He pounded the shot and tried to move closer to me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and I cringed.
“Sir, back the fuck up.” I raised my voice, and one of the regulars at the end of the bar noticed. Big Ben worked as a mechanic and never said much. He came here to unwind before going home to his sick mom and three kids. If Cal was big, Big Ben was double in size.
“There a problem?” Big Ben asked, King Bro smiling wide.
“Complimenting the lady, sir. But damn, you look like a tank.”
Cal moved next to me, angling his body between me and the asshole. Heat radiated from him, and I was beyond glad he and Alex were there. The sense of entitlement around these guys was the scariest part about them.
“Why don’t you boys head out before things get ugly? Leave the girl alone.”
