Holden swipes it before Hayden can. He doesn’t like Jäger either, but I’m guessing he’d rather down it than let Hayden have another. I down my second shot without waiting for them, eager to get it over with.
I stand. The need to stretch my legs and walk off some of the restlessness is strong.
“I’m going to get a beer. Everyone want one?”
Holden and Henry nod when I glance at them. When my gaze reaches Hayden, his eyes bulge, and he’s gripping the back of his neck.
“What is going on with you tonight?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He sighs. “Yeah, I’ll take a beer.”
“Was that so hard?” I don’t wait for an answer before I huff and walk away.
When I’m only four or five feet from them, Hayden calls out my name, and I stop and glance over my shoulder.
“Just don’t be a dickhead.”
I prevent myself from telling him to shove off and resume making my way to the bar. He’s more off than usual tonight, and I don’t want to start an argument with him. Moments later, everything clicks into place. The reason Hayden looked stressedwhen I offered to get him a beer and told me not to be a dickhead had nothing to do with him. Zilch.
It had everything to do withher.Delaney Larson is bartending here tonight, and she’s dressed sexy as sin while she’s doing it.
My first instinct is to skip the line and cut off the guy she’s serving. He’s ogling her ass in that amazing skirt whenever she turns away from him. Instead, I use up the ounce of control I still possess and stand in her line. I’m fourth in the queue, which means I must watch three other men interact with her. I want to pound all three of them into the ground—the first, for his blatant ogling, the next two for shamelessly flirting with her.
It’s while she’s preparing the drinks for the man before me that she glances up and notices I’m next in line. Her eyes almost pop out of her head, and a small gasp escapes her. Her cheeks turn ruby red, and she rips her eyes off me and turns her focus back to her customer.
“You okay there, sweetheart? No need to be nervous around me. I don’t bite. Unless you want me to, that is.” Seriously, the sleazeball thinks that’s a good line? Creep.
Irritation flashes over Delaney’s face, but she rapidly masks it. She’s professional as she rings him out.
“I’ll see you again soon, gorgeous.” The man turns to walk away, and Delaney must read the agitation in my posture and the slight step I take in his direction, fists clenched.
“Harrison, no.” There’s a pleading tone in her voice that instantly stills me, so I force myself to let the man go and turn to her.
“What can I get for you?” I notice her hands are a little shaky.
“What are you doing here, Delaney?” My eyes bore into her. I want to throw my suit jacket around her body and drag her alluring ass out of here.
“Crocheting,” she deadpans. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m working. Now, what can I get for you?”
“Whyare you working here? In that outfit, nonetheless.”
Her eyes flicker to life with fury. It’s a far cry from the uncertainty they had in them just seconds ago.
“It’s none of your business how I dress or why I’m here, Harrison. Now order something, or please step out of the line.”
“Fine,” I hiss. “Four beers. Whatever you have.”
She moves to get me the beers, and I follow her with my eyes. I loathe theuniformthat’s intended to expose her for the pleasure of those coming to the bar. A woman can wear whatever makes her feel good about herself. But I hate the idea of any woman beingmadeto wear something that puts her on display so that she can work.
Shit. She already has two of the beers poured, with the third almost done.
“Why are you working here?” My tone is softer this time.
Delaney ignores me and finishes working on my order. When done, she rings me up, plasters on a forced smile, and thanks me as I put a twenty in the tip jar.
I take my tray of drinks and march to the table I’m sharing with my brothers. As I approach, they’re eyeing me warily. What the hell did they think I was going to do, Hulk out at a high-end charity event?
I set the drinks down.
