My fingers pull at the elastic hem of my sweatshirt an hour and two drinks later. “Maybe I should’ve gone to The Tipsy Tavern instead.”
Henry swallows back some liquor before fixing me with a quizzical stare. “What?”
“It’s the bar Shaun mentioned. I probably wouldn’t have stood out so much there. Look at me. Look at this place.” I laugh.
“You would’ve stood out there too,” Baylor says, meeting my eyes from across the table.
My brows draw together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He flashes a devilish grin that oozes mockery and makes my cheeks ignite.
I pinch the end of the sugared toothpick on my drink and fling it across the table before Baylor sees it coming.
He jumps back as it hits him just below his throat. “What the hell?”
A giggle bursts from my lips when I see the rosemary fall beneath the collar of his shirt.
He quickly stands, trying to shake the rosemary loose. As soon as it escapes and drops to the floor, his gaze snaps to mine.
The menacing grin on my face falls when I see the red drops of cranberry juice left behind on the collar of his shirt.
Baylor notices and yanks his shirt out to see for himself, baring teeth when he finds the stain. “What the fuck is your problem? Why would you do that?”
“Aye, calm down. I’m sure she meant no harm.” Henry waves his hand at him.
Jesse and Luke snicker to themselves.
Baylor clenches his fists at his sides. I can almost see the steam starting to spew from his ears. It’s funny how upset he’s getting. But the anger on his face swiftly turns into a menacing smile.
I bite my lip warily.
“What’s that look for?” Jesse nods at Baylor, but his eyes are still homed in on me.
“You know, I was beginning to feel a shred of guilt for paying your ski-patrol boy toy not to come tonight, but now, I don’t really give a fuck. I hope he doesn’t show.”
“Wait …” I peer around the table to see if everyone heard the same thing as me. “What?”
Luke folds his hands behind his head and leans back. “Shit, man. You pulled that card?”
Jesse blows out air through his lips in disbelief.
My stomach tightens. “Did you just say you paid him off?”
Henry thrusts his hand through his hair. “Ah, man. You didn’t seriously play that bullshit on her, did you?”
Baylor nods slowly. “The guy took it like he’d won the fucking lottery.”
A ringing in my ears fills the brief silence. Heat rises up my back, over my shoulders, and onto my cheeks. My hand circles my glass in a choke hold as I try to process and come up with a response. I have the urge to throw the whole glass in his face, to stain the rest of his shirt bright red.
Instead, I mutter the question I can’t seem to find the answer to. “Why?”
Baylor huffs. “Because I knew he’d take it.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” I shake my head.
“To make out his character.” Jesse sighs.
Luke nods as he twirls his newly empty glass on the oak table.
