“But nothing,” he snarled. “You don’t think he’d toss me aside the second it got inconvenient?”
“No, I don’t think he would.”
“You don’t know shit, and when I get the cash that saves your sister, you’ll see that I was right.”
Dread filled my chest as I watched him walk off toward the girls. Whatever he was planning wasn’t just about the money. It was something much more malicious than that.
I continued to watch as he weaved his way through the crowd. He reached the girls and handed off the drinks, smiling like he was the man of the year. They ate it up. They even leaned in when he placed his arms around their shoulders, pulling them in close like he’d done it a million times before.
My stomach turned when he leaned down and said something that made them laugh. I couldn’t stand it a second longer. I had to turn away. That’s when I spotted Luke. He was still sitting with his friends, but he was no longer alone.
Now, he had a beautiful woman sitting in his lap. She had long, blonde hair and boobs for days, and she had her legs wrapped around his hips with one arm looped around his neck. Her mouth was close to his ear as she whispered something that made him smile.
It wasn’t a polite smile.
It was genuine.
He liked this girl, and that made my chest tighten even more.
I stared a moment longer, hoping to get some idea of whether she was his ol’ lady or just some random hookup. I didn’t know which answer bothered me more.
Get it together, Presley.
I turned away, and when I reached for my drink, I glanced back over at them. Her hand was now on his chest, and her fingers were splayed like they belonged there—like she belonged there. And suddenly, the jealous twinge from earlier was no longer just a twinge.
It was a full-blown knot.
I picked up my shot and drank it without thinking. And then, I ordered another. I downed the shot, and it wasn’t long before my head began to swim. I wanted to believe that I was one of those girls who could handle their alcohol.
I wasn’t.
I downed the shot, and I barely got the glass down before the room tilted. Not enough to throw my balance, but enough to make me aware of my limits.
The music got louder.
The lights harsher.
My stomach rolled like it was warning that I’d pushed my luck.
Air.
I needed air.
I slid off the barstool and weaved my way through the crowd, doing my best not to stumble. I didn’t bother telling Davis where I was going. He was busy with his intel, and I saw no reason to bother him.
When I reached the back door, I pushed it open, and the air hit me like a lifeline. The cold hit me fast. It stung my skin and cleared my head just enough to shake some of the fog. I leaned my back against the wall and took a few deep breaths, letting the night air steady me.
I hadn’t been out there long when the door creaked open.
Luke stepped out, and he seemed genuinely concerned as he stepped in front of me and asked, “You okay?”
I nodded. “Um-hmm. Just needed to catch my breath.”
He moved closer, and for the first time all night, I didn’t feel quite so out of place. A playful smirk slipped across his handsome face as he asked, “You’ve been here less than thirty minutes, and you’re already needing to catch your breath?”
“What can I say? I guess I don’t do well with crowds.”
“Is it the crowd or the four shots of bourbon?”
