As Addison grabs her purse, I snake an arm around her waist. “Miss me?”
“You wish,” she smarts before lifting up on her toes and asking for a kiss.
I press my lips to hers in a tender caress as I hold her flush against me. We pull away, and I nip at her bottom lip. “Becareful. If you need me, call me.”
Her cheeks tinge red as she follows the others. I don’t miss the narrowed-eyed look Loxley shoots me before they file out to the parking lot.
When it’s just us, Atlas decks my shoulder.
“Fuck you,” I mutter as we take a seat at the table.
“I’m going to drag my fucking nuts across your face,” he grumbles.
“Why is that your go-to?” I ask with a sneer.
My brother shrugs. “It makes Loxley laugh.”
Connor looks amused as he sits back. “Damn, it feels good to be the only man who isn’t an ass. How’s the dog house? Cold?”
Atlas takes my beer, chugging the rest of it before he lifts a hand and orders two more. “Right. And hopefully Al doesn’t find out about thelittlecrush you had on her in high school. You’re worse than us.”
Connor chokes on his drink. “You said you wouldn’t tell her about that!”
“Keep fucking with us and we will,” I threaten. Connor used to stalk Alana. He claims it was because they were enemies, but Atlas and I know the truth of it all. He was head over heels for her and couldn’t get her out of his mind. Even when we all left for training, he obsessed over her day and night.
I glance down at my phone, counting down the seconds and checking if there are any new messages. I know they haven’t left the grounds yet, but having Addison away from me is a new form of torture. I’ve already grown attached to her constant presence.
“Looks like someone is new to the worry club.” My brother muses.
“What?” I ask.
Connor grabs his coat. “We should probably let them get a little further before we trail them. Pretty sure they’re going to my house to get ready.”
They both push their chairs out as I glance between them. “Wait, are we going to follow them?”
“Damn right we are,” Atlas grabs his other beer. “After the last incident, we don’t let them out of our sight.”
“Hell no,” Connor agrees. “My life flashed before my eyes when I got that call from Alana. Are you coming with us?”
I don’t argue as relief washes over me. I grab my drink and wallet before standing. “Lead the way.”
Atlas slaps a hand over my back. “I’ll drive.”
***
The club the girls chose is packed tightly with gyrating and grinding couples. The air is thick with the stench of sweat and alcohol, and I’m pretty sure I stepped on a used condom earlier. Loud music bumps over the speakers, filling the building as the windows rattle with the bass.
We’re seated at the bar, and I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of Addison. They’re across from us, and it looks like she borrowed a dress from my sister. It’s bright red and clings to her shape before stopping at her mid-thigh. The neckline is square, showing off the tops of her generous breasts, and making my mouth water at the sight. The knee-high black heeled boots she wears make her look fucking irresistible as she knocks back another shot of something clear. Her tongue swipes over her red painted lips, and I feel like I’mstarvingfor a taste.
“Quit staring at her before you get us caught,” Atlas scolds as he slaps the back of my head.
“Yeah, she can probably feel you eating her alive across the damn bar.” Connor bites at me as if hehastaken his eyes off his girlfriend. Which hehasn’t.
Atlas is in the same boat as both of us, staring Loxley down like she’s prey. “Where the fuck did she get that dress?”
It’s a green number, and the skirt twirls anytime she walks. The top of her hair is pinned up as the bottom cascadesaround her freckled shoulders.
Connor tips his beer in the direction of Thalia, who’s dressed in a black, backless bodycon dress and matching heels. “I believe the culprit is your sister.” His eyes rake over the satin yellow dress Alana wears, hunger swirling in his irises. Her dark curls fall around her face as she laughs at something Loxley says, and I see Connor’s hand tighten around his beer.
