FuckingWesley, the epitome of dullness in any room. Wesley, who can’t hold a conversation that doesn’t orbit around politics.Thatguy gets to take her out?
He’s got aspirations for the Senate, though he can’t even run his father’s mayoral campaign, and yet, here he is, basking in Addie’s attention while I’m left in the dust.
How? Why? What the fuck does he have that I don’t?
The doubt creeps in. Have I done it again? Jumped the gun and imagined a connection that wasn’t there in the first place because I want it so much?
This is bad...
I thought the week’s stand-down she gave me was to make sure I’m genuinely interested, but now I wonder if I’m giving off a desperate-creep vibe. Maybe it’s her way of letting me down easily.
I’m working myself up, thoughts swirling, scenarios battling for attention. The sting of rejection pricks at my pride, but realizing I misread everything about her is what truly drives me nuts.
“If he’s her type, I stand no chance,” I seethe, and immediately regret it when both my brothers grin. “What?”
“You like her.”
Damn it... I do. How fucked up is that considering: “I spent ten minutes with her.”
“Took me less than that to realize Vee’s the one,” Conor says, finishing his beer.
“Yeah, but you’re weird.” My voice is almost back to normal, but controlling the emotions running rampant inside me takes immense effort. “Come on, you can catch me up on your perfect, blissful lives while I get black-out drunk.”
Tortugois only a five-minute walk down the road, and as soon as we step inside, I want to leave. Addie’s at the bar, patiently waiting her turn. Every muscle in my body tells me to storm out, but before I do, I notice Wesley’s absence.
“Find a table. I’ll grab the drinks,” I tell my brothers, ignoring their quietoohing.
Addie rests her hands on the countertop, gaze fixed on the cocktail list above the bar. I had time to examine her pretty face during the dates, but most of her body was hidden behind the table. Now that I’m behind her, my presence unknown, I can’t stop mapping every curve and every dent. She’s not skinny, but not plus size, either, her waistline defined, hips wide, ass round and perky like JLo’s.
I’ve spent two short dates with her and consider myself hooked. She’s interesting. Effortlessly held my attention, but now she fucking left with Wesley, I’m wary to say the least. Wary and second-guessing my every thought but not ready to wave the white flag.
My attention idles from Addie to the young guys bickering beside her. Their raucous voices grate my nerves. I was their age not long ago, but I don’t recall acting so obnoxious.
Despite Addie’s blatant lack of eye contact, one approaches, wearing a cocky, drunken smirk.
“Hey there, what are you having? No, wait...” He holds up a finger, scanning her perfect body up and down. “Don’t tell me. Let me guess... Sex on the Beach?”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I wasdefinitelynever thisobnoxious.
A quick glance around tells me that Wesley, who, by the by, should be the one ordering drinks or at the very least keeping his date company, is nowhere to be seen. Has he ditched her?
What a fucking asshole.
“Thank you, but I’m not interested,” Addie says, not even a slight head movement toward the kid.
Undeterred, he snorts out a condescending laugh. “Aah, playing hard to get, are you? I’m patient. Pretty girls like you shouldn’t be alone.”
Not my place butfuck it.
I close the distance between us, gripping the counter either side of her waist. “What makes you think she’s alone?” I ask, taken aback by the protective edge of my voice and Addie’s shoulders slumping instead of tensing.
She must’ve known it was me by the ink marking my arms. Not that it explains why she’s relaxing while I’ve got her caged. I mean... she left with Wesley after telling me to wait a week before calling.
Confusing little thing.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into her body language.
Wouldn’t be the first time this evening. Maybe I’m seeing what I want to see.
