*
Sticking around while Bristol danced with that jackass was about as fun as a root canal, yet Kaden refused to leave until she did. Not only because he knew she was doing it for their benefit, or because the thought of her leaving with that dick made him sick to his stomach, but more so he wanted to ensure she left safely.
Just call him Saint Kaden.
Of course, waiting meant watching the dipshit do his best to talk her into leaving with him. Not for coffee or a late dinner, of course. No, this guy’d been raised in a doghouse somewhere, because Kaden overheard the fool asking her to go out to his truck so they could make out. Seriously. The son of a bitch was failing miserably but he was either too drunk or too stupid to realize it.
And Kaden had a front-row seat to the pathetic action. Lucky him.
He considered asking to cut in, but being rejected by her in such a public way wasn’t high on his list of things to do. She’d shunned him once, completely brushing him off after he’d told her he loved her. Last thing Kaden wanted was another dent in his ego. Rather than try, he waited. Eventually, his patience paid off.
“I’ll walk you out,” the dumb shit offered Bristol when she finally pulled away from him.
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
“Not a problem,” the man assured her. “Just gives me more time to talk you into breakfast.”
“It’s too early for breakfast,” she said, clearly not realizing what the man was proposing.
“Perhaps we can fill a few hours another way,” he suggested, the two of them passing right by Kaden.
Whether it was because he willed her to or purely by chance, Bristol glanced over at him, their eyes meeting. He hoped like hell she saw his disappointment, his hurt, not to mention his concern. He still wasn’t sure what the hell had actually happened or how Keegan ended up dancing with her. Whatever transpired between them hadn’t ended well, and Keegan hadn’t been forthcoming with details when he’d asked, either.
She looked over at Keegan before passing them on her way to the exit. No sooner had her new friend pushed open the door, motioned her outside than Kaden was on his feet, marching after her at a fast clip. He heard Keegan right behind him along with a few choice curse words from his brother.
With a sigh, Kaden followed the not-so-happy couple, stepping outside, hoping like hell his twin didn’t do something stupid like beat the fucker to a pulp. It wasn’t that Kaden wasn’t interested in throwing down in the parking lot, but admittedly, he wasn’t keen on the idea of going home with unnecessary scrapes and bruises. Or more importantly, putting Bristol in the middle of it and risking her getting hurt.
Kaden stopped on the wooden porch of the bar, watched the pair as Bristol was attempting to get her car door opened. The man had leaned against it, making it impossible for her to get past him.
“Come on, honey. What’s one night? Just the two of us? Beneath the stars.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Keegan grumbled. “I’m gonna beat his ass if he doesn’t move on.”
“I’m good,” Bristol told him. “But thanks for the dance. Now if you don’t mind.”
Surprisingly, the guy moved away from the car, opened the door as she slipped inside. Perhaps he wasn’t as dumb as he looked.
“Maybe tomorrow night,” the man stated. “You. Me. Dinner. My place.”
Because she was in her car, Kaden couldn’t make out her words, but based on the idiot’s grimace, she’d once again rejected him.
“Fine.” He stepped back, shut her car door a little too hard. “Not like you’re the last woman on earth.”
And even if this fool was the lastmanon earth, Kaden had a feeling the guy would’ve still struck out.
“Come on,” Kaden told Keegan, nudging his shoulder. “Let’s get home.”
Keegan shook his head. “Wait till she pulls out. I wanna make sure he doesn’t follow her.”
Well, now. If that wasn’t an interesting change of pace. Keegan worried about Bristol. And outwardly showing it.
Interesting.
Conceding, Kaden crossed his arms over his chest, waited for Bristol to start her car while the guy headed in the opposite direction. She made two attempts before the engine sparked to life, but it lasted only a second before it died on her.
From his position, he could see her frowning, the yellow glow from the sodium lamp shining down into her car. Bristol gave it two more tries but theclick-click-clicka pretty telltale sign it wasn’t going to give in.
Keegan was off the wooden porch and heading her way before Kaden realized what he was doing. He motioned to Bristol as he neared. A second later, she was out of the car with her phone in her hand.
