Charli just grins and sweetly replies, “Thank you.”
I can’t help but smile. Charli isn’t a bitch, but she wears her sass and attitude proudly.
Gabby returns her attention to me. “I’ll stop by, Quinn, and you can take a look at my car.”
“Just take it to the shop, Gabby. I’m not a mechanic,” I repeat, getting annoyed all over again. She knows this, but is doing everything she can to garner all my attention. There are two reasons she’s doing it. One, she thinks I need to be her next boy toy, and two, she knows Charli hates it.
“Run along, little crotch stain,” Charli demands, sipping the margarita she retrieved from the table when she pushed her way between Gabby and me.
“You’re such a juvenile witch. I can see why he cheated,” Gabby announces, spinning and heading for the front entrance. Probably a good thing because I’m certain she wouldn’t have been served by either Collin or Lizzie. Both despise her for what she did with Dick, as I affectionately call him, and have asked her to leave on a number of occasions. Usually, she frequents The Tall One down the road, so why she decided to come here tonight is beyond me.
“Ignore her,” Cade states, glaring at the doorway Gabby just walked through.
My eyes search Charli’s, and even though she puts up a thick veneer, I can tell Gabby’s words hit their mark. Like always. Charli’s a tough cookie, but even strong women have their weaknesses. For her, it’s the fact her boyfriend cheated on her, blamed her for it, like the fucking loser he is, and then left a deep scar behind.
Charli does exactly what I expect her to do. She pretends it doesn’t affect her and sets out to have a good time. I watch as she restarts her game with Oaklee, only this time, there’s a big change. She’s not being competitive. She’s acting indifferent. Like the words Gabby spewed didn’t hurt her, like she’s the life of the party, as if nothing can faze her.
It’s a front.
Underneath all that toughness and sass is a woman who loves fiercely and hurts deeply. I’ve seen through it over the years, stole glimpses around the walls she’s built around her heart to help protect herself. She’s dated since Dick, but she refuses to let anyone get close enough to do damage, like what he caused.
“I hate it,” Camden mutters beside me as the sounds of Oaklee and Charli laughing fill the bar.
“Me too,” I reply, knowing exactly what he’s talking about. “That fucker did a number.”
“And it doesn’t help she’s still running around here, throwing jabs at Charli left and right.” Clearly, he’s referring to Gabby and the fact her face always appears when we least expect it.
“Yeah,” I agree. Fortunately, Dick left town not too long after the breakup. Whether that was really for a new job or the fact one of the Miller siblings’ fists would connect with his face whenever they saw him, I’m not sure, but at least that asshole’s gone now.
Good riddance.
My beer grows warm, and even though Camden offers to get me a fresh one on his next trip to the bar, I just don’t feel like drinking anymore. Not as I watch Charli let loose and pretend everything’s fine. I’ve always had a strong protective streak when it comes to her, and not because she isn’t capable of taking care of herself. She is.
For the next couple of hours, I chat with Camden, Cade, and anyone else who drops by our table, all while keeping my eye on Charli. She’s hell-bent on drinking her worries away, which is not like her. Yes, Charli enjoys a drink or two every now and again, but she rarely ties one on like she’s doing tonight.
Oaklee approaches our table, and I can instantly see the gray tint to her skin. “Hey, Cade, I’m not feeling so hot,” she says, placing her hand on his arm.
Cade practically jumps up, concern filling his face. “What’s wrong?”
She gives me a sheepish grin. “I think the alcohol is upsetting my stomach.”
“Let’s get you home,” he insists, turning his attention to all of us. “You guys ready?”
“Nope!” Charli declares, swaying from side to side.
“Well, I’m your ride, and I need to get Oaklee home,” Cade states slowly.
“I’ll get a ride from someone,” Charli suggests, and I can already tell both of her brothers are ready to argue.
“I’ll take her,” I spit out before an argument starts.
“You drank,” Cade points out.
“I only had one hours ago, and didn’t even finish it,” I tell him.
“He’s right. He switched to water,” Camden confirms.
“Camden and I will hang around and get her home. I came with him, so I’ll drive his truck.”
