“Well, what do you say we call it quits after this one. I fought JR for one more drink, but I’m pretty sure he’s in the back calling his wife as we speak. We’re about to be invaded.”
“Invaded, shmaded. He doesn’t know what I know I know.”
“And what is it you know you know?”
She quirked her finger at Lizzy, beckoning her forward. “Josie and the artifact girl are currently busy.”
“The artifact girl? And who would that be?” Lizzy grinned.
Rolling my eyes, I strode over to Cassidy and slid my hand around her back, making her jump.
“Well! Lookey who it is! Sam,” she said slowly. “Mr. Muscleman. The muscles from—” A frown creased her face as she thought hard. “Where are you from?”
“I’ve got this,” I said to Lizzy, tugging Cassidy off her stool.
“You sure about that? I heard Michael was looking for you.”
“And this is the perfect excuse to get out of that unfortunate meeting.”
Cassidy spun in my arms, slapping her hands against my chest. “You! Have some ‘splainin’ to do, mister.”
“About?”
She swayed on her feet, nearly falling backward. My hand shot out, catching her just as she was about to topple over the barstool, and every one in line behind it.
“Let’s get you home.”
“Ha! You wish,” she slurred, swaying into my body. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Only the sober ones,” I retorted.
“Well, you can keep dreaming!” She poked me hard in the chest, her finger bending as she dug in, pissed at me for some unknown reason.
“Alright,” I said, heaving her up in my arms. “Time to go home.”
“Those are words you’ll never hear from my lips!”
It was cute how she fought me every step of the way, saying shit I knew wasn’t true. The good thing was that, somehow, even through her drunken state, she managed not to let it slip that we were sleeping together. Whether that was on purpose or not, I had no idea, but if she had, it would be a deal breaker for us.
I was just about to make my escape when the door opened and Michael strode through, his brow quirked as he took in the scene.
“Going somewhere?”
“Gotta take this one home. She’s drunk.”
“Don’t forget her coat!” Lizzy shouted, rushing to catch up. “Thanks for getting her home.”
“Just doing what any gentleman would do.”
Michael, however, eyed me with suspicion, knowing full well I was trying to get out of whatever the hell he was going to get me into next.
Maybe he wanted me to join the department.
Or run for mayor.
Hell, whatever it was, I wasn’t interested.
But I wasn’t about to tell him I was trying to revive my boxing career. That would only cause trouble between Blake and me. And everyone else in my family.
