Page 26 of Property of Player

I glance at Hal, but she snaps at me.

“Don’t even think about it. Hal is manning the deck. It’s crowded out there.”

Music from the small band we hired carries through the sliders.

I stick my tongue out at my sister, but she just grins, and I return to my side of the bar.

A rowdy group of young guys comes in the front door and takes a table. I grab a pad and head around the bar to take their order.

One man with neon sunglasses pushed atop his head smiles a drunken smile and wraps an arm around my thighs. “Hey, darlin’.”

I push him off and move to his friend, keeping my distance.

When I’ve taken all their orders, I return to the bar and see Player is watching them.

For once, I appreciate he’s here. I know with every fiber of my being that he would never let anything happen to me, and he won’t let these assholes harass me.

He eyes the kid in the sunglasses; he must have seen him manhandle me. Player may cut the kid some slack once, since I handled the situation, but if it happens again, I know Player will be all over the guy. And it won’t make a difference that there are four of them and one of him.

Besides, the leather cut would probably make the other three pause.

One of the drunk guy’s buddies gets up from the table and comes to the bar, standing at the end where Player sits.

When I approach to see what he wants, the guy apologizes.

“I’m sorry for my buddy. He’s drunk. It won’t happen again. Here, let me take the beer to the table.”

I pass him the four longnecks, and he threads them through his fingers and passes them out to his friends. I see him bend over the drunk one and say something in the guy’s ear, then return to his seat.

A busboy from the kitchen brings out their order, so I don’t have to do it, but I still go and check to see if there’s anything they need.

I paste on a fake smile. “How is it? Can I get you any extra sauce?”

The one who apologized to me answers for the table. “We’re good. Thanks.”

I’m about to return to the bar when his drunk friend grabs my wrist.

“Don’t go, pretty girl. Give me your number. I’ll take you out on my boat and show you a good time.”

His friend immediately grabs his hand and pulls me free. “Leave her alone, Phil. You’re drunk. Eat your damn food and shut up.”

“Fuck you, Nick. This is between me and her.” He shoves his friend’s hands away and spills his beer.

Player is off his stool and right there in a split second.

I step back, and he grabs the kid by the shirt, hauling him out of his seat. “You touch the lady again and I’ll punch your lights out, fuck-wad Phil.”

Phil staggers but tries to shove Player off him. “Let go of me, you fucking dickhead.”

“How’s it feel to be manhandled, asshole? You like it?”

“We’re sorry. I’ll get him home,” Nick says, standing. “Come on, guys.”

“Somebody better get their fucking credit card out and pay for all this, and there better be a damn good tip for this girl,” Player snaps.

“Yes, sir.” Nick pulls out his wallet, while his other two friends drag Phil outside.

I ring him up and bring him his card. When I do, he’s still apologizing to Player.