Jay and I had dinner at ‘The Kitchen’ and it was good. Afterwards we wandered the Mall eating ice cream from one of the boutique stalls.
“Wanna go to the bar?” Jay offered. I shrugged, he grinned and pulled his phone out of his back pocket.
“Yo” Yo? Seriously? “Yeah, Mall, Pine Street?” He finished the call. How the hell was someone supposed to know what that meant?
“Pick up in ten.” He grinned and started leading me out of the mall.
“How did they know where to get us from on those three words?” I asked incredulously. Jay merely laughed at me. He tossed his napkin from his ice cream into the trash as we exited the main mall. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a fire exit.
“We have approximately eight minutes, what do you think we should do to pass the time?” His eyes sparkled with mischief. I flushed scarlet and was about to suggest something inane when his lips caught mine and effectively silenced me.
His kiss was deep and sensual, my arms wound round his neck and he tilted me back slightly. His hands which were wrapped round my waist travelled south and settled comfortably on my ass. He pulled me into him more and I groaned into his mouth as he pressed into me. His lips left mine and travelled along my jaw and down my neck. My heart was racing. Featherlight kisses were placed along my jawline and then with a muffled curse his lips captured mine again. I was pressed against the door as his hand travelled up my side, his thumb brushed just under my breast and I jerked in response.
Jay broke the kiss, he tilted his head back slightly, his eyes were dark with desire. “You’re gonna kill me,” he muttered and with a loud exhalation he took a step back.
My face was flushed and my pulse beat erratically. I had to stop making out with Jay in public places.
Jay walked out to the kerb and left me to cool down then a few minutes later he came back for me and led me out just as a beat-up truck pulled up. I noted one of the guys from Colton’s the other week and with a nod we both got in and headed to the bar on the outskirts of town.
As we entered, I noticed immediately that the bar was crowded and there were so many people calling out to greet Jay, he shouted back his greetings. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the back of the bar to the pool area.
I noticed Tattoo Neck had already set up court and was being fawned over by women who were obviously delusional or gluttons for punishment. His grin was evil when he saw me. I tensed, ok so he didn’t like me but that didn’t mean he needed to intimidate me too. Or at least I didn’t need to let him see that he intimidated me.
I looked around for signs of Matt or the others, it was unlikely that they would be here. I checked anyway, however I didn’t recognise anyone. I tightened my grip on Jay’s hand and he pulled me into his side in answer. I think he picked up on the fact that I was uncomfortable. He nuzzled my neck and it didn’t really calm me, I didn’t like being put on display.
“I’ll go get drinks, you want the usual?” He asked his eyes focusing on my lips and as he dipped in for a kiss. I shied away, flushing and nodding. He chuckled at me and released me. It was funny how ‘the usual’ had become pear cider. If you had asked a few weeks ago my usual would have been a Diet Coke or soda water. I looked around as I waited, I should have gone to the bar with Jay rather than remain standing here.
A pool cue was thrust into my hand, I yelped in surprise. Tattoo Neck stood in front of me.
“What?” I muttered. His grin was savage.
“I drew last time with your buddy. I wanna see how good you are,” he stated with a savage grin. Yeah, this isn’t a good idea.
“I’m ok, let’s just say you win.” I handed the cue back. His eyes flashed a challenge and he placed the cue back in front of me. He grabbed my left hand and turned it over, I went to pull away, but he held tight. His thumb rubbed the underside of my wrist. It made me immensely uncomfortable and I had no doubt that was his intent.
“Play me,” he stated. Asshole. We now had a lot of attention. This guy wasn’t stable, I decided, he looked slightly manic but completely calm all at the same time. This is why he kept me on edge, I thought. He was completely unpredictable and I suddenly realised this is how Colton and the guys would have gotten caught up with him. Colton was clever and cold, but he wasn’t a raving lunatic and you just can’t predict insanity. I knew I was being harsh but looking into the void of his eyes I doubted I was being overly harsh.
I yanked my hand out of his and his grin was feral. I grabbed the cue, more for security than anything else. If all else failed I could whack the fucker across the side of the head with it. Ok Elle, let’s calm down I cautioned myself.
I’m pretty sure Tattoo Neck knew exactly what I was thinking, as he started to laugh. Definitely on the crazy kool aid.
“Let’s toss for the break,” he winked at me and I rolled my eyes, the innuendo had not been lost on me. My mother was Scottish I knew slang from both sides of the pond.
He won the toss and I failed to hide my smirk. “Fitting,” I murmured.
He snorted as he set the table up. Jay returned just as his brother took his break shot.
“What you doing darling?” He asked me quietly as he set the drinks down. I grabbed my cider and drank a few gulps before answering.
“Your brother bullied me into playing pool,” I answered loudly. Tattoo Neck laughed at me. I was under no impression he was laughing with me.
Jay turned to his brother. “What you doing?” Did he look nervous? This did not bode well for me if even Jay was nervous. Get a grip Elle, he isn’t the devil. He’s just a guy. I admonished myself.
“Your girl thinks she can beat me,” he answered. He stood tall leaning against his cue.
“That’s not even…” I stuttered. “That’s complete bullshit!” I blurted.
His roar of laughter was odd in the complete silence. A few nervous titters joined him, but I saw far too many people gawk at me. Jesus this guy was like a mad mafia godfather the way these people hung around him. I looked at Jay and he was shaking his head.
“I leave you for two minutes,” he muttered. I found it oddly discomforting that this was totally something Matt would say.
I shrugged. I eyed the table. He’d pocketed 4 stripes. Damn I was going to have to play well to get out of this. Then I thought about it, why should I? I didn’t want to play him, let’s fluff this up and lose well. He would leave me alone, I reckoned.
Armed with a plan, I stepped up to the table. Unfortunately for me, Tattoo Neck must have guessed my intentions. He sidled next to me and leaned in close.
“Bring you’re A game Arielle, else I will need to find bigger guys to fight your boys next Friday,” he smirked. “I like to win fairly,” he said softly as moved away from me.
That was fairly? Scaring me half to death with threats? I was so out of my depth here. An understanding of why the guys had been so keen to keep me away from this complete lunatic was dawning on me. Maybe I owed them an apology? I could deal with that later. For now, I needed to get out of this situation. I could still lose, I pondered, I just had to lose convincingly. Somehow, I knew winning wasn’t an option, even if I was good enough to beat him. I wanted off his radar and quickly.
I took my shot, I pocketed a spot. I potted the next two and through carefully constructed chance, missed the fourth. His eyes were narrowed as he watched me. He didn’t watch the game or the shots. His eyes never left me. I wasn’t sure if it was to intimidate me or because he was watching to make sure I was giving it my all.
I met his gaze and shrugged. The fact I had left him completely lined up for the next shot wasn’t lost on me, him, or anyone at the back of the bar. I ignored the catcalls and the shouts of encouragement from his groupies, who were completely ignorant of the fact that I may have missed on purpose.
He bent to the pool table and I exhaled when he finally took his eyes off me. I looked for Jay, he was at the other end of the area talking to a blonde girl. She had her hand on his arm and he was smiling down a
t her. Yeah leave me with your psychotic brother why don’t you I grumbled inwardly.
The girl’s hand ran up his arm and over his bicep. He didn’t move her or move away. Well that was interesting. I took a swig of my drink. Then another. God this night was not at all what I thought it would be. I glanced at the table, he only had the black to pot. Thank Christ, this ordeal at least would be over. Tattoo Neck flicked his eyes up to meet my gaze. With a lazy smile, he hit the ball and purposefully didn’t sink it. My eyes widened incredulously.
“Are you kidding?” I snapped as I marched forward to the table.
“Ooops, I missed,” he commented. I seriously considered walking away, but I remembered his reference to the guys. He wouldn’t though would he? Over a game of pool? What was his issue with me?
I flicked my hair over my shoulder. “So, you want to lose to a girl?” I challenged. The bar was loud and noisy and only a few people heard. I didn’t give a rat’s ass anymore. He had seriously gotten to me and I was not being pushed around by this twat anymore.
“I don’t want to be played,” he answered. “You play the rest of them, I’m not sure yet if you’re playing with my little brother. Show your true colours,” he spat out at me.
Wow. I looked at him, I didn’t even have a response. I glanced at Jay who was completely oblivious as he still chatted to Little Miss Blonde. I wondered briefly why I wasn’t even jealous.
“Fuck you,” I retorted softly. He snorted in amusement, I brushed past him and in four shots, I put the cue down and met his eyes. “I win.” Ok I was maybe too smug for my own good and given the situation I was in, maybe I shouldn’t have been.
I picked up my bottle of cider and turned away as I finished it. I walked to the bar. Good grief I needed out of here. This was a bad situation. The noise and laughter resumed quickly as he made a joke and I heard raucous laughter follow whatever he’d said. I had no doubt it would be uncomplimentary about me.
My hair got tugged and I whirled around sharply to confront whoever it was, only to find Jay. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the bar. My head was swimming and I felt weird. Probably adrenaline. I was wound up so tight from that encounter I just wanted out of here.
“Darling,” Jay started. I held my hand up.
“Do not darling me,” I snapped. His eyes widened in amusement. I nodded in acknowledgment as the bartender placed another cider in front of me.
“She’s just a friend,” he began. What? I shook my head, oh right the girl. I shrugged. Jay chuckled. “So, you’re not pissed about Kayleigh, you’re pissed I left you with my brother.”
I rounded on him. “Of course I am! He’s a fucking lunatic,” I snapped. Jay’s mirthful demeanour instantly closed down. Brilliant. Another loyal brother. I took a deep drink.
“He was playing with you. Seeing how you held up under pressure. You did well.” Jay admitted.
“I don’t want to be played with!”
He moved in closer to me, I edged away. I didn’t want hugs and cuddles, he had left me to the wolf and I’d almost gotten mauled. Honestly, I still wasn’t sure I wouldn’t be if I stayed here. Jesus, my head was banging. I needed out of here. I drank down the rest of my drink ignoring Jay’s warning to take it easy. I pushed away from the bar and headed to the door.
Jay grabbed my arm and I shrugged him off as I staggered. What the fuck? The room was moving. Why was the room moving?
I stumbled again and knew I was going to fall. A strong pair of arms circled me. I looked up into blazing emerald eyes.
Colton.
For the first time that night I felt myself breathe fully and I felt myself relax into him just as darkness washed over me.
I opened my eyes. It was dark, but I knew I was home and in my bed. I ran my hands down my side and panic flared through me as I realised, I was only in my underwear. I raised my head and almost groaned out loud at the searing pain.
I heard a movement in the apartment and tensed all over again. How the hell was I here? I didn’t remember much; did I remember Colton being there or had that just been wishful thinking?
I tried to lift my head again and this time I did groan out loud.
I heard my bedroom door open. Panic flared through me again, having no idea who was in my home with me.
“Bit?” I almost cried with relief. The bed sank as Matt sat on the side of the bed. He searched for and found my hand. I squeezed his hand with all my strength.
“What happened to me?” I wheezed. I sounded like I smoked twenty cigarettes a day. My other hand rested against my forehead.
“You passed out,” Matt whispered. I was very grateful he hadn’t raised his voice. My ear drums were roaring and every part of me hurt.
“I did? I only had one drink, no wait I think it was two,” I muttered, I tried to move but my head gave a loud internal protest. I lay still. Who needed movement anyway? It was completely overrated.
“You leave your drink unattended Bit?” Matt’s careful whisper had more bite than I was expecting and I thought long and hard. Yes, when I was playing king psycho at pool, I had left the bottle behind me on a table.
Jesus. Rule 101 for all females out there. Never ever leave your drink. I groaned again. Some bastard had spiked my drink. I’d been too wigged out over Tattoo Neck, I hadn’t been paying attention.
Colton was going to go absolutely ballistic at me. Perfect – another reason for him to be disappointed in me.
“Yeah. Oh God I’m so stupid. I know better,” I grumbled, I tried to move again but it hurt. “Why do I hurt so bad?” I asked.
“You were sick. Like really, really sick. Your insides are probably going to be a little bit delicate.” I felt a tear spill over.
“Jesus Matty. I’m such an idiot. I’m so sorry,” I sniffled.
The bed dipped again, I felt Matt stretch out beside me. He clasped my hand in his.
“What were you doing?” He asked me softly.
“Ugh, I was being stubborn,” I ground out. I hated that I had been so stupid and had just been in this stupid situation. Why hadn’t I just walked away? Normal people would have walked away. Corey, she was normal, she would never have been in that situation. She wouldn’t have cared about losing face, the minute Tattoo Neck had put the pool cue in her hand, she would have smiled, put it down and removed herself from the situation.
Oh no, not me though. Nope I was all about showing him he didn’t intimidate me, when in reality, he scared me shitless.
I related as much to Matt. He grunted when I finished. “Lecture me when I don’t feel like I have had a beating?” I asked softly. He snorted in amusement.
I took a deep breath. “Was Colton there or did I imagine him?” I whispered. Matt stilled.
“He’s here.”
Here? As in, in my apartment? I felt the panic rise again. “Here?”
“Yeah, he’s in the spare room,” he answered.
“Shit”
“Yup”
“Deep shit?”
“The deepest.”
“Double shit.”
“Go to sleep Bit,” Matt chuckled lightly, he moved and kissed the top of my head. My hand tightened on his.
“Don’t leave me,” I whispered. I felt him settle back beside me and knowing I was safe, I drifted back off to sleep.
When I woke again, daylight was pouring into my room as I opened groggy eyes. Something had died in my mouth and I needed to brush my teeth desperately. I also needed coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Vats of caffeine. In fact, if it was possible, a straight IV of the black nectar would be ideal.
With my body protesting loudly, I gingerly climbed out of bed. Good God what was that smell? Was that me? I shuddered and stumbled to the bathroom. I peeled off my underwear and set the shower to hot. As it heated, I brushed my teeth vigorously. Twice.
When the room was heavy with steam I climbed under the unforgiving spray and washed away the pain. My eyes closed as I scrubbed my scalp and then my body. Pity I couldn’t open th
e insides and scrape them clean as well, I mused.
My eyes flew open as I remembered Matt and Colton had been here when I had briefly woken up during the night. Oh man, I was not looking forward to this.
Resolutely I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in the biggest towel I owned. I tiptoed to my room and hastily dressed in sweatpants, t-shirt and cardigan. Matt had stayed with me, I saw the impression on the pillow that his head had left.
I brushed my tangled wet hair and then having run out of things to procrastinate over, I tied it up still wet and braved the living room. The wonderful smell of coffee greeted me as I walked down the hall and I detoured into the kitchen.
A full fresh pot sat waiting alongside Colton. He was leaning casually against the counter, waiting for me. He was dressed in dark jeans and a clean crisp white t-shirt. His feet were bare and I briefly considered how sexy his feet were and wondered where his socks were. Who knew he would even have sexy feet. I did. I rolled my eyes internally. I was pathetic.
“Where’s Matt?” I asked softly.
He didn’t move. I sighed out loud and pulled one of the kitchen chairs out. May as well get this over with.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Like shit.”
He nodded like he expected nothing else. “You were lucky.”
I snorted. “I don’t feel lucky,” I snapped. The eyebrow lifted. I scolded myself to be civil. It wasn’t his fault after all. I only had myself to blame. “Sorry,” I muttered.
He placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. I took it gratefully. I picked it up and inhaled deeply. Nothing is more satisfying than inhaling that first whiff of coffee in the morning.
I heard the other chair pull out and looked up as he sat down. I quickly averted my eyes.
“Do you know what day it is?” he asked me softly. I looked at him quickly. Was he tripping?
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