Her date looks me up and down and says, “I bet she will.”
Gross. He kisses Stacee once more before pushing his way up to the bar, while Stacee with her two damn e’s gives me a pair of eyes, warning me not to embarrass her. Hannah nudges my arm with a smile, steering me away from wanting to pop Staceeeeeeeee’s fake double D’s.
One more drink down, I start feeling the rhythm of the music, finding myself swaying to the beat. Mr. Gross introduces us to two of his friends, which Kim begins flirting with. Finally, I can’t take it. I need to dance. I grab Hannah’s hand, and this time, it’s me doing the dragging to the dance floor.
It doesn’t take long before we’ve drawn the interest of some very good-looking guys. They start dancing with us, and all is right in the world. Eventually Stacee and Kim join us, bringing us another drink. The warmth my belly feels from the last drop of alcohol hitting my stomach makes all the shit from the day suddenly disappear. My body begins to move more freely, without restriction or shame. Together, me and my friends, even Stacee, know tonight will be a killer night. I keep dancing, not caring who is standing behind me or who’s hands are on my hips. It’s liberating. Being young, acting young, feeling irresponsible. My head falls back against a hard chest and whispers of flattery meet my ear, telling me how beautiful I am and how sexy. Sexy, such an odd concept, but one I’m loving. I find myself gyrating against him, feeling his tender fingertips on my flesh causing goosebumps to rise. It might be wrong, but I don’t care who this guy is or if I’m sending the wrong message. I just want to feel alive. Sandwiched between Hannah and the guy, our dance becomes provocative. I am so in the zone when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around thinking it’s the guy, but noooo, it’s that rude asshole, Gunner.
He yells over the music, “You got to leave!”
“What?!”
He huffs and yells, “You have to go home. Your sister…”
I don’t wait for him to finish his sentence after the word, ‘sister’ comes out his mouth. I’m pissed that she would send an errand boy to collect me. Well, I’m not going! I push hard on his chest making him take a step back from me and turn my sights back on the guy I was dancing with and let my insecurities float away.
Gunner is insistent though, he grabs my arm, jerking me.
“Hey what the…”
“You are going home!” he yells over the music.
“Fuck off!”
Gunner stands there like a pompous ass, acting like I’m nothing more than a petulant child he is about to punish.
“Leave me alone! I don’t need you or my sister telling me what I can do, where I can go, or with whom!”
His downright arrogant glare of indifference is pissing me off more, like he doesn’t care what I just told him. Then he tries to grab my arm again.
“Don’t touch me! You can go back and tell my sister I said to leave me alone.”
The guy I was dancing with comes to my rescue, taking up my defense.
“Hey, the lady said she’s not going anywhere. You need to have some fucking respect. Touch her again and we’re going to have a problem.” He smiles, telling Gunner, “She’s safe buddy, I’ll get her home. You can go tell her, whoever, she’s fine.”
This guy just got ten times better looking. He turns back around to me, ignoring Gunner still standing there and wraps his arms around my waist. “I got you, baby.”
I smile up at him and enjoy the thrill I’m feeling when suddenly all hell breaks loose. My guy goes flying back and I freeze, watching as one solid fist lands across the guy’s jaw, taking him out for the count. I don’t know what’s going on; I’m frozen in my spot, staring at the guy on the floor. Finally, I look up seeing Gunner glaring at me, again with indifference written on his face.
The crowd spreads behind Gunner and my eyes go wide, seeing another man with his fist lifted, ready to strike Gunner from behind. Gunner must have read my expression because he spins around so fast I can’t keep up, until the other guy’s nose is bleeding profusely.
“Oh shit!”
Gunner turns around like he’s ready to kill me. Grabbing my arm, he rips me from my friends, and drags me across the dance floor. I’m hitting him and yelling curse words like I’m a born-again sailor, not fazing him in the least until we are off the dance floor. Turning back to me, he hits me with another murderous look then bends, throwing me over his shoulder.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
3
Gunner
Those assholes! I throw Chloe over my shoulder, watching Shane and Teddy laughing their asses off. I told them I didn’t want to do this, but they threw it in my face that I had no choice in the matter. Well, they can take the fucking finger I’m holding up in the air as I storm out of the club with this spoiled brat.
“Gunner, let me down! Gunner!”
She’s yelling and pounding on my back, trying to hurt me the whole way through the club. I make it to the door, seeing the two gorillas stationed outside step out of my way without question as I pass. You would think they would stop any man walking out of a club with a girl thrown over his shoulder, yelling, kicking, and begging for help, but not me. They’ve learned who I am. They’ve seen me fight.
“HELP! He’s kidnapping me.”
“I’m not kidnapping you. Shut up!”
“What do you call it then?! And why aren’t they helping me?”
“Do you know who this club belongs to?”
“I don’t care! Put me down! I’ll tell Vin. I mean it. He’s going to kick your ass!”
“This is a family club. Shane Toup’s club. Now, shut up!”
“You, son of a bitch! Put me down!”
Continuing to walk, she realizes right before we get to Ol’ Betty that her little fists aren’t doing a damn bit of good, so she changes tactics. She pulls my shirt up and out of my pants and dives in for my underwear.
“What the fuck?! Chloe! Chloe! Don’t!”
She fucking pulls them up so fast and hard, causing my face to twist in pain from one hell of a wedgie.
With my ass cheeks split apart by the bunched-up material, I don’t stop. I make it to my car, throwing her off my shoulder. I push her against the door with her huffing and puffing while I reach back, trying to dig my damn underwear out of my ass. This gives her the second she needs to break free. She tries to run, but she’s not quite fast enough. Placing one hand over her chest, I push her back against the car, holding her in place.
“Don’t you fucking move,” I growl in her face.
You would think she’d listen, but not princess. With my attention on my backside again, she pushes my hand off and runs. Fuck!
“I am not going anywhere with you!” she yells as she runs around to the other side of Betty.
“Don’t make me chase you, little girl.”
“Little girl?! Who the hell are you talking to? I’m not a child.”
“Then quit acting like one.”
Her eyes squint, and I know I’ve gotten to her. Although, I learn real quick she knows how to retaliate, as angry words come flying out of her mouth, “I won’t be dragged to my sister. Especially not by someone like you!”