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“If you’re looking for some company later,” Jasmine purred. “You know where to find us.”
“Yeah, don’t be going too far,” Vicious scoffed. “I’m not looking to crawl in bed alone tonight.”
“You got it, baby.”
I glanced over at Emery and Chrissy, and neither of them seemed to notice as the girls sauntered past them. They were too busy yammering about something to even care. I turned back to our game of darts, and every now and then, I heard Emery laugh.
I ignored it.
Vicious didn’t.
He motioned his head in her direction as he said, “Looks like somebody’s tying one on.”
I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of Emery finishing off another beer. She and Chrissy were playing a round of pool, and from the looks of it, they’d been hitting the drinks pretty heavy. Emery wasn’t exactly a lightweight, but she wasn’t a regular drinker either.
And right now, she was definitely feeling the alcohol.
Her laugh was a little louder, her movements a bit looser, and her pool game was far from her norm. I didn’t like it, but it wasn’t my concern. “Good for her.”
I turned my focus back to the game and tried tuning out everything Emery. I took my shot and hit a bullseye. Vicious grumbled, “Lucky shot.”
“No, my friend. That was skill.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“Skill,” I replied flatly. “That’s what helps me sleep at night.”
“Where was that skill when you were three shots behind?”
“Giving you a chance to show what you’ve got.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
He walked over to clear the board, and I stepped over to grab my beer. I’d just tilted it back when I heard Chrissy announce, “You know what you should do?”
“What?” Emery slurred.
“You should just hook up with somebody.” I tried not to cough up my beer as I listened to her continue, “You could do it tonight. I mean seriously. You’re literally surrounded by hot guys, and any one of them would be happy to help you out.”
“I’m not screwing one of the guys.”
“Why not?”
“They’re family,” Emery groaned. “They’ve spent the last ten years making sure no guy could touch me with a ten-foot pole.”
“Well, now they can pay you back for that by giving you their pole.”
“Chrissy!”
“I’m serious!” Chrissy kept on. “They’re not all like family…”
Vicious chuckled, “Sounds like trouble’s brewing.”
I shook my head and turned back to the dartboard, trying my damnedest not to listen to any more of their nonsense. I threw my dart just as I heard, “Come on. Look around.”
I didn’t turn to look. I didn’t have to.
I knew exactly where Emery was standing, along with every brother in the bar. I thought I was prepared for whatever would come out of her mouth next.
