Chapter 30

I stood up and announced I needed a drink. Stepping out from the table and walking over to the bar, I sat on a stool and asked for a double whiskey neat.

The bartender gave me a funny look, placed the drink down while I handed him my card. He came back with my card a few seconds later and placed it down.

I signed the paper and gave him a good tip, listening to the music in the background.

“You might want to slow down a bit there?” he commented. I looked up to see him in better lighting. He was really handsome. “Thank you!”

~Crap, did I say that out loud?~

“You’re really pretty too! But you don’t need another guy to add to your list,” he beamed and leaned over the counter at me.

“What? I’m not following? My list?”

“Oh come on, really? A pretty girl like you must be used to having guys fawning all over you. No?”

“Hah! What guys? I don’t see any guys?” I asked with open arms, swirling in my chair, pointing to the nonexistent guys surrounding me.

“Those three guys all looking over here right now,” he nodded his head over towards the table I was previously at. I turned my head only to find Caleb, Wes, and Knox eyeing up the bartender beside me.

I snorted at them and turned back to face the bartender I’d been talking to.

“They’re just protective,” I shrugged.

“All three of them? I mean, I’ve never been stared at by three guys holding the same expression on their faces. They look like they’re going to kill me.”

“Like I said, they’re just protective. They probably think you’re hitting on me or something.”

“I mean, two of them have girls with them but their attention is on you. I think they’re protective alright,” he smirked over at me and leaned his head down so he was at my level.

“You might not believe me but I think they all like you, especially Carter.”

“Carter doesn’t like me, he’s an ass. They think of me as a younger sister, they all do.”

“Alright, how about we bet on it?” He eyed me up. I swallowed the whiskey that was resting in my mouth, pondering on his offer for a few moments.

“Alright, name the stakes and the prize,” I challenged.

“I wager that all of them are smitten with you, and my prize is your number,” he countered.

“Alright, you’re on. I bet they don’t have a thing for me and my prize is... a free drink.”

“Okay, so here’s how it’s going to play out. We’ll flirt a little and if they all come over and threaten me, then I win and later tonight you give me your number?”

“Deal! If they haven’t already come over, they won’t now, so you’ve pretty much lost, buddy. If they don’t come over in the next... fifteen minutes, I win.” I swirled the drink around the glass, taking sips every so often.

He leaned in even closer to me across the bar.

Touching my arm, he whispered, “Fifteen minutes? Alright, I can work with that, sweetheart... Oh, I got one of them to sit up straight... and another. Alright, so I’m getting their attention.”

“I hope for your sake it’s not my brother.”

“It’s not your brother, sweetie, it’s Carter. Don’t turn around, it’ll ruin the effect.”

“Bullshit, it’s not Carter! I’m not going to turn around, I will win fair and square.”

“How about we take this up a notch? Hmm, sweetheart?”

“Okay, what do you propose we do then?” I asked as he moved his head in front of mine.

He was now looking down at me with hooded eyes. “You tease me.”

“How?”

“Come closer to me. Bite your lip, stroke my arm. Kiss me if you want? I don’t mind,” he smirked at me.

“I’m not going to kiss you unless you want a black eye from my brother, but I’ll do the other things. I’m not going to lie, I’m slightly turned on by all of this.”

“I honestly don’t think I’ll be getting the black eye from your brother. They’re still looking, here’s your chance... You and me both, sweetheart, so make my dick twitch,” he smiled, making me laugh a little.

So, I ran my thumb along my bottom lip and bit onto the end of it. Then, taking my lower lip between my teeth, I gave him a smile. I slowly pushed my hair back behind my shoulder, exposing my neck a little more.

“Alright, getting a reaction from me, but you’re getting more of one from them. Blondie is glaring at me now while Carter looks like he’s going to cave first...

The other dude is about to break the glass he’s holding... You’re good, very good!”

I quickly glanced down at my phone, his time was nearly up. He stroked his fingers across my newly exposed collarbone and took a piece of my hair between his fingers, bending down to whisper huskily in my ear.

“Alright, going for a bold one right now.”

“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” I leaned up with my elbows on the counter. Trailing my index finger along his jawline, I looked up to him under my lashes with a seductive smirk.

“You’ll see, sweetheart, you’ll see. You’re good at this, by the way. You’re definitely turning me on.”

He took out a shot glass while biting his lower lip and poured tequila, placing salt in front of me. I pushed it back to him and shook my head.

“Just a lemon,” I said. He went over to take out a fresh lemon.

“You ready, sweetheart?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

He took the lemon from his hand and placed it between his teeth. I tried to suppress a smirk but I wasn’t doing well. I bit down on my lower lip and smiled at him.

I leaned closer to him and said, “Oh, you’re good!” keeping up the charade. He sent me a wink and motioned me to take the shot.

Grabbing it, I knocked it back and swallowed it. I leaned up out of the barstool to take the lemon from his mouth with my own.

“Sit back down on that stool, baby doll!” He dropped the lemon from his mouth into his hands and smirked at me, not breaking any eye contact with me.

“Sit down, Alex,” Wes chimed in.

“Damn! You’re good, I was so close,” I told the bartender, only for him to take the glass away from me and throw the lemon away.

I licked my bottom lip and turned to the three of them standing there, glaring at the bartender with their arms folded. Kyle wasn’t even standing up here.

“So close yet so far away, sweetie. I’ll see you around.”

“No, you won’t,” Knox declared.

“You got a name?”

“Dylan.”

“Alex. I’ll see you around, Dylan. I owe you a shot.” I smirked at him, grabbing the glass that I was drinking from earlier, and walked by the three guys with my hips swaying with confidence back to the table.

I scooted in and the three of them resumed their seats, minus the girls. That’ll teach them to play with fire.

Except for Caleb, he is definitely getting that kiss tonight because they were trying to annoy me with those girls. He wasn’t. I didn’t see him with any girl. Well, none that I saw.

Catching Hannah’s eye, she leaned back with her gaze glazed over from the many drinks she had. Sending me a wink to say a job well done.

“So who’s kissing who?” Andy asked.

“I’m kissing Marcus and Alex and Caleb are kissing,” Hannah replied with a slur. I thought I was a lightweight.

“Well, we have ten minutes so get ready!” Andy beamed over at Kyle.

“You’re not kissing Caleb,” Knox stated nonchalantly.

“What, why not?” Caleb and I asked simultaneously.

“Because I said so.”

“That’s not really a reason. I can kiss whoever I want to kiss!” I retorted, my voice echoing in the room.

“Kyle, back me up here. She’s not kissing Caleb!” Knox called out, seeking reinforcement.

“Sis, you’re not kissing anyone, ever,” Kyle responded, his eyes never leaving Andy as he gently stroked her arm.

~Typical.~ I thought, rolling my eyes. ~I’m going to do it anyway. They won’t know.~ I huffed and sank back into the seat, but not before grabbing Caleb’s arm to send a clear message.

As the countdown began, I slid my hand up Caleb’s arm, smirking up at him. I locked eyes with Knox as the countdown hit two, then one.

I seized Caleb’s face, pressing my lips onto his. I felt his arm wrap around my waist, the other cupping the back of my head.

“Alex!” Knox’s voice cut through the moment.

I tried to ignore it, but Caleb’s lips were ripped away from mine before I could deepen the kiss. Next thing I knew, Caleb was being hauled across the room by Knox and Wes, a grin plastered on his face.

~Seriously?~ I turned to see why my friends were so quiet, only to find them making out with the guys they were paired with. ~I’m out.~

I sauntered over to the bar, catching the bartender’s eye. I grabbed a napkin from the stack and asked for a pen. After jotting down my number, I slid it across the bar to him and beckoned him closer.

“Kiss me,” I commanded, and he did. His lips met mine gently, his hand cupping my cheek before the kiss could deepen. Suddenly, I was hoisted up and thrown over a shoulder. I knew instantly who it was.

“Call me!” I yelled back to the bartender, who waved the napkin in the air and winked at me.

“Nobody’s going to call you, baby doll,” Knox’s voice echoed in my ear.

“Fuck off, Knox. You ruin everything!” I retorted, earning a smack on my ass. I was pretty sure people could see up my dress. ~Great.~

“Are you purposely trying to piss me off, baby doll?” Knox asked, his voice laced with irritation.

“Is it working? You’re the one who started it. Don’t play with fire, Knox. You’ll only get burned,” I shot back.

“Going after Caleb and the bartender? That’s a new low, even for you, baby doll!” Knox retorted.

“Bringing over a slut to sit on your lap like Santa is a new low for you, Carter. What were you trying to achieve, Saint Nick? Trying to find out if she was naughty or nice? FYI, what I did with the bartender was a bet, which you three made me lose,” I countered.

“A bet? What bet?” He set me down on the floor. We were in a quiet area. I was swaying a little, and Knox grabbed my arms to steady me. I smirked up at him, biting my lower lip.

“Don’t do that, baby doll. What bet?” he asked again.

“He bet that... you three would... come over to the bar if we... flirted with each other and... teased each other. He was good, like really good! I mean, I didn’t think that last move would get you guys up, but it did! And now I lost to him! So thanks!” I slurred, the alcohol finally taking effect. ~I shouldn’t have done that shot. I’m going to be dying tomorrow.~

“So that was all for show? You didn’t like him like that?” Knox asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

“Well, I gave him my number. I mean, he was hot! But yeah, we did that so he could prove that you three liked me, which I still don’t believe. I mean, you’re just protective of me... It’s annoying when you cock block me. Like... It’s been a while!” I whined, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

~Yep, I’m drunk.~

“Baby doll, stop talking. You’re drunk! I’m taking you home,” Knox declared.

“Where did Caleb go? I liked him. I bet he has a big di—”

“Alex! Stop talking. I dealt with him. He left,” Knox cut me off.

“Ugh, Knox, you’re literally the most annoying person I’ve ever met. You cock blocked me! Caleb’s hot! I didn’t even get his number. I’m texting Hannah so she can tell Marcus to give Caleb my number....”

“The feeling’s mutual, baby doll. Stay away from Caleb! I’m not asking you, I’m telling you,” Knox commanded.

“Fuck off, Knox!” I retorted.

He hoisted me back over his shoulder and led me down the stairs to the club’s exit. He hailed a taxi within minutes and placed me in the back seat. I scooted across the seats, and he followed me in.

He gave the driver my address while the tiredness began to take over and the buzz from the club began to wear off. I turned to him, noticing he was already looking at me.

“You’re the most annoying person ever, do you know that?!” I muttered under my breath, but he heard it because he started to smirk at me, lifting his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his chest.

“So you’ve said, baby doll,” he murmured into my hair.

“You enjoy cock blocking me, don’t you? Piece of shit! Most annoying human being. And wipe that stupid smirk off your damn face, Carter! I’m not talking to you anymore!” I declared.

He took out his phone to message someone.

“Oh, so you’re going to ignore me and message one of your little sluts you picked up tonight? Get over to the other side of the car or get out and go back to the club. I don’t want their sluttiness to radiate from your phone onto me, thank you very much!” I snapped.

“I thought you were ignoring me?” He asked smugly, keeping his attention on his phone.

“I am,” I retorted, trying to push him away from me. ~He’s heavy.~

There was a long pause of silence.

“I was texting Kyle. I’m taking you home, baby doll,” he finally said.

“Sure you were,” I replied, not believing him for a second.

“You don’t believe me? Then look! See. No girls, it clearly says Kyle on the top of the screen.”

“I can’t see it without my glasses, dipshit! For all I know, you could’ve changed the name on top just now to Kyle but her real name is Kylie or something. But I’m not talking to you.”

“You’re impossible! You know that. Why do you even care who I hook up with? And you are talking to me, words are currently leaving your mouth.”

“I don’t care! Why do you care who I hook up with?”

“I don’t!”

“Really didn’t seem like it tonight or all my fucking life! Ugh! I’m not talking to you!”

“Yeah, you mentioned that.”

Rolling my eyes at him while facing my entire body out the window, I feel his arm tighten around my shoulder. I whispered ~so annoying~ to myself, causing the cab driver to laugh up front.

He was shaking his head with a smile on his face. Pulling up to my house, I go to pay him when Knox grabs my hand and gives the driver money.

“Thanks, and sorry about... her.”

“Her? You ass—”

He pushed me out of the car and I stormed up my driveway, careful not to stumble off the pathway into the stones.

Mumbling curse words under my breath, I turn around to see Knox walking slowly behind me with his hands in his pockets, smirking at me.

“Stop smirking at me or I’ll slap it off your goddamn face, Carter!” I continue to walk while hearing a faint laugh from behind me.

I open up the door to still hear the laughing and chatter in the kitchen, so the parents are still here? Boomer comes running and barking at me.

I sit on the ground to take my shoes off and the devil appears in the foyer along with me. All of the parents come walking out to see why Boomer is barking.

Knox closes the door behind him and Delilah comments with a grin on her face, “Why are you two home so soon?”

“Because your asshole of a son, no offense, decided to pick me up and drag me out of the damn club after I kissed someone at midnight. Actually him and Wes!”

“Wes? Where is Wes?” Stella asked us.

“Here!” He popped his head inside the door and walked in with hands in his pockets. Where did he come from?

“Ok, what she just said is a slight exaggeration of the truth,” Knox defends himself.

“Exaggeration! Knox, you and Wes dragged Caleb away from me when I kissed him because I kissed him! You two bringing girls over to annoy me! Well, it didn’t work you pricks!”

“Alex! Language!” my mom scolded me over to the side.

“Baby doll, you were trying to make me jealous with that bet of yours! And I told you not to kiss Caleb! Or anyone for that matter.”

“Us, Knox, she tried to make us jealous. Wait, what bet?” Wes looked between us but I ignored his question with a slight smile on his face.

“You brought the girls over first so you started it! And I wasn’t trying to make you jealous, he made the bet I just played along.

See, your two sons cock blocked me! I’m going to be that cat lady that no guy ever comes near! So thanks, idiots! Thanks a lot!”

“Is that true boys?” Delilah asks with an attitude laced in her tone. She crossed her arms over with a smirk on her face.

“Kinda”

“Maybe” they both mumbled simultaneously.

“I’m going to bed, I’m done! Good night. Not you two! You dick heads... you can leave and go back to the girls you had on your laps. Bye bitches!”

Feeling an arm grab me back and hoist me over a shoulder again. Not again.

“Stop doing that! Put me down,” I demanded.

“Knox, put her down dammit!” Wes shouts and he turns on his heel to face him.

“Make me, Avery.”

Oh god, please don’t fight, please don’t fight.

Wes throws the first punch to the stomach and makes Knox winded. I feel unsteady over his shoulder. He puts me down on the ground and I hear a gasp of Wes’s name from his parents.

That’s when Knox turns and lunges for Wes, knocking the two of them on the ground. Fists are flying, hitting body parts and the two boys are rolling around on the floor in the foyer.

Multiple grunts and words are mumbled but nobody can make out what is being said by both of them. It’s like they’re whispering insults to each other but want nobody else to hear.

The mothers are yelling for them to stop at once while the fathers are trying to break up the fight. After a few more punches and kicks, they were able to successfully peel the two boys off each other.

Both boys are panting with anger as they continue to stare at one another in rage. A good distance away from each other, hearing the hard breathing from people, mainly the boys, shakes me out of my daze.

All the while I just stand there in pure shock.

“Alex,” my mom runs to me and hugs me from the side. They both snap their heads to me and I don’t even look at them. I’m staring into space in my own world.

What just happened?