Page 31 of Daddies' Little Troublemaker

I can only give her a miserable nod.

“Maya!” Sawyer calls. “Make that double shots for everyone.”

By the time the whole story comes out, with all the gaslighting during my discovery phase which included such classics as “you borrowed that shirt from Chloe, that’s why it’s in our apartment” and “your suspicions are unhinged” and “I wish you weren’t so insecure because it isn’t healthy,” I am well and fully drunk.

As the night goes on and the bar fills up, we continue drinking and talking. Maya and Sawyer call Troy every name under the sun, getting more and more creative as the night goes on. They happily berate him for trying to control the narrative, for trying to control me.

It reminds me of another man who wants to control me, although I don’t think any part of Lincoln’s control has to do with harming me. It’s more about protection. But I didn’t ask for it and I don’t want it. Who the fuck is he to say who I get close to? He can’t warn me off his friend.

Caleb gave me his number before we went out on Wednesday, just in case we got separated. While Maya and Sawyer are distracted by a local friend of theirs, I touch my screen, pull up his name.

Hey, come meet my friends. We’re at The Dive.

In the back of my mind, I’m aware that this decision is fueled by alcohol. Doesn’t matter. I still want him, and I wanted him when I was sober, too.

Fuck Lincoln for trying to control me. I’m gonna fuck his friend tonight and it’s going to be fantastic.

10

PATIENCE, DOLL

Caleb

I pull up to The Dive and gawk at the building. What the fuck is Evie doing here? This place looks like it’d be a favorite of a motorcycle gang. I park my rental, a sports car which does not at all fit in with the other cars in the parking lot, and hurry inside.

The place is somewhat crowded, most of the bar stools full, and tables as well. But I spot Evelyn right away, sitting with two other women around her age. They’re laughing at something, but Evelyn sees me and straightens up, her smile transforming from mirth to seduction.

That smile paired with those innocent blue eyes could knock me right over. She was nearly my undoing at the club on Wednesday. Keeping my hands to myself had nearly been impossible. The way she dances, the way she flicks her gaze up to mine to see my reaction, the way she smiles when she’s lost in the music…captivating. The girl captivates me and there’s not one fucking thing I can do about it.

Her friends whisper as I walk over. They’re probably thinking I’m too old to be here for Evelyn. I am too old for her, but that doesn’t change the way I lust after her, unfortunately.

I’m a dirty old man, I guess…and if Evelyn might like me in spite of that, then I guess I’m okay with it.

When I reach her table, she throws herself into my arms. “Caleb!”

“Hey, Evie.” I squeeze her and help her back into her chair. “Who are your friends?”

“Sawyer and Maya,” she says. “This is Caleb.”

Her friends nod and say hello, giving me curious, scrutinizing looks. Evelyn tugs me to the chair next to her, and I allow it. Even over the alcohol-soaked atmosphere of the bar, I can smell her sweetness. Coconuts and sugar. I wonder if it’s her shampoo, or what. I fucking love it.

She squeezes my knee, leans against my shoulder. She’s a lot touchier than she was on Wednesday night. On Wednesday, she had a good buzz going, but not…not like this.

“How much have you had to drink?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Some.”

Her curly-haired friend, Sawyer, holds up a hand. Five. Five drinks, for a little girl like Evelyn?

“Have you eaten?” I ask.

The friend shrugs and says, “We tried.”

There’s a half-eaten plate of greasy-looking nachos in the middle of the table, but Evelyn shakes her head. “Not hungry.”

“Evie,” I say, shaking my head. “You aren’t making the best choices right now.”

“I know,” she says on a sigh. Sitting up so she can whisper in my ear, she says, “Maybe you can help me make some better ones later?”

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