Page 127 of Something So Strong

“Pft,” Kai waves dismissively. “Shake your ass and I might pay attention.”

With determination written all over her face, Cleo crawls to me and Kai, kneels on the carpet, and wedges her forearms on the sliver of couch cushion between us. “You two are just the perfect couple.” She beams with a cheesy grin, bopping us on the nose. “My K…J.”

“Oh, shit. Call the papers. They’ve got a fucking couple name,” Romeo teases.

Shuffling around, Cleo bows. Satisfied with herself.

“Seriously, though.” She spins her head back to Kai. “What the hell are we doing? I didn’t get dressed up to sit here all night. And please don’t tell me it’s The Donegal.”

“Wouldn’t be much of a celebration without everyone involved…” The sentence started strong, but as soon as it hit his ears, he realized his mistake. Kai knew what he wanted to say, and the words were correct. They just, unfortunately, have more than one meaning.

Sensing the tension, Cleo does what she does best and makes it all about her. “Fuck yes!” she claps, bouncing up and down on her knees. “You’re the best, Kai. Nate is gonna love seeing me in this.”

“But you still deny anything is going on?”

“Quiet you!” Cleo flaps her hand behind her in Kendall’s direction.

“Is this really such a good idea? Last time we went there, you and Saxon almost tore a kid’s arm out of the socket.”

“He deserved it!” everyone claps back at me in unison.

“Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands. “But the club had to close early, and you remember Alma’s reaction—”

“My ears are burning.” The almost downtrodden voice of Alma comes from behind me. All eyes are on her as she strolls to the last six-pack and helps herself. Shaking the sleeve of her sweater down over her hand, she cracks off the twist-top lid and tosses it onto the pile. Perching herself on the worn arm of the Chesterfield beside Kai, she takes along swig and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Is anyone going to say thank you?”

Ever the minx, Cleo jumps to her feet, skips over, and plants a pink lipstick kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, toots.”

Alma rolls her eyes and rubs off the lipstick.

“You are my number-one girl.” Kai taps Alma above her knee and lets his hand rest there.

Slowly, Alma blinks her eyes and stares blankly forward.

Does he even know he’s doing it?

Cause me and Alma have sure noticed.

“Just don’t make me regret it,” she says after an excruciatingly uncomfortable length of silence. “And for the love of god, follow the rules. I don’t want a repeat of last time—”

“No making a scene. No picking fights with the guests. Don’t get too drunk. And everyone has to show up for work tomorrow,” Cleo states proudly, counting each rule off on her fingers. “And that last one is directed at you two,” she smirks, pointing to Romeo and Kendall with both index fingers.

“You sure this is okay, Alma?”

She shrugs, not even bothering to make eye contact with me.

“Did you wanna join us?” I ask so sweetly I’m surprised my teeth don’t crumble from my jaw.

“I’m on duty. Got another newbie due tonight.”

Good.

I’d extended the olive branch. It matters not that it wasn’t picked up.

“Okay, final round before we go.” Kai slides a fresh beer across the coffee table towards Kendall.

“Leave mine for Alma.” Romeo offers, scrunching the empty crisp packet in his hands.

“Suit yourself.” Kai hands the bottle to Alma’s covetous, outstretched hand. She gulps down the remainder of the first and opens the second in quick succession.

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