Page 84 of Crave Me

“Hi, Theo, I’m Kinsey,” she says as she sticks out her hand in his direction.

“Pleasure to meet you, Kinsey. How about a drink?”

“Happily.”

Theo moves around Cole and me to stand next to Kinsey at the bar, ordering a drink, and I suddenly feel like a fish out of water. Kinsey slams back another shot that’s in front of her, andI snatch the remaining two to keep her from taking all of them. I hand one to Cole, because what else am I supposed to do with it?

“Cheers,” I say as I toss back the coffee-flavored shot.

Cole looks at me quizzically for a moment before picking up the shot and drinking it down.

Knowing I can’t leave Kinsey alone with this guy, I stand here awkwardly and attempt to make small talk with Cole while Kinsey flirts with his friend.

“So, Coley, huh? How’d you get that nickname?”

“Dallas, actually. Long time ago. Speaking of, I don’t see him anywhere,” he says as he looks around the bar.

“Why would he be here?”

Cole leans in and whispers in my ear sending a chill down my spine. Not the good kind.

“I think we both know why; you don’t need to play games.”

“Excuse me?”

He pulls back from me and smiles, licking his lips and letting his eyes trace over my body. I suddenly feel extremely uncomfortable, and as Kinsey takes another shot, Theo gets more and more handsy with her. The hair on my arms stands on end and I start to panic, the situation slowly getting out of control. The alcohol and anxiety mix together, buzzing between my ears as I try to calm myself down.

When I overhear Theo ask Kinsey if she wants to “get out of here” and he takes her hand, I look around frantically to find Reid, his eyes already focused on the situation. Theo pulls Kinsey behind him, stepping away from me, and I move to stand in front of them.

“Hey, you. You seem like you’re ready to go home. Want to crash at my place?” I ask her.

She gives me a big, goofy smile as she slurs her next words, “I’m going to go back with Theo.” She leans in really close to me,whispering in a not-so-whisper, “It’s time I get laid, I want this shit over with.”

Before I know what’s happening, Reid steps between us, bending down practically to his knees and scooping Kinsey up over his shoulder. She squeals loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the bar.

“Oh, no you don’t. Fuck that, Kins. You think I’m going to let you go home with some out-of-town stranger? Not fucking happening.”

“Screw you, Reid! Put me down!”

“Not a chance, sweetheart. You want to get me killed? Your brothers will have my ass six feet under by lunch tomorrow without breaking a sweat. Time to go home,alone.”

“You’re just like my stupid overbearing brothers, you dick! Just let me get it over with!”

I quickly grab her purse and coat and follow them outside to give him her things, catching the tail end of their conversation. Kinsey is back on her feet, Reid’s hands on both sides of her face as he crouches down to face her. She looks like a tiny doll in his massive hold. Their size difference is drastic.

“Your virginity is fucking precious, sweetheart. Don’t you dare just give that shit away. You’re trashed, and that’s not when we make huge decisions like this. It’s time to go back to Ivy’s.”

It’s hard not to feel like I’m intruding on an intimate moment, but that’s just Reid. He has the biggest heart in the world and cares so deeply about everyone. I know he’d do the same for any of us. I don’t think he was cut out for this harsh world, being such an empath.

“Hey, here’s her coat, she’s going to freeze. Ivy was in the bathroom, but I’ll go back in and grab her.”

“Thanks, B. I’ll take them back to Ivy and Sawyer’s. Come with us and I’ll drop you off after.”

“I’m fine, it’s just a few blocks. I can hold my own, I promise.”

“I don’t like that, B.”

“I’ll text you as soon as I’m inside and the door is locked.”

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