Page 22 of I Should Hate You-but I Don't

"Who?"

"Sh." Taylor laughed. "The guy behind you. The one who asked your name."

She wasn't going to look again. At any moment, the line would reach the doors, and she'd have to lie and say she didn't have any ID on her.

Going out on the town was out of her element. She could hold her own against the bikers, but the men here intimidated her. They reminded her of all the kids she'd had to put up with every time the state moved her into a new foster home. She hated being the new kid.

"Listen to the music." Taylor wiggled beside her. "I'm ready to dance. We're going to have so much fun."

"Mm-hm." She forced a smile.

As she got closer to the bouncer, she convinced herself that everything would be okay. If Taylor wanted to go inside, she could go. All she had to do was call Zane, and he could pick her up. No biggy—except the embarrassment of getting carded.

At their turn, she stepped up with Taylor and rummaged through her pack, pretending to look for her driver's license. Of course, it was in there, along with some of her most important items she'd never want to lose.

"Shit, Tay." She groaned. "I left my license at home since Zane gave me a ride here."

"No, I.D., no entrance," said the bouncer.

"Come on, man. She's with me." The guy behind her put his arm across her shoulders and handed the bouncer money. "She's good."

The bouncer stepped to the side. "You four can go."

Taylor led the way. The man with his arm around her took her inside. Her heart raced. She already regretted letting him bring her inside.

The other guy went to buy drinks. She stretched to her tiptoes and said, "Thanks."

"Name's Brian." He pointed across the room. "There's a table over there. I think we can all sit there."

"I don't think—"

"We'd love to," said Taylor, nudging River. "Wouldn't we?"

She forced a smile. A night out with Taylor sounded fun. A night out with a man who liked to push his way around sounded like a bad decision.

At the table, she moved her chair closer to Taylor and put her bag between her feet on the floor. She found the source of the music. They had a DJ.

The waitress came and the two men offered drinks to Taylor and River. She thanked them but had no plans to drink anything. Taylor had no hesitation. She put the alcohol to her mouth and swayed to the music.

"Have a sip." The man put his hand on her leg.

"I'm not thirsty." She took his hand and moved it away from her.

She ignored the others and stared out at the dance floor. Right now, she'd rather dance the night away than be stuck downtown with strangers.

Brian leaned in and put his lips to her ear. "Want to dance?"

Nevermind. She'd rather go home than dance.

She shook her head at the same time Taylor jumped up and went out to dance with Brian's friend, leaving her alone with him.

He picked up her drink, trying to coax her to take some. She leaned back, staying away from him.

"Come on, babes." He turned toward her and put his hand on her thigh, moving it between her legs and moving it toward her pussy.

She caught his wrist, trying to push him away but he wouldn't budge. "Stop."

"Be a good girl." Brian's lips found her neck.

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