Page 59 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Ten minutes later they were all in front of the building, standing in line.

Colton put his phone in his pocket, then leaned over to whisper in Elliot’s ear. “That skirt looks amazing on her, right?”

Elliot cleared his throat, but kept his gaze straight ahead. “Yep.”

“When I saw it in the store, I knew she had to have it.”

Elliot stopped, turned to Colton, and blinked. As though seeing him for the first time. “You bought her a skirt?”

Colton’s eyes flickered with humor, and his mouth turned up in a grin. “She said she didn’t have one. A shame with a body like hers.”

Elliot clenched his jaw, and turned to Fe. “You let him buy you a skirt?”

But she didn’t answer him. Maybe he deserved it. Had she really let his brother buy her a skirt? A tiny skirt, that barely covered her ass?

Colton grinned, punched Elliot in the shoulder, then jogged ahead of them. “I’m gonna go check out the font, see if I can get us in. Wait here.”

Elliot shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the building. Fe’s body language alone told him she didn’t want to look at him. He braced one foot against the wall. “Are you cold?” he asked her, studying her profile as she looked straight ahead.

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

He cleared his throat, and prodded. “But you have goosebumps.”

It was a long moment, but she finally glanced over at him. “I said I’m fine.”

He nodded and clenched his jaw.

Damnit all, he wanted this night to be over. Either that, or he wanted to start the night over. He was in the middle of trying to decide which, when Colton popped his head out from around the corner and waved them to the front of the line. “I got us in, come on.”

As soon as they walked past the bouncer, they were surrounded by almost complete darkness. Music was thumping, people were hollering, and things seemed to only get louder by the second. Fe’s fingers immediately found the fabric at Elliot’s shirt, and twisted until they were almost stuck. He covered her hand with his, relieved by her touch, and bent down to her ear. “It’s okay.” He whispered. “We’ll find someplace quiet, just hold on.”

Almost completely blind, he led her toward some lights off in the distance. It was no small task either, because people were everywhere. Dancing, talking, standing on chairs. Lights were flashing, making things even more disorienting. He looked around for Colton, but it was nearly impossible to find anyone.

Soon, he found the other end of the room, where he pulled a barstool out from a small table. “Here,” he said looking down at her. “Have a seat.” She nodded, though her cheeks were almost colorless, and he could tell she was having a hard time. Not quite to a panic attack, but close. “Do you want a drink?” he asked, worried. He hadn’t seen her this affected in a long time.

She pulled in a few breaths, took a seat, and shook her head. “I’m good.”

He swallowed, searching her eyes to make sure she was being honest. “You sure?”

Her face softened, and she nodded again. “I’m sure.” But the way she said it, in that soft way of hers, told him exactly what he needed to know. Not only was she okay, but she wasn’t mad at him any longer.

“I um—” he began, because how could he really justify his behavior earlier. “I’m sorry about earlier. You look beautiful, and I was being an ass.” But a woman screamed at that moment muffling his voice.

“What?” Fe asked with her hand at her ear.

He shook his head, realizing he’d need to say it all over again… “I’m sorry!” But things became louder again, and he realized it was hopeless. He would save his apology for later. Maybe then, he’d have better words to say than “I’m sorry.” Maybe then, he’d understand the fucked-up emotions that were rolling around in his chest.

It wasn’t just Colton being around that was screwing with him. Something had crawled under his skin. An uncomfortable, unsteady feeling, like he knew something was about to happen. He’d been walking through life waiting for it, anticipating, like walking on a thin sheet of ice, knowing the next step would make him fall.

For a while, he’d convinced himself it was work. That he wasn’t being challenged enough. Noticed enough. That he was missing out on love, that he was missing out on something.

His brows furrowed, and he looked up at Fe, who’s attention was off somewhere in the distance. “About earlier,” he began again—but Colton came walking toward them then, and his words immediately stopped.

“Compliments of the bartender,” Colton drawled, as he set a tray of alcohol on the table. Tequila, shot glasses, lemon slices and salt. He winked at Fe. “One of the perks of being friendly.” He yelled, elbowing Elliot in the ribs. “You should try it sometime. It’ll look good on ya.”

Before Elliot could respond, Colton proceeded to fill two shot glasses with the amber liquid and passed one to each of them “Have you had tequila before?” he asked Fe.

She looked him in the eye and nodded.

“Good girl,” he said, turning to Elliot. “Lick, bite, suck,” He instructed. He then glanced between the two of them, and flashed a wry smile. “Lord knows you both need it.”

“I can’t, I’m driving—“

But Colton shook his head. “Why do you think there’s only two glasses, Elli. I’m DD. You guys enjoy yourself. I prefer watching anyway.”

When they both remained quiet, Colton braced his arms on the table and glanced between the two of them. “Well get on with it! We don’t have all night.”

Fe hesitated for a brief moment, licked the back of her hand, salted it, then passed the shaker to Elliot. “We’re almost there,” she yelled. “Step number seven.”

He grinned a little. Because she looked so serious. So determined. Somewhere along the way, this thing became a bigger deal to her than it was to him. He wasn’t even sure what they were doing anymore, but he could see she needed it. He picked up the salt, sprinkled it on the back of his hand, and picked up a lemon “To lucky number seven”.

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