Page 46 of Beaten

“Yeah man. I got it.” Luckily for him, he did exactly what I’d told him to do.

When I looked over at the table, Jack tilted his head toward the door which I took to mean he’d settled the bill and we were free to leave. I nodded, then counted to ten after they walked out, never taking my eyes off the two assholes staring at the bar.

“Count to fifty before you even think of lifting your eyes off that bar top. Both of you.” I waited for them to start counting before backing my way to the door. I stopped to smooth things over with the manager before leaving, but he said Jack had explained everything, and we were good. He asked if he should kick the two guys out, but not wanting to risk another confrontation in the parking lot I asked him not to. He agreed, then said he’d be cutting them off so they’d probably leave on their own.

Everyone was waiting at my SUV. Ashley and Meg were comforting Emily, who was putting on a brave face, while Jack and AJ stood watch.

“Ashley, you should probably ride back with us.”

“I’m not a total idiot, James.” Ashley sounded offended that I felt the need to say it. “Later big guy.” She blew AJ a kiss, opened the back door to my SUV. “Come on Em, let’s drink some beer while we watch the fireworks with your hero.”

Once they were in, I closed the door behind them and walked around to the driver’s side. Hearing the sound of Emily laughing through the open door surprised me. I didn’t know what I’d expected to hear, maybe crying or Ashley comforting Emily, but it wasn’t riotous laughter. I’d clearly underestimated her.She’s a hell of a lot stronger than she realizes.

I turned in my seat, smiled and asked, “What’s so funny?”

“I was just saying, I bet that guy pissed himself when you shoved his arm behind his back.” Ashley choked out.

“He kind of looked like maybe he did.” Emily added. She turned to look at me, her eyes glossy with tears from laughter. Something she saw made her stop laughing.

Does she think I’m upset with her?

Ashley kept going. “And you made him sit at the bar in his pee pants!”

Emily probably misinterpreted my surprise as anger. I had to think quick, so she wouldn’t think I was mad, or that it wasn’t okay to be laughing after such a crazy situation.Fuck, I can’t think of anything. What the fuck, Sheppard!Say something. Anything.

“It probably puddled in his shoes.” I shivered for added comedic effect. I didn’t think it was particularly funny, but Emily and Ashley did. They both stared at me for the space of a heartbeat then fell into each others arms as they burst out laughing. Ashley was cackling and Emily laughed so hard she snorted. It was the cutest sound ever.

I smiled as I turned in my seat and started the car, relief washing over me.She'll be okay.I’d talk to her before I left for the night and make sure she was good, but I had no reasonto think those guys would cost her any sleep. Unless she and Ashley stayed up all night laughing at them.

On the drive home, Ashley told us AJ had stopped the manager from interfering. She practically swooned when she told Emily how much she appreciated his hot alpha male body. I could see her fanning her face with her hand in the rear view mirror.

I heard Emily ask Ashley if she thought they’d hook up.

“Maybe, if he’s lucky. But maybe not tonight, thanks to Mr. I-peed-myself-after-being-called-out-for-being-a-total-douche-canoe.”

I almost choked on my spit as I tried to hold back my laugh. Ashley had a colorful, entertaining way of nicknaming men she didn’t like.

“There’s still time, he’s coming with us to the fireworks.” Emily urged her friend on, then asked me, “Jamie, we can still go see the fireworks, can’t we?”

“Of course.” It hadn’t occurred to me to cancel our plans.

Emily looked at Ashley, raised her eyebrows, pursed her lips, and made kissing noises.

“Maybe. If he’s lucky.” Ashley grinned like a kid who just got away with stealing a cookie. AJ was in for one hell of a night.

“Ifhe’slucky?” Emily turned around in her seat and stared at her best friend. “Like you wouldn’t be just as lucky.”

I watched Ashley’s reaction in the rearview mirror, as she shrugged with a devilish grin and a gleam in her eyes, “Any man would consider himself lucky just to have the chance to be with me.” Sheused both hands and circled around, indicating her whole body.

I almost choked on my spit, again. Fucking Ashley, I was wrong to think she hadn’t changed. She had. She was more confident, and gave even fewer fucks, than when we were in high school. And it worked for her. And truth be told, she wasn’t wrong, any man who didn’t consider himself lucky to have her, even if only for one night, needed to have his head examined. She was beautiful, intelligent, passionate, and a bit of a wild child.

“God I’ve missed you.” Emily reached over and grabbed her friends hand. “I’m sorry I’ve been MIA for so long.”

“I missed you too. Luckily, we’ve got all weekend to make up for lost time and a sexy chauffeur so we can start our party early. So, let’s have him take us to a liquor store so we can grab some beer for the fireworks.”

“Chauffeur, huh?” I asked.

Emily looked at me, with her hands in prayer position and her head tilted slightly to the right. “Please Jamie?”

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