Page 20 of Rex

“No, I haven’t, and I haven’t seen her either. Drugged, though? Why would someone at the club drug you and me?” Reeves asks before jerking upright and dropping his feet to the floor. “Do you think the women drugged us? You know, to take advantage of us and all that?”

“Fuck no, Reeves! Christ on a stick, neither of them would drug us!” I shout, completely dismayed at his thought process.

“Just sayin’, Lisa wouldn’t need drugs if she wanted that kind of a night with me. The woman’s hot as hell, and I’d be willing as fuck. But Aria might have thought you’re a little too tightly wound and needed something to get you naked. You would definitely be worried about how Chubs would feel about it, so yeah, I can see her drugging you.”

I continue staring at my club brother, even more dismayed at the workings of his brain. Or lack thereof.

“I probably got roofied by accident,” Reeves states, and then shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“When you’re talking, do you listen to the words that leave your mouth or just spew them without thought?” I ask him.

“Why listen to them when I already know what I’m saying?” Reeves questions in a tone that suggests that I’m the idiot in the room.

“Listen to these words, then. The women did not drug either of us. I think we may have gotten drinks that were meant for another group. You bought the last round and went to the bar to get them. Did anything odd happen when you were at the bar?”

Reeves sits quietly for several long seconds while staring at something behind my shoulder. Finally, his eyes meet mine, and he answers.

“The bartender was really busy, and another guy stepped behind the bar and started helping by pouring shots. The bartender didn’t look happy about having this guy there but didn’t say anything that I remember. A couple of waitresses were standing next to me with trays that the guy was setting drinks on, and one asked if she could help me. I told her that we were waiting on four shots of tequila. She was cute and flirty, so we chatted for a minute. Then she nodded toward her tray and told me to grab four, and she’d wait for more. I did and brought them to the table. I remember me, you, and Lisa shooting them, but I don’t think Aria did. I saw her take a sip or two, wrinkle her nose, and set it back down. Not sure if one of us finished it or not. Then we left.”

“You finished Aria’s shot. She had said she didn’t like tequila, but Lisa insisted on one shot before we left. I remember that part and the ride to the clubhouse. I paid the driver, and then things start getting a little fuzzy. I think I need to do a deep dive on date rape drugs,” I say.

“Freddy is the one to ask about them. He’s extremely knowledgeable because of the testing and things he does to keep them out of the strip club. He knows the signs, the effects, and most everything there is to know about the various shit peopletry to do or use in a strip club,” Reeves advises, and I realize he’s right. Freddy is the one to speak with.

“He’ll be my first call. Good idea,” I reply.

“If Lisa took advantage of me while I was drugged, I have to say I’m okay with it. A little concerned that the drugs may have taken away some of my abilities, though. Do you think they do that? Because I don’t want to leave her with a bad impression. Maybe I— Hey! Why’d you do that?” Reeves asks while ducking my swinging hand the second time.

“People are getting date rape drugs dropped into their drinks, and you’re mostly concerned with how it may have affected your performance. Seriously? I’m asking Petey if you’re related to Axel. You have to be,” I answer with no small amount of heat in my voice. “No other explanation except you two share bloodlines!”

I lean back in my chair just so I’m not tempted to smack him again.

“Calm down! I know it’s a bad thing and something we as a club should stop. I’m just concerned with how the drugs affected me. Lisa is hot, and no guy wants— No! Hands to yourself, brother!” Reeves barks out at me as he stands and backs away. “You’re just upset because I got you wondering about your own performance that night!”

Sitting here looking at him, I totally understand why there’s so much wrestling and tackles done in this office building. I slowly stand up while staring at Reeves, and I grin a little when he starts backing toward the door.

“Don’t even think about coming at me! I can take you— Oof!” Reeves says as I tackle him through the doorway with us landing in the hall.

I land on top, but only for a few seconds before Reeves bucks me off and pounces like Duffy when he’s in a pissed-off mood. When he goes for a chokehold, I squirm out of it and push myself back to the top.

“Is this what you guys do here all day? Stop it right now, or I’ll separate you myself, and I won’t be gentle about it,” advises Candy seconds before she grabs my leg and hauls me a few feet out of reach of Reeves’ sprawled body.

“Oh, hey, Candy. How ya doing?” Reeves asks in a casual tone while lying on the floor with rumpled clothes and hair.

“Shit, Candy! You gave me rug burn!” I half shout while lifting my shirt and staring at the red streak across my stomach.

“You’ll live. If not, that’s one less child for me to babysit, I guess,” she responds before pointing at me, then Reeves, and then my office before she walks into it and takes a seat.

“I guess that’s Candy talk for ‘get your ass in here boys,’” Reeves mutters while getting to his feet.

I follow his lead and take a seat behind my desk again.

“What brings you to our fine establishment?” Reeves asks as he takes the seat he was in earlier.

“We need to talk about that night,” Candy says. “I think you were drugged.”

“That’s what we were just talking about. We think so too. Do the women know?” I ask.

“Not that I know of. I haven’t said anything to them, but they showed the signs the next morning when I took them home. You did too, Rex. We either have to tell them so they are more careful, or the club needs to look into it and put a stop to it,” Candy states.

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