Page 14 of Captivating

My friends are bad influences.

Does that work once you’re past twelve years old?

Sorry I sucked wind on the mats today. My friends pressured me.

Dad would laugh my ass out of Crucible after he kicked it across his cage.

“Why are you two assholes hiding in the corner?” He pours three shots but keeps them in front of himself while he waits for an answer.

“Just not in the mood to deal with everyone. Lilah and I are meeting with the label tomorrow, and I wanted to get the hell out of the house tonight.” He takes one of the shots from Maddox. “Not really looking for more than a good drink with old friends.”

“You remember when we drank your dad’s bourbon and filled it back up with water?” I snag another one of the glasses and laugh. “Dude, I thought your dad was going to kick our asses.”

“I was grounded for a month,” Noah groans, and I can’t stop picturing Lilah sitting on their couch in my Kroydon Hills wrestling hoodie while she laughed and warned us we were going to get caught.

She was right. She was always right.

Maddox looks at the two of us like we’re fucking crazy and picks up the remaining shot. “Told you it was a dumb move, and you idiots were going to get caught.”

“To being young and dumb,” I toast, and we all tap glasses and throw back the bourbon.

It goes down smooth like honey.

Madman pours another round and grins. “Don’t pussy out on me, Killer.”

“Fuck, man...” I pick up the glass and know I’m screwed.

We shoot another round, and if it’s possible, it goes down easier than the last.

I slam my empty glass on the counter and wait for Noah to look at me. “So what are you gonna do?”

“About what?” Maddox asks.

“Lilah,” I fill in.

“You worried about her security? I saw that fat-ass bodyguard at the gym the other day. Seriously. Where’d you find him, and why aren’t you using one of my dad’s guys?” Madman wipes the bar in front of him and blows off the hot redhead trying to get his attention. “Her dude doesn’t look like he’s going to keep her safe.”

“The label hired him,” is all Noah says.

“Fire him and hire someone good,” Maddox argues. “Fuck. From what I hear, she needs someone closer than she’s letting him get anyway.”

Noah’s head snaps up. “Who are you hearing that from?”

“I have my ways,” Maddox reassures him without answering the question and moves down the bar to help a group of college girls.

Typical Madman.

“We’ll see what the label says tomorrow. Lilah doesn’t even want one while she’s in town.” Noah’s voice is defeated. He sounds as tired as he says his sister is. “She’s pushing back every chance she can get. Won’t even let him in the house.”

“Fuck the label,” I bark. “You guys should be the ones to decide the best way to keep her safe.”

“I’m telling you, Killer. She doesn’t want any of it. She thinks she can still walk down Main Street by herself and be safe.”

“Goddamn. She’s always been so stubborn,” I growl and ignore the way he looks at me.

“You’re the only one she used to listen to. Maybe you should take a stab at it.”

“Ha... That’s funny. Lilah would ratherstabmethan listen to anything I say now.” Fuck if it isn’t true and if that doesn’t suck.

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