Page 22 of Love on the Waiver Wire

Mila nods, her eyes locking on something in the distance, but the room is so crammed that I can’t tell who exactly she’s looking at.

“You guys want to go dance?” I yell as the base gets louder. The three of them nod, and we head into the crowd.

As the alcohol hits my system, I feel less and less stressed about life and boys. Not that I have much to stress about in that department. My conversations with Owen have been the most I’ve talked to a man in a long time. After some truly awful dates, I’ve sworn off dating apps, and I’d rather hell swallow me whole than Leo play matchmaker.

The three of us sway to the beat and lose track of time, taking turns going back to the bar and grabbing more drinks. Mila is the first to leave the group, accepting an invitation from someone to dance. I don’t recognize them, but I know that with the guys around, we’re all safe.

Because I know for a fact my brother’s eyes have been glued on me since we hit the dancefloor, waiting for someone to make a wrong move so he can come in like a knight in shining armor to rescue us.

Which isn’t a bad thing. I appreciate him keeping watch. He can just be a little overboard, like with everything.

Heidi grabs my arm, her shoulders hunched as she squints through the dim light. “I met someone at the bar I think I’m going to go dance with, okay?” she yells. I nod, taking another sip of my drink before watching Amara prance off without a word. “Our usual plan?” she asks.

“Yeah, if you guys want to leave at any point, let me know.”

No matter what we do when we’re out, we always leave together. No exceptions. It’s too dangerous out there for us to leave each other. If someone wants to go home with a guy, that’s one thing. I trust their decision-making. But if we’re just out and about, none of us leaves the others behind.

She nods, turning back around to meet whoever she’s been talking to.

Sighing, I down the rest of my drink and head to the bar myself, taking one of the few vacant seats.

“Can I get two waters?” a familiar voice says from beside me.

“You,” I say simply, my eyes narrowing.

Owen doesn’t look at me, instead keeping his face forward. “It is me,” he chuckles. When the bartender hands him his waters, he carefully slides one over to me.

“I don’t need it, but thank you,”

I can see Owen’s eyes roll from the side as he brushes his thumb across his lips. “You think I haven’t noticed how much you’ve been drinking tonight? Drink up.”

“Are you trying to tell me what to do, Mr. Crosby?”

“Are you trying to get me in trouble, Ms. Warner?”

I can feel my stomach start to warm at his words, and I take the water, downing it before slamming it down on the bar top and gesturing for the bartender.

“What do you want to drink?” Owen asks, eyeing the man in front of us as he takes other orders.

“I’m good on my own, but thank you.”

“Why are you so frustrating?” he shoots, eyes still on the bartender, who hears him. Turning, his eyes widen as he realizes he’s being watched like a hawk.

“Why are you so frustrating?” My hand balls into a fist in my lap.

“I just want to make sure that you’re being safe,” he says, sending a pang of fury through me.

“I don’t need anyone to make sure I’m safe. I already have Leo for that, but thanks.”

“Isla—”

“Are you okay?” the bartender asks as he approaches us.

“Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m not talking to you,” Owen winces, handing him a hundred-dollar bill.

“Okay, I wasn’t sure—” the man drifts off as Owen continues to stare at him. “Can I get you anything?”

“Whatever she’s having, we’ll have two.”

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