Page 69 of Protect

I stick my tongue out at her.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” She laughs. “So, it should be a fun night at work for you then?”

I lean back in my worn wooden chair at Shifty’s and watch Violette work the crowd.

The table around me is full of talk, laughs, and the general mischief typical of my squad, but, fuck, the only thing I can see, the only thing I can focus on, is this woman I’ve been talking to non-stop since I confessed my truth. We’ve texted all through her long ass work shifts, talked during our daily park meetups, that I definitely orchestrated on purpose, and late into the night while I ached to go to her and hold her in my arms. I’m quickly becoming obsessed with everything about Violette again and it doesn’t help me fight my borderline obsession when she’s a package deal with the cutest and coolest kid I’ve ever met.

I know her life is full, I know she’s always on the go, but I watch her now, knowing that tonight I could possibly, if I play my cards right, have her all to myself. And that thought is making me almost electric with anticipation. It’s like everythingshe does was made purposely for me, just to turn me on. The way she moves, the way she smiles, how her long wavy hair shines in the neon. And right now, how perfect her tits look in the low-cut tank top as she bends down to reach for something under the bar. Everything about her has me over a goddamn barrel. I’ve been fighting with this feeling for years, but telling her the truth only made me dive even deeper into this crazy.

Head first. Without a life vest.

All I can hope is that somehow, someway I’m lucky enough to convince her to jump in with me. Scratch that, shewill—she just isn’t ready to admit it yet.

“Look at her wrinkly little nose,” Cal gushes to Sam and Caleb at my table. This is the first time in God knows how long we’ve all been both showered and out together. These champs just came back from a heavy sister blaze at the Wyoming border that sparked after their first roll. They’re hoping for a couple days off, but they probably won’t get it.

Most of the crew is here, only ones missing are Roycie—who already met a girl and left with her—and Sup, who’s on his way.

“I think he might ditch me for Bea.” Cal’s girlfriend, Scottie, grins taking a swig of her beer. She’s a trooper coming out with a bunch of scrags like us and putting up with the shit talk. Cal better not fuck it up, he’s pretty much hit the jackpot with her. She’s cool as hell and she calls him on his shit. Not to mention, she put up with his ass when they were lost together in a storm last fall and they weren’t even on speaking terms. If they can get through that and come out the other side, I’d say they can get through anything.

Cal leans over and puts his hand on Scottie’s jean clad knee. “Not a fuckin’ chance.” He gives her a squeeze and it almost makes me jealous. I’ve never wanted that with a woman before, but as I turn to see Violette working behind the bar, I wish she was sitting beside me with my hand on her thigh.

“You know the new girl?” Scottie asks me, catching me staring at Vi.

I turn to face her. “She’s my girlfriend,” I say with a wide grin, and Cal chuckles.

“That’s Jack’s daughter, the one I was telling you about,” he says to Scottie.

“If you hit the bar at all and let her know her boyfriend sent you, she’ll probably give you the special drink they don’t serve to the regulars,” I add.

“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Scottie checks Violette out over her shoulder. “She’s really pretty. Impressive for you.” She winks, and I scoff in offense.

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

She just shrugs with a smirk.

“Scottie’s real good at insulting you and complimenting you all at the same time.” He leans forward and sets his beer down. “Does it better than anyone.”

“Someone needs to keep you in check.” She nudges him with her shoulder.

The song changes to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks as the front door dings amidst the noisy Saturday night crowd.

Sup comes strolling in, wearing his standard jeans and black T-shirt, and immediately my whole table stands and lets him have it, clapping like they’re at a goddamn concert. Naturally, I stand and join them.

“Well, if it isn’t Sky Ridge’s favorite new doula,” Opp cheers, and Sup just shakes his head. This is the first time we’ve seen him as a crew since he helped deliver Teddy’s baby, but our group chat is a plethora of superhero memes and sarcastic jokes.

Cal approaches him and shakes his hand, patting him on the shoulder and saying something none of us can hear.

“Fuck you all,” Sup says when he reaches our table. “Right place right time,” he adds as he takes his seat.

“Yeah,” Opp snorts. “Has nothing to do with how pretty your neighbour is.” He chuckles.

Cal backhands him in the chest. “My sister. Guy. Fuck.”

“Never fear, ma’am, help is here. Super Xander is on the scene,” I say in my best Sup impression, lowering my voice a few octaves.

“Don’t worry, ma’am, I have very gentle hands,” Opp adds in his best Sup voice, the rest of us, aside from Sup and Cal, follow suit.

Cal shakes his head at me. “Not cool,” he mutters.

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