“Jesus Christ, you two need to stop eyeball fucking each other over here before the whole bar catches the contagion and starts a massive orgy.”
Faith’s raunchy comment catches both of our attention.
“Why are you so on edge, Faith?” Kaden asks about her foul mood.
“Nothing, it’s not important. Can you order me a couple shots, please?”
I oblige her request when the bartender comes back with our beers. I see Dakota at the other end of the bar looking our way over the shoulder of the other bartender.
Kaden and Faith chat while we wait for her shots. She downs them back-to-back when they arrive.
Dakota enters our mini circle with two drinks in his hands. He hands one to Faith, “I got you a drink. I asked for something fruity. Thought you would like it.”
Faith looks down at the open cupped drink then back up to Dakota. “Did you roofie this?”
Dakota’s shocked expression matches both mine and Kaden’s. He is stunned in silence, retreating both drinks still in hand.
“Faith, what the fuck?” Kaden says to her.
“What? He keeps hovering over me. What am I supposed to think?”
“I can assure you, Faith, Dakota would never roofie you. He is the most harmless person I’ve ever met. And I’m not saying that because he’s family.” I try to reason with her, not understanding why she would jump to that conclusion.
She looks from me to Kaden and then away, staring off into seemingly nowhere.
Kaden shakes his head letting me know it’s not something to get into right now.
Dakota returns with a sealed bottle of water, handing it to Faith with an apologetic look. She takes it without opposition. Dakota walks away without a word, returning to the couches where our friends remain.
“I’m going back over there. I’ll see you in a few.” I kiss Kaden’s cheek and leave to check on Dakota.
These two have the weirdest encounters. It’s confusing as hell but hopefully Kaden can figure out what’s bothering Faith.
I miss him already.
Chapter Twenty-One
I Was Tired. That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It
Kaden
“Faith,what’sgoingon?”Concern in my voice once Luke walks away.
“Nothing, Dakota is too nice. Clingy. I can’t deal with it right now,” She rattles off, waving down the bartender again. “You’re doing shots with me. You can’t make me drink alone.”
She orders a quad of Tequila shots not even giving me a choice. I’d do anything for Faith, and she seems to really need someone right now, so of course I slam both shots back with her and chase them with my beer.
We talk for a little while longer, both singing to a random song the DJ played at one point. We order another round of shots. Her bad mood seemingly gone makes me happy, until she takes her phone from her back pocket, having received a text message. She reads it and frustration bleeds from her as she puts it back in her pocket.
“I’m running to the restroom. I’ll meet you back over there.” She walks away without another word.
I think Lanie and I are going to need some alone time with Faith to figure out what’s going on with her. She’s been acting weird lately. The way she’s treating Dakota is strange when he’s been nothing but nice to her the couple times they’ve met.
As I’m walking back to the little corner we have taken over, I feel the effects of the shots and more than a few beers I’ve had. I think I should have eaten something more substantial than a few French fries before coming here.
I sit down next to Luke who’s talking with Dakota on his other side. Jackson and Lanie are chatting with Connor. Gabe and Ender seem to be lost in their own conversation.
Luke’s hand impulsively lands on my thigh, squeezing it, sending shivers through my body. I drop my head onto his shoulder needing to be as close as possible that our surroundings allow us. Dakota gets up from the couch and walks towards the restrooms. Luke turns his attention towards me.