Page 72 of Strangers in Love

“I don’t need a babysitter.” I hated how childish the words sounded, but that’s what they were doing to me. Treating me like a child.

“No, but I need to not have to lie to our parents about keeping an eye on you while they’re asleep.” She came over and gave me a quick hug. “I know you don’t see it, but we just want to keep you safe.”

I had a choice here. I could argue the point and probably spend the entire night right here, trying to convince my sister that I didn’t want to hurt anyone but that I needed to be able to live my own life. Or…I could let her come with me without an argument and get some space to breathe, even if just for a little while.

“Only if you know a bar around here.”

She grinned at me, the first real, full smile I’d seen from her since…well, since before she’d gone into the hospital. “I forgot that you’ve only been able to drink legally for a few months. I know just the place.”

Twenty minutes later, a car dropped us off in front of a place called J.B.’s. It wasn’t the sort of swanky, white-collar place I’d pictured Freedom taking me to, but that was actually a good thing. I’d had more than enough bloated, self-important almost-lawyers and wannabe hedge fund managers try picking me up the few instances Freedom and I would go out in Stanford. Here, there would most likely be actors, directors, and producers who were employed in other fields to ‘make ends meet.’ Definitely a preferable crowd.

Except, I spotted a problem before we’d gone more than a few steps. Sitting at a booth in the far corner of the room were five familiar faces. One of them far-too familiar for my taste.

“Let’s go somewhere else,” I said as I grabbed Freedom’s arm, hoping to turn her before she could see them too.

“What…oh.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked from me to the guys and back again. “I don’t think so. You wanted to go out and told me to pick a place. I want to drink here.”

“Freedom.” I hated the pleading sound in my voice.

“Besides,” a wicked gleam came into her eyes, “I want to meet the guy who slept with my baby sister.”

As she strode toward the table, purpose in every step, I could only think one thing.

This was not going to end well.

Forty-Nine

Eoin

The second Aline saw me,I knew she was going to leave, so I wasn’t even surprised when she grabbed her sister’s arm. What did surprise me, however, was when Freedom shook her head and started walking toward our table.

Shit.

Freedom had balls; I’d give her that.

Except Freedom wasn’t the one I couldn’t take my eyes off of.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Bruce said with a grin. He stood and grabbed two chairs from a nearby table. “Join us. First round’s on the newbie.”

I glared at him. “I already bought a round.”

“For us,” he pointed out. “You’re not going to refuse to buy these two lovely ladies some alcohol, are you?”

“Is she even legal?” Dez asked. “We don’t want to get in trouble for corrupting someone who’s not old enough to drink yet.”

Aline rolled her eyes. “I’m twenty-two, and for that comment, I think you should be the one to buy me a drink.”

Cain laughed and clapped Dez on the shoulder. “Gotta agree with her. And you can get Freedom one while you’re up there.”

Dez grumbled under his breath, but as he slid out of the booth, he asked the sisters what they wanted. I was a little surprised that Freedom wanted a beer, especially when Aline ordered a Bellini, which I assumed was some sort of fizzy girl drink, but Cain didn’t blink an eye. His reaction made me think the older sister wasn’t as high and mighty or prim and proper as she looked.

Then again, Aline hadn’t exactly been ‘prim and proper’ either when I’d sunk my cock inside her. Pure enthusiasm like that wasn’t easily faked. No matter what’d happened after we’d fucked, I was certain that, during, she’d not only come but enjoyed the hell out of all of it.

“How long have you lived in L.A.?” Bruce asked.

Cain shook his head. “Do you even read the briefs I give you?”

Bruce shrugged. “I read the important stuff.”

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