Page 23 of Where We Found Our Home
“Fine.” A beat passes. “So, how hot is she? Dom said she’s a ten.”
My head snaps up. “Dom said what?”
“Ha! Knew it, you got it bad,” Isaiah says. I scowl, and Isaiah raises his hands in surrender. “You know you should just go visit her at work. It’s not too crazy so you can talk to her but loud enough that you can get lost in a distraction if you want.”
“What work?” I’d never seen her anywhere but the coffee shop. I assumed writing was her career.
“Sasha didn’t tell you? Ciara got a job bartending at Neon Nights.”
Interesting. “Nah, I didn’t know that.”
His lips turn up in a grin. “I know where we’re going tonight.”
“One, what do you get out of going with me? Two, that’s stalkerish.”
“Of going with you to a bar? Umm, drinks and women, idiot. The manager of that place, Sasha’s friend Nina? She’s hot as fuck. I’d love to go home with her. And it’s not stalkerish. Sasha’s basically declared her part of the family now, so you better swoop in there before she gets our parents to adopt her. You’d be really scarred for life if you fuck your own sister.”
Are the rest of our minds this warped? I’m convinced he was dropped on his head multiple times as a baby. “What is wrong with you?”
He shrugs. My brother may be a damn weirdo, but I know I’m a liar if I say I’m not seriously considering going to Neon Nights tonight.
“So?” He stares at me, waiting for my answer.
“I guess we’re going out tonight.”
Isaiah raises his fist in celebration. My dick twitches, and I know the Big Guy is happy about my decision even if I’m still confused.
Later that night, Neon Nights is crowded as all hell, but my eyes immediately find Ciara. She’s wearing the Neon uniform of tight blue jeans with a white button-up tucked in. Her hair is pulled up in a bun with a few strands falling down in her face. Her lush lips are painted a deep purple, and it makes her teeth look even whiter. I want to kiss her until the purple fades from her lips.
She looks around as if she’s looking for someone and then her eyes find me. She blushes as much as her almond skin will allow and looks away.Yeah, I feel it too, Angel.Angel? Where the hell did that come from?
Isaiah pats me on the back, and we make our way over to the bar. There are a bunch of college students grinding all over the dance floor. I’m pretty sure one of the couples is just straight fucking, but the lights are dim in here so more power to them. The Carters’ “Apeshit” blasts through the speakers. The bar itself is completely full. There’s a group of young women downing shots at the far end letting out ear-piercing hollers with each one. A group of frat guys hang around them, watching with hungry eyes.
A guy who looks exactly like Chris Evans inInfinity Waris shamelessly flirting with Nina. I don’t know her well. Sasha’s brought her for Thanksgiving dinner a few times, and she seems cool but I do know enough to know that she’s actually enjoying his flirting. Isaiah better get in there quick if he wants a chance. There’s a couple who appear to be my age sitting on the middle stools completely wrapped up in each other. I think I could yank their stools from underneath them and they wouldn’t even notice. I might have to test out that theory if a seat doesn’t open up by the time I get to the bar.
I continue staring at Ciara as I make my way to the stools. She’s a force behind the bar. Men and women alike are drawn to her and not just because she’s pouring their drinks. The men linger, hoping to get a sliver of her attention, and she shoots them all down with grace, which makes me feel good even though I don’t deserve it. The women all hang on to her every word like she’s the coolest person they’ve ever met. They admire her. She’s everything they wish they were. On the surface, she’s got an unmatched confidence that’s contagious. Underneath that, she’s got a vulnerability that makes you want to protect her at all costs. That’s the side I want to dive into. As if the universe is smiling down on me, an older man stands up from his stool and throws a few bills on the bar before walking out. I’m quick to grab the seat and smile at Ciara who smirks as she walks over to me.
I raise my voice so she can hear me above the music. “I heard you were slinging drinks like a badass, so I had to get a front row seat.”
“Well, welcome to the show. Don’t expect special treatment unless you leave a big tip.”
“I can definitely leave you a big tip,” I reply with a wink. She rolls her eyes, and I can’t help but smile. Isaiah finally pushes past the last of the crowd to stand by my side. “Ciara, this is my younger brother, Isaiah.”
She turns to him. “Ahh, you’re the brother. He talks a lot of shit about you, you know?”
“Most of it’s justified I’m sure. Nice to meet you. It’s no wonder my brother can’t stop dreaming of you.”
“Alright, fuck off.” I say as I shove his shoulder, but he just comes right back to his original spot.
Isaiah laughs, talks to Ciara for another moment, before beelining for Nina. The Cap lookalike scowls at him and then grabs his drink and heads over to the dance floor. Nina laughs at something Isaiah says. I hope she knows what she’s in for.
“I like him,” Ciara says.
“That makes one of us.”
“Oh, please. Your whole damn family is likeable, much to my dismay.” She says the last part so low I’m not sure she meant for me to hear it.
“We’re alright. My dad is really laid-back and cool—you can’t help but to like him. My mom is the best woman I know and the queen of our family. You’ll like Reggie too, she’s got that whole—in her words—‘boss bitch’ thing going on.”
