Page 86 of Fear of Love
“For what? Going to a strip show, going to a bar, or getting arrested?” Josie commented from her spot. I only briefly lookedat the others before my eyes went straight to Lydia. She was leaning back against the wall, her eyes closed. I looked over her form, trying to decide if she was hurt. Seeing nothing eased the worry in my chest.
“Maybe all three,” Wyatt spoke for the first time. We all watched as the girls slowly turned to face us. I instantly knew they were drunk off their asses by the loopy smiles that graced their faces.
“Baby!” Josie jumped up, almost falling over as she rushed over to Wyatt.
“You came.” Mila was smiling like a weirdo at her boyfriend.
“We were just thinking of our hotties.” Tasha stood up, stumbling her way toward the bars. I barely paid them any attention, only focused on a certain blonde who was still sitting and staring at me.
She was looking at me so intently, it was like she was mentally undressing me. Thankfully hte others were occupied to see the way she stared at me. When she bit her bottom lip, I had to clench my jaw. Now was not the time to be turned on, but it was hard not to be when she was looking at me like that.
“Care to explain why we got a call at one in the morning that our girlfriends have been arrested?” Trevor asked from beside me, eyes glued to Tasha.
“Well, we went to a strip club,” Josie answered. “And we wore these amazing sashes that Tash got us.” She grinned as she grabbed hers.
“It was so much fun,” Tasha echoed. Oh yeah, they were beyond plastered. I had yet to hear why they were arrested, but I bet it had to do with being intoxicated in public.
“You should have seen the men,” Lydia said. “The abs and muscles.” I watched her gesture with her hands. She almost had a dreamy look on her face as she spoke.
“Jo got a lap dance and then this really hunky one with long hair gave one to Lyd. He kept flirting with her,” Mila rambled. I raised an eyebrow at that. I was pretty sure they weren’t meant to tell us that part, but clearly the alcohol in their systems was making them loose-lipped.
“And then,” Tasha dragged the word out. Just like the other three, I stayed silent with my arms crossed, letting them talk. “We decided to go to the bar down the street where we got some free shots. They were really good.”
“Then we got on tables and danced while people cheered.”
“But some asshole had to go and ruin the night by trying to hit on us,” Lydia spoke up. “When he wouldn’t stop, I kicked him in the balls and punched him.” She looked directly at me with a proud ass grin on her face. “See.” Holding up her hand, I saw her knuckles were swollen and bright red.
I ground my teeth. Some asshole hit on my girl and wouldn’t take no for an answer. The anger that came over me had me rooted in place. I should have been there tonight. Should have been the one looking out for her. Because if I had been then Lydia wouldn’t have a hurt hand from punching some dickwad that wouldn’t get away from her.
The girls continued their story, too drunk to read the tension growing in the room.
“The club security didn’t like that and tried to kick us out. Can you believe that?” Josie rolled her eyes and kept talking. “When we refused to leave, they tried to manhandle us, so Tasha hit that one.”
I was impressed with Trevor’s restraint. From the corner of my eye I saw him standing still as a statue.
“Right in the nose. You woulda been proud, babe.” Tasha didn’t realize just how little her words eased Trevor right now.
“Next thing we knew, the cops came and brought us here.” Mila waved her hand around the jail cell. “The officers are really sweet.”
We finally learned how they got arrested, but I could guarantee none of us were thrilled about what transpired tonight. I didn’t know about the guys, but I was seconds away from demanding who this security guard was who tried to manhandle my girl and my brother’s girlfriend.
“Officer,” Josie suddenly cheered. “You made it.”
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a female officer slowly walking toward us, water bottles in her hands. I paid her very little attention, my eyes glued to Lydia. I had no right to be pissed. Lydia and I weren’t in a relationship, but the caveman inside of me was furious and concerned she was out alone. That she was getting lap dances from some guy and getting hit on by another at a random bar.
It was undeniable how attractive Lydia was. Short blonde hair, high cheekbones, green eyes that could pierce any man’s soul, and lips that begged to be kissed. She was smart, funny, sarcastic as hell, and independent. There was plenty to like, so it was no surprise she got hit on a lot. I understood that, but it didn’t mean I liked it.
While I was busy staring at Lydia, the police chief came over to tell us the girls were free to go. I noticed Wyatt saying something to him, but I’d worry about that later. Right now, I needed to get Lydia home before she crashed.
One by one, the girls stepped out of the cell, each one shakier than the last. If it weren’t for the guys, they would have all fallen flat on their faces. Grabbing Lydia’s elbow, I steered her toward the front doors. I’d seen her drunk a few times, the most recent being in Australia, and knew she got really clingy while inebriated.
“Thank you.” She gave me the biggest drunk smile.
Lydia didn’t smile often. Most times, it was a tight-lipped one, but the few times she has graced me with a real one, dimple and all,, it was breathtaking. Even while drunk.
“Let’s get you home.” My tone was low because I was trying my hardest not to say something I shouldn’t.
As we headed for the doors, we were stopped a few times, some of the officers coming up to talk to the guys. They were hiding their annoyance really well, plastering on polite smiles until we exited the building.
