Page 110 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Why are you pointing it out?” he growls into my ear and I smile.
Aww. Is he nervous?
“There they are!” Taylor smiles at us when we finally reach them at the bar. “Loving everything about this.” She waves her hand up and down, gesturing to our outfits.
“Right?! I didn’t even have to dress him.” I shoot him a playful look and he shakes his head at me.
“So, how was dinner last night?” Shane asks, sipping on her soda.
“We can pour it out right here if we need to, then dance the night away to forget about it,” Ruby suggests and I smile, looking over at Fitz briefly before turning back to them.
“It was horrible. They literally talked about me as if I wasn’t even there, and basically tried to coerce Fitz to agree with them about how I should have done more with my life.”
“What, from the bottom of my heart, the fuck?” Taylor snaps.
“Butthen…Fitz kind of went off on them. He told them everything I wish I’d had the guts to tell them over the years. He stood up for me and I finally made the decision that I’m done with them. If they want me back in their lives, they can work for it. I’m done.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Ruby wraps her arm around my shoulder and we all take a shot before hitting the dance floor.
CHAPTER 56
FITZ
I’ve never seen Lauren laugh as much as I have tonight, and to be honest, I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself like this either. Her friends are hilarious, everyone gets along and can be themselves around each other, which seems like an anomaly with this many people. They’re probably the most genuine group of friends I’ve ever been around. The girls hit the dance floor, but I hang back with the guys while we finish our drinks before joining them.
“Hey.” Tank grabs my attention.
“Yeah?”
“I heard what Lauren was telling the girls about what you did at her parent’s house last night. Good for you.”
“Yeah, well, no one’s talking about my girl like that if I have something to say about it. Not even her parents. I was inclined to go back in there and break her dad’s nose once she started crying in the driveway.”
“I fucking would have,” he mumbles before taking a drink of his water.
“I believe that with every fiber of my being.” He laughs and then his face turns into a scowl.
“Well, looks like you might get your chance to break someone’s nose after all.” He nods to where a guy is checking out Lauren, getting way too fucking close to her while they dance.
“Lucky me.” I set my beer on the counter and head toward the guy, surprised to find Tank right behind me. When the guy tries to take Lauren’s hand to start partner dancing, she pulls away and I can tell by the shake of her head she’s telling him no. He grabs for her again and Tank and I share a look before we make it to them.
“Oh, come on, we’re just dancing, what’s the problem?” The guy laughs, trying to cover his sleazy intentions with fabricated innocence.
“The problem is she said no and you’re still here.”
He scoffs and shakes his head. “You know how girls can be, sometimes they just need to be persuaded.”
“Look, buddy, unless you want that beak of yours broken, I suggest you leave my friend and his girl alone.” I almost choke at Tank’s remark. The guy gives us a nasty look, then goes to walk away.
“Whatever, there’s hotter pieces of ass here anyways.” He bumps into Lauren on his way past, and I hear the girls gasping, and cursing, pulling her towards them. Within a second I have my hand on his shoulder, turning him around before my fist goes flying into his face. Another guy comes out of nowhere, trying to pull me back, but Tank grabs him and throws an elbow in his face, sending him stumbling backward. Tucker and Max show up next, pushing the other guys off the dance floor while we deal with the guy who started this mess.
“Get the fuck out of here, before you no longer have the ability to do it without assistance.” Tank points him towards the door and the guy stumbles out. I turn around and find Lauren staring at me, and walk over to her.
“You okay, baby?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She smiles at me. “Think you can still manage to dance with me with that busted hand?” I look down to see the skin torn on my knuckle.
“I think I can manage.” I grab her hand and she pulls me onto the dance floor, but the look on her face when I take the lead is absolutely priceless. We dance until we’re both sweating, and the amount of times I’ve made her laugh tonight is probably record-breaking at this point.
