Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
She pulled her gaze away from him to look at me. “I am. Why?”
Clasping her hand in mine, I navigated us through the crowd on the dance floor toward the bar. Seaside only had three bars. The Salty Dog was where the older crowd hung out. By older, I meant over forty. Mickey’s had a nice range of ages, and then there was Sea Dog Brewing Company, where we were currently hanging out. There was always a younger crowd at this bar.
After finally making my way to the bar, I ordered two beers, keeping hold of Harlee’s hand the whole time. The bartender carded us both, even though he had gone to high school with us and knew damn well we were old enough to drink. He gave us two local brews on tap, and then grinned when I left him a large tip. It wasn’t because I was feeling friendly—more like I wasn’t paying attention because my mind was spinning in a million different directions, and I had no idea why.
The only thing I knew was that I wasn’t about to let Harlee leave with Douglas. What in the hell was she thinking?
I handed one of the beers to Harlee. “Here, drink this.”
She took it and said, “Thanks.”
I downed my entire glass while Harlee took a sip and stared at me. “You must have been thirsty.”
“I’ll take a shot of tequila,” I called out toward the bar.
Harlee leaned in and shouted over the crowd, “Make that two.”
When I lifted a brow at her, she grinned. “What? I know how to drink, Brax. I’m not a lightweight. I do need to go meet up with Doug, though.”
“I don’t think so.”
Her brows shot up in surprise. “I’m sorry?”
“What in the hell are you thinking, Harlee? Doug? He’s the worst of them all.”
She rolled her eyes. “Brax, go tend to one of your sisters because I don’t need a babysitter, thank you.”
When she moved to walk away, I took hold of her hand again. “Harlee, you don’t know him like I do.”
Her shoulders slumped as she exhaled. “I know, I know. He’s only out for one thing.”
I shot her a frustrated look. The bartender placed the shots on the bar, and we both reached for one and drank it.
Harlee put her shot glass down hard on the bar. “Maybe I’m in the mood for that one thing. Have you ever thought of that, Brax?”
My entire body heated with a rage that nearly stole my breath. “Not the kind he dishes out.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “What does that mean?”
I did a quick look around before leaning in. “He likes getting rough, Harlee. He has a reputation, and honestly, I’m surprised you don’t know about it.”
“A reputation?”
“Slapping women around, tying them up. Shit like that.”
Harlee’s eyes went wide. “What? You’re making that up.”
“Why in the hell would I make that up?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. You realize you don’t have to play the big brother with me, Brax.”
Something in her eyes made me pause. “I’m not, Harlee. Trust me…I haven’t looked at you like that in years.”
Her mouth dropped open, then quickly shut as her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. She started to chew on her lower lip. I had to stop looking at it and focus on the rest of her face.
“I’m your friend, Harlee. I care about you, and the last thing I want is for some brute to slap you around because he gets turned on by it.”
Her eyes darted down to my mouth and then back up. She looked over my shoulder and indecision washed across her face. I could tell she wasn’t sure if she should believe me. “He’s coming this way.”
I tossed some money down on the bar, took Harlee by the elbow, and started to guide her toward the door.
“Brax. Wait! What are you doing?”
“Letting everyone know you’re leaving with me.”
From the slight tug on my hand, I knew she wanted to pull herself to a stop, but she clearly realized it would only cause more of a scene.
“You want people to think we’re leaving together?” she asked as I pushed out of the bar and continued toward my Ford truck.
“I only want Doug to think it. I don’t give a shit about anyone else.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m an adult now, Braxton. I can handle myself. And did you ever think that I might care? What if it got back to Addie that you and I left the Sea Dog together?”
“Who cares what Addie thinks.”
“I do!” Harlee protested, clearly pissed off at me for dragging her out of the bar and away from her date.
We got to the passenger side of my truck, and I looked down at her in frustration before I grabbed her arms and pushed them over her head, holding them tightly. I had to show her what was at stake.