“Well, I’m not your woman so leave me alone.”
He reached out to touch her and Alicia saw the large hand and then heard the deep voice.
“Unless you want a broken arm I’d suggest you get the hell away from our woman immediately,” Monroe told the guy and Alicia was shocked. The two guys immediately took off and Monroe stared down at her as Caldwell crossed his arms in front of his chest and seemed angry.
“Hi, Monroe, Caldwell. What are you doing here? Want a drink? Jack and Danny are buying,” she told them, and her friends raised their glasses and cheered.
“I think you had enough, Alicia,” Monroe told her as he to
ok her hand and helped her up.
“Are we leaving?” she asked.
“I think we should.”
“I’m leaving, guys. We’ll do this again on Friday?” she said to her friends and they cheered.
“You’ll make sure the others don’t drive,” Caldwell said to Jack.
“We’ve got it covered. Have fun,” Jack said and chuckled. Alicia heard their exchange. They were worried about her friends and would ensure they all got home safely. That was Chance and the men who lived here. They cared and watched over women.
Once they got outside, the cool air collided against Alicia’s cheeks. She opened her arms wide and turned in a circle.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she said, feeling her head spin a little. A strong arm wrapped around her waist.
“It sure is, but I think we should call it a night, baby,” Monroe told her.
“Oh no, Monroe. It’s too early,” she told him and pressed him against his car. She laid her head against his chest.
“You guys are perfect. Are you for real?” she asked.
“Yes, baby, we are. Let’s get you home.”
“Wait, my home or your home?” she asked.
“Does it matter?”
She held his gaze and lost focus for a moment. “I never want to leave Chance. I never want to leave you, Caldwell, and Max.”
Monroe cupped her cheeks and smile down at her.
“You won’t have to.”
She looked away and felt the tears in her eyes.
“He might make me if he comes here,” she said and then stepped back.
* * * *
Caldwell went from angry at seeing two men hit on his woman to concerned at hearing what Alicia just said to them. Who would come take her from Chance, from them?
“Alicia, who are you talking about?” Monroe asked before he could.
She shook her head. She waved her hand in the air.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t think I really care anymore. I think if you ever leave me and end it all, and even if Alvin is right and I’m used goods that no man will want, that at least I had happiness with the three of you.”
Caldwell grabbed her shoulders and tuned her toward them.