“I’m fine, but you are probably right. I should slow down. Tell me about school. Any boyfriends I need to beat up?”
“Nah, no boys at school… I’m into older men.” Scarlet lifts her glass and sucks on the small cocktail straw innocently.
“That better be a joke,” I warn. “Plus, no matter how old he is, I’ll still beat the piss out of him.”
“I know you would.” Scarlet giggles. “And I was kidding, well, kind of. But enough about me. Tell me what’s up with you. We’ve barely talked, and you’ve been home for over a week.”
“I’m sorry. I just have a lot going on, and I found out some stuff.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them.
“What stuff?”
Shit. Stuff I can never tell Scarlet about, which is exactly the reason I have been avoiding her. Our dad killed my birth mother. That’s not something I ever want her to know.
“It’s not important. What is important is that you are right. We’ve barely talked or hung out, and that’s my fault. I’m glad I took you out today. We both can use some time away from everyone.”
Scarlet nods, her eyes flicker at something behind me, and guilt flashes over her face. It only takes me a glance over my shoulder to know why.
“Fancy meeting you guys here.” Ren smirks, and I almost roll my eyes.
“You texted him?” I accuse.
“Sorry,” Scarlet admits. “I was worried; you were acting funny. I didn’t want to call Mom or Dad, but I felt like I needed back up.”
“You might as well have called Dad. Ren likes to spy on us for him.”
“Shut up. You know that was different.”
“If you say so.” I run my finger over the edge of my empty glass, reminding myself that Ren stayed back for me to watch Aspen until everyone left for the holidays.
“Wow, you are in a jolly mood today. Did Santa not bring you what you wished for?” Ren moves to the free spot on Scarlet’s side, propping up one of his elbows onto the bar top.
“I didn’t know you still believed in Santa. Did no one explain this to you yet?” I tease. “Since you’re here to drive us home, I guess I can drink some more.” I wave Sherry over to order another drink.
Scarlet leans into me, so she can speak without anyone else hearing. “I’m going to the bathroom.” Sliding off her stool, she pulls her sweater dress down over her black leggings and walks toward the back of the bar.
As soon as she is out of earshot, Ren lays into me. “What the fuck are you thinking? Bringing her to a place like this? You know your father is gonna find out.”
“Let him. I don’t care.” I hold out my glass to the bartender, and she pours me another shot.
“You don’t care that he is going to keep Scarlet even more sheltered?”
Fuck, I didn’t think about that part. He is already strict and overprotective. Her going out with me will only pour gas into the fire, no matter if I try to take the blame.
“All right, let’s go home.”
I reach for my wallet to pay the tab when I hear Scarlet’s distressed voice over the Christmas tune. Ren and I spin around at the same time.
A guy twice my age has stepped in Scarlet’s way, not letting her pass. He is clearly drunk, slightly swaying from side to side, but that is not going to save him from what is about to happen. Scarlet is trying to pull her arm out of the asshole’s hold, yelling something at him.
I’m on my feet and across the room at lightning speed. My right hand wraps around the prick’s neck from behind, and I pull him backward. Letting go of my sister, he flails his arms around and stumbles back. Before he even has the chance to get his bearings, my fist is pounding into his face. By the second punch, he is already on the ground, but that doesn’t mean I’m done.
I get on top of him and keep smashing my fist into his ugly mug. I’m vaguely aware of someone trying to get me off this prick, but my mind is too consumed with violence. It’s not until I hear Scarlet’s pleading voice behind me that my mind clears long enough for me to stop.
“Please, Q, stop! You’re killing him.”
“Come on, man. Let’s go,” Ren urges.
I force myself to my feet and tear my eyes away from the passed-out piece of shit in front of me. Looking up, I find the entire bar staring at me in shock. No one moves except me. When I turn around to look at Scarlet, I find her clinging to Ren, her fingers grabbing his shirt while she is plastered to his side, looking scared.Fuck.