Made up my mind?
As if I had a choice in the matter. If I had a choice, Aspen would be my woman. No man would’ve ever had his hands on her or gotten her pregnant but me.
ME.
I closed my eyes. I was so damn tired. When I was this tired, I couldn’t be rational. My emotions took over. It wasn’t a pleasant sight.
Sleep.
I got comfortable, exhaled a deep breath.
I saw Aspen’s pretty face as I drifted off.
My eyes flashed open. It felt like I’d been asleep all night. I reached my hand to get my cell on my nightstand, but it wasn’t there. I instantly saw my jeans in a pile on the floor where I’d left them. My phone must’ve been in the back pocket.
I carefully rolled out of bed, noticing the thumping sound of music downstairs. Well, at least it wasn’t morning. Although I knew if shit went down, one of my brothers would have woken me up. I slipped my phone out of my pocket, and my eyes bulged. It was after midnight.
“Fuck, I slept a helluva lot longer than I planned.”
My first coherent thought was, what had Aspen been up to all evening and with who?
After quickly putting my clothes back on, splashing some water on my face and hair, I had a nasty case of bedhead. I swished some mouthwash for good measure, then headed downstairs.
I dialed into Libby’s voice, singing karaoke. Even with the threat of a madman, tensions weren’t so high the club wasn’t having some fun.
Storm and Maddy weren’t around. Lately, they retired to their room after eleven. I wasn’t really sure if it was because the little mother-to-be was tired or Storm wanted her all to himself. I seemed to think it was the latter.
If I had a wife, I’d take her to bed early too.
My eyes landed on Aspen, giggling with Lynx. The dude was still by her side. Tara and Hero were at the same table, along with Jill and Wolf.
“What can I get you, Box?” Copper asked.
“Beer and shot.”
“You got it.”
I leaned against the bar, watching Aspen. My freaking chest burned with jealousy when she scrunched her nose like she used to do when I made her laugh. She hadn’t noticed me. That also burned me up.
Copper placed my drinks on the bar.
“Hey, how much has she had tonight?” I tossed back my whiskey, sliding the glass toward the prospect for another.
He looked toward Aspen. “That’s her second beer.” He refilled my shot glass.
“Oh, that’s not bad.”
Copper snorted. “Well, they’ve done a few rounds of tequila.”
“Three rounds of shots?” Christ, no wonder she was giggling so much. “Who ordered them?” If it was Lynx, I’d teach that boy a lesson. I swallowed my whiskey in one gulp.
“The blonde beauty did.”
I cut my gaze at him. “Aspen?”
Copper nodded, grinning. “She’s super sweet. I can see why you—”
I sneered at him. “Don’t.”