He carefully pours us a few shots from a jar and sets them in front of us, then he takes a big swig straight from the jar for himself.
“I told you only one!” I protest over the loud music filling the small room.
Blaze grins at Princess, then at me. “No way, darlin’. You'll want another, trust me.” He winks, and I understand how he’s charmed her. Manners and a cute dimple with some southern twang will no doubt make your heart flutter. Mix in some moonshine, and women don’t have a chance.
“Ugh.” I groan, knowing I’ve already lost. She’s got the freaking bartender on her side, so no doubt he’ll feed us drinks all night as long as she bats her eyelashes at him.
“Blaze, whiskey and coke, brother.” It’s grumbled from behind me.
“Brother.” Blaze nods and turns to make the drink.
My backside feels like it’s on fire and being able to make out his grumble, I know Nightmare is close. If I guess correctly, I’d say way too close knowing him. The man has been persistent for sure and doesn’t hesitate to overtake my personal space.
“You gonna say ‘hi’ at least, little daydream?” he mutters making my nipples harden in response.Traitors.The man’s voice has a straight shot to my core it seems. One hand lands on my hip, and my body falters for a moment, wanting nothing more than to lean into him and rest against his strength. I want to touch him everywhere, for him to do the same to me. God, he’s so good at it, like he knows all the perfect spots to hit.
“Princess,” he acknowledges, playing nice.
“Nightmare,” she replies, not impressed and the tension grows thicker around us. I wouldn’t be surprised if P clawed his eyes out if she was given the chance to. It’s my damn fault entirely, and I hate that I’ve created a rift between them.
“Try the shot dollface, you’ll love it.” His breath hits my neck, caressing the sensitive flesh, my eyelashes fluttering as it does. Thank God, he can’t see my face, or he’d know I’m halfway there to giving in to him.
His drink lands on the counter in front of me as Blaze’s gaze flickers over me. He’s curious no doubt, why his broody brother is hovering behind me, like an overprotective bear—like I belong to him.
Prissy shoots him an annoyed look and passes me one of the rock’s glasses with two fingers full of clear alcohol. “Come on, B; a toast to good friends and good times.”
I tap my glass to hers, lightly bumping the bottom to the counter and then bringing it to my lips. It doesn’t even smell harsh like moonshine normally does. The taste splashes over my tongue, and it’s like biting into a fresh slice of cinnamon apple pie, just like she said.
I’m fucked because I instantly love it and know I’ll want to drink it until I’m sick which is not good. I don’t get out much—like at all—and have no alcohol tolerance anymore, so I there’s no way I can hang with my bestie drinking anymore. I’ve turned into more of a chug-wine-before-bed or sip-a-beer-until-it’s-room-temperature type.
“Damn, that’s good.” I sigh, setting the empty glass in front of Blaze. Nightmare’s grip tightens on my hip briefly until I wiggle away. He and alcohol don’t mix—I’d end up pregnant again, and that’s not happening.
“Told you.” She winks, and I giggle.
I actually giggle, because I’m so happy to be here right in this moment getting to drink and relax with her. If I knew how everything was going to turn out, I would’ve cherished the time we had before, much more. I hate living away from her, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to get away and start over. I had to go somewhere where a decent apartment was cheap to rent and where we could survive on a waitress’s salary.
“Too bad Maverick’s father wasn’t in the picture to help you with him, or else we could do this more.” She glares at Night behind me, and I choke, coughing.
“Princess!” I gasp and yank her away from the bar, away from him. “You can’t say that stuff, please,” I plead, the music drowning our conversation away. I can’t believe she just said that next to him.
“Why not? I’m your best friend; of course, you’re going to tell me what happened. Does he think he can just stand right there, touching you like he owns you, without me opening my mouth? He can’t have his cake and eat it too, doesn’t work that way. He wants you, he wants Maverick. There is not one without the other.”
My eyes become watery. She has no idea what she’s talking about. I should admit everything to her, the entire story. He doesn’t know Maverick’s his, and even if he did, I don’t think anything would change. I seriously doubt he’d care, but I’m not wanting to feel that heartache in my soul as well.
Being shot down once from him is enough for me to remember for the rest of my life. I wish he wanted us both, but I’m not going to fool myself into believing that fairy tale can be mine. He doesn’t want to be a father; I won’t force him into that position.
“Please. I just want to relax and have some fun.”
“What’s going on?” Viking’s inquisitive gaze flashes over us both as he pulls Princess to his chest. Always in protection mode when it comes to his woman. She’s lucky.
“Nothing, your ol’ lady’s making me drink moonshine.”
“Ah.” He grins. “It’s good.”
“It’s amazing!”
“Then let’s have some,” he finishes, pulling Princess with him to the bar. She, in return, tugs me along with her.
We each pick up the other full shots we’d left behind, and Blaze pours Viking a tumbler that’s three-quarters full. The man’s the size of a mammoth, so naturally, his shots are supersized too.