“Allie, Sasa is going to get off, but I’ll stand next to you,” I finally say, giving up the notion that I could keep up with her.
“Okay, watch me jump!,” she says, sounding defeated but moving on to the next thing. I put my boots back on and stand next to the trampoline, watching Allie jump before Ellie practically tackles me in a hug.
“Tessa, you did come! Daddy said that there were no promises,” Ellie exclaims as her arms snake around my waist.
I glance over at Seth. “Seriously?” I mouth in his direction. He shakes his head and lifts his beer. Honestly, I deserve that; it has been a while since I’ve made an appearance.
“Tessa, can you get me a lemonade?” Ellie asks me sweetly.
“Sure, sweetie. I might as well get me a drink, too.” With Ellie in tow, I head over to the bar.
I reach the bar, ready for my Jack and coke. “Do y’all have lemonade back there, or do I need to go inside?” I ask the bartender.
He looks at me then at the stock he has outside. “I need to go get more inside, if you wanna follow me to the bar?” I nod and follow him inside.
My black hair has since dried into random waves, and I try to make sure they don’t snag on my scalp as I flip them up onto my head. The bartender rounds the corner to fill up the lemonade pitchers and get Ellie a glass.
“You want anything while you’re waiting, sweetheart?” he asks. The bar is sticky, and I make a mental note to find hand sanitizer or wash my hands. The bar still seems loud compared to outside, the smoke got heavy. Ellie starts to hum and swing my arm. I think she’s humming Moana or something Disney. I’m shocked she’s so at ease in a biker bar, of all places.
“Um, yeah. I’ll get a jack and coke, please.” Bartender nods and gets to work on my drink as I watch him give extra love on the whiskey. Before I know it, I feel a smack on my ass. A man who could use a visit to a dentist sits down on my left. It’s not that the smack hurt, but the audacity to do it in the presence of a child. I roll my eyes and brush it off.Not the time to start a fight, Teresa.
“You know, if you ever want to pop out a couple of those rugrats, feel free to give me a call, ” he laughs, sipping his beer, leaning against the sticky bar.
Breathe. “Well, I appreciate that, but I certainly don’t want that number. Just grabbing our drinks leaving,” I rebut, Ellie peering up at me with concern in her eyes. I smile, showing her that everything’s okay, that I won’t be pushed into a corner. Apparently, he didn’t like my answer.
He sneers at me in response. “Well, I guess you don’t know the rules around here about being a bitch. Bitches only have one place, and that’s on their knees.” He’s moving closer to me now, and I glance in his direction.
“Bitch huh? I’ve been called worse things by better men.” I give him a withering look; fuck if I’m going to let him intimidate me.
“Randy, leave her alone and sit your ass back down at the pool table.” The bartender attempts to come to my rescue. He hands me the lemonade for Ellie and gives me my drink. As I go to turn, Randy snatches my left arm.
“I didn’t say you could go.” This man is messing with the wrong woman.
Chapter 2
IgiveRandyoneof my fake smiles. “Ellie, baby, take your drink outside. I’ll be there in one second." She lets go of my hand and starts walking to the door. Out of the corner of my eye, I see another barfly start to approach, but I turn my focus on “Randy,” reaching into my front pocket ever so quickly to flip out my pocket knife. I start to lean closer, aiming for the crown jewels. I can feel the other man behind me, but I keep my focus on the man in front of me.
“If you ever fucking touch me again and use such foul language in front of a child, I will take those crown jewels and leave you less of a man than you already are,” I growl, not backing down from my stance. I glance down and laugh harshly. “Doesn’t look like there’s much manhood to take anyway.”
I was prepared for there to be an issue, maybe even a bar fight, but no one moves. Every eye is on me instead, waiting to see what’ll happen. Randy looks at me intently, clearly debating his next move before he looks behind him.Fucker, I’m the one holding a knife to your man parts.Coming to a decision, Randy throws my arm down and sits his ass on the furthest bar stool.
I flip the knife closed and shove it back into my front pocket. I turn to join Ellie and run into what I thought was a brick wall. I haven’t even started drinking yet…
“Everything okay here, darlin’?” a voice rings out. I take a step back and look up into those blue-gray eyes I saw outside. Damn, this man could be a Viking. 6’2 maybe, blond hair swept back in a man bun, the sides of his head shaved, a well-maintained beard. Thoseeyes;something about them just draws you in. Judging by how hard I just smacked into him, he’s got solid muscle beneath those clothes.
This isn’t the time to eye-fuck a stranger.“Yes, I’m fine, Leif Erikson. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a little girl waiting for me outside.” I back up and take my drink with me as I head out towards Ellie. As I brush past him, I get a whiff of fire and woods, one of my favorite scents. I take one last look at him over my shoulder, and I feel the butterflies explode in my stomach. He meets my gaze, and I quickly avert my eyes.You better chill out down there, Teresa. We ain’t got him for a “knight in shining armor” or southern gentleman type.
Ellie’s standing by the door, sipping her lemonade through a crazy straw. This girl is fearless, not at all phased. “Tessa, he was like a prince trying to save you.”
I take her hand, feeling the sunshine and cool breeze on my face. “Jellybean, be your own prince. Show me your strength.” I look down at her as she tries to flex an arm.
I’m chuckling as we join her dad and brother at a picnic table. “Daddy, Tessa was a knight!” she exclaims excitedly.
Wide eyed and apologetic, I try to shush her, to no avail. “I don’t think Daddy needs to hear this, Ellie.”
Seth cocks an eyebrow at me. “Do I want to know?''
I shake my head. “No, you don’t. I handled it in the most lady-like way.” I hear a snort from the corner, and Jordan gives me a side eye. “Got something to say, punk?” I inquire.