I snap out of my lust-drunk haze and turn toward Lucy. "Sorry, what?"
Her eyes narrow suspiciously. "Where did you just go? We were talking about that new Netflix show with Chris Hemsworth, and you totally zoned out. You love Hemsworth, I don't know how you weren't paying attention."
I wince. "I just… remembered something that happened at work and got distracted. Sorry. What about the new show?"
With a sigh, Lucy launches back into whatever she was talking about. I chance a look back at Tristan, but he's already turned back to Aiden. I try to focus on Lucy's latest Netflix-obsession.
Suddenly, I see Hailey's eyes go wide as she looks over my shoulder. I spin to see what's caught her attention, and realize Steve is heading straight toward us. He's not smiling.
"Did you know he was coming out?" I ask Hailey. She shakes her head, seemingly frozen in shock. I frown and take a step closer to her.
Steve finally pushes through the crowd and steps up to Hailey. Based on his furious expression I expect him to grab her, but he only glares at her and ignores the rest of us.
"Why haven't you been answering my calls?" he demands. "It's late, you were supposed to be home by now."
Hailey's cheeks light with an ashamed blush as she looks down at where her feet are shuffling nervously. She mumbles something that we can't hear.
"Steve, she probably didn't hear her phone," I say gently, trying to deescalate the situation. "It's loud in here. And it's only midnight. Not that late to be worrying that something happened."
He spins around, fury blazing in his eyes. He opens his mouth to snap at me, but then seems to realize who he's talking to. He visibly softens. His posture slouches a little bit, and he forces a tight smile onto his face.
Can't make an enemy of the girl's family, after all,I think bitterly.
"Hey, Remy. Sorry, I didn't see you there." He steps closer to Hailey and takes her hand, stroking it lovingly. I look at their entwined hands, a deep part of me wishing he would've just been forceful about it so I'd have a reason to throw him out of my sister's life. Instead, I have only his fake words to react to.
"I'm sorry, baby," he tells Hailey tenderly. "I just get so worried about you. I know it's not that late yet, but you said you were going to text me when you were getting ready to leave here and when I didn't hear from you, I panicked. You know I worry about you partying in the city."
I roll my eyes at the comment. My sister is the definition of a responsible adult, and she rarely ever has more than a drink or two. Being worried about her 'partying' is ridiculous. And clearly just a way to spin his possessive feelings.
Hailey doesn't notice the tactic—or she ignores it—and instead looks up at him with a grateful smile. "I know, I'm sorry," she tells him. "I was just having a lot of fun and must've lost track of time. But you're right, it's late. We should get going."
Steve visibly relaxes at her concession. He smiles again and gives her hand a squeeze.
But then the smile freezes in place. Slowly, his eyes rake over Hailey's outfit.
"What is that?" he asks tightly. The disdain practically drips from his voice. I look around to find what he could be talking about.
"My shoes?" asks Hailey, sounding just as confused as I feel. I look down at her tan wedge sandals. They’re high because Hailey’s always been self-conscious about her height, but they’re otherwise modest, cute sandals. They’re about the only cute thing Hailey’s wearing right now.
"Why would you wear those?" Steve spits through clenched teeth. "They're practically hooker heels."
I can't hear Hailey's response over the roaring in my ears. My vision floods with a red haze at the degrading insinuation, and I open my mouth to finally tear into Steve. I don't care if I'm butting into my sister's business—right now it feels like I need to protect her from herself.
"Everything okay here?"
I turn, startled, to find Tristan standing behind me. His stern gaze is focused on Steve.
"We're fine," Steve snaps as he turns back to Hailey.
"I wasn't asking you," Tristan responds coldly.
At that, Steve turns back with surprise, his angry mask cracking to reveal the insecure boy hiding underneath.
Tristan brushes by me to stand directly in front of Hailey, effectively stepping in between the couple and forcing Steve to drop her hand. He visibly becomes even more frazzled. Hailey stares up at Tristan with a wide-eyed, awed expression.
"Hailey, you okay?" he asks again.
Hailey swallows nervously but nods. "Yeah, I'm okay. Steve is my boyfriend. He was just coming to pick me up, we were about to leave."