“Long before my father was even in the hospital?” he asked, and Bucky nodded. Nick growled and stormed towards the front door. “I’m expecting you to handle this,” he said to Stephen and then slammed the door behind him while he went inside to call his aunt and get more details.
If this was true, his uncle had been planning this for a while. Which just pissed Nick off even more.
ChapterThirteen
The next night, Kara and Liz walked into the Firehouse and within minutes had drinks in their hands as they headed to the dance floor.
Liz had come over early with several outfit choices and had settled on a black top that pushed up her ample Ds, a tight black skirt, and her red cowboy boots, which she said were lucky. Kara wore a white bustier with her jean skirt and her black cowboy boots. Even though Kara’s Cs were no comparison, the bustier showcased them well enough that the moment they had stepped inside, she had caught several men staring. Most likely they were looking at Liz, but Kara didn’t mind. Nick had promised to meet them there.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Nick waved to her from across the dance floor. Since her drink was empty, she made her way towards him and watched his eyes heat when he noticed what she was wearing. He had on a dark gray T-shirt, jeans, and his boots and hat. He looked every part the cowboy.
“Hey, cowboy,” she said, leaning against him. “Want to dance?”
“Wow,” he said, running his eyes over her face. “Just wow.”
She stepped back and did a little twirl for him. “You like?”
“That outfit should be illegal,” Nick said, pulling her back into his arms and kissing her.
“That kiss should be illegal in public,” Liz said from beside them, causing them both to laugh. “I need a drink.” Her friends’ eyes narrowed on Nick. “You’re buying. I want a burger and fries too.” She pointed at him and walked over to take a seat in a booth.
Kara laughed and then shrugged towards Nick. “It’s the price you have to pay for crashing tonight.”
He kissed her again. “One I’m willing to pay. Go, sit down. I’ll order. Burger?”
“And fries and another one of these.” She held up her beer. He took the empty bottle and made his way towards the counter while she went over and sat next to Liz.
“He’s got it bad for you,” Liz said.
“What makes you say that?” she asked, leaning on her friend.
“I recognize the look,” Liz answered.
“Like you’ve ever seen the look before.” She rolled her eyes. “When have you been in love?”
“Not me personally. But I have had plenty of men fall in love with me,” Liz joked.
Kara laughed. “Like who?”
“Whom, and…” Liz glanced around the room and started pointing and naming off several of the men in the bar.
“That wasn’t love,” Kara said, just as someone sat at their table. Believing it was Nick, she smiled and glanced over. Her smile fell away instantly when she saw Willy sitting next to her.
“Well, well. We heard there was a party going on here tonight,” Willy said as two of his buddies, Dean and Mike, sat in the empty spots.
Dean was built a lot like Willy—thick everywhere and not necessarily with muscles. Mike, however, was tall and thin and worked at the mill. Kara knew that the guy could lift bales of hay without even breaking a sweat. The three of them together would easily scare anyone they ganged up on.
“You’re not invited, Willy,” Liz said. Kara poked her friend in the ribs, trying to signal her not to egg the trio on. “What? It’s my birthday. If I don’t want to have to put up with their bullshit, I shouldn’t have to,” Liz replied.
Kara poked her again.
“Oh, well, it’s your birthday? I guess I’ll have to make sure and give you a big fat juicy present.” His eyes ran over Liz’s breasts, and he actually licked his lips. The other two laughed.
“Dream on, Willy,” Liz said strongly. “The only thing big and fat you have is your head. And I wouldn’t let you get near me if you were the last man on earth.”
Kara stabbed her finger into her friend’s ribs. “Shush,” she hissed.
Willy wrapped his hands around Kara’s arms, ready to yank her out of the booth to get to Liz, but a hand dropped on Willy’s shoulder.