Bad Boys of Romance(22)

“Remember what I said,” he warned her before stalking back to the front of the club.

We both watched as he disappeared.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I turned to her.

“Yeah.” she nodded her head and smoothed her hands over her short, platinum blonde hair. “He just gets mad when I show up here drunk.”

“It's a club. Isn't that the point of a place like this?”

“That's what I think, but he's the boss.” She rolled her eyes.

“I hope you know you don't have to stay in a relationship like that.” I stared her straight in her eyes.

“Unfortunately, I do.” She let out a small smile. “He's my brother.”





Chapter 2

I hurried through the bathroom routine and made my way back to our table. Relieved to see Hannah and her new friend sitting there, I took my seat and grabbed her arm.

“You're never going to believe what just happened.”

“What?” she looked my way.

“I just broke up an argument between...” I stopped short when I felt the odd sensation that someone was watching me. Chills ran up my arms to the back of my neck. What the hell was happening?

“What?” Hannah asked again.

I only shook my head at her as I looked up and found myself lost in a pair of familiar green eyes. He was standing across the table next to Hannah's new friend and glaring at me. He was tall and his arms looked massive crossed over his chest. What was his problem? I narrowed my eyes back at him, because there was still enough alcohol in my system to make me think I could take on the world. Some random guy wasn't going to make me squirm on the same day I found my confidence to leave my jerk of a boyfriend.

“Riley, this is Trey.” Hannah elbowed me in the side causing me to look her way.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” I forced a smile as I shook Trey's hand. The other guy’s shoulders seemed to stiffen as soon as I touched Trey.

“Nice to meet you too,” he replied and pointed to the guy next to him. “This is Luke.”

So the brooding hunk has a name. I attempted to smile and meet his eyes again but quickly looked down when I noticed his glare had turned menacing. Seriously, was he that pissed that I had broken up his argument? Swallowing the lump that was forming in my throat, I looked back up to see that he was gone. I felt a wave of relief but also a new emptiness that I wasn't used to.

“Are you about ready to head home?” Hannah asked.

“Sure,” I answered as I made a quick scan of the room. Luke had disappeared.

I followed Hannah and Trey through the club and out the front door. The fresh air immediately helped calm my nerves.

“Let's go to Cheesy's before we go home.”

“Are you serious?” I asked. “I thought we were on another diet.”

Cheesy's was a greasy diner close to our apartment. They served the best cheese fries and were open twenty-four hours a day.

“It can start tomorrow.” She shrugged.

“Sounds good to me,” Trey spoke up as he held the door open for the cab.

I rolled my eyes as I climbed into the far side of the backseat. Hannah had never been a relationship girl. She liked to have her fun but never settled down for long. Trey was tall and all lean muscle and seemed like he was interested in more than one night with my friend. He seemed nice enough, and a part of me was hoping she would give him a chance to stick around.

The cab dropped us off, and we were soon seated in a red vinyl booth with burgers and cheese fries in front of each of us.

“What were you trying to tell me earlier?” Hannah asked between bites.

“I'll tell you later.” I gave her a look letting her know to drop it. Trey obviously knew Luke, and I didn't want him to tell him I was talking about him. Wait, why did I care. I should ask him about Luke now.

“So what's the deal with your hot, angry friend?” Hannah turned to Trey, beating me to the questions.

“Who?” he laughed.

“The one standing next to our table. He looked pissed.”

I sat in silence and listened as this conversation took place in front of me.

“Oh Luke. He's always pretty tense when the bar is busy like that. Who knows what his deal was tonight.”

“He was staring at Riley,” she said matter-of-fact.

“No he wasn't.” I nearly choked on my Coke.

“Um, yeah he was.” She reached for more cheese fries. “It was getting tense in there.”

“Shut up.” My face was burning red.

“Just saying.” She laughed and leaned into Trey.

“I have his number if you want it.” He reached for his phone.

“I hate you both.” I stood up and placed some cash on the table. “Let's go home.”