“It didn’t take long for the party to start,” she observed.
“Listen, I’m gonna give you a piece of advice. You’re welcome to take it or leave it.”
She smirked. “Okay. Shoot.”
“Take the stick outta your ass long enough to have a good time. You might actually surprise yourself when you do. Hell, you might actually laugh.”
“Thanks for the advice. I feel so much better now.” She sat at the bar, asking for a club soda with lime. I rolled my eyes—she would deliberately be a pain in the ass just to irritate me. I decided to let her do whatever the hell she wanted, as long as she stayed clear of me.
I went into the room where the poker game was starting up, telling myself to forget about her. She wasn’t worth the trouble, determined to be a bitch. It didn’t matter how hot a woman was if she had it in her head to be a bitch no matter what.
“How’s it goin’ with her?” Flash asked.
“Don’t get me started.”
“That good, huh?” He snickered.
“She’s a fucking bitch, okay? There’s your answer.”
“You’re just pissy she’s not already sucking your cock.”
“Watch it, buddy. I can still kick your ass. It doesn’t matter if you’re my VP or not.” I glanced out the open door. She was still at the bar, sipping on her club soda. Stuck-up.
“I’m just sayin’ you’re not used to working for a woman’s attention.”
“Are you ever gonna finish talking?” I asked.
He laughed. “Fine, be that way. Be angry because she doesn’t care that you’re the president of the club. Be pissed off because she won’t hang all over you or try to seduce you or whatever. Pretend all you want that it doesn’t bug you. I’ll believe you.” He snorted, taking a swig from his beer. I tapped the bottle, making him miss his mouth and spill it on his shirt.
“Asshole,” he spat, running his hand down the front of the shirt.
“Oh, sorry. Did I make you spill your beer?”
He scowled…then grinned. “Yeah. You should go get me another one.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh yeah. I think Lance should get me another beer because he made me spill mine. All those in favor?” Every hand in the room shot up.
“Vice president doesn’t get to call votes,” I grumbled, but stood up anyway. They jeered as I left the room.
There was Jamie, still sitting there. Still in a bitchy mood.
“Do you think you guys could maybe be a little quieter in there? Gigi’s trying to sleep.”
“Aye, aye, captain.” I saluted.
“You don’t have to be a dick about it.”
“Oh, language.” I shook my head in disapproval.
“Why are you being so nasty?”
“Why are you being so stuck-up? Why can’t you relax a little bit? You’re not any better than any of us.”
She frowned. “I never said I was.”
“No, not out loud, but you’re acting like it. I thought you had maybe loosened up a little. But no. You’re gonna sit here all night and act like a mom, giving us dirty looks because we’re having a good time.”
“I’m not giving you dirty looks. I’m not even looking at you.”
“You don’t have to, believe me.” I walked away, taking the beer to Flash.
“Maybe if you’d act more like a father…” she muttered.
I heard every word, and after I had handed Flash his beer, I went straight back to her.
“What the hell does that mean?” I stood in front of her, hands on my hips. I knew I could be intimidating when I wanted to, and I saw the way her eyes went wide when she took in my size.
“What does what mean?”
“I don’t act like a father.”
She shrugged. “You don’t, do you?”
“I guess your father was something out of a sitcom. Right? The perfect dad, the perfect mom, the perfect life.”
“Something like that, yes. My father didn’t whore around, drinking and partying it up every night. He had a responsibility to me.” Her eyes flashed, and her creamy cheeks had a flush to them. I wanted to kiss her, even with the shitty things coming out of her mouth.
“I’m glad you had the perfect experience, honey, but not everybody did. Wake up. You should know better than to think people have to act that way. Don’t you see lots of kids every year? Lots of parents? There are all types in the world.”
“Yeah, including you.”