“And that excuses what?”
Cocking his brow, Brandon said, “Excuse me?”
“Well, as I see it, the state is constantly cutting budgets from areas that desperately need it. But, no one else gets the same cuts, none of the state employees ever get budget cuts. They all retain the same salary and get their raises.”
“Noella, you don't know what those people do. I can tell.”
“Sir, I don't mean to sound disrespectful. But those people, have no idea what the hell they're doing. If that's all it takes, sign me up. I'd love to get paid to blow everyone's money on things that don't matter.”
Suddenly, I felt Hegan drape his hand over my thigh. Squeezing tightly, he leaned into my ear and whispered. “I'm actually enjoying this.” His fingertips circled the exposed flesh of my thigh.
“Well, I may disagree with you, but you definitely pay more attention to important topics, unlike my son. Hegan, maybe you should try and take a few tips from your new girlfriend. Get your head out of your ass and open your eyes a little. Otherwise you know what's coming.”
The fire rolled from Hegan's nose, his breath was hot, ready to launch at Brandon from across the table. On reflex I gripped his hand, clenching it tightly.
“I need to use the bathroom, can you excuse me?” The two of them, fighting each other with there eyes, was really uncomfortable. I needed to take a break, get a little breather.
Pointing towards an opening to the left, Stella said, “It's right over there, Dear.”
“Thank you.” Nodding politely, I pressed up out of the seat, and headed towards the restroom.
The same feeling I had when we walked into the club struck my gut; a sense of awkwardness as every eye honed in on me. Looking straight ahead, I didn't want to take my sight off that place of safety. A place I could slink into and be away from the stares of everyone in the room.
I didn't belong there and everyone in the place knew it. Suddenly, a skinny man stepped into view. Resting his arm on the door frame, he leaned across the entire entrance.
“Excuse me, can I get through?” I asked, stopping short.
He looked to be a bit older, maybe late forties. His hair was peppered with gray, slicked back tight against his skull. A tight checkered sweater hung snugly against the small pot belly under his shirt. “So, that's a nice dress you have on.” His tongue ran across his bottom lip, slurping his saliva as he inhaled through his teeth.
Rolling my eyes, I tapped my thumb against my thigh. “I need to get through, excuse me.” Stepping forward, I tried to force him to move. But he stood still, unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm for his comment.
Sliding his forefinger and thumb over his jaw line, he ran his eyes up and down my body. “How much?”
Tossing him a crooked glare, I asked, “What?”
“You heard me. How much? I could use a piece of ass like you, my dick is lonely. I'm sure you could perk him up a bit.” Grabbing his crotch, I watched him imagine fucking me in his head.
“Fuck off, Asshole. I'm not a hooker.” Holding the strap to my purse, I felt like I was two seconds away from hitting the guy with it.
“You're not a hooker? Come on, look at you. You're definitely a hooker.” Shifting on his feet, the man bit his bottom lip, tugging it into his mouth.
Raising my voice, I said, “I'm not a fucking hooker, now move.”
Suddenly, I felt hands curl over my shoulders, moving me to the side. Hegan was standing beside me, shoulders pulled back tight. His hands were clenched by his sides, a look of sheer destruction smothered his face. “What did you just say to her?”
The man held his hand out, still leaning so smugly in doorway. “Your bitch here is being difficult. I was just looking for a little fun later tonight, and—”
Hegan didn't let another word from the old asshole come out. In one swift jerk of his arm, Hegan had him by the back of the neck. “You don't talk to her that way.” He muscled out through his teeth. I watched his fingers dig into the guy's neck, dipping in so far his nails disappeared into his flesh.
“Look, Hegan, I don't understand. She's dressed like a fucking prostitute, I just thought...”
“No, you didn't think. That's the problem. Now get the fuck out, before I really hurt you. Do you understand me, Alex?”
Alex shook his head, and Hegan shoved him in the direction of the front doors. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he led me back to the table, never taking his eyes off the guy who had just insulted me.
And I had a rush of excitement hit me full force, my heart fluttering inside my chest. Electricity coursed through my nerves, my stomach turned like a wild fire loose in dry tinder. He had just stood up for me, protected me from some fucking pervert.