But I’m considering it now, and this night just got a hell of a lot more confusing.
Chapter Four
Justin
I finally spot Libby inside the restaurant at the bar—and Nowicki next to her, drooling into her cleavage with his big dumb nose so close to hers it looks like he’s about two seconds away from moving in for a kiss—and I see red. I see bright, shining no way are you sticking your tongue in my sweet Libby’s mouth and giving her herpes or foot-and-mouth disease or swine flu or whatever else a knuckle-dragger like Nowicki might have floating around in that mouth-breather mouth of his, and lose it.
I bolt across the bar, wrapping my arm around Libby’s waist and pulling her out of harm’s way.
I draw her tight against me and bark something at Nowicki over her head. I honestly have no idea what I’m saying, just that I’m pissed and that he needs to go. Now. So I can talk to Libby and straighten this out before she makes a serious mistake. She’s way too good for Tanner. Head and shoulders out of his league, even if she is barely five three.
“Relax, man.” Nowicki lifts his hands at his sides. “I had no idea she was your sister. Seriously.”
“She’s not my sister.” I scowl at him as I hug Libby closer. Damn, she feels good. Warm and soft and curvy, she fits right beneath my chin like she was made to press against me while I yell at people over her head.
“You just said she was your sister,” Nowicki says, doing that “making no sense” thing he does so well.
“I did not.”
“You did.” Libby’s fingers curl around the arm I’ve got wrapped around her waist. “You said I was your little sister.”
“Like a little sister,” I amend, figuring that’s probably what I said.
“No, you didn’t,” Libby and Tanner say at the same time. And then they have the gall to laugh together, as if they’ve had time to establish the kind of private jokes Libby and I have shared since we were kids.
“Well, that’s what I meant.” My gaze drills into Tanner’s. “And that means she’s off-limits, Nowicki. So take your sniffing somewhere else.”
“I’m tired, anyway.” He tosses a twenty on the bar and nods at Libby before adding in a softer voice, “Nice meeting you, Libby. Good luck with the Play Dough eaters. I hope your night gets better.”
“Good luck to you, too,” Libby says. “Sorry about this.”
“Not your fault,” Nowicki assures her, casting a frustrated glance in my direction before turning and walking away.
“It’s nothing personal, rookie,” I call after him. “Family is off-limits. Everyone knows that.”
But Nowicki doesn’t turn around, and a second later I realize Libby is tugging at my sleeve. I release her and she turns to me with a huff. “That was rude,” she snaps, but all I can think about is how pretty she looks with her cheeks pink and her eyes glittering up at me.
Which brings me to why I was chasing her down in the first place. I need to assure her that all she needs is a little confidence and she’ll be swimming in dudes. I’ll get myself back in her good, friendly graces and put this weird night behind us.
“I’m sorry.” I claim the now-empty stool beside her. “I just lost it for a second. You can do so much better than Nowicki, Libs.”
Her eyes go wide even as her brow furrows. “What in the world are you talking about? Tanner is gorgeous, and as far as I could tell, very nice. Funny, too.”
I scowl. “Are you sure you haven’t had too much to drink?”
“No, I haven’t.” She lifts her wine glass. “This is my third drink, and unlike Laura, I can handle my liquor just fine. Tanner was nice, which is more than I can say for you. You practically bit the man’s head off for absolutely no reason.”
“No reason?” I sputter. “Did you see the way he was leering at you? He looked like the wolf about to eat Red Riding Hood’s rack for dinner.”
“He did not,” she insists. “And even if he did, that’s no reason to stomp over here and yell at the man. I’m a grown woman, not some little girl who needs you to decide who I’m allowed to talk to.”
I run a clawed hand through my hair, realizing she’s probably right. “Fine. I’ll apologize to him at practice on Monday.”
“And mean it,” she says, brows lifting.
“And mean it,” I agree, before adding in a more conciliatory tone, “But how about I apologize to you, first? I didn’t mean to be a jerk just now, or before. You took me by surprise, that’s all.”