Elijah’s gaze followed Amber across the dance floor to where she sat in a secluded booth. It was the one Wade always kept by for them. Elijah didn’t know all their secrets, but he understood why. “They’re keeping the bad shit at bay. Amber, Ashley, Connie, and Heather, they’re a family. They’re bound together by friendship and trust. What they keep at bay is what will hurt them. Amber doesn’t want to hurt Heather, and she doesn’t want to bring the truth about her real nature to the floor. I understand that. You ever tell her about this conversation, and I’ll fucking hurt you,” Elijah said, meaning it.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I may have money, but I wouldn’t be easy to hurt. I fight back,” Julian said.
“I got it.”
Wade walked back, handing him another beer. Elijah took the beer and made it his last. Tonight he wanted to get Amber to his home. He was now living in Heather’s place seeing as she’d moved in with Julian. Elijah was still looking for a place of his own. Her house would do for what he needed. It was a stop-gap until he got what he wanted for his future.
“Is the booth always reserved for them?” Elijah asked.
“Yeah. I put them there because it’s safe. I can also watch them. I don’t want anyone to think they can fuck with them. They’re good women,” Wade said.
Elijah knew the truth but didn’t see a need to bring it up.
Chapter Three
Downing her third shot of tequila Amber got up to get another. Heather was on the dance floor with Ashley. Her two friends were dancing beside the booth. Connie was nervous, drinking a straight cola.
Amber needed the buzz to block everything else. It was Saturday tomorrow, and she wasn’t working. She got few weekends off. This one she intended to slob on the sofa with ice-cream, takeout, and a good book.
Amber knew it wouldn’t end up like that. She’d probably clean her apartment and go for a walk. Still being a slob for once sounded like fun.
Placing her glass on the counter she waited to be served. Wade and the other bartenders were busy. Reaching into her shirt she pulled out some money.
“You’re drinking too much,” Elijah said, coming up behind her.
“Not the boss of me. I can drink and do whatever the hell I like.”
His hand settled on her hip, steadying her. “Don’t do something you’ll regret, Amber.”
Getting angry, she turned in his arms, staring at him. “Like what? Maybe I want to get drunk and take a man I don’t know home? Have you ever thought about that? I only have you to compare notes with.”
She hated the words. None of the men inside the club had interested her. She’d looked and hated herself for looking. Why couldn’t she get over this man? He drove her insane all the fucking time.
His grip tightened on her hip. He tugged her close, rubbing his hard cock against her jean-clad pussy.
A moan escaped her lips before she could contain it.
“You want me, Amber. The only man you’re going home with is me.”
“No, it’s not. You lost your chance.” She pushed him away. Wade chose that moment to serve her another drink.
“This is your last one, Amber. You’ll thank me later,” Wade said.
She grumbled but didn’t argue before going to her booth, leaving Elijah behind.
“What did Elijah have to say?” Connie asked, once she was seated.
“Nothing. He was complaining about how much I was drinking. Wade’s also cutting me off.”
“You are drinking a fair bit. Are you all right?” Connie asked.
Amber stared at her friend. Connie out of all of them was the most quiet and sweet. She never argued, and she always avoided conflict.
“I’m fine, honey. I just need to take the edge off. Work and everything.” She stared down at her glass and downed it in one gulp.
Alcohol would never help her get over the man who was camped out at the bar.
“Are you going to come and dance with me?” Amber asked.
She needed to get away from looking at him. He distracted her too easily.
“No, you go on ahead. I’m going to sit here and wallow in the fact I can’t get up on that stage.”
Connie was a fantastic singer, but she suffered with stage fright. When they were all on the stage, Connie was fine. The moment she tried it alone, she was stuck.
Amber, Ashley, and Heather were never going to make it as backing singers or dancers.
Looking on the dance floor Amber saw Heather was in Julian’s arms while Ashley was being sandwiched between two guys.
The tequila had given her a buzz, and she had lost some of her earlier discomfort. Moving into the center of the dance floor, she started to let the music take over. Closing her eyes, she moved to the beat. Her body went with the beat.