“I repeat. Your ass is not going out in that.” He steps closer to her so they’re touching. Braelyn’s eyes narrow, and I can image horns sprouting from her head.
“What did you just say?” she asks in an eerily calm voice.
“You heard me.” He arches an eyebrow at him.
She steps around him and walks over to me. “Let’s just go.” She grabs my arm and all but pulls me toward the door.
Then Braelyn is pulled away from me. She squeals as Ethan throws her over his shoulder and carries her up the steps. She bangs her small fists on his back. “I’m going to murder you, Ethan!” She screams loud enough to wake the dead.
I take a seat on the couch because I know Ethan won’t stop until she changes. I get why Ethan doesn’t want her dressed like that. She was raped. Every guy who sees her dressed like that won’t be able to keep his hands to himself.
She walks past me with her arms crossed across her chest. She’s wearing a longer black dress that shows less cleavage. Her jaw clenched tight she walks out onto the porch.
“Sydney. Call me if you need anything,” he tells me but looks at Braelyn standing out on the porch. Nodding, I walk outside.
“You ready?” I ask Brae as we climb into my car.
“That fucker,” she curses and slumps into her seat. Biting my lip, I try to control my laughter.
“How did he get you to change?” I ask curious.
“He changed me himself,” she grounds out while staring out the window.
Nothing can stop my laughter this time. “Oh God, that’s great.”
She starts laughing a few moments after I do. “God, that man makes me want to commit murder.”
“I understand that. Believe me,” I mumble the last part.
“Let’s have some fun tonight.” Brae grins and claps her hands mischievously. Shaking my head, we ride the rest of the way to the bar in silence. Braelyn looks out of the window deep in thought. It’s really a club, but I have the habit of calling it a bar because I’m a small town girl.
This club just opened a year ago. Purple, blue, and red strobe lights are everywhere even on the outside. It’s not very busy yet, which is a good thing. I’m not much for crowds.
“We’re here,” I tell her as I park the car around the corner so we can actually leave when we want to. Drinking tonight will be very doubtful. Braelyn needed this night, and it’s going to be about her.
Grabbing my wristlet and phone, I open my car door. Stepping out, I slam my door closed and walk over to Brae who is still sitting in the car. Not moving.
Opening her door, I peer inside. “What’s the matter?”
She looks up at me, fear written on her face. “I’m scared,” she barely whispers.
“I know, honey. I’m not drinking tonight. You have fun, and I won’t leave your side. You’ve been through hell, Brae. You need to let loose and have fun. You need to live.” Grabbing her hand, I pull her out of the car.
“Thank you, Sydney.” She gives me a hug before letting go. A small smile on her face, she stands tall with her head held high. Smiling proudly, I lock my car.
It’s almost completely dark out. Braelyn grabs my hand and looks around wildly at her surroundings. Squeezing her hand, I hurry to the front doors.
We are carded and then we go inside. Brae visibly relaxes. Looking around the room, I look for somewhere to sit. Spotting a table off to the corner of the room, I tap her shoulder then point in the direction of the table.
She nods and we walk to it. The loud music blares through the speakers. Braelyn sits in front of me across the table. Turning on my phone, I see five texts from Ethan and one from Kane.
Kane: you make it?
Me: Yes, just made it.
Ethan: You guys make it?
Is she okay?
Call me if you need anything.
Please watch over her Syd.
?
Shaking my head, I message back.
Me: I have my Taser, and I’m not drinking. She won’t leave my sight. Everything will be okay, Ethan.
Another message pops onto my screen from Kane.
Kane: Be safe.
Me: I will I promise.
Ethan messages back, but I ignore it. Brae is chewing on her thumb nail nervously.
“Let’s get you a drink.” Standing up, I pull her from her seat and straight to the bar.
~*~
An hour passes and Brae has a nice buzz going. We’re on the dance floor dancing, keeping our distance from everyone else. Making sure my purse is on me, I keep an eye on the crowd around me.
Running my hands up my body, I shake my butt seductively. Brae comes up to me and takes my hands so we’re dancing together.
Three songs pass before she whispers into my ear, “I need to pee.”
Laughing, I pull her in the direction of the bathroom. She stumbles behind in her four-inch heels. Moving through the crowd, we get bumped into a few times. One man runs into me hard. Hitting the floor, I land on my hip. That’s going to leave one hell of a bruise. Glaring up at the man, I see him staring at something beside me.