Leann shook her head and slid across the bar to stand closer to her cousin. “Who knew, right?” She glanced again at her boyfriend and the animated way he was talking to Mark. “Freaking lacrosse. We won’t get two words in for the rest of the night.”
Keira smiled, then nodded her thanks to Leann when she handed her a shot. She hesitated only for a moment but then caved when her cousin’s eyebrow disappeared beneath her bangs. “Fine. But this is the last one.” The tequila went down with a burn, but before Keira could do more than squint and frown at the taste, Leann shoved a lime in her mouth and the bitter taste disappeared. “God. Why?”
“We’re young and irresponsible. We’re supposed to do stupid things.”
The juice from Leann’s lime ran down her wrist and Keira grabbed a napkin off the bar to hand to her cousin. At least she tried to, but Kona walked up on the other side at the same time and Keira moved her hand off of the counter. She meant to turn, to stare over his head, look anywhere other than at his scowling, bad-tempered expression, but Keira was trying something new; she wouldn’t let Kona’s mood ruin her night. So, instead of scampering away like a coward, she lifted her chin, then squinted at him, silently challenging Kona to say anything to piss her off.
Kona’s stare lingered for a moment and in his expression was something Keira knew wasn’t forced. He either didn’t like her being here or he was still pissed off at the low blow she’d served him at the team house. At least, that’s what Keira thought his look meant. But then Kona shifted his eyes to her left and his frown deepened, lips pursed as he watched Mark laughing with Michael.
You’ve got to be shitting me, she thought, realizing that Kona’s anger had nothing to do with her telling him he’d never change.
Kona stepped closer to the bar, leaned on his elbows. “Having a good time?” he asked Keira, still watching Mark.
“Yep. You?”
“Oh, I’m good, Wildcat.” He took a swig from his bottle, but didn’t let his eyes leave her face.
“Do not call me that.” Her voice came out too loud, and Keira cursed to herself when she noticed a few people turn in her direction. She knew her cheeks were setting off like a flame. She could feel the prickle of her embarrassment rush up her skin.
“Is there a problem?” Leann asked, turning around to face Kona.
“None,” he told her cousin, his smile exaggerating the cleft in his chin. “I think your cousin here is in a bad mood.”
“My cousin,” Leann said, locking her arm with Keira’s, “is not in a mood. At least she wasn’t until you showed up.”
“I was here first, sweetheart. You’re in my world.” To emphasize his point, Kona lifted his hands and gestured around him. Several of players loitered behind him, chatting drinking, kissing whatever mouth was on top of theirs, but at his voice raised, a few stepped up behind him and laughed, slapping his back.
“We can leave.” Keira wouldn’t look at Kona, couldn’t stand seeing the entitled jackass attitude he wore like a cloak. Leann’s lips parted, an argument broaching, and Keira knew she’d have something particularly harsh to level at Kona. Leann wove insults like a master, but Keira didn’t have the energy to deal with drama and was about two hours past enjoying Leann’s promised shenanigans. “It’s fine, Leann. Let’s just go.”
“Something wrong?” Mark said, walking to Keira’s side.
“No. We’re good.” She grabbed his hand and started to turn. “We’re leaving.”
“Oh, Wildcat, don’t leave. The party’s just getting good.” Kona’s voice got even louder and all around him, drunken players and their companions cheered.
“Come on,” Leann said, dragging Michael behind her as she headed toward the door. She knew her cousin would have to hurry her boyfriend from the scene. He was up to two strikes for stupid shit he’d gotten into the summer before and being in the middle of a fight could earn him a third.
Keira turned away from the bar, was right on her cousin’s heels and out in the hall with Mark next to her, when she felt a tug on her wrist and the imposing, heated sensation of a large, obnoxious jackass behind her. “Leaving already?”
“Hey, man, what’s your problem?” Mark looked fearless, pissed and Keira was impressed that his being a good four inches shorter than Kona didn’t make him back down from the big linebacker. “Why don’t you leave her alone?”
Kona barely glanced at Mark and Keira thought it wouldn’t be stupid at all to claw his eyes out or slap that pompous smirk off his face when Mark’s words were ignored.