We walked to a table filled with men all wearing their leather vests covered in patches. They were unshaven, as dangerously sexy as City with mischievous smiles on their faces. “Who’s this lovely lady, City?” one man asked. His eyes raked up my body, stopping at my breasts before he looked at my face.
“This is Sunshine. Don’t even fucking think about it, Tank, she’s with me,” City said with a smile on his face as he pulled me closer.
Sunshine? I never told him my name and he never asked. I didn’t like the way Tank looked at me. Thank God he wasn’t the one driving by while I was stranded. He looked at me like I was a piece of meat; a meal for his enjoyment.
Tank put his hands up in surrender. “Dude, I’d never. Chill the fuck out. I’m just enjoying the view,” he said, his eyes moving from City to me, and not being coy about his visual molestation.
City squeezed my waist, “Sunshine, this is Tank, the asshole,” he said pointing to each of the men. “This is Hog, Frisco, Sam, and Bear.” He pointed at each of the men as he rattled off the silly nicknames.
The nicknames didn’t seem to fit any of the men except Bear. His arms were hairy and he was big, huge in fact with dark hair and a fuzzy face. He looked huggable and kind with soft hazel eyes.
“Hi,” I said, looking at each of them quickly, but I didn’t try to memorize their names.
“I didn’t know you were bringing a woman tonight, City,” Bear said.
“Wilder shit has happened, Bear,” he said pulling me closer, leaving no space between us.
“She doesn’t look like your usual taste, my friend.” Bear smirked. “I don’t mean that shitty, girl, I just mean you’re one fine piece of ass and too good for that low life motherfucker. You should be sitting on my lap.” He patted his leg and I wanted to find an exit. I looked down and studied my clothes. I didn’t wear the trashy clothes some of the women in here wore, but I looked classy, sexy even, and not a hint of nerd to be found.
City moved toward Bear and my heart sank as he began to speak. “Show some respect, you asshole. That’s not how you talk to a lady.” City stood inches from Bear’s face. “Apologize to the lady. Now.” City towered over him as Bear stayed rooted in his chair.
Bear looked at me and I could see him swallow hard before he spoke. “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I was just kidding around. I really am an asshole, forgive me please.”
“No harm done, Bear,” I said with a fake smile, hoping to calm the situation.
“We’re going to sit at the bar.” City looked at Bear, not moving his eyes.
“Come on dude, sit with us. Don’t mind Bear. He’s a total dick. Make his ass go sit at the bar,” Sam begged.
“Sunshine and I want to be alone. I’ll catch you guys another night,” City said, pressing his hand against my back, guiding me away from the table and the large bar area.
“I’m sorry. They can be childish dicks. Bear doesn’t have a filter,” he said as he pulled out a chair for me. City had manners. Not many of the men I dated did something as simple as pull out a chair for a lady – it was a lost art. “He’s a good guy, but sometimes his mouth runs and he doesn’t think before he speaks.”
“It’s okay, really… it is. Thanks for sticking up for me,” I said to him as I sat down, pulling my stool closer to the bar top. “Why did you call me Sunshine?”
“Well, I don’t know your name and you remind me of sunshine – your hair is golden and your smile glows. Just sounded right. I had to come up with something on the fly,” he said. “I hope you didn’t mind.” He shrugged and grabbed the menu laying nearby.
“I didn’t mind, but my name is Suzy.”
“What would you like, Suzy?”
I wanted to say ‘you’ because somehow this man made me lose my grip on reality. “Virgin daiquiri, please.”
“Virgin? Really?” His brows shot up and corner of his mouth twitched.
“I already had a drink tonight. I just want something sweet, no liquor.”
“Do you want something to eat?” he asked. “You a vegetarian too?” he laughed.
“Shut up.” I smacked him on the arm. “I’m good. I just want to call a tow truck.”
“Gotcha.” He pulled out his phone and placed it on the bar. “Hey darlin’, can you put in an order for a cheeseburger, a beer, and a virgin daiquiri?” he asked the bartender.
“Sure thing, handsome,” she said, walking away, slowly swaying her hips to grab attention. I turned to City to see if he was watching her, but he was staring at me instead and my mouth felt dry and scratchy.