Chapter 33
It’s closer to nine thirty when I arrive at The Lounge, mainly because I’d taken too long deciding on what was most appropriate to wear when meeting some of the most important people in Tanner’s life. I texted him early that I most likely would be arriving late, and haven’t bothered to check my phone since, which is a byproduct of nerves.
From our brief conversations, I know how important his friends’ opinions are, and the thought that they may not like me shouldn’t bother me as much as it does, but it does. I’m the girl coming in after his failed engagement to his ex of however many years. Surely, his friends aren’t looking forward to re-introductions with somebody who may not end up with him. I’m anticipating the adjustment period regardless to be brutal, if only because of the damage Yasmin did to Tanner. The thought alone makes my hands clench into fists, but I release the tension in my grip and sigh. I don’t like having the thought in the back of my mind that I’m being compared to somebody who made his life worse by being in it, but I also can’t make such a bold assumption when I don’t know the full extent of Tanner’s last relationship. I know enough to form my own conclusions about his ex but not enough to say whether they’re accurate or not.
More than anything, I hope his friends like me. I Facetimed with the one from earlier, Declan, if I recall correctly, and he seems like the easiest one to get along with. I don’t know much about Naomi or her boyfriend, but I have a feeling she’s the harder one to please in the friend group. I’d rather Tanner have friends who are more difficult to woo than those who don’t care about the women he brings into his life.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I shoot Tanner a quick text, letting him know I’m here before walking inside. The nerves are at an all-time high, but this isn’t the first time I’ve been to this place, so I’m at least familiar with the layout.
Both high-top tables and low-top tables are scattered throughout the space, and tucked in the corner are lounging booths with tables in the center. The lighting is dim, and for a Saturday night, it’s not as crowded as I anticipated, but I slow my pace to look around. Groups circle around various tables, some glancing over at me mid-conversation as I stand awkwardly in the center of the space. My throat constricts as heat fills my face, my hands trembling slightly as I try to act like I’m not a fucking loser in the middle of the space. I’m about to step forward when a hand grips my elbow, a raspy voice sounding from behind me.
“You lost, pretty girl?”
Bile instantly works its way into my throat, and right as I’m about to turn around to interact with the stranger at my back, I catch Tanner’s side profile seated in the furthest corner booth with his friends. He throws back his drink and laughs at something somebody said but must sense somebody—me—staring at him because he turns his head at the perfect opportunity and locks eyes with mine. From here, I see the grin fall from his face as his gaze roams my body from head to toe, and either I’m imagining it, or I’m working myself through a potential anxiety attack and am making things up in my mind as he says something to his group and stands from the booth, sauntering over to me.
I turn around to tell the guy to go away, but my mouth dries at the sheer confidence this guy radiates and how handsome he is. Dark brown eyes, a head full of blonde hair and a half sleeve of tattoos cover one arm, although I can’t see the designs in the low light. Biceps bulge from his gray t-shirt, his muscular thighs are thick even just standing next to me, and he’s tall. Muscular and tall. His teeth are white and straight as his lips turn up in a smirk over my apparent drooling.
My mouth opens to say something—anything—but falls short before I have the chance. Goosebumps scatter up my arms, a shudder rippling through my spine over the mere presence behind me. Tanner’s woodsy scent wafts around me, and I instantly relax against him at the same time his large hand splays across my hip. Normally, I’d roll my eyes and push off the typical male possessive behavior, but I’m surprised at how much I like it with Tanner.
“There you are,” his voice rumbles from behind me as his lips press against the back of my head, a hardness to his voice I’ve never heard before. It’s territorial and deep, and I have to force myself to keep my thighs apart despite wanting to ease the ache of what simple words do to my system. His hand grips my hip, and I’m sure if I looked over my shoulder, his jaw would be clenched tight.
Brown eyes track the movement and narrow his gaze, and his head is cocked in amusement. “Tanner,” he says, causing my eyebrows to shoot to my hairline. “A pleasure.”
“Everett,” Tanner replies, voice hard. “Wish I could say the same.”
Tanner and the guy—Everett—seem to be in a staredown full of emotions I can’t decipher. I can’t see Tanner from his position behind me, but the hand on my hip grips tighter, and while it’s not hurtful, I can tell he’s upset. I don’t know who this guy is, but whoever he is, it’s clear that Tanner doesn’t like him.
The surprise flickers across Everett’s face, but it’s immediately replaced with boredom.
“I wouldn’t have talked to her, although we barely exchanged pleasantries before you insisted on saving the day.”
Tanner presses me against him as this guy smiles in a way that proves how confident he is.
“Yeah, well, it’d be in your best—“
“Are you fucking joking?” a voice hisses from behind him, Tanner stiffening when his sister comes into view. Her arms are folded across her chest, completely oblivious to her brother and I standing in front of Everett. I want to crawl in a hole and die, honestly, instead of being caught in the middle of whatever drama this is. I think I’d rather throw myself to the wolves than be here.
Everett turns around to face Brooke. “You know I don’t do games, Brooke,” he says harshly. “If you’re going to threaten me with them, at least play fair.”
Her eyes nearly pop out of her head. “Play fair…?” she says softly, mostly to herself before masking the hurt with a cool demeanor. She licks her lips, and I notice the hurt still flashing on her face despite her wanting to pretend it’s not there. “I don’t know why I continue wasting my time on you.”
She turns on her heel and walks away. He drops his head and pinches the bridge of his nose, spinning around with a brief flicker of melancholy on his face. His gaze finds mine, the softest smile on his lips that makes me feel bad for him for some reason.
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes, causing me to jerk my head in surprise, quickly gazing at Tanner and nodding the same before he saunters through the crowd, following after Brooke.
“Well, that was a surprise,” Tanner muses. His gaze stays fixated behind me, and his jaw is clenched tight as he watches his sister and whoever Everett is, leave the bar. He is seemingly bothered by the guy his sister was with but seems to drop it when his arm loosens around me.
Tanner’s head dips when I spin in his arm, racking over my entire outfit. I chose something more risque than what I’d normally wear for tonight—tight skinny jeans with holes in the knees, heels with lace wrapping around my ankles, and the lowest-cut black shirt I have. Heat floods his eyes, the arm now wrapped around my waist, tightening and pressing me closer as he presses his lips to the corner of my mouth.
“You look absolutely breathtaking,” he murmurs, leaning closer to fuse our mouths together. I melt into him, placing my hands on his chest and gripping his shirt. His tongue slides into my mouth, a hint of alcohol on his lips as he deepens our kiss before breaking away to rest his nose against mine. “How did I get so lucky?”
“I wouldn’t say it’s luck yet.”
He hums. “I disagree. Having you like this is worth everything to me. You are worth something to me, and it means a lot that you’re here.”
I didn’t expect the sentiment, and find myself softening as his words wrapped nice and tight around my heart. I am a words-of-affirmation girl, but sometimes I don’t know how to receive them when complimented. When Tanner says nice things, it makes me feel something I’m not entirely used to.
“As much as I’d love to continue this,” he says, his hand now rubbing up my back. “I don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Them, meaning his friends.
I pull away and slide my gaze towards the booth he was just at, noticing the three people seated quickly turning and pretending to busy themselves with their drinks. Tanner’s arm slips around my waist again as we shift to look at them, a smirk on his face as he bends to press his lips against the crook of my neck.
“They’re excited to meet you.”
“Are you sure?” I ask hesitantly, tearing my gaze from them to look at my green-eyed boy. He grins, and it’s both dopey and cute, which makes my heart flutter all the same.
“They’ve been asking about you for the past thirty minutes,” he chuckles. “I’d say they’re ready.”
“What if they don’t like me?”
Tanner pulls away to look at me, brows knitted together. “Why wouldn’t they like you?”
I shrug, biting my lower lip. There isn’t anything I could say that would explain my anxiety around meeting new people and being worried they’re all judging me. Still, Tanner must figure out the general basis of it because he tucks me closer to him and presses a kiss against the side of my head.
“They’re going to love you, Daisy,” he says, slowly walking us over to the group with me still tucked into him. “You’ve already technically met Declan twice, and Naomi and Jase are cool. He’s more reserved, and she’s outgoing, but they will love you.”
“If you say so,” I reply coolly, trying to calm myself down from the initial anxieties. Introductions and first meetings normally stress me out to the point that I shut down, mainly because I don’t want people to judge me. These people don’t have any reason to judge me, but it’s never stopped anybody before.
“Well, there she is!” Declan smiles wide, standing up from the booth with his arms outstretched, his green eyes twinkling. “I’m a hugger, Daisy Girl,” he says, pulling me into his arms as I step forward at the same time.
There’s something warm about Declan that instantly makes me relax, and it may be a result of him also being a person of color. I tend to feel safer when I’m not the only one in a group of people who don’t look like me.
Looking over his shoulder at Naomi, I notice she is, too, but I don’t get a full chance to wonder before Declan pulls away, taking his pine smell with him. He stands on one side of me with Tanner on the other, his arm wrapping back around my waist. I peer up at him to find him already staring at me, a soft smile on his lips as he winks.
“And these fuckers,” Declan says, gesturing towards the other two, who are finally getting up from the booth. “Are Jase and Naomi. She bites, though, so be careful,” he teases.
Naomi fixes her dress and rolls her almond-shaped eyes before stepping forward and lightly slapping Declan’s arm. “Don’t say shit like that!” she hisses. “I want to have another girl in the friend group.” She focuses on me, her smile warm and inviting as she holds out her arms, wincing slightly.
“Sorry,” she says as I hug her back. “We’re all into this hugging thing. I’m happy there’s another girl in the group—these boys are annoying.”
I snicker as we pull away. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Appreciation flickers through her gaze as she looks at Tanner briefly as if she’s impressed. “Likewise.”
Jase, assumingly, steps forward next. Like Delcan, an immediate calmness radiates in the air. His black hair is tucked away under a baseball cap, but his eyes are a vibrant brown that is lighter in color than mine, and when he smiles, he has dimples in his cheeks. “Nice to meet you, Daisy,” he says as he nearly towers over me. “It’s nice seeing Tanner so happy,” he says low enough that I’m positive I’m the only one who hears it. “So thank you for giving him the chance. He’s the best guy I know.”
I barely have time to reply before he pulls away, offering a wink as he steps back to wrap his arm around Naomi’s shoulders. “Should we sit?” he suggests, nodding over to the booths.
All of them are in agreement, Tanner’s hand finds a spot on my lower back at the same time Declan reaches for my elbow. “Can I grab you a drink?” he says, eye contact unwavering.
“Oh, uh, sure, that’d be great,” I say. “Whiskey coke?”
“She’s already my girl,” Naomi says from her spot, lifting her drink in salute.
Declan and Tanner share a look, a smile on the former’s face.
“She’ll fit in just fine, Tan.”