26. Scarlet
26
SCARLET
“ W hat do you mean they went out?”
“Out, as in they went to a bar to drink some beers,” Aspen explains, like it’s not a big deal at all.
“But why? I mean, other than to find girls. Do you think Ren is done with me?” I’m almost certain that I’m overreacting… almost.
“I think you worry too much.” Aspen laughs. “They are just letting off some steam. Ren has been stressed, and Quinton is dealing with a lot too. He thought he lost his best friend forever and now he is back. Let them spend some time together and trust that they don’t do anything stupid.”
“I trust them; it’s everyone else I don’t trust. What if some skanks just walk up to them and stick their tongues down their throats? What if someone roofies them and steals their kidneys?”
“I think you watch too much TV.” Aspen waves me off like I’m crazy.
“Maybe you don’t watch enough true crime!” I snap back. Does she not know about all the crazy people out there?
“The guys can take care of themselves, Scarlet. You don’t have to worry.”
“And what if Ren turns to River while they are out? River might still want to hurt Q.” That finally gets her attention. “I’m the only one who knows how to deal with River!”
“River hasn’t made an appearance in a few days. I think Ren has it under control now.”
“I had a run-in with River two days ago, and the reason Ren is more in control here is because there is nothing to aggravate him. What if some drunk picks a fight with him? That’s all it would take.”
“All right, now you’ve got me worried too,” Aspen admits, biting her bottom lip.
“Do you know what bar they went to?” I ask.
“Yes, but I’ll only tell you if you promise not to go alone?”
“I’ll take a driver and a guard with me.” Now that he re-implanted the tracker under my skin, my dad gives me pretty much free rein on when and where I can go.
“All right,” she says, but her eyes are still guarded, like she’s not sure that this is a good idea. “They went to TopShot; it’s a small bar, downtown Main Street.”
“Thank you!” I give Aspen a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before I leave her room and make my way down the hall.
“Be careful!” She yells after me, a hint of worry in her soft voice.
“I will,” I yell back over my shoulder as I hurry into my room to grab my purse and slip into some high heel boots that go great with my skinny jeans and leather jacket. When I’m all dressed, I leave my room and make my way downstairs.
Once I’m in the foyer, I stand in front of Tony, one of the younger guards, who looks at me curiously. “I need you to come with me and be my bodyguard at a bar.”
“All right.” He bobs his head. “When are we leaving?”
“Now.”
Tony nods again and follows me out the front door, where one of my dad’s drivers is usually standing by. I get into the back seat while Tony takes the front. I tell the driver where to go, and he takes off right away.
Thirty minutes later, we arrive in front of the bar. The driver parks, and Tony gets out to open my door for me. I step out into the cool city air.
“Thank you,” I tell him while staring at two girls in short dresses and high heels that enter the bar.
I look down at my plain jeans and boots, wondering if I should have dressed up a little more to fit in here.
“Don’t worry, they are just skanks. You look nice,” Tony says before clearing his throat nervously. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it like it sounded.”
“You’re fine, thanks.” I’ve known Tony for a while, and he has never been anything but courteous to me.
“So what’s the plan?” Tony questions.
“Can you wait outside the door while I go in there and spy on… ahm… I mean.” Shit, I can’t think of a good excuse.
“While you spy on your brother and your boyfriend?” Tony finishes my sentence.
“Oh well. Yes.” I shrug. I guess the cat is out of the bag already.
“I’ll only let you in there on your own because I know they are here too, but I still want you to text or call me if you need me to come in. Let me have your phone, and I’ll type in my number.” He holds his hand out to me, and I dig my phone out of my purse to hand to him. He quickly saves his number and hands me my cell back.
I thank him again before making my way inside the bar. I step into the dingy space, the smell of alcohol and sweat hits me right away. It’s pretty packed in here, which is not surprising on a Friday night. Scanning the space, I find Quinton and Ren sitting at the bar with their backs turned toward me. I sigh in release when I see no girls next to them.
Looking around, I find an empty table in the corner of the room, and I walk over to take a seat there. I slide into the booth, realizing the table is sticky from spilled drinks. I briefly think about sitting somewhere else, but I don’t think another table would be any different. Plus, from here I can watch the guys perfectly through the crowd. I feel like some secret agent on a mission. Keeping my head down, I make sure they won’t see me even if they happen to look my way.
About 15 minutes pass, and I realize being a secret agent on a stakeout is not much fun. Matter-of-fact, it is pretty boring because Ren and Q have barely moved. They simply sit at the bar talking to each other and drinking beers.
I don’t know what I was so worried about. It was a stupid idea to come, I finally realize. I’m about to get up from my seat and leave this place when I catch sight of a woman in a mini-dress, making a beeline toward Ren and Q.
My whole body stiffens as I watch my nightmare come true. The beautiful black-haired woman takes a seat next to Ren—my Ren. She lifts her hand and touches his forearm to get his attention. Ren immediately pulls his arm away from her touch, but she doesn’t seem to get the message. I don’t know what she is saying, but it looks like she is giggling and touching his upper arm now. Red hot jealousy courses through my veins at the near sight of some woman touching what’s mine.
Someone moves into my view, making me get up so hastily that I bump my knees against the table. Cursing the pain away, I slide out of the booth, ready to confront the woman who is trying to seduce my boyfriend, when some guy steps into my way.
“Where are you going so fast, beautiful?” the young man slurs. He looks like one of the college frat guys at MIT.
“None of your business,” I snap back impatiently. I don’t have time for this. I try to push past him, but he shifts so he is in my way again, forcing me to bump into him.
“That was rude. I was just asking you a question. No reason to be such a bitch.” He takes a step toward me, and I have nowhere else to go than to step back.
Panic bubbles inside of me as I try to look past him. He takes another threatening step toward me, his hand coming up to touch my face. I slap his arm away, which only makes him angry. He snatches my wrist and starts pulling me toward the bathrooms.
“Stop!” I yell, but the loud music and chatter drowns my voice out. I really regret coming here. I’m just about to freak out when I see a large form coming from the side.
Before I know it, the guy dragging me releases my wrist. “Hey, man, we were just having a little fun—” That’s all he gets out before Tony’s fist connects with his face. The guy’s eyes roll back, and he falls to his knees.
“Are you okay?” Tony asks, patting my arm lightly.
“Um, yeah. I’m fine…”
“What the fuck are you doing here?” My brother’s voice meets my ear, making me flinch. I’m in so much trouble.
Hesitantly, I turn around to face him. Quinton and Ren have made their way across the bar and are standing only a foot away from me now. Both have their arms crossed over their chest, scolding me as if I’m a misbehaving kid.
I straighten my spine and roll my shoulders back. “I was just out having a drink. I’m an adult, and I brought a bodyguard,” I say, as if that is a perfect excuse to be here.
“And you just happen to be at the same bar we are?” Ren lifts his eyebrows.
“I know. What a coincidence.” I try to laugh it off, but neither Ren nor Quinton join in with my laughter. Even Tony has turned stoic. “Okay, fine. I came to check on you, but only because I was worried.”
A grunt from the floor safes me from the guys’ deathly stare. Quinton looks down at the guy at the ground. “Looks like you are the only one we have to worry about. What happened here?”
“He is drunk and got a little handsy. Tony took care of it.”
“Thank you, Tony. Sorry my sister drug you out here. Can you take care of this guy while we take her home?”
“My pleasure,” Tony replies before giving the guy on the floor his attention. “Get up, asshole, or I’ll drag you out back.”
“Let’s go,” Ren orders so roughly, that for a moment, I wonder if he is actually River. He grabs my hand and starts tugging me toward the door. I don’t object. I simply follow, content with the fact that he is holding my hand.
Quinton is right behind us as we make our way outside. Just before we exit the bar, I catch sight of the woman hitting on Ren earlier. Her curious eyes following us. Feeling a bit reckless, I lift my hand and give her the middle finger. Her mouth pops open in shock, and that’s the last I see of her before we’re back outside in the cool evening air.
“Very mature.” Quinton laughs behind me.
“She deserved it.” I try to justify my action.
Ren chooses to ignore the whole thing. “How did you get here?” he asks.
“Took my dad’s driver. He is parked over there.”
“Wanna ride back with us or in the boring car?” Quinton questions.
“What do you mean, ride back with you? How did you get here?”
Ren points at the two matt black motorcycles parked on the sidewalk a few feet from us. My mouth pops open. They came here with these? “Of course I want to ride with you!” I look up at Ren with the same puppy eyes I give my dad when I want something. “Please, can I ride with you?”
Ren gives me a knowing look, but I see the defeat in them immediately. “Fine, but you are wearing my helmet.”
I almost squeal with excitement. Quinton goes over to talk to the driver while Ren takes me over to the motorcycles and grabs the helmet. He lets go of my hand to grab the helmet with both hands, bringing the straps to each side, he carefully places it over my head. It’s a bit loose on my head, but Ren quickly fastens it with the chin straps.
Quinton joins us, putting his own helmet on while Ren goes without. I want to protest, but that would mean I wouldn’t be able to ride with him since we only have two helmets, so I let it go.
Ren gets on the bike first, before motioning for me to sit behind him. I eagerly get on, scooting all the way toward him until my front is completely pressed against his back. I wrap my arms around his torso, interlacing my fingers.
“Don’t let go,” Ren warns before turning the key. The engine roars to life and the whole bike vibrates between my legs. Excitement fills my veins and everything about what happened inside the bar is now long forgotten.
Quinton pulls out in front of us, and Ren follows closely behind. We start off driving slow through downtown, but once we hit the interstate, Quinton and Ren get more daring. We weave in and out of traffic, gliding between cars like we’re flying. I hold on to Ren like my life depends on it. And maybe it does, in more ways than one. Right now, I don’t care. I just want to enjoy being this close to Ren, holding him while we’re zooming through traffic, passing cars, and letting the wind rage around us.