Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
EVE
Rommy stood beside the booth and reached down for my hand while begging, “Please. Please come dance.”
I snorted. “No one is dancing, Rommy.”
Dusty, who was now drunk, shoved at my side. “We’ll make our own dance floor. Let’s do this.”
Henri perked up from leaning against Blaze’s chest and clapped. “Oui. I want to dance. Let me out, please. I need to connect my music to the speakers.”
“I don’t think Quake will let you,” West said. He and Adrick had drifted to our table when Texas and Maya moved to the other. We’d been swapping all night, getting to know the Australians.
“You should ask. Everyone thinks you are the prettiest,” Henri suggested.
“No, he’s not,” Blaze said.
“He is.” Adrick glared.
Blaze’s jaw clenched. “Henri is.”
“Aww, mon amour, you are so getting rewarded for that later.” He leaned back and kissed Blaze’s jaw. But Blaze was too busy glowering at Adrick, who was doing the same back.
Rommy wiggled my arm. “Come on, come on. Let the guys piss over their men while we get our groove on.”
I needed more drinks for this.
Still, I couldn’t say no when she looked so damn excited.
Sighing, I moved out of the booth, and Dusty bumped into my back when she practically flew up and over to the only clear spot on the floor. She threw her arms in the air and started swaying while Wrenley joined her.
Before Rommy could drag me over, my wrist was seized by Henri. “I am stealing her for a moment, chéri. You can come too. We will go seek out Quake. There is a song I wished played for my amour.”
“Let’s do this,” Rommy said, and they dragged me over to the bar. I glanced back to see Lucas joining the other two while Torch and Wreck stood guard to scowl at anyone close.
“Quake,” Henri called, and my blood rushed through my veins.
I looked to where he was serving someone to see him hold up a finger.
“He is looking very well tonight,” Henri commented.
I caught him and Rommy sharing a look.
“I reckon he’s the hottest brother,” Rommy said.
He was.
Which was why it was so easy to fall into bed with him. He was the kind, funny, and swoon-worthy handsome.
And I’m just a bitch to him.
My smile vanished, and I dropped my gaze to the floor.
He couldn’t want me like he thought he did.
People ended up cheating in the end anyway. I was just saving myself from heartache.
No one would want me long term.
I didn’t—
Rommy’s hand in mine squeezed before her face appeared in front of mine. “Do you know I used to think that all guy’s dicks were circumcised?”
I blinked and lifted my head. What in the world was she talking about?
She nodded. “I accidently saw my dad’s dick.
I was nine, and my parents thought they were home alone.
Well, they were, but I was just next door you see, and I wanted to show Mena my new Monster High doll, so I just raced home.
They were naked in the kitchen when I walked in.
I saw his dick, so I thought all others were like his.
Until I was about to get my freak on with a guy who wasn’t circumcised.
I was fascinated by it. I kept wanting it to deflate so I could see it get covered again. Like a turtle popping his head out.”
An abrupt laugh escaped me.
“Chéri, you are a true treasure, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Henri told Rommy, and I completely agreed.
She’d gotten me out of my head. Saved me from spiralling down that dark path.
I wanted to hug her for it.
And for me that was big because I didn’t like too much affection.
Yet, for Rommy….
Releasing her hand, I curled my arms around her shoulders and dragged her against me to hold on tightly.
Please don’t push me away.
Please let me hold you.
Please.
Too many times I’d thought no one would want me close to them. No one would want me to touch them. Too many times I’d been told I was ugly, useless, and disgusting. That I’d end up alone and miserable because no one could stand me.
Words after words bombarded my mind, mixing me up, messing me up where it was just easier to believe them.
When her arms wrapped around my waist, the tension rolled off my body, and I drew in a deep breath. She smelled of something fruity. Sweet, like she was.
Against my chest, she said, “Not that I mind having my face pressed against your breasts, but I’m having a major lady boner right now, and my hand doesn’t want to listen to my mind when I tell it I can’t grab your boob.”
Heat hit my face.
Still, she had me laughing and relaxing as we released each other.
I took her hand and mouthed, “Thank you.”
She winked.
Henri tapped the bar with his knuckles, gaining our attention so he could ask Rommy, “Chéri, are you into women?”
Rommy shrugged. “I love love. If they’re a guy or a girl or whoever they want to be…
if I feel the attraction, I’m willing to explore.
I want my happy ever after like Mum and Dad or Texas and Maya.
I’m surrounded by love at home, and I know that one day I’ll find my person or people to live the rest of my life with. ”
She was the most positive person I’d ever met.
I wasn’t sure anything could get her down. Hell, she’d been kidnapped and walked out fighting.
I loved her look on life and love.
In a mere matter of moments alone with her in my room, I felt like I could trust her, like I wanted to stick close and soak up her sunshine.
“That is a beautiful thing, chéri. And to know this at such a young age.”
I nodded. “Henri’s right.”
“Like always,” Henri added.
Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn’t say always, but on this, yes. I’m twenty-seven, and I still don’t know what I want.”
“You will work it out, chéri.”
“Hey.”
I jumped at Quake’s voice.
“Sorry,” he said to me. I waved him off. “What can I get you three?”
“Music,” Rommy said.
Quake’s brows pinched. “Sorry?”
“I am hoping you will allow me to connect to your music because there is a song I wish to play for mon amour.” Henri pressed his hands together under his chin. “Pretty please?”
Quake looked at all of us slowly, his gaze lingering on me for that little bit longer, which was why Henri had brought me over.
Quake sighed. “One song. Tell me what it is, and I’ll add it to the playlist.”
Henri squealed and gave Quake the song title and singer. It wasn’t even a song I’d heard of.
“Merci,” Henri shouted before blowing him a kiss. With that, we went to the dance floor.
Like the others in our group, Rommy had rhythm. She moved to the music in a sensual sway, but I was never the best dancer. I enjoyed doing it, but I became too self-conscious. Especially here, knowing Quake was around.
“I’m going to get a drink,” I called to the others.
“Come back after,” Rommy said.
I wouldn’t, but she didn’t need to know that. I went over to the booth and sat with the others.
“Not in the mood to dance?” Maya asked.
“I need to be drunker for it.”
She laughed. “I totally understand.”
“I’m going out there,” West announced.
“Nyet,” Adrick clipped, and I didn’t think he meant to because he froze.
“Did you say no to me?” West demanded.
“Da?”
I covered my mouth to hide my big grin. The uncertainty in the big scary guy’s tone was hilarious.
“Adrick—”
“We will go together is what I meant.”
West beamed. “Sounds perfect.” They slipped out of the booth, and West dragged Adrick over near the others.
There was a song change and then Henri squealed. Surprise filtered through me at his song choice. “Something to Feel” by Dallas Dixon was a country song. Not at all what I expected. Henri pointed at Blaze and winked.
But then I heard the words.
My eyes widened from the song, which was about sexual desire for a guy and absolutely unapologetic for it, as well as the way Henri moved his hips as he danced closer to the table.
Looking to the bar, I laughed at seeing Quake with his head tipped back, looking to the ceiling. Like he was praying for guidance or for someone to take him from this world.
“What the fuck is this shit?” a voice boomed.
My attention swung to the guy storming the dance floor, his hand wrapped around Henri’s arm, and the table in front of me disappeared with a loud crack, making Maya and I scream in surprise.
The top of the table dropped with another loud bang to the floor.
I jolted and briefly thought that Blaze could have asked us to move, but this big, fierce man was already standing and rushing towards Henri.
But then Rommy was already there. As Adrick protected West, and Torch with Wreck got Lucas, Dusty, and Wrenley out of the way, Rommy jumped on the guy’s back who was shaking Henri and yelling in his face.
As soon as her arm locked around the guy’s neck, he released Henri to try and peel her away, but she held strong.
“Shit,” Texas shouted. He stood and started for the commotion, but Blaze had already arrived. He reached out, and Rommy took Blaze’s hand before she jumped down and got out of the way just as Blaze reared his arm back and let his fist fly into the guy’s face.
The guy dropped and didn’t get up again.
A woman screamed and started running over.
The music cut off, and Quake roared, “Enough.” He clicked his fingers and other brothers appeared.
One grabbed the woman, while another two lifted the guy off the floor.
“Don’t come back,” Quake ordered as the brothers escorted the idiots out.
Quake banged his fist against the bar. “And if anyone else thinks they can start shit like that, you can get the fuck out of my place.” He strode out from behind the bar and over to the dance floor.
Henri met him. “I am so sorry. I—”
Quake’s hand landed on his shoulder, and he patted him twice before he dropped it. “You did nothin’ wrong. The song was funny as fuck.”
“Are you sure?”
“Henri, relax, yeah? It’s on those fuckwits.
” He looked over Henri’s head to where Blaze stood with his hands clenched at each side.
The guy was breathing heavily. His face screamed that he wanted to continue hurting that dickhead for touching Henri.
“Blaze,” Quake called. Blaze’s gaze snapped his way.
“Come reassure your man that this wasn’t on him, yeah? ”
“That was fun,” Rommy said as she stepped up beside me with her brother. I stood with them.
Texas ruffled her hair. “Rom, you’ve got to reevaluate what fun means.”
“Teaching someone not to be a dick is fun, bro.”
Texas shook his head while Maya and I laughed.
“What happened here?” Rommy asked, staring down at the broken wood from the missing table.
“Blaze just pushed it out of the way,” Maya said with awe in her tone. She stood and went to her husband, who curled her into his side with a kiss to the top of her head. He whispered something that had Maya tipping her head back and smiling softly up at him.
My heart ached.
I wanted that, but I couldn’t have it.
Rommy rubbed her hands together. “Man, I’d love to fight Blaze.”
“Don’t even fuckin’ think of askin’,” Texas demanded.
Rommy cackled.
Quake appeared and stopped in front of Rommy and me, his gaze locked on mine. “Are you okay?”
His concern made my belly flutter, but I rolled my eyes and snorted. “I wasn’t even involved.”
My tone was cold.
I hated myself when I saw his subtle flinch.
His jaw clenched and he moved his gaze to Rommy. “Nice moves.”
She grinned. “Thanks. I have many more moves.” She wiggled her brows.
The innuendo was clear. She wanted to show him her moves, and he was better off with her than the likes of me, who couldn’t give him what he deserved or what he wanted: a nice happy family.
My head was too messed up.
He’d have enough of me in the end and leave.
Quake said something else to Rommy who replied, but I didn’t hear anything but the ringing in my ears. My mind jumbled.
She’d be perfect for Quake.
I could see them together with a bunch of kids in a cute home where she’d take care of the garden with him.
They worked.
He should just go for her.
“Eve?” Quake said, and I was sure it wasn’t the first time since everyone was looking at me.
“What?” I snapped.
Fuck. I was a bitch. I hated this. I hated hurting him. But I couldn’t stop myself.
“Uh-oh, someone needs to get to bed,” Rommy sang. She took my hand, and I allowed it, staring down at her soft hand in mine.
I didn’t like affection. I wasn’t used to it, and my skin crawled. Yet, it didn’t do that with Rommy, and it never did when Quake and I were in bed.
I’d hugged my friends a handful of times, and when I did, I wanted out of their embrace as soon as it started. It was never because of them, but me and my stupid head.
Why couldn’t I just accept touch or compliments?
Because you don’t deserve them. No one will put up with you. You’re nothing.
Rommy lifted our joined hands up to wrap her other one around both of ours and tuck them against her shoulder. “Don’t worry, big guy. I’ll make sure she gets to bed and is well rested for a nice and pleasant conversation in the morning.”
No. There wouldn’t be a conversation.
He needed to forget about me.
Even when the thought of not seeing him again was like a gunshot to the chest, leaving me open and broken.
Jesus, I was screwed.