Chapter 6
SIX
brIGID
With Maggie dancing on the table while I was stuck at the bar by myself, I sipped my third drink and watched the show.
I mean, if I couldn’t have a good time, at least I could watch my best friend having a good time.
In some ways, I envied Maggie. She didn’t have to keep up this facade that I had to most of the time.
Every move I made reflected upon my family, and while they weren’t as prominent here in the States, they were very well known all over Ireland.
And the last thing I needed was to embarrass them in the Gaslamp District a semester before my graduation.
Still, that didn’t mean I couldn't steal some glances at the chiseled hottie in the white t-shirt. But when I peeked back over at him, a blonde was sitting next to him with her arm draped around him and her breasts pressed against his chest.
I hated seeing him with someone else.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Maggie said breathlessly.
I whipped around with wide eyes as she signaled to the bartender for another drink.
“I didn’t think you’d ever come down off that table,” I said as I sipped my drink.
She picked up the margarita the bartender made for her. “Thanks. And don’t count me out just yet, Brigid. This is only a pit stop. I imagine I can rake in at least fifty more bucks before we find somewhere else to party.”
I stole another glance at the man in the booth. “Right.”
She nudged me. “I’ve been watching you eyeballing that man in the booth.”
“Funny, I thought you were too busy twerking for loose change.”
She swatted my arm. “Hey. You say that like it’s a bad thing. I’m just a chef out here trying to have some fun before I pull a double-shift tomorrow.”
I giggled. “Sounds like someone else needs to be home at a reasonable time.”
“Don’t you know me?” she asked as she polished off her drink. “I work best under pressure when I have a hangover. It’s my magical serum for success.”
“I’m sure your math classes would agree.”
She glared at me playfully. “Yeah well, don’t make me bring up your English classes.”
I rolled my eyes. “I hate reading, okay? So, what?”
“Uh huh,” she said through her laughter. “Anyway, if that man wants to be with some fake-ass woman who’s clearly wasted beyond recognition, then he’s the kind of guy that doesn’t respect women. You deserve better than that.”
I blinked. “Out of a one-night stand? Does it really matter if I won’t see him after this?”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “It always matters, Brigid. Okay? It’s his loss. Let him fuck up his life. We’ll find you another slice of hot ass that doesn’t look for the easy way out.”
I sighed. “All right, go get your dance on and I’ll be here once you rake in that cheese for us.”
I watched Maggie climb back up onto the table and the bar erupted in a round of applause.
She took a cheeky bow before the thumping bass beat changed, and all of the girls followed suit.
I swiveled back to the bar and slowly nursed my drink, trying to stay sober enough to make sure I could drive us both back to my place to crash.
Because I had a sinking feeling that Maggie would be the one completely wasted.
“Hey there, gorgeous. What brings you here tonight?”
I peeked over my shoulder and saw a man standing behind me.
He slid onto the stool next to me without even asking, and the smell of stale beer and onion rings hovered on the coattails of his breath.
He sort of reminded me of what a crow might look like in human form, with his jet black hair, slender features, and pointed nose.
And as I gazed over his shoulder at the shadowed figure hovering behind him, lights flashed through the window from the street again.
Lighting up the man that had been sitting at the booth.
Where did his blonde go?
But CrowMan cleared his throat and practically turned to face WhiteShirt. “Uh, do you mind?”
The man with the honey brown hair grinned. “Yes, I do. That was my seat you just took.”
“I don’t see your name on it.”
This man isn’t going to ruin my chances. “Actually, I was holding it for him. Just in case he grew the balls to come take it.”
WhiteShirt chuckled, and the sound washed over me like warm ocean waves. “You don’t need to worry about the size of my balls, beautiful.”
And of course, CrowMan tried to step up to the plate. “Well, you don’t need to worry about the size of my dick. It’s more than enough for you for tonight.”
I quirked an eyebrow and tried not to laugh in his face. “Really, now? Care to prove that?”
CrowMan leaned so close that his breath fanned against my skin. “I’ve got a back room open with our name on it.”
I giggled to keep from dry heaving. “And here I thought you were brave enough to whip it out and show me.”
CrowMan shrugged. “I mean, I can if you want me to.”
I wonder if he’s that ballsy. “Go ahead, then. I’m waiting.”
WhiteShirt barked with laughter. “Good luck, my man.”
CrowMan looked back at him with disdain dripping from his voice. “Why don’t you go fuck off somewhere else?”
WhiteShirt shrugged. “Why don’t you whip it out? We’ll have a little contest.”
And I couldn’t help but laugh. “I think I like the sound of that. I mean, if my best friend can get singles thrown at her all night by dancing, I’m sure I can judge a couple of dicks.”
CrowMan reached out to try and take my hand. “Or you can come with me, and I’ll let your imagination run wild while my tongue does all of the work between your legs.”
But I wasn’t letting that man touch me. In fact, I wasn’t letting him get away with anything else. He had been rude, vulgar, and downright intrusive, and had any of my brothers been here, they would’ve already laid this jackass out on his back.
So, I did the honors.
“Fuck off,” I hissed.
Before I thought about what I was doing, I cupped the back of CrowMan’s head and slammed it against the bar, watching him sink to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
Everyone in the bar stopped, turned, and looked at me.
I watched from my perched position on my stool as the man groaned on the floor.
And while I fully expected to be kicked out of the bar—or possibly banned—that wasn’t the reaction I got.
Instead, everyone laughed as the bartender offered me another margarita.
“On the house,” she said with a wink, “because we’ve all been thinking about doing the exact same thing.”
I smiled and snatched up my drink. “Thanks, and you’re welcome.”
There was a bombastic laugh beside me that caught my attention.
As I sipped my margarita through the tiny little red straw, I watched as WhiteShirt slid himself onto the stool that CrowMan attempted to obtain.
The smile that crossed his face ignited his almost-yellow eyes, and I found myself at a loss for words.
There was the softest smell of beer on his breath, but his aftershave—or possibly cologne—smelled heavenly. Like oak trees planted in the sky.
And as my tits puckered against my bar, I thanked my fucking stars I chose a padded bra.
“Impressive,” he said.
The bartender inched in his direction. “Can I getcha another beer?”
He shook his head. “I’m good, but thanks.”
“Holler if ya need anything,” she said.
Then, she walked away with winks tossed at both of us.
“Ah, it’s not that impressive. I watched my brothers do it throughout my childhood,” I said.
WhiteShirt smirked. “How many brothers you got?”
I groaned. “Too many.”
“Well, I have a twin sister, and she would’ve done the same thing.”
I raised my glass. “To your twin sister, who is apparently my soulmate.”
He snickered. “Don’t tell her boyfriend that. He might not like it.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “And judging by the disdain in your voice, I can assume you don’t like him?”
He sighed. “It’s…complicated. And tonight needs to not be so damn complicated.”
I finished the rest of my fourth margarita. “Then, here’s to an uncomplicated night.”
And as I slammed my glass down against the bar, I watched that smile creep back across his face.
A smile that lit up his eyes, ignited his features, and made butterflies take flight in my stomach.