Chapter Twenty-One
Matt
Coming off two recent losses, this win felt fucking good. Colorado College was absolutely not expecting us to make the comeback after being down by two at the start of the third period. But we fought hard, and with an extra push towards the end, we managed to catch up and take it all.
We only had two games left of the semester, so we were hoping to keep this momentum going.
Hot off a win, TJ and Cody insisted on celebrating at Saddle Up.
It finally opened two weeks ago, and it would be our first time there.
We had no idea what was in store. The only thing we knew was that the bar was western themed.
So, of course, TJ and Cody appeared from down the hall wearing flannels, jeans, and cowboy boots.
No one bothered saying a word about it, not surprised in the slightest at their choice of attire.
Once El met us at the hockey house, we all split two Ubers, heading downtown to hopefully not be disappointed by whatever we were about to walk into.
A wooden sign hung out front, yellow neon letters lit with Saddle Up. A line poured out the door and down the block, earning sighs and groans from the guys.
None of us were very patient. Ever.
Country music drifted past the bouncers and into the night, and the second TJ got a whisper of it, he was square dancing in the middle of the damn sidewalk.
I wanted to smack the stupid smirk off his face.
“TJ,” Jett spoke sternly, “you can’t wait until we get inside?”
“Nope.”
“You’re embarrassing us,” Cody groaned.
TJ huffed. “You guys are supposed to accept me as I am!”
The guys shot off responses so fast that their voices mixed together, making it hard to tell who said what.
“No.”
“Not when you’re like this.”
“I’m gonna pretend I’m not with you.”
But I was less interested in giving TJ shit and more interested in El shivering beside me.
It was the beginning of December, and this girl had decided the theme was too important to ditch it for warmth.
Wearing a small denim top with a black skirt and white cowgirl boots, she rubbed her own arms, bouncing up and down to preserve heat.
Since I was typically hot like a furnace, my black long sleeve was already rolled up to my elbows. Paired with jeans and white sneakers, I unfortunately didn’t have any extra clothing to offer her this time.
“Cold?” I acknowledged.
She nodded, and I swore I could hear her teeth chattering as she did.
Rising on the balls of my feet, I thought I saw a familiar face at the front. Reaching over so my hand was hovering against the small of her back, I said, “I’ll be right back.”
I got a mixture of dirty glares and eyes of admiration as I neared the front, wandering past dozens of people and ignoring them all.
“Boomer,” I smiled, catching the attention of the bouncer that luckily, I was well-acquainted with.
Jesse Boomer was one of the most well-known bouncers in Cedar. Ironically, we met years ago when he broke up a fight I was in at BiblioBar. My hockey status saved my ass though, and he ended up only kicking the other guy out. Afterwards, we got to talking, and we’d been friends ever since.
At first glance, Boomer looked like he would’ve been a hockey player or a football player, built like he was made for aggression. Shoulders nearly as broad as mine, he straightened at the sound of his name, flashing me a mischievous smile. Boomer and I stood face to face, mirrored in height.
“Matt Gallagher,” he said, drawing me in for a handshake so firm that it probably would’ve broken someone else’s hand. “How ya been?”
“I’m good,” I nodded. “You’re working here now?”
“I am. They were offering a higher pay than BiblioBar, so I took it.”
“Ah, nice,” I said. “You like it so far?”
“Yeah,” he glanced past me, making sure no funny business was occurring.
I could hear faint groans behind me, as if people thought I was holding up the line, but it had hardly moved since we’d arrived.
If I had to guess, it was already so packed inside that they were slowing down entry on purpose.
“It’s busy as hell every weekend but pretty good so far.
Nothing too crazy has gone on yet.” Brow raising, Boomer tipped his head at me.
“But since you’re here tonight, I’ll be expecting the worst.”
“C’mon now,” I teased. “You know I never cause trouble.”
Boomer gave a light tsk with his tongue. “Ah, that’s right. You don’t start the fights. Just end ‘em.”
“Precisely,” I replied with a sly grin, shoving my hands into my jean pockets. “But hey, ah, can I ask for a favor?”
Toying with his walkie talkie, he said, “What’s up, man?”
“The guys are all down there in line; I’m not really worried about them though,” I waved a hand through the air. “My girl friend though is freezing her ass off. Would you possibly be able to let her in?”
“Girlfriend?” his brows shot up. “You’ve got a new girlfriend?”
I shook my head rapidly. I should’ve clarified off the bat. “No, no, no. Not my girlfriend. Friend that’s a girl. Her name’s Eleanor.”
His face lit up with delight, a teasing smirk rising on the corners of his mouth. “Is this the one you’re in love with?”
Does everybody and their fucking mothers know? Jesus.
I usually always stood my ground, but a wave of embarrassment surged over me, and I could only hope a noticeable flash of red didn’t flood my cheeks.
Unfortunately, I felt the heat though.
Breaking eye contact, I fought a flustered grin.
“Alright, alright,” Boomer said. He leaned close. “I’ll get my ass whooped if I let all you guys cut the line, but you and her can go in. Just do it fast.”
“Got it. Thanks, man.”
Rushing back to El, I lightly grabbed her frail wrist, afraid that she’d break from my rough touch.
“Where are we going?”
“Inside,” I replied. The guys all turned their heads, disdain dripping as they practically snarled at me, knowing full-well what was going on.
“I’m getting her in because she’s freezing.
We’ll see you guys in there.” El’s boots clicked against the sidewalk, trying to keep up with me as I pulled her along with my pace.
As Boomer saw us near, he opened the rope to allow us through. I owed him one for this.
“Thanks, Boomer,” I gave a nod of graciousness.
“Have fun!” he shouted as we hurried past. “But hey, Gallagher,” he let out, causing me to turn over my shoulder. Finger pointed at me, Boomer’s brow raised. “Not too much fun.”
It was a playful threat, but I could hear the conviction in his voice. He may as well had outright said, Don’t start some shit that I’m going to have to intervene. Like most people in my life, he thought I was a liability.
I couldn’t necessarily say all those people were wrong.
All I did was give him a firm nod, indicating that I understood. I wouldn’t start some shit tonight. Not for no reason, at least.
As expected, the bar was packed, and the venue was much larger than I’d thought it would be.
The western theme stood strong. Everything was made up of varnished wood and fake bull skulls littered the walls. Cacti, that I could only assume were fake to avoid any drunk accidents, were placed in some corners. The place looked like it was straight out of a wild west movie.
In the center stood a ring, home to a mechanical bull. TJ was going to have a fucking field day with that.
Spectators surrounded the ring, cheering and clapping for the girl that was riding the bull like she was riding something else.
A bar sat to the left, so long that it was nearly wall to wall, and of course, there wasn’t a sliver of waiting room for a drink.
Over everyone’s heads, I could spot a dance floor, and I gave the lightest shiver. El was too short to see it from here, but I was sure she’d sniff it out.
“This place is cool!” El squealed, glittering eyes zooming around like she didn’t know where to look.
“Let’s get a drink,” I said, catching a group of people scattering from the bar, leaving a small space for us to fill.
Standing beside El as we waited for a bartender, my eyes fell to her legs, and it only took a small step backwards for me to catch a sight I’d been longing to see my whole life.
The problem?
I wasn’t the only one right now with the privilege of seeing the bottom of her ass falling out of her skirt.
My mouth dropped close to her ear. “Pull your skirt down.”
Straightened hair that I wanted to run my fingers through flew over her shoulder as she turned to me. “Why?”
“Because your ass is falling out and your father would kill me if he knew I did nothing about it. Now pull your skirt down.”
Her eyes flared with rebellion, and for someone who’d been considered a “good girl” her whole life, she sure as hell was choosing the wrong moment for disobedience.
Grabbing the top of her skirt, I was about to blow out a sigh of relief before she hiked the skirt upwards, causing me to groan instead.
I shook my head in disbelief. “Eleanor Abigail, I swear to God.” Twisting, I stepped behind her, blocking her backside. I wasn’t sure what gave me the courage to rest both hands on the bar top and jail her in, but I did it.
“Matt,” she sighed.
I knew she was trying to ridicule me, but something about the breathy note in her voice and her ass being so damn close to my dick gave the opposite effect.
“Pull your skirt down, and I’ll move.” Even though I don’t want to.
Pushing my buttons, she spoke loudly over her shoulder. “You’re not my father, Matt. What if I want my ass out?”
A guttural growl nearly rippled from my throat like a rabid animal. I knew she was just fucking with me, but the thought was still enough to disrupt my breathing. “You heard Boomer. I’m not allowed to fight tonight.”
“And my ass out would force you to get into a fight?”
“Yes,” I retorted. “It’s my job to protect you, El. And your ass out for everyone to see is bound to make my life a living hell tonight. Coach won’t be very happy with me if I wind up back in jail.”