14. Ellie
ELLIE
Aspen: I’ll be there! ready to dance the night away
Boone: That means I’ll be there too
Theo: Umm, hello… parent here can’t just leave my kid unattended
Boone: Bring Frankie over here. My mom offered to baby sit… she’s been having grandbaby fever
Rhodes: A mini-Boone walking around???
Aspen: A mini-Boone would be a handful (;
Logan: Scary…
Logan: But I’ll be there
Me: I’m in!!
Theo: A baby free night? I’m in. I’ll text your mom about it!
The girls perched at the bar, their guys flanking them like loyal guard dogs.
Me? I sat alone—well, mostly. Logan was to my left, leaning against the bar with a casual slouch as we nursed our first drinks of the night.
Conversation buzzed around us, weaving through the thrum of the speakers overhead.
Mac was behind the bar tonight. He’d already made his rounds, stopping to talk as we settled in. Even though he owned the bar now, these were his roots. The group would always bust him about the fact that he was still bartending, but he’d tell us to mind our business, not his.
The man couldn’t slow down.
It felt good to be out, surrounded by the familiar warmth of friends, but my thoughts kept drifting.
After the night with Miles, I’d needed space to decompress. To ask myself hard questions.
Was what I’d experienced a red flag—or just a hiccup?
The next day, Miles had texted. He’d apologized, said he could tell by my body language that I was uncomfortable.
It helped.
A little.
Enough to soothe some of the tension that had knotted in my chest. Enough to make me second-guess the discomfort, to chalk it up to first-date nerves and unfamiliar terrain.
So, I invited him out tonight—to see how he’d fit in with my people.
He’d been excited, eager even, saying he was looking forward to meeting more locals. I imagined it didn’t hurt that a strong reputation would do wonders for his restaurant.
But I hadn’t told anyone he was coming yet.
It was probably time to break the ice.
“So,” I said, smacking my palms lightly against the bar to draw their attention, “any of you meet the new guy in town? The one opening the restaurant where The Coffee Cup used to be?”
A few confused looks passed between my friends. Penny was the only one who nodded.
To my left, Logan lifted his drink, choosing not to comment.
“Can’t say I have,” Boone replied, wrapping his arms around Aspen and resting his chin on the top of her head.
That kicked off a round of heads shaking and quiet nopes.
“Well,” I continued, keeping my voice light, “I invited him to join us tonight. Be nice.”
Why I’d said the last part, I wasn’t sure. Maybe I was more nervous than I realized. Deep down, I knew this group would always give someone a fair shot. Still…
“We’ve been on one date,” I added. “I like him. I figured tonight was a good chance to get to know him more and for you all to meet him.”
My eyes flicked to Mac behind the bar, his gaze locked on Penny.
She returned the look with one of her own—a sharp, silent not right now.
The tension was immediate.
Stillness settled in the air as everyone exchanged subtle glances, something unspoken passing between them.
Then Aspen broke the silence with a soft, reassuring smile. “Of course! We’re happy to meet him.”
Theo’s eyes widened, Rhodes stiffened behind her, his whole posture subtly shifting.
What the hell was happening with my friends?
I looked to Logan for some kind of read, but he just met my gaze and shrugged, then lifted his glass and took a long, silent sip.
Their reactions prickled over my skin like static.
Was I missing something?
Did they know him? Were they hiding something from me?
Before I could ask, Rhodes clapped his hands together and said, “Okay! Who wants a shot?”
Everyone erupted in a chorus of cheers, hoots, and laughter, conversation pivoting like someone flipped a switch.
No one asked a single question. No teasing, no curious follow-ups.
I had expected at least something, especially from the girls. They lived for this kind of gossip. They were usually the first to cheer you on when someone new entered the picture.
But they all just… moved on.
So I did too.
We finished our first round of drinks, the conversation flowing easily. Mac floated between work and chatting with us, and I tried not to glance at the door too often.
But I was waiting.
And waiting.
With each passing minute, my nerves twisted a little tighter.
What if Miles backed out?
What if I’d just announced him to all my friends, and he ditched me?
I stared into my glass, watching the amber liquid slosh as I gently swirled it.
“He’s here,” Mac muttered, announcing his arrival from behind the bar.
Logan and I looked up at the same time.
Miles walked in—shoulders squared, smile on his lips, and completely out of place in a tight-fitting polo and baggy jeans that looked like they belonged to two different decades.
Still, I smiled.
He came.
My stomach flipped with relief and just a little bit of pride. I wasn’t the only one standing alone anymore. I had someone here too, someone to stand with me.
He made his way over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Everyone, this is Miles,” I said, lifting my hand to gesture toward him.
Starting with Rhodes, they offered him quick introductions, each extending a hand, polite and brief.
Then it was Boone’s turn.
Of course, he puffed out his chest, meeting Miles with a grip that was far too intense for a friendly hello.
“Ah,” Miles chuckled. “You must be the brother.”
“I am,” Boone replied, pulling back his hand. “Good to know my sister’s out here talking about me behind my back.” He winked.
“Actually, she hasn’t said much,” Miles replied with a smirk. “I’ve heard about the infamous Boone Cassidy from others around town.”
The tension between them was sharp. Palpable. Like it could be cut with a steak knife.
Mac stood behind the bar, arms crossed, eyes trailing over Miles with a look that could peel paint.
To redirect the energy, I tapped Miles on the shoulder and gestured toward Mac.
“And this is Mac. He owns the bar.”
Miles extended his hand.
For a brief second, Mac just stared at it before slowly taking it.
“One businessman to another,” Miles said smoothly.
“Hm.” Mac hummed, giving the barest nod.
Okay. This was going so well.
“And you know Logan,” I added quickly, jerking my thumb to the side.
Logan gave a lazy wave from his seat. Miles didn’t return it—just offered a slight nod.
Great.
I looked to the girls for help, but they were all just staring, watching the interaction go by. I grabbed my drink, tipped it back, and drained the rest.
Then I thudded the empty glass onto the bar.
“Another one, please,” I said, raising a finger.
With time, the tension faded, and conversation flowed more naturally.
The guys asked Miles about the progress on his restaurant, while the girls peppered him with questions about his life in the city.
He shared that he’d been a chef since he was eighteen, graduating from culinary school shortly after. He’d worked in a string of high-end restaurants, thanks in part to his father, a real estate broker with wealthy friends in all the right places who’d helped open doors for him.
I liked hearing more about him.
He was blending in just enough with my world that I felt okay stepping away for a bit, trusting him to hold his own while I joined the girls on the dance floor.
I leaned back slightly, tilting my head to look up at him.
“I’m going to dance,” I said, offering a smile. “You can take my seat.”
Miles returned a tight-lipped smile and gave a short nod.
Without another word, I slid off my stool and made my way toward the music, following Theo, Aspen, and Penny onto the sticky bar floor.
We formed our usual circle, shoulders brushing as we moved together with the music. We swayed to the beat, laughed, and sang loudly, sharing the space with strangers who blended into the rhythm.
As always, Penny positioned herself with her back to the bar—just so Mac could get a front-row seat to the show. She was especially on tonight, hips moving with intention, her smile coy and knowing.
Behind her, Mac leaned forward on the bar top, chin in his palm, looking like he couldn’t care less about pouring another drink. His entire focus was on her, his grin lazy and full of heat. I chuckled to myself—these two were something else.
I reached for Aspen’s hands, and we spun together, our movements syncing easily. My hips caught the beat, my chest light with laughter as she twirled me around.
I threw my head back, the rush of motion dizzying before I recentered myself.
Warm hands suddenly found my waist. I turned slightly and saw they were Penny’s.
Instinctively, I moved with her, my back to her front, laughing as Theo stepped in to dance with Aspen.
We were paired off, moving in a rhythm that didn’t need words.
Curious, I peeked toward the bar, hoping to catch Miles watching me the way Mac watched Penny—eyes smoldering, attention glued.
But he wasn’t watching.
He was on his phone, the glow from the screen highlighting his face.
Something in me deflated.
I looked away in quiet frustration and my eyes landed on him.
Logan.
He stood against the far wall, a beer bottle resting at his lips. His face was partially shadowed by the brim of his cowboy hat. The way his eyes were on me, still and focused, sent a jolt through my chest.
My stomach twisted with something unfamiliar.
Not nerves or discomfort.
Something warmer. Something that curled low in my belly.
I turned away before I could name it.
If Miles wasn’t going to look at me, fine. I’d make sure he regretted every second of it.
I didn’t want lust. I wanted to feel desired. Wanted. Seen.
Penny spun me again, and I wrapped my arms around her, our laughter echoing as we danced face to face now, lost in the music.
“Are you trying to get his attention?” Penny asked, her voice soft, eyes filled with concern as they flicked to Miles and back.
“He’s not even looking at me,” I muttered through clenched teeth.
“Don’t worry about him,” she said with a shrug and a smile. “Have fun with us. Men are dumb.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Nodding, I broke away and rejoined the group, letting the beat carry me back into the joy I’d felt moments before.
Falling into a sultry rhythm, I raised my hands into the air, swaying my head to the music. I dipped low, squatting down and bouncing to the beat, letting the music pulse through my limbs.
Out of nowhere, a large hand clamped down on my bicep, yanking me upright with a force that stole my breath.
Pain shot through my arm as the grip tightened.
Miles spun me roughly, dragging me against his chest. His eyes were wild, darkened with fury—so much like the look he’d given me the night I pushed him away.
My body went cold.
Panic bloomed in my chest as he dug his fingers deeper into my skin.
For a brief moment, I looked to my right and saw Aspen paused mid-dance, mouth hanging open. Penny’s brown hair was a blur as she headed toward the guys.
“We’re leaving,” he growled, voice low and biting.
He looked at me like I was something to be controlled. Like I belonged to him.
“What?” I managed, breath catching in my throat, stunned by the sharp turn in his demeanor.
“I won’t put up with you dancing like that in a place like this,” he snapped.
My mouth parted, but no words came out. His grip was still locked on my arm. I tried to pull away, but he held firm.
“Don’t make me look like a fool,” he hissed, giving me a slight shake. “You didn’t want me the other night, but you’ll dance like that? For everyone to see?”
Before I could process what was happening, a voice cut through the noise—low, dark, and laced with threat.
“Nope.”
His voice was unfamiliar—a tone I’d never once heard from him before—sharp, dangerous, commanding.
Logan’s hand clamped down on Miles’s shoulder, jerking him back hard enough to force him to let go of me.
“What we’re not going to do is talk to her like that,” Logan said, stepping between us. “And you sure as hell don’t put your hands on a woman—especially not this one.”
Miles laughed—a bitter, mocking sound. His eyes flicked from me to Logan, then back again.
He stepped back, stumbling slightly, and that’s when I noticed it.
The redness in his face wasn’t just anger—it was alcohol. Too much of it.
“I’ll leave,” he muttered, throwing his hands in the air. “But she’s coming with me.”
“No, she’s not,” Logan said firmly, crossing his arms over his chest. His stance widened, grounding himself like he was ready for a fight.
“You’re getting in that truck out there with Rhodes,” he continued, his tone like steel. “He’s driving your drunk ass home. I’m taking her home, and I’m going to make sure she’s safe. Got it?”
“Everyone take a breather,” I interjected. The way Logan commanded the space left no room for negotiation, but Miles wasn’t leaving without resistance.
They ignored me.
As if on cue, Rhodes appeared at Miles’s side, gripping him by the shoulders.
“Get your hands off me,” Miles snapped, shifting his shoulders to break free of Rhodes’s grasp. “I’m a grown man and can walk by my damn self.”
“Then act like it,” Rhodes replied, which earned him a snarl from Miles.
Both men headed toward the door with Miles in front, leading like this was his choice and not like he was being forced against his will.
Logan and I stood still, watching as the door swung closed behind them.
Around us, the bar slowly came back to life. The girls were returning, their eyes flicking to mine, concern etched into every expression.
Shame burned through me, hot and fast.
I could feel the whispers forming already.
Ellie Cassidy, caught in another toxic mess.
I wanted to cry. To collapse and disappear.
Why did I bring him here? My date had turned the night into a spectacle, in front of my friends—my brother.
Logan’s arm slid around my shoulders, firm and steady, pulling me in.
“Come on,” he said softly.
He guided me away from the crowd and out into the cool night air.
I needed the space. I needed to breathe.
But even out there, my chest felt tight. My lungs too small. The air didn’t feel like enough.
I was so damn stupid.