Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(62)

Eric is three years older and he’s always been hard on me. While I may be short, Eric is definitely not. I look like my mom, and Eric is the spitting image of my dad. Sandy blonde, perfectly styled hair and toffee colored eyes. He isn't huge like Brett, but he isn't anything to sneeze at either. When we were in high school, he ran off every guy who even looked in my direction. When he went away to college, he left half of the football team behind to look after me. I blame him for the fact that I didn't have a real boyfriend until college. So listening to him question me about my clothes and why I'm here, annoys the crap out of me.

"Get out of my face, dog breath," I say, reverting back to our teenage years. I try to walk past him but he grabs my arm spinning me in a full circle before pushing me up against the wall.

"Let's go, I'm taking you home. I have no idea what you think you are doing here, especially dressed like that, but I can promise you aren't staying."

"Are you kidding me here? Get your hands off me! Guess what, loser! I'm a grown woman, you can't make me do anything. Now, let me go before I knee you in the jewels."

"Alright, up you go." He bends down, planting a shoulder into my stomach and lifting me up onto his shoulder.

"Put me down! I'm wearing a thong and you are flashing everyone my butt," I yell, trying to grab my skirt.

I am going to kill him for this. I swing my legs hoping at least one of them lands a kick to the stomach. I must have accomplished my goal because I hear him grunt, then feel hands around my waist lifting me to my feet. Instead of being released though, I'm crushed into a man’s chest. I struggle to free my head enough to look up and see who's holding me so tightly, when Caleb's irate eyes meet mine.

"It's alright baby girl, I've got you," he tries to comfort me, then whispers again to himself, "I've got you."

"Jones, cuffs." I hear Brett yell from behind me.

I turn confused to see my brother lying face down on the ground. Brett has one knee in his back, and both of Eric's arms pulled behind him. For the first time in my life, I hear my brother cussing. And not just your average run of the mill bad words, he is saying things that would give Brett's mouth a run for its money. Caleb releases me only long enough to flash his badge to the police officer and bouncer rushing over to us. The officer pulls out his cuffs and tosses them to Caleb, who pulls me back into his body tucking my head into his chest. I hear the click of metal and Brett reading Eric his rights.

"Caleb, let me go."

"Shhh...you're okay. Brett's coming," he responds so lovingly it almost makes me melt. See, now this is how a big brother should act.

I feel Brett's hand touch the back of my shoulders just before I hear him ask, “Is she okay?" I don't even have a chance to answer before I feel him reach under my legs and pick me up.

I have no idea what it is about men thinking that just because I'm small, they always need pick me up. My legs work just fine. I don't need to be carried around like a toddler everywhere I go.

"Put me down!" I finally find my voice.

"I've got you, gorgeous."

"I'm well aware you have me, honey. The only problem is you also have my big brother cuffed and laying on the floor." He stops moving and looks back at my brother, now sitting up and talking to the uniformed officer.

I prepare to explain this whole mishap to him when he turns back to look at me, "You're not bailing him out, so get that look off your face."

"What do you mean, I'm not bailing him out? Of course I'm not..." I can't even finish my thought before he interrupts me.

"Good. That * is sleeping in a cell tonight."

"No, he isn't. I'm not bailing him out because you aren't taking him to jail."

"Well not personally I'm not, but he is definitely going."

"No, he isn't!" I scream at how ludicrous the entire situation has become.

My mind is spinning. Everything has happened so fast. Thirty seconds ago I was having a little worse than normal argument with my brother, now I'm arguing with Brett about whether or not Eric is going to jail. My mind can't keep up.

"Gorgeous, I saw him put his hands on you. He's lucky he still has both arms connected to his body. If there weren't a hundred witnesses, I would have laid him out and I'm not just talking about restraining him on the ground. So I'll repeat, that * is sleeping in a cell." He leans in close and it ticks me off.

"Have you lost your mind? That's my brother!" I poke his chest. Nothing proves you are seriously mad like poking someone in the chest.

"And?"

"Oh my God, you really have lost it!" I scream, walking over to Eric sitting on the floor.

I turn in a circle trying to locate Caleb. Hopefully he is a little more rational about this crazy mess. I give up and shout his name to find him in the crowd that has now surrounded us.

"Over here, baby girl." I hear him yell from behind me while talking to the bouncer.

"You know these jerk-offs?" I hear Eric ask, but ignore his stupid question and return my attention to Caleb. The sooner I can get him to un-cuff Eric the sooner we can put this all behind us.

"Un-cuff him. That's my brother."

His eyes go wide as he looks over at Brett, who is standing where I left him with his hands on his hips. He is clearly not pleased with this turn of events.