Saxon(13)

Okay, so I totally am.

The twins go out to stare at my borrowed car so I help myself to a bottle of tequila and a shot glass. I manage two shots before they walk back in.

“That’s a f*cking sexy car,” one of them says from behind me.

I turn to look at them and smile. Ryan spots the bottle and sighs, taking it from me and putting it back behind the bar.

“Rock, paper, scissors,” he calls out to Reid.

“For what?” I ask, confused.

“For whoever has to deal with you tonight,” Ryan replies.

They play their game, and Reid wins, smirking. He waves at us then walks right out of the bar.

“Is he coming back?” I ask after a few seconds, staring at the door where he exited.

“Nope. Lucky bastard,” he replies but looks amused while he says it.

“I’m not that bad. Where’s Tag? I know he loves me,” I say, lifting the beer to my lips and taking a sip.

“Tag loves you alright,” he says, laughing. “He just stares at your boobs all night.”

I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “So? I stare at his ass all night so we’re even.”

“Like I needed to know that,” Ryan replies in a dry tone.

“How’s Taiya?” I ask him, referring to his stunning wife. A woman of mixed heritage like me, the two of us get on like white on rice.

“She’s good. And no you can’t take her out with you again.”

I pout. “Hey it’s not my fault she can’t handle her liquor.”

“You made her enter a beer funnelling competition with you!” he says, giving me a wide-eyed look.

I sigh heavily. “You do something once and people bring it up for the rest of your life. You should be glad it wasn’t the wet t-shirt competition that we entered. I wanted to do that one too.”

He scrubs a hand down his face and gives me a ‘what the hell am I going to do with you’ look.

“How are you a lawyer?” he asks, shaking his head in exasperation.

“How did you ever get a woman as good as Taiya?” I counter. I know it doesn’t have anything to do with anything, but it was all I could think of.

“I’m good looking,” he points out.

“Yeah, well so am I,” I reply.

We both start laughing.

And that’s why I love this bar.

*****

I’m onto my third beer and fifth tequila shot when a guy I’d seen checking me out decides to make his move. He sits down next to me and tries to get my attention. Tag, who arrived for his shift over an hour ago, grins wolfishly as he sees the man leaning towards me.

“Hello beautiful,” the stranger says in a low voice.

I turn to him with a coy smile on my lips. “Hello.”

“Can I buy you a drink?” he asks, grinning like he’s going to get lucky tonight.

As if I’m that easy.

Or interested.

He’s attractive enough, he’s just not what I’m looking for.

Or who.

“Thanks but I think I’m set,” I reply, lifting my bottle in the air.

“May I ask where you’re from?” he says, and he moves closer to me.

I always get asked this, and I always answer the same.

“Australia,” I reply, raising an eyebrow.

“Well yes,” he says. “But where are you from originally?”

“Australia,” I say once more. “Born and bred.”

“Oh,” he replies.

I smile and put him out of his misery. “My mother is Sri Lankan.”

He nods his head like he knows exactly where that is.

“Want to dance?” he asks, staring at my chest. You’d think he would at least try to be subtle about it—but no.

“No thanks. My boyfriend over there,” I say, tilting my head towards Tag, “is insanely jealous. So I don’t think that would be a good idea. But I’m flattered.”

He stares at Tag, probably taking in his muscular body—shown off in a tight white t-shirt and jeans, his bald head, and narrowed gaze.

“Lucky man,” he says after a while. Awww. That’s sweet.

“I sure think so,” I reply, sliding off my stool and stumbling slightly.

Tag quickly walks around the bar, telling some chick working there to man the fort as he takes me by my elbow. He looks down at me with an amused look on his face. “You’re a heartbreaker, you know that right?”

“I am not,” I reply, as his arm goes around my waist. “I’m not that drunk you know.”

“I’ll quickly drive you home and get your car dropped off later tonight,” he says, ignoring my comment.

Luckily I live close by.

“Okay but don’t tell anyone you drove the beast. Ryder would kick my ass,” I say, slurring my words a little.

Tag laughs. “Looks like the tequila is finally hitting you.”

I shake my head. “No it isn’t.”

“So, are you dating someone?” he asks.

“No, why?” I ask as he opens his car door and helps me in.

“Because that’s not what I heard,” he replies, smirking at me before closing the door.

I have to wait for him to slide into the driver’s seat before I can question him.