What Doesn't Destroy Us (The Devil's Dust #1)(49)

“Yeah, sorry,” I respond, snapping from my embarrassing gawking episode. I reach down into the cooler and bring out two beers. She rolls her eyes as she snatches them and walks off. I can’t help but watch her walk away; her black leather pants are skin tight, showing off everything her mother gave her. I watch those swaying hips walk right toward Shadow and his circle of babes.

“That’s Chelsea; she’s a hang-around. She’s been trying to become Shadow's Ol' Lady since she laid eyes on him,” Bobby, now behind me, whispers in my ear.

“And Shadow?” I ask, curious about what Shadow thought of this Chelsea.

“Shadow doesn’t do relationships. That’s what he tells her, anyway. He has f*cked her a couple of times but sent her packing when he was done. She’s trouble, he says. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” He holds a small glass of clear liquid in front of my face, “here, have a shot with me.”

I watch Shadow's face light up when Chelsea hands him a beer; instantly the other girls leave. Are they scared of her? Am I going to have to stake claim of Shadow like I did with Candy?

“Put this salt on your wrist and lick it. Shoot the shot and then bite this lime.” Bobby pushes the glass into my hand, snapping my gaze. He turns my other wrist and shakes salt on it. “Lick it.”

I dart my tongue out and lick up the grainy salt. He lifts my hand with the tequila, and I shoot it back. I wince visibly, making Bobby chuckle.

“Hurry, bite this. It helps,” he says, handing me a lime wedge.

I bite it and feel the sour tingle overcome the burn of the alcohol. My body instantly feels warm.

“I have never done that before. It was awesome!” I yell at him, making him double over in laughter.

I glance over at where Shadow and Chelsea stand and see her lean in and kiss him on the lips. Those are my lips, bitch!

She turns and nestles herself right in front of his body, her back to his chest, claiming him in front of everyone. I literally feel my heart beating through my chest. My fists clench, making my nails cut into my palm. Shadow puts his hands on her hips, not even fighting her off. That just hurts. My eyes sting from the sight happening before me. Chelsea turns and runs her hand down his chest and over his groin. What the f*ck?

I start to exit the bar, ready for a throw down, but Bobby grabs my arm and leans into my ear. His frame, large like a football player, overshadows mine.

“Breathe, Dani. If he pushes her away, it’s going to raise a lot of f*cking questions. If you go over there and make a scene, it’s going to raise even more questions. Come drink with me, and breathe.” His words make sense but the effects of my heart shattering still run cold, making the hurt vibrate through my limbs.

“Come on, I'm not that bad to be around, am I?” he teases.

I smile and grab three empty shot glasses, slamming them on the bar with a thud.

“Hit me!” I yell at Bobby.

“That’s my Firefly!” he yells back proudly.

He grabs a bottle of tequila and fills all three shot glasses to the top. I shake some salt on my wrist, feeling the small crystals coat my skin. I lick my wrist and shoot back the first shot, then the second shot, and finally the third; the burn still not easing any. As I slam the third glass down on the bar, Bobby hands me a lime wedge and I bite it hard. My body temperature is rising rapidly and I start pulling on my shirt.

“It just got really hot in here!” I yell at Bobby.

“Keep your shirt on. Your dad will beat your ass if you flash all these bikers!” He tosses back three shots as well.

I look over at Shadow and see Chelsea whispering into his ear. His face is masked with an unfamiliar look.

“Hey, can I get a shot of Jack!” a voice yells at me from over the bar. I grab a clean shot glass, fill it and hand it over to an older lady.

“Try this; it’s called a lemon drop.” Bobby hands me another shot glass. “Chicks dig it,” he says as I down it without question. It is delicious and comes with less kick than the straight tequila.

“That is so yummy!” I say dramatically, rolling back my eyes and feeling slaphappy. The liquor is clearly taking over.

“We should dance. I could totally dance right now,” I say, grabbing on Bobby’s arm.

“Eh, how often do you drink?” Bobby yells in my direction, trying to be heard over the loud music of Buckcherry.

“Never. Well, I mean I have had wine here and there, and a shot with my dad the other day,” I explain, slurring my words. Bobby's face goes a little pale.

“I’m cutting you off,” he yells at me, putting up the tequila bottle.

“What? Why?” I yell in protest. I was just starting to have fun.

I grab Bobby's arm and drag him out on to the dance floor. If Shadow can be a slut, why can’t I?

Bobby hesitates and tries to pull out of my grip as I drag him to the few dancing bodies in the center of the room. I start moving my hips in front of his, lowering my body as the song “Crazy Bitch” by Buckcherry takes over.

“You're gonna get me killed, Firefly,” he whispers in my ear as he grabs my hips and pulls me close.

“It’s fine. My dad went in the back a little while ago with some girls,” I assure him.

“It’s not your dad I'm talking about.”

I try to look back over at Shadow and... what was her name again? All I see is a swarm of people; fuzzy people, I might add. Suddenly, my stomach feels queasy and the room starts shifting.