Collide (Collide, #1)(15)

Dillon pulled Emily close to him, anchoring her body in front of his. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “I’ve been distracted by my lady here. I can’t seem to think of anything else.”

Emily smiled and noticed a beautifully groomed blonde approach Gavin. She snaked her arm around his waist and planted a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “I thought it was you, Mr. Blake,” she said, ordering a drink and letting the bartender know to put it on his tab. “Where have you been hiding lately?” Her words slurred as she clung tighter to Gavin, trying to keep her balance.

“Obviously not far enough,” Trevor mumbled under his breath. The woman didn’t hear his remark, but didn’t need to. His expression told all.

Dillon’s eyes narrowed on the blonde.

Gavin knew who she was and tried to play it cool. His smile was relaxed as he curled his arm around her waist, trying to hold her steady. “I’ve been away on business. How’ve you been?”

“Oh, I’ve been doing great. Thanks for asking,” she replied, shifting her weight closer to Gavin. “Who do we have here?” she asked, glancing in Emily’s direction. “I don’t think we’ve met before. You’re so cute. Are you one of Gavin’s newest playmates?”

Emily’s mouth dropped open, but she said nothing, not wanting to severely insult the woman. She thought the comment was ridiculous, considering Dillon had his arms around her.

Gavin smirked, gazing in Emily’s direction. “No, she’s Dillon’s girlfriend. I’m trying my hardest to make a play for a girl named Molly, but unfortunately, she’s already taken.”

Emily nervously bit her lip and looked away.

The pleasant expression left the woman’s face as she shot Dillon a hard look. “Oh, really? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, Dillon.”

Gavin stood up and effectively caught the blonde by her arm. “Come on, sweets. We have a lot to catch up on. Take a walk with me.” He started leading her out of the club, and Emily watched the way the woman stared back at her while she tried to release herself from Gavin’s hold.

“Who the heck was that?” Emily asked, turning to face Dillon.

“No one,” he replied, giving Emily a wide-eyed smile. He dragged a hand through his hair. “Just some girl he went to college with.”

“One of his ex-girlfriends?” Emily probed.

Trevor looked to Dillon but didn’t say a word.

“Yeah, just some girl he used to screw around with,” Dillon replied after ordering a few shots. “Come on, let’s get hammered, babe.”

Gavin made his way through the crowd of sweaty bodies. Walking the woman out of the club, he cornered her against a wall, propping his hand against it. Looking down to her, his expression tightened. “What are you doing, Monica?”

Lifting her chin in defiance, her hazel eyes glassed over. “What do you mean, Gavin?” She pushed her hands through her hair. “He thinks he can just f*ck me like that and then go off and start f*cking someone else so quickly?”

Letting out a sigh, a muscle tensed in his jaw. “You and Dillon were exactly that and nothing more. Fuck buddies, Monica. Get over it.”

Her gaze narrowed on him. “No, Gavin. If that’s what I was looking for, then I would’ve just f*cked you,” she huskily replied, trailing her finger across his chest. “Want to take me home tonight? I could add another notch in your bedpost.”

“Not a chance and you know it,” he quickly noted, grabbing her by the wrist. “The two of you have been over for a while. Now stop the bullshit.”

“What a joke! We never stopped!” she snapped. “I was just f*cking around with him upstairs.”

Dipping his head, Gavin forced her to stare into his eyes. “Upstairs, huh?”

“Yeah, maybe I should tell the goody two-shoes he’s here with,” she replied, trying to push her way past him.

“Don’t even think about it, Monica,” he growled. “So help me if I find out you get within five feet of her.”

Widening her eyes, her voice rose as a curious grin stretched across her mouth. “What? Do you have a thing for her?” She paused for a moment and continued when he didn’t answer. “You do, don’t you? Some friend you are, Gavin Blake,” she laughed, tossing her hands through her hair again. “All of you guys—every one of you in your rich little group—are a bunch of f*cked-up *s! I’m just sorry our parents are friends!”

Gritting his teeth, Gavin stared down to her for a second. He then signaled for the bouncer. “Here’s a hundred bucks. Call her a cab and get her out of here now.”

“No problem, Mr. Blake.” He reached for the money and Monica. She struggled against the beefy man, causing a further spectacle as she called Gavin every name in the book.

Finally, she was put into a New York City cab and sent on her way.

Letting out a weighted breath, Gavin turned and headed into the club. He would have to do some damage control in the morning, considering Monica Lemay was indeed the daughter of one of his father’s closest friends. Making his way back to the bar, Gavin wondered how true her statement was. He didn’t put it past Dillon. Dillon was known for it, God knew he was. On the other hand, he didn’t dismiss Monica lying to try and make her way back to Dillon. This wouldn’t be the first time she made a desperate move to get back together with him.