Page 35 of Keeping Laryn
Laryn couldn’t help but smile at that, but she was still worried about the gleam in the waitress’s eye when she’d looked at Tate. “You feel okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, why?”
She was probably being paranoid. There was no way Barb would be so blatant as to drug Tate when he was with his friends, right? She was obviously upset that he’d arrived with Laryn, but that didn’t mean she was stupid enough to put something in his shot. It wouldn’t make sense. How would she take advantage of him when he was with someone?
The more she thought about it, the more Laryn convinced herself that she’d imagined the look she’d seen on the woman’s face.
“On that note, since Casper didn’t bring that refill he went to the bar to get, and because they’re gonna do last call before too long, I think I’m gonna head home,” Chaos said.
“Me too.”
“Same.”
And just like that, the group collectively decided they were done celebrating.
Laryn was all right with that. The small amount of alcohol she’d consumed was making her tired. It had been a long day fullof stress and adrenaline rushes. She was thrilled to have gotten to know the pilots she worked for better, but she was more than ready to go home to her quiet apartment and crash.
“I’ll take care of the tab,” Buck offered as he stood.
“Already did,” Edge said, satisfaction easy to hear in his tone.
“Fuck, man, it was my turn,” Buck told him, frowning.
“Gotta be faster than that, boy,” Edge said with a chuckle. “I paid it when I went to the head earlier.”
“Sneaky son-of-a-bitch,” Pyro grumbled.
It wasn’t long before they were all heading for the door.
Laryn looked around for Barb but didn’t see her anywhere, which she thought was odd, but she was relieved not to have to see the beautiful younger woman again.
Everyone went their separate ways in the parking lot, and Laryn walked with Tate toward his car on the street. His hand was on the small of her back once again, and it was almost scary how used to that she was getting already.
As they reached the car, Barb suddenly appeared out of nowhere, scaring the shit out of Laryn and making her jump. She was kind of surprised Tate hadn’t been startled as well.
“You headed home?” she asked him, not looking at Laryn.
“Yeah.”
“You don’t look good. You okay?”
Laryn glanced at Tate, and she realized Barb was right. His eyes looked a little glazed and he was weaving slightly on his feet.
That fucking bitch! Sheknewit! Barbhadslipped something into the shot she’d given Tate.
“I’m taking him home,” Laryn said firmly, moving closer to his side and putting her arm around his waist. She was relieved when he wrapped his own around her shoulders.
“No. I will. I just got off work,” Barb insisted, putting a hand on Tate’s other arm.
Laryn didn’t want to get into a tug of war with Tate between them, but there was no way in hell she was letting this bitch goanywherewith him. It wasn’t common for women to drug men and assault them, but it wasn’t unheard of either. She supposed Barb would have some story ready for when Tate woke up in her bed. The little schemer might even be pregnant, and of course she would claim it was Tate’s. Which was stupid, because he would definitely insist on a paternity test.
Or maybe Barbwasn’tpregnant…yet. And she was hoping to rape Tate and get knocked up…then she’d have him on the hook for child support, becoming entrenched in his life for at least the next eighteen years.
Not happening on Laryn’s watch.
“Back off, bitch,” she growled, leaning toward Barb in a threatening manner. “He came with me, he’s leaving with me.”
“But you’re…fat!” Barb said almost incredulously.
