Page 22 of Storm Warning
She rolls her eyes. “No, it’s not my birthday. Not that it’s any ofyourbusiness.”
Man she’s fiery, but I can take it. I like a good challenge anyways. Something tells me her attitude is afront—armor she wears so people can’t get close. “Well, it just so happens we’re out celebratin’ too.”
Scrunching her eyebrows together, curiosity resides on her face. “Is that so? What is it this time? Didn’t get a random girl pregnant? No sexually transmitted diseases this month? Or wait, is it your birthday?” Her voice raises an octave as she circles back around to what I said like it’s a joke.
Her flame is undeniable. She bites before she can be bitten, and I find it equal parts irritating and attractive.
“Wouldn’t ya like to know.” I make sure to lay on the arrogance with every word, ending with a smirk I know will set her off.
“Not sure why the constant shit-eating grin, Casanova, but I’m going to happily leave you here while I go save my friend from yours. I can’t imagine anyone who takes company with the likes ofyouis worth her time anyways.”
Well that didn’t go as planned.
My smile disappears. I’m not one to dislike people, but this girl seems like she doesn’t like anyone at all. Somehow, that makes her all the more intriguing. Makes me want to get under her skin just to see her sweat. Partly because it’s fun as hell to rile her up, but also because a part of me, the stubborn, competitive part of me, wants to be the one who finally cracks through those icy walls of hers.
I follow her lead, noting to myself that even a bad attitude can’t mask a great ass.
13
KAYLEE - JUNE 25, 2004
This city is big.I hear it all the time. And yet it feels like every time I go out I run into Rhett. From my own damn shop to this very bar I stand in, I can’t seem to rid myself of the charismatic idiot. Sure, he’s nice to look at, but I’d be happy to stop bumping into him at any time.
I barely reach Daisy, and he’s already at our side. His interest wanders to his drink while my interest remains focused on finding a way to help Daisy get what she wants—Sawyer—while simultaneously getting the hell away from Rhett.
Witty comments aren’t coming to me as fast as I’d until my eyes fall onto his drink. A Bushwacker? Really? Seeing a man with a drink that resembles a chocolate milkshake feels so out of place here. Mostly because they always like to put on some macho show and drink something straight. Get trashed fast and keep a very specific image. Well, If I can’t get rid of him, at least I can poke a little fun.
He meets our side, his voice humming to life to surely hit me with some stupid remark first, but in an instant he lurches forward.
Shock consumes me as I watch Rhett’s drink splatter all over Daisy’s white silk top while she chats with Sawyer. Of course, the idiot would be holding probably the worst item on the menu when it comes to spills and silk, which means my best friend is now face to face with her crush, covered in chocolate.
Daisy’s eyes well up, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks as she quickly excuses herself. Oh my God, I feel terrible. Whirling to both of the guys, I peg Rhett with a harsh stare before turning to follow after my best friend. I don’t even make it a full step before Sawyer races after her. Part of me feels like I should still go and make sure she’s okay, but from the look of determination on his face, the other part thinks maybe she’d prefer his gesture instead. I hesitate, taking another step closer to the direction she went until a firm hand on my shoulder stops me.
Swinging back around, I meet Rhett’s gaze, shooting him a telling look. He lets go of me just as fast. “He did not just follow her to the bathroom…” We both look equally confused until a drunken smirk covers the ass hat’s lips. “What?”
“I hope he licks it off her.” I’m stunned by his comment. “Ya know, after the clean bill of health we got this mornin’, might as well start right away riskin’ next month’s check up.”
Did he seriously just say that? What a fucking asshole. I shove him, which feels like growth for me. Had another man said something so revolting, he probably would have ended up drenched in a drink as well. “That’s disgusting. Don’t you have respect for anyone?”
“Listen, Angel…”
Avoidance of my question means the answer isno.
“Don’t call me that,” I hiss.
He ignores me and continues, “Sawyer’s shy, but he likes her a lot and the last thing he does is take risks like that.” Hisexpression shifts from serious, back to his usual self-assured way. “But women love it.”
This man is delusional. Hot, but delusional. “Not a single woman I know would appreciate being licked by a stranger.”
“Ah, then ya clearly don’t know many.” He wiggles his brow, and it takes everything in me not to punch him square in the jaw. He leans in, the warmth of his breath on my neck. My body begins to tense, an unnerving weight hanging between us as he whispers, “Live a little, life ain’t all that serious.”
I’m pissed for a multitude of reasons but all I can think of is how obnoxiously cocky he is and how irritating it is that good looks got wasted on someone like him. Seething, I put distance between us. “I doubt you know much about anything besides venereal diseases and cow shit.”
He laughs, following me toward the bar where we take a seat. I can’t help but appreciate his ability to take my verbal abuse. I still don’t like him, but, at the very least, I can stand another few minutes around him if I have to.
“So, ya think they’re goin’ to come back or run off?”
“She’s obviously going to come ba—” Just then my phone buzzes, and sure enough, my text reads the opposite of what I predicted. Disappointment hits me a bit harder than I expected. Now I’ll have to call it a night instead of celebrating the way I thought we would. I snap my cell shut and then our eyes meet. “Guess I’m wrong.”
