Turning, Z was standing behind me. “Go away,” I barked at him.

“Come on, cuz. What’s the deal? Why you drinking all by yourself?”

“Get. Lost,” I bit off, turning around to do another shot. I motioned to Ace, handing him a fifty. “Keep ‘em coming.”

Z pushed his way in next to me, and shit if that didn’t piss me off. “Come on, Vann. You’ve had enough.”

“I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” Bringing the glass to my lips, the cool liquid burned on its way down my throat. Every shot made Deke disappear just a little bit more.

“What happened with you and Deke?”

“Nothing,” I growled, taking another shot.

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

Turning, I glared at him. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Whoa … pull it in, tiger.” Z’s hands went up as if in surrender, and I wanted to punch him, too, just for being a man. Turning back to the bar, I waved at Ace, who poured me another shot, which I quickly downed. The ‘forget about Deke juice’ was losing its flair. I needed more.

“What the hell happened to you?” Kinsley yelled at my side, making me cringe.

“Nothing.”

“To hell with nothing. What. Did. You. Do?” Kinsley bit out as if she was mad. She had no right.

“I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to do.”

“Did you screw him in the office?” I ignored Kinsley, motioning to Ace again. Kinsley would know. Nothing got past her, but fuck it, I didn’t have to justify anything to anyone. If I wanted to fuck Deke on top of his desk, I’d do it. And fuck if Z had a problem with it.

“It’s about time,” Z’s voice boomed.

My head whipped around, catching him a bit off guard. “About time for what?”

“For you two to hook up.”

“Yeah … I’m so happy that it happened.” The sarcasm spewed from me while I rolled my eyes.

“Was he that shitty?” Damn Kinsley always cutting to the chase.

Staring at her, I said, “No. It was actually great until he opened his mouth at the end. Now. I’m done with him.”

“You are not done with me,” Deke said from behind me.

Blowing out a deep breath, I faced him head on. “I’m so done with you. I don’t want to see you again. You’re a pompous ass.”

“You want it.”

“I don’t want anything from you.” We stood there toe-to-toe, and I was not backing down.

“Not what you said a few minutes ago.” I wanted to slap that smug look right off his face.

“Maybe we should get out of here.” Kinsley’s arm rested on my shoulder. I didn’t move despite knowing that she was right, but my feet not allowing my body to move.

“So you are thinking about the deal.” Deke smirked.

“Hell no I’m not.”

“Okay, I think the show’s over.” Kinsley squeezed my shoulder. “Let’s get you home.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I came here for fun and I’m damn well gonna have it. Ace! I need another.” Turning my back to Deke, I sat back at the bar staring as Ace poured yet another.

“How many have you had?”

“Kins, don’t worry about it.”

“Vann, your slurring your words.”

“I am not.” I did notice a slight slur but it wasn’t enough for me to forget.

“Yeah. I think you should call it a night.”

“Kins. I’m not leaving yet.” Slamming back another drink, I completely ignored Deke. I scanned the crowd looking for the hottest guy I could find. Over in the corner stood a very handsome man, broad shoulders, muscles protruding underneath the tight navy Henley shirt he had on. The hint of a tattoo coming out of his sleeve made him even hotter.

His face was nice with a slight scruff across his chin. His baseball hat turned backwards hid his hair, but I thought I could see a hint of brown poking out. As he made eye contact with me showing interest, I smiled at him.

“I’ve got somewhere to be.” I said getting up out of the chair.

“Where are you going?” Deke’s voice boomed.

“None of your damn business.” Fuck him, like I had to explain myself to him.

“My dick in you less than ten minutes ago says it’s my business.” I felt his anger coming off of him in waves, but dismissed it.

“I’m sure your dick will find a new home very soon.” I smiled sweetly.

“Wait” Kinsley’s concern made me stop and turn to her.

“What Kins?”

“Where are you going?” Her question coming off a bit guarded.

“See that hunk of a man over there?” Pointing the direction of the man across the bar.

“Yeah.”

“I’m going to him.” I smiled.

“You really think that’s a good idea?”

Where the hell did the real Kinsley go? Normally she would be all for this. “Yep, better than the one I had a while ago.”

Grabbing my arm, Kinsley’s words were almost a plea. “Please don’t. You’ve had a lot to drink. It won’t end well.”

“It’ll be fine. I’m a big girl. Just ask Deke.” I pointed to Deke and strode away from them all. I needed some air.

10

Deke

What the hell was she playing? Watching her walk over to Marc, I wanted to punch him already, and she hadn’t even made it to him yet. Vann was mine; she’d been mine from the beginning. I’d be damned if she even tried to get with anyone else.

She got away from me once, and I let her go. I had to. It was too much dealing with my parents, Jaxson, and Vann at the same time. I figured if Vann wanted to leave with her mom, then fine. I’d forget she even existed. But deep in my soul, it had always been her and would forever be her.

I wished she didn’t have this hold on me. I wished I could have let it go by now, but seeing her, being with her again, made every single feeling I’d ever had for her rush back. Even if I could never give her everything she needed, I needed her.

“Wait!” Kinsley’s voice stopped me.

“What?” I clipped off.

“You sure you want to go after her? Or should you just let her go?” Her hand on her hip and the curtness in her tone suggested she was not very happy with me.

I smiled. “She’s mine, Kinsley. She’s been mine since we were kids.”

“Then why were you a dick to her?” Kinsley huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Normally, I wouldn’t mind taking a look, but she didn’t appeal to me.

I stared at her not really knowing what to say. I didn’t know why I suggested fucking her out of my system. I just wanted to be with her, and it was all I knew. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’ll talk to her.”

“Yeah. You better.”

Not wanting to hear any more from her, I stalked behind Vann. Marc smiled as she walked toward him. Grabbing Vann from behind, I pulled her to my chest, talking in her ear. “You’re not going over there with him.”

Vann began tugging, trying to escape my arms. I saw Marc approach out of the corner of my eye and glared at him. Fucker better turn around and keep going. I turned Vann in my arms ignoring the murderous glare she gave me. I crushed her lips to mine reveling in the taste of her. Vann did not participate in the kiss at first, so it was like I was kissing a mannequin, but pulling her closer, I swept my tongue across her bottom lip and felt her body unwind.

Vann began kissing me back, giving me everything she had. Her arms wrapped around my neck and I pulled her as tightly to me as I could. I could taste the tequila on her tongue, and it was better with Vann’s taste mixed in. She could be her own brand.

Vann pulled away panting softly. “I can’t do this.” Wiggling out of my arms, she ran to Kinsley, leaving me standing there like an idiot. I charged after her, but when I got to them, Kinsley held up her arm stopping me. To my surprise I stopped, maybe from her boldness.

“That’s enough, Deke. She’s done. I’m taking her home.” Kinsley tucked Vann under her arm so I couldn’t see her face.

“I just want to talk to her.”

“Not tonight. She’s had too much to drink, and she’s done.” Kinsley started walking her toward the door.

My anger rose. “I don’t need you to tell me I can’t talk to her.”