3
austin
There’sno way in hell I was gonna let Kenzie go off to a bar with Jeremy Getts by herself. I swig my beer and watch the two of them over the side of the bottle, willing the prick to give me a reason to break his nose.
“You need anything else?” Rudy asks, wiping his calloused old-man hands on a dish towel.
I shake my head no. I only ordered the one beer so I could buy a seat at the bar. It’s the perfect vantage point for keeping an eye on McKenzie and making sure Jeremy doesn’t try anything.
They eat burgers and fries at a small, round table beside the window. He offers to buy her dinner, which she declines.Good girl.He mentioned meeting up with friends, but so far, it’s been just the two of them.
Now he’s got her playing pool.
I’ve been made by both of them, which is fine. I’m not trying to hide. Now that Jeremy knows I’m watching, maybe he’ll think twice about staring at her ass when she bends over to attempt a pocket shot.
I take another sip and scan the room, noting how crowded it’s becoming. Couples and small groups gather in front of the stage as a band prepares to perform. It would be too damn easy for Jeremy to slip her some alcohol—or worse—in a mob this tight.
Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe coming here tonight was a step too far. Kenzie said it herself this afternoon. I’m not her dad and this isn’t my job—and it’s a damn good thing because the things I want to do to her aren’t consideredfamily friendlyexcept in very niche places on the internet.
As for the job, I prefer to think of it as a calling.
For the past two years, I’ve tried everything to get McKenzie Sommers out of my head. Time off work didn't help, and neither did getting wasted on top-shelf whiskey at a bar in Nashville. I’ve never had trouble turning up the country boy charm to keep my bed from going cold. But since I met Kenzie, I can’t even look twice at another woman. When she walks in the room, the rest of the world fades away until she’s the only thing in focus.
I gave up on trying not to think about having her in every possible way a man can take a woman. I’ve made her mine a thousand times over in my head. But Kenzie’s been through a lot in her short life, more than most will ever have to endure. I don’t want to lay my feelings on her while she’s still struggling to get back on her feet.
The lead singer of the band thanks the crowd for coming out tonight in a thick drawl that sounds put on. I catch and hold McKenzie’s gaze as she and Jeremy approach the bar.
“I love these guys,” Jeremy says. “What’ll you have, McKenzie?”
“I’ll get my own.” Her arm brushes mine as she leans against the bar. “Hey, Rudy, can I get a lime soda?”
The old man shoots her a smile. “Sure thing, honey.”
“Put it on my tab,” I tell him.
She purses her lips and sighs. “I’d offer to buy you a round but I left my fake ID in my other purse.”
“That’s too damn bad.” I smirk, then turn to Jeremy and ask, “What happened to your friends?”
“They said they were on their way.” He checks his phone. “Oh shit, they’re here.”
Jeremy orders three double shots of tequila and then leaves to go find his friends. Rudy sets McKenzie’s lime soda in front her.
“Thanks,” she says. Instead of following Jeremy into the crowd, she claims the stool beside me. “Having fun on your little scouting mission?”
“Time of my life.”
“You know you can’t actually murder him, right?” She sips her drink and smacks her lips.
“No, I don’t think I know that,” I say, earning myself a headshake. “He’s not driving you home after those shots.”
“Then it’s a good thing his apartment’s within walking distance.”
My fingers tighten around the bottle in my hand. I set it down on the bar before I inadvertently put myself out of work for two weeks.
“Hilarious,” I say.
“I wasn’t kidding.”