“Hey man. Glad you came. You already know our boy Nash. This is Jake, Tasha, and Dex.” He gestures to each person as he introduces them. The guys nod and shake my hand and the girls just giggle and don’t say a word. Shit, is this what guys like now a days? The only thing I’ve been acquainted with in the past three years is my hand. Fucking sad, but true. I don’t have any desire to try dating or even put in the effort it takes to fuck some random girl. It just doesn’t work for me. None of these girls do it for me. The fake tits, and plastic ass faces caked with makeup. My dick wants nothing to do with that.
Shaking my head, I leave them standing there and head for the ice chest that’s holding all the beer. Might as well drink a few while I’m here. I reach inside and pull a Bud Light can from the selection and pop the top, taking a long swallow. Looking over I notice headlights coming down the old dirt road, and a small black car comes into view. Sipping the beer, I watch as a blonde get out of the passenger seat. Blayr. Shit, how do they know Chase and Nash? I see the passenger door open and Ember climbs out, looking like a wet dream. Her hair falls in curls down her back, her cheeks are flushed from the heat of the car, and her jeans fit perfectly against her ass. I have to tell my dick to calm the fuck down before I embarrass myself in front of all these people. She walks into the crowd, greeting people as she goes and heads over to where Nashville is standing. He better not even fucking think of touching her. He pulls Blayr to him and I let out the breath I was holding. I didn’t want to have to beat the shit out of anyone tonight.
I walk back over, taking a seat on the tailgate that sits open across from the group. Ember looks up, and I see her jaw drop. She’s obviously wasn’t expecting me of all people to be here. Shit, I can’t hardly believe I came either. Her face is a canvas of surprise and desire. At least that's one thing that hasn't changed. Her body will always belong to me, no matter who she's with, or how she feels towards me. It's always been mine. I see Blayr whisper in her ear, and Ember bites her lip, nodding. Blayr heads towards the middle, dragging Ember behind her. My sweet girl, always following. Never taking the lead. Always been like that.
Breaking our stare I look at the people surrounding me. The guys looking for a girl to bury their problems inside for the night. The girls looking for a man to be different from all the rest. And I sit here alone, looking for solace from the nightmares filling my head every night.
Ember
Of all the places in the damn world for Blayr to drag me to, she drags me here. Granted, I’m sure she didn’t know Hale would be here but still, how am I supposed to be around him all night? I need alcohol. Stat. Following behind B, I head to where the keg sits and I raise my eyebrows at her, smirking.
“I’m so down.” She yells Nash’s name and he quickly comes over, no doubt for the chance to put his hands on her.
Apparently, I’m feeling brave tonight as I brace my hand on the sides of the keg and my feet are lifted off the ground. Doing keg stands like we are in high school, mature of us. I only last a few seconds as the rancid tasting beer slides down my throat, causing me to cough. Ugh, I am not cut out for this shit. Glancing towards Hale, I see his face set in hard lines and his jaw clenched. Fuck it, I don’t belong to him. I can do what I want.
I see Chase passing around cups and I gladly take one. Bringing the drink to my lips, I finish it off in one long gulp. The beer combined with the few shots we had before arriving are coursing through my body, giving me the liquid courage I desperately need. I walk to the middle of the field where everyone is dancing and close my eyes, moving to the beat. The cool wind blows my hair as I move, causing chills to break out on my neck.
The music pounds through the speakers of the truck and my body comes alive, moving on its own to the beat. I look back to see a guy watching me, his eyes sliding up and down my body appreciatively. Bringing my hands above my head, I let the music guide me. The alcohol burns in my veins making my head feel light. Finally, free of the shit that’s been weighing me down for so long. I close my eyes, swaying my hips to the music. I feel him walk up behind me and his hands sliding to my hips. Just as soon as his hands touch my body, they're gone. I'm pushed forward, my feet stumbling over the other as I barely catch myself on some poor guys arm.
"Don't fucking touch her," Hale yells more of a roar then a sentence, throwing the guy backwards. I rush over to him, placing my hands on his chest. "Stop Hale. Stop it now." I push him backwards, trying to get his attention away from the point of his anger. Pushing me aside he charges the guy, which is no one’s fault but his own since he's decided to puff up and act like he can take Hale. Whatever dude, I tried. Hale swings punch after punch into the guys face. I'm shocked no one has tried to break it up. When I see the guy’s body go limp, it's time for me to stop him. Rushing towards them, I pull Hale back from him with every bit of strength I have. I know he would never lay a hand on me. He would lay down his life before he would hurt me. Grabbing his face, I yell, "Look at me now, Hale Michael.” Finally, he drags his eyes away from the poor guy and looks at me. Out of the corner of my eye I see B and Nashville walking towards us. "We need to go before his buddies show up." I drag Hale behind me, pushing our way through the crowd that has surrounded us.
"Jesus Hale! What the fuck was that?" Nashville screams at him, fumbling for his truck keys as we get further away from the crowd.
"Just get in the fucking truck. Ember, who’s driving you?” He asks, grabbing my arm and halting me. My body is loose, and my head’s fuzzy from everything I’ve drank tonight. The last thing I feel like doing is fighting with Hale. Or anyone for that matter.
I shrug him off, crossing my arms over my chest. "Not that it's any of your damn business, but Nashville is dropping us off at the house. God, you have some nerve Hale. Some fucking nerve!” Spinning on my heel, I leave him there and stomp to Nash’s truck. Hopping up into the backseat I slam the door, and settle back against the seat. I’m so mad, I’m seeing red.
Hale
I'm so mad, I'm seeing red. Fuck, I lost my mind when I saw him put his hands on her. I couldn't stop myself; the next thing I knew my fist was against his face. He's lucky I didn't break his fucking jaw. I take a few calming breaths and jog towards Nashville’s truck. I can’t drive after the drinks I had, and the last thing I need is to be pulled over for a DWI. I see Blayr perched in the front seat next to him, chatting away. Sighing, I walk around to the driver’s side and open the back door. Hopping up into the truck, I lean my head back against the headrest and take more deep breaths. I’m trying to reign my anger in and knowing she’s sitting less than a foot from me doesn’t help the situation. I open my eyes and look over at her and find her staring back at me. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. This entire night turned into a cluster fuck, and now my knuckles are bruised and aching. My balls feel like they may burst if I have to stay in this truck with her much longer. I just want to bury myself inside her and never leave.
"You're an asshole, Hale. You had no right to touch that poor guy!" She screams at me, hitting me in the chest. She’s so close I can feel her breath against my face. "I'm so damn mad at you, I could leave you here and not give a damn." I see the angry tears welling up in her eyes. Shit, I didn't mean to make her cry.
"Let's not pretend you're upset over some prick at a party, Ember. We know what the real problem is here. Doesn't change anything." My head is starting to pound. It’s like my body aches to touch her. She’s so close yet so far away. Even if she is in arm's reach, I refuse let my hatred for the world taint her.