“Well, now that we have that all sorted out, let’s get us some drinks.” Hailey smiles sweetly at me. She’s only eighteen, so I’ll have to buy them for her. She’s been to a couple of our parties, and I let her drink, but she had to stay there with me. Before I can respond to Hailey, Aiden is talking to Allison.
“Ash, have you eaten anything?” he asks, concerned
“Yes, Hailey and I went to the deli on campus on our way here,” Allison tells him.
I’m a little slow on the uptake. “Wait, Allison, have you ever drank before?” I ask her, concern lacing my voice.
She blushes, and I think even that’s sexy on her. “No,” she whispers quietly.
Her soft sultry voice is going to put me over the edge. I look at Hales. “Maybe you guys should take it easy tonight.” What I really want to say is I don’t want either of them drinking at all tonight. Not looking like they do in a bar full of horny, drunk college guys. I would hate to have to throw any punches; coach would be on my ass. I have to look after Hales, she’s my baby sister. Now, I also feel this protective pull toward Allison. These feelings are pissing me off, and I can feel my anger increasing at just the thought of someone touching either one of them.
“Ash, maybe Liam is right. You should take it slow tonight, considering the crowd.” He peers around the room, obviously thinking the same thing I am.
“Fine,” she grumbles. “But what happened to living the full college experience?”
Aiden chuckles. “I promise we’ll have you living the full college experience, you won’t get short changed. Let’s just take it slow for tonight, alright?” He smirks at her.
“Okay, okay, start her off on something mild, like a weak daiquiri. I, on the other hand, big brother, would like a shot of tequila to start off my night.” Hailey winks at me.
Aiden and I go to the bar and order drinks for the girls. Aiden gets a Corona for himself, and I pass on a beer, just ordering Mountain Dew. “What’s up?” he asks me.
I place my hands on the back of my neck and just look at him and shake my head before blurting it out. “One of us needs to stay sober to keep an eye on them.” I know I’m over reacting, but I can’t get the image of some douchebag all over them out of my head.
Aiden looks confused. “Hales has been drinking plenty of times, she can handle herself, and I’ll keep a close eye on Allison. You might as well have a drink, man. We don’t have to get trashed.”
I’m shaking my head no before he’s even finished. “Not happening,” I grumble. If I’m going to keep a close eye on both of them, I need a clear head.
Aiden stares at me in disbelief. “Liam,” he says in warning. He knows me so well. He can tell I’m a fucking wreck over this girl.
“Look, man, I can’t explain this. I wouldn’t even know where to start. I feel this connection to her, this need to protect her, just like I would Hales.” I run my hands through my hair. “No, not just like Hales—fuck! I would lay my life down for my little sister, but this feeling I have for Allison, well, it’s not exactly brotherly,” I admit.
“She’s my sister in every sense of the word. Don’t hurt her, Liam, or I swear to God.” He takes a deep breath. “She’s not just a quick fuck that you don’t ever speak to again. So help me, if you hurt her in any way, I will beat the shit out of you. She’s my baby sister. FUCK!” He’s now just as frustrated as I am. I get it, but I still can’t help it.
I hold up my hands to stop him. “I. will. Not. Hurt. Her. I promise you, man. This isn’t a game to me. I heard everything you said last night, but you heard me as well. I didn’t even know my Allison was your Ash last night, and I opened up to you about her. Trust me,” I plead with him.
Aiden looks at me with a raised eyebrow. “You said my Allison.”
What the fuck? “I did not.” Damn, this girl has got me tied in knots.
Aiden slaps me on the back. “You’re my best friend, but I won’t hesitate to choose Ash over you. She’s my sister for all intents and purposes. Think about Hales and what you would do if one of the guys used her, hurt her.” He steps back from me. “Don’t fuck with her, Liam. I mean it.”
With that being said, we walk back to the booth and deliver the drinks to the girls. Hales questions my lack of alcohol, and I just play it off that someone needs to be the designated driver. It was a likely excuse. The way my head is spinning, I need to stay sober anyway.
Hailey slams her shot as Allison chugs her daiquiri. Good thing Aiden had them weaken it for her. Thank you, Aiden! Hailey jumps up and pulls Allison out on the dance floor. Fuck, here we go. Allison is a sex goddess, and my sister is just as beautiful, wearing clothes that show way too much skin. I can’t help but notice how even Aiden is checking her out. I should give him the same speech he just gave me.
My eyes never leave the girls on the dance floor. They are currently grinding to “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy”. The song has just started when I see two drunk fuckers come up to each of them, putting their hands all over them. My blood starts to boil. Aiden slides out of the booth and I follow him. I look over at him and motion toward Hailey, he nods that he understands. We stalk toward the dance floor, to the girls, with purpose.
Aiden walks up to Hales, stands in front of her, and pulls her to him. The guy behind her, grinding up on her, immediately backs off when Aiden gives him a warning look. It helps that Hales screeches Aiden’s name as she throws her arms around his neck.
The dickwad that’s all over Allison is at her front, and I can tell by her posture she’s very uncomfortable. I walk up behind her and put my hands on her waist, pulling her back against my chest. I lean down and kiss her exposed neck. “Work with me, sweetheart, so we can get rid of your friend,” I whisper in her ear.
Allison simply nods her head and pushes her body back into mine. I too have to impose a threatening glare, and it works. Dickwad throws his hands up and stalks off. I sigh with relief that she’s in my arms. It’s then I realize she’s still dancing and swaying to the music. Hales has turned to place her back to Aiden’s front, as well, and we’re all laughing and having a good time. The song changes to Colt Ford’s “Dancing While Intoxicated”, and I smile. Allison isn’t pulling away, so I decide to embrace it and hold her close.
Hailey and Aiden are getting pretty cozy; she reaches up and wraps her arms around his neck still grinding in front of him. She winks at Allison, who seems to take that as her cue to mimic them. Allison reaches up and places her hands behind my neck, and as she does I lean down and put my face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in. Her hair being pulled to one side is sexy as hell, and turning out to be quite a convenience for me. She turns her head to look at me and gives me a shy smile. We continue to bump and grind to the beat of the music, and I’m lost in her.
As the music turns slower to “You Won’t Ever Be Lonely”, Allison starts to pull away. I seize the opportunity to turn her toward me and hold her tight. “Dance with me, sweetheart,” I whisper in her ear. I can see Aiden watching us as he pulls Hailey closer. I don’t care, besides he’s nuzzled up with my sister. If this is as close as I can get to her, I’m going to take full advantage. I know what Aiden said is right; I’m not that guy, the one looking to settle down with one girl. Allison deserves her happily ever after, the kind a guy like me can’t give her.