I was certain that last comment was going to earn me a slap or hair pull. Fortunately for me, Turner chose that moment to step in front of me, momentarily blocking my view.
“I think y’all are done here,” he stated firmly.
If looks could kill, I’m sure both he and I would be a melted puddle on the ground the way their laser eyes were shooting beams at us. Of course, that could have just been the strobe lights that suddenly shifted to all red. Or maybe the alcohol really was getting to me.
When they walked away with their dignity tucked between their legs, Turner had a very amused expression plastered on his face. “A little possessive don’t you think?”
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
A deep chuckle bubbled up his throat. “You might as well have hiked up your leg and marked me.”
Okay, that pissed me off. Even through my nice little buzz I had going on, he wasn’t going to throw around those kind of assumptions. “No, not even. I just don’t like presumptuous women that think they can march around flashing their assets and can get whatever they want.” I then added for good measure, “And I hate men that fall for it, even more.”
I was glaring at him, but it wasn’t even phasing him. His amused appearance remained. Before he could come back with something that I knew would cause me to give him a tongue lashing, Keegan came bouncing up to my side.
“There you are! I was wondering where you went.” She sounded out of breath, but she looked at Turner out of the corner of her eye.
I faked a smile. “Here I am.”
“What are you doing out here by yourself?” she asked.
I gestured to her brother in law. “I’m not by myself.”
Her smirk indicated she knew exactly why I was out here with Turner.
“I liked the song that came on, so I came out to do a little dancing.”
Her head tilted to the side. “Mhmm. And you dance?”
“Of course.” I twisted my hands together. “It just takes a bit for me to get comfortable.”
“Or a fruity cocktail.” Turner piped in.
Clever man. I bit my lip to hide my smile. I may find him slightly annoying, but his sassy comebacks were entertaining me.
Keegan’s eyes darted between Turner and me. “Uh, am I missing something?”
I shrugged. Turner put his arm around Keegan. “How about I buy you a drink, Beautiful.” He changed the subject.
“I could certainly use another one,” she said emphatically. Although I could tell she was three sheets to the wind and probably teetering on waking up with a killer hang over in the morning.
Turner flagged down a waitress. He handed her his credit card and said, “She’s closing out her tab, put all their drinks on this.”
I could have sworn she said she wanted another one. What was he doing?
Keegan placed a hand on his shoulder and got up on her tippy toes to kiss his cheek. “You’re sweet, Turner, but you didn’t have to do that.” Turner saw she’d reached her limit as well, and she was too drunk to even notice he didn’t buy her another.
Peering down at her endearingly he said, “If my brother just saw you do that, he’d have my ass, you know that right?”
She laughed. “Yep. But he’s not here, so it’s fine.”
He shook his head. “Alright, so enough sweet talk. I think it’s time to get your girls home.”
“Oh it’s okay, Annabelle is the designated driver tonight.”
At least I had the sense to look guilty. Turner cocked his head to the side watching me. “Hmmm, well, that might be a problem.”
Keegan’s glassy eyes were trying to focus on me. “Why’s that?”
“I may have pushed her over her limit,” he admitted.
“Hey, I’m a big girl, I could have refused the drink.”
He raised his brow. “You wouldn’t have.”
“Awfully sure of yourself.”
“Maybe, but I know women, Annabelle.”
His arrogant remark washed over me, reminding me just who he was, and what his last name was. The fun little charade was over, and I needed to remember that I wasn’t interested. Based on how he sank down into his shoes, I think he realized his comment may have come across more crass than he’d intended.
Too late.
“I think it’s time for that ride home now.” The coldness of my voice was heard loud and clear. He effectively categorized me with every other woman in here that had approached him throughout the night. I was ready for my pajamas and my bed.
I walked away from Turner and Keegan and went to the other girls who were now doing body shots off a girl that was lying across the bar. I told them we were wrapping up our night. The bride was done and needed to get some sleep. They bitched and moaned about it, but I refused to leave them here, and wasn’t going to stick around this place any longer than I had too. I’d taken one for the team, and then some. I’d fulfilled my bridesmaid duties and partied hard, but I was done.
When I stepped outside for some fresh air, Turner was following behind with a very inebriated Keegan. He leaned her up against a brick wall and told me he was going to get his truck. Glancing around at my surroundings, we were the only ones on this side of the building. The air was thick with humidity, and after being in an overcrowded room, the temperature felt about the same. I should have asked the bartender for a bottle of water before I left. Leaning against the warm stone, I reached over and brushed Keegan’s hair out of her face.
“You doing okay?”
“Yep.” She hiccupped.
I laughed at my friend. Despite how my night was closing, I was glad I had her, and that she asked me to come. I didn’t question though, that Camden would have had all of our asses if he saw her like this. The door that we’d just came out of flew open and a loud Macie, Erin, and Jordan all filed out with a couple of male tagalongs trailing. Oh if they thought they were all coming to my house, they would be sadly mistaken. Macie was about to dive into a heavy make out session with Surfer Boy, while the other man was sizing up which one of the other two girls would be a for sure deal for him. He was leaning toward Jordan when a black Escalade pulled up to the curb. Turner got out, and rounded the front of his vehicle.
“Ladies,” Turner stated, but was looking right at the one about to devour Macie.
She stopped what she was about to do and childishly stuck her tongue out at him. “Party pooper.” Clearly she heard the warning.
Rolling his eyes, Turner scolded, “Get in the car, Macie. I have a feeling my brother would rearrange that kid’s face if he saw what you were about to do. So don’t make me do it for him.”
“No fun.” She slapped his butt as she passed Turner, opening the back door, and falling inside.
The other two girls piled in, while Turner went straight for Keegan. He took her by her elbow and kept her balanced as he gently assisted her into the backseat. Looking around, I realized there was only room left for me up front with him. I really should have drank more. The two guys threw out a couple not so friendly words toward Turner before they disappeared back into the building. I stared straight ahead as he got into the driver’s side and we began moving forward.