***
I’d spent the picnic catching up with Jenna and laughing at Braden and Ed’s jokes. Maybe once in the entire three hours we hung out did I speak directly to Adam, and I avoided his gaze at all costs. That was difficult, considering he was constantly trying to catch it.
Thankfully there wasn’t a quiet moment for him to ask me what the hell was wrong with me, so my form of torture worked out even better than I’d planned it.
I was gratified to discover it was a form of torture because by the time Braden and I left him, Adam’s expression was black with ill humor. Normally, Braden would have noticed our behavior, but much like Joss he was kind of distracted.
I was even more gratified to discover later, after having a discussion with Joss regarding Braden —I was still unsure of where Joss stood on that one since I thought she was protesting her disinterest just a wee bit too much—and then confiding in her about Adam, that she agreed with me: Adam needed to be taught a lesson. If he didn’t want to be in my life in a romantic sense, then he needed to butt out of my romantic life. I was going to continue my torture that evening.
Joss was working at the bar while Braden, Adam and I were going out for drinks with Darren, the manager of Braden’s nightclub Fire, and Darren’s wife Donna. I wore a black top that was backless. It was held together by a silk ribbon across the middle of the back, while the front was demure with a high neckline and draped chiffon panel that fell a good three inches past my waist. I’d matched the top with black skinny jeans that were so tight they might as well have been painted on. My hair was pulled up into a messy bun to give maximum impact to the top, and I was wearing four inch silver heels to match the silver tear drop earrings I was wearing.
It was a little more femme fatale than I usually went for but it did the trick. Adam’s eyes flared when I turned around after greeting Donna, his gaze burning as he took in the full effect of the outfit.
That just pissed me off.
What pissed me off even more was Braden’s announcement that we were going to Club 39. Knowing what he was up to regarding Joss, I didn’t feel comfortable letting him unleash his plan while she was busy working. However, Braden wouldn’t listen to me and Donna wanted to check out the bar.
My annoyance levels increased when Adam held me back as we walked along George Street.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or am I going to have to guess?” he asked, his words clipped.
I shrugged, not looking at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Ellie, don’t. Being a bitch doesn’t suit you.”
I flinched but kept walking. “You know what else doesn’t suit me? Being single. But apparently that’s not my choice.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” he hissed, his voice low since we’d gotten closer to Braden.
I kept my voice low too as I illuminated him, snapping my head around to glare at him.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, you overbearing arsehole.”
“Everything okay?” Braden turned around to frown at us.
I nodded sharply and hurried forward to walk beside him. As we approached Club 39, I sighed, “Braden, I hope you know what you’re doing.”
He shot me a wicked smile. “Always do. You know, Darren knows the doorman here.”
Turning to Darren, Braden set his devious little plan in motion. “Darren, why don’t you go on in ahead and gets us drinks. We’ll find a table.”
Darren nodded and ignored the complaints from people standing in line as he shoved his way down the narrow steps to the basement bar. He greeted the big guy at the door and they spoke for a few minutes. He turned and pointed up to the street where we were standing and the next thing was we were being waved down the stairs. Darren disappeared inside the club and I watched Braden take Donna’s arm.
I glowered at his back. Donna was an attractive brunette and Braden was hoping to use her to make Joss jealous. I knew how Braden worked. He liked this idea because it meant that he could use a woman to make Joss jealous without actually getting entangled with another woman. My brother liked reaction, and I was guessing he wanted a big reaction from Joss.
Part of me hoped she’d deal with it with her usual admirable self-possession.
Unfortunately my hopes were dashed. As soon as we got inside Club 39 my eyes swung to Joss and I watched her expression harden as Braden leaned down to whisper in Donna’s ear.
He looked right through Joss and I saw a flicker of something I didn’t like pass in her eyes before she quickly turned away.