“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s an Enforcer?” I asked.
“It’s one of the positions in the club,” Cassidy started. She was interrupted when Henley said, “He’s like…you know… the Enforcer. He serves and protects his brothers,” Henley explained, sounding more intoxicated by the minute. “Like Batman protecting Gotham City from evil.”
“Batman? Really Henley?” Emerson said, shaking her head in disbelief. “Dear lord, do not let Griff hear you refer to him as Batman.”
“What? It’s a compliment. Batman is a total badass,” Henley said defensively, slightly swaying from side to side as she took another shot.
“Henley, what are you twelve?” Cassidy asked, rolling her eyes. As she poured us all another round of shots, she said, “You’ve got to get out more, girl.”
I was just about to grab my drink when Stitch walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. The warmth of his breath sent goosebumps down my spine when he whispered, “You know if you have many more of those, I’ll be carrying you out of here over my shoulder.”
I leaned into him, resting myself against his chest with the back of my head on his shoulder, and teased, “Is that a bad thing?”
The bristles of his beard tickled against my neck when he said, “Not at all. Looking forward to it.”
“Well, that’s good, because I stopped counting after the third shot,” I laughed.
“She’s a total lightweight,” Henley chuckled, barely able to keep her eyes open. “She’s only had three. I’m on number six.”
“I wouldn’t brag,” Cassidy scolded. “Maverick is going to have your ass when he finds you like this.”
“A girl can hope,” Henley said wiggling her eyebrows up and down.
Emerson turned to Stitch and said, “Just so you know, I approve.”
“Of?” he asked.
“Your girl Wren. She’s pretty cool,” Emerson said laughing. “But, Henley’s right. She’s a total lightweight. You probably ought to get her home.”
“You ready to go, baby?” he asked me.
“Yeah, I should probably stop while I’m ahead,” I confessed. Feeling a little brazen, I continued, “But, I don’t want to go home yet. Umm… if it’s okay, I’d kinda like to hang out with you for a little while.” Even though I’d had a great time being with the girls tonight, I hadn’t really had a chance to spend any time with Griffin. Knowing Wyatt was with my parents, it was one night I knew we wouldn’t be interrupted and I wanted to have a chance to be alone with him.
“You could always take her out to your place,” Emerson suggested with a mischievous grin.
I looked over to him, looking a little too eager, and said “I’d love to see your place.”
“Done. Grab your stuff,” he smiled. He took my hand and led me outside, holding me close to his side so I wouldn’t stumble and fall. When we made it to the parking lot, he asked, “Where’s your car?”
“Umm… it’s over there,” I answered, pointing to the side of the parking lot.
“Need your keys,” he said as he held my arm so I wouldn’t lose my balance.
I fumbled around in my purse and after several seconds of searching, I finally found them and placed them in the palm of his hand. He helped me get into the car, closing the door behind me, and then settled himself in the driver’s seat. Without saying a word, he started up the car and headed towards his house. I noticed him checking the rearview mirror several times, like he was checking to see if anyone was following us, and it made me think back to our conversation at the bar about him being the club’s Enforcer.
Curiosity got the best of me and I finally asked, “How long have you been the club’s enforcer?”
“So you were talking about me tonight,” he smiled.
“I guess I really don’t know that much about you,” I confessed. “Until tonight, I didn’t even know you had a sister.”
“Not much else to know.”
“Doubt that,” I laughed.
I was far from drunk, but I could still feel a light buzz from the alcohol. I had so many more questions running through my head, but I kept them to myself, riding the rest of the way to his house in silence. We’d been riding for several minutes when the twists and turns of the road started to make me feel a little nauseous. I was relieved when he finally pulled into his driveway and parked the car. I quickly opened the door and stepped out, leaning against the car as I took a deep breath of fresh air. Griffin mumbled something under his breath behind me as he shut the car door and started walking over to me.
“Regretting that last shot?” he smirked.