The Do Over

While Lise was off socializing with her friends, I'd found the perfect spot at the bar to keep an eye on Daniela. I saw Chris walking in my direction with that motherf*cker. During the past year, Chris and I had met for drinks and to talk about nightclubs and women. I knew it was only a matter of time before he came over to make small talk and get my feedback on the club. I had a gift when it came to these things. I could tell if a club was going to make it or break it. This one was definitely on the make-it path.

"Hey, Rick, it's good to see you." Chris patted me on the shoulder before he shook my hand. Overall, he was a good guy who was great with people, making him a savvy businessman. "This is my buddy, Liam Lucas. Liam, this is Rick Marin." Chris then sang my club-picking praises.

It was true, so it wasn't like he was kissing my ass or anything like that. He was just stating a fact. I couldn't have planned things better if I'd tried. I needed to know how this a*shole knew Daniela and what his intentions were with her. I wasn't about to let anyone get in the way of our reconciliation. I needed to size up the competition, if there even was a competition.

"So, Liam, right?"

He nodded.

I wanted to get some historical data. "I've never seen you around. Are you new in town?"

"Nope, I've lived in South Florida all my life. This scene just really isn't my thing," he answered before taking a swig of his beer.

"Come on, you like to party." I swirled my drink. "I'm sure you could have any woman in this club if you wanted."

"He already turned down a drink from a bootylicious bombshell," Chris chided.

"Superficial, shallow, and boring. Your free drink isn't worth the headache, and she isn't who I'm interested in." Liam's eyes were focused.

I could see he was a man on a f*cking mission.

"Bro, but the blow job would've been worth the yapping," Chris pointed out. "And you could have ridden off on your horse with your princess afterward. Don't limit your options."

Liam glared at Chris before he turned to me. "Rick, this is your thing. According to Chris, you're the king of clubs. I respect that. It's just not my thing."

Daniela wasn't a clubber either. This little piece of information might work in his favor, and the motherf*cker was interested in substance. Shit.

After finishing off his beer, Chris interjected, "Lucas's thing is his job, his career, his employment, his calling, his mission in life. What's the PC name for it these days?"

"If you don't mind me asking, what do you do?" I asked.

As I tossed back the last of my scotch, he tensed. I hoped he didn't think I was hitting on him. The questions were sounding like pick-up lines, and this was South Beach after all.

Chris answered before Liam could even open his mouth. "My friend here is the consummate Boy Scout. If your kitty is stuck in a tree, Lucas is your man."

Liam's eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed.

Chris shook his head. "Chill out, bro. I'm just joking." He punched his friend on the arm. "First of all, Lieutenant Lucas is a member of the Miami-Dade County Fire Department. Is that better?" He looked over at me. "I have to give him credit because he's done some pretty badass shit." Chris then directed his attention to Liam. "Just lighten up. You're not on the job twenty-four-seven."

Great, so the a*shole is a f*cking hero, too. Girls ate that shit up. Daniela, with her f*cking books, would let her imagination run wild with him. I need to neutralize him. Fast.

Chris and Liam tapped drinks. "Second of all," Chris said, looking over at Liam, "I have a give-Lucas-all-the-shit-I-want card today. He owes me big time."

Liam just shook his head and laughed. "Take your best shot. It's impossible for you to ruin my evening," he said.

I noticed he could barely take his eyes away from where Daniela was sitting.

I wanted to know how Chris came through for him, but then Daniela and her friends started walking down the stairs. As they eased their way onto the dance floor, Liam and I both straightened up to get a better view. Daniela had always been an amazing dancer. My dick throbbed as I watched her hands run up her body and through her hair. By the way she was moving, I could tell she'd had a few drinks. Her inhibitions were low, and she was ripe for f*cking. From the corner of my eye, I looked over at Liam. He had this ridiculous smile on his face. He couldn't stop staring at her. Daniela didn't do p-ssy whipped. This might work in my favor.

I had the incredible urge to see if I could get a rise out of him. I leaned in closer to him. "Damn, look at her. She's a nine-alarm fire. I wouldn't mind getting a taste of that." I took a drink of my Black Label on the rocks.

"What did you just say?" Liam asked. His moronic smile was replaced by a deadly glare.

"Hey, take it easy. I'm just admiring." I put my hands up in surrender. "Is she with you or something? Thought you were avoiding shallow and superficial? But I can tell by the way she moves, she sure as hell isn't boring."

He clenched his jaw and straightened his shoulders. "Yeah...I know her. Don't talk about her like that again." Shaking his head, he took another swig of his beer and then placed the bottle on the bar.

"Settle down, Rambo. I have my own piece of ass."

The motherf*cker actually got in my f*cking face.

"I mean it. Don't you ever talk about her like that again," Liam said.

I put my drink down, glaring at him. I wasn't about to get in a fight, but I don't know what the f*ck he was thinking by coming at me like that. I wasn't a p-ssy either.

Chris immediately got between us. "Hey, guys, settle down. There's enough action here for everyone."

Liam was pissed, but he backed down. I got the information I needed. She was under his skin. He might as well advertise that he came with a white picket fence, two-point-five kids, and he'd probably thrown in a dog for good measure.

Turning to face the bar, I snapped my fingers to get the bartender's attention. "I'll have a Blue Label, straight up." This is going to be a long night.