Breaking Bro Code (The Line Up #4) - Misti Murphy Page 0,68
you want to go?” Lewis asks.
I raise my eyebrows as if to say really? “Line ‘Em Up.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Lily
“What do you want to drink?” Lewis asks as we settle in around a high table.
It’s Friday night so all the girls are volleying to get as close to the bar as possible. And all the guys are swarming around them in the hopes that they might be able to woo a few away from the show that will be put on at some point tonight. The music is loud and the scent of sweat and booze fills the air. I have to practically yell for Kiki to hear me, “Jug of Panty Droppers?”
She nods. “Tequila shots too?”
“Well, of course.” I grin, bouncing on the balls of my feet and glancing around as best I can. Haven’t seen Vale yet, but I sent him a message.
Lewis sighs. “You two are incorrigible.”
A couple of girls near the bar scream and I wonder if the Friday night entertainment is starting. Back in Chicago, I can usually tell by the song choice, because Hud is almost always to blame. My brother being one of the bartenders is normally a huge drawback. The last thing any sister wants is to see her brother shake his groove thang for a group of horny gals and sometimes guys. But he’s not here tonight and these men are gorgeous. Plus, I’ve always loved watching Vale’s dirty dancing moves. The way he always made it look like sex… “Actually, let me get this round. My treat.”
I hurry away from the table before Lewis can argue. Find a spot at the closest bar. Glance around while I wait for the business guys in front of me to get their drinks. Finally they move off and I slide into the space they made.
My friend from eighties night is on tonight. He gives me the once over again. Smiles. “Lily Kelly.”
“Barkeep,” I respond as I spot my, er, Vale. He’s leaning over the bar talking to a woman. Smiling like… Is he flirting with her? She gazes up at him and twirls her red hair around a finger.
“The name is Lake,” he says. “What will you have?”
“Er.” I don’t know whether to march over there and lay claim to my man. Or worry. Or maybe just trust that he isn’t actually flirting with her. I take a deep breath. He’s put a lot of effort into not getting involved with anyone. Until me. That has to count for something doesn’t it? “I should be patient, right?”
“I can’t say,” the tender says.
I swing my attention to the man behind the bar. “Huh?”
“You asked me if you should be patient.”
“Oh. Sorry.” I grip the edge of the glossy wood. “I’ll take three tequila shots. A jug of panty droppers and a beer.”
He nods and starts pouring spirits into a blender.
I clench my jaw and puff out my cheeks. Tap my fingers on the barrier of the bar. I will not be a jealous girlfriend when I’m not even a girlfriend. We’re just seeing if this thing could be a thing.
It’s not easy to be patient when this is no longer a silly crush to me. I’ve always been half in love with him. Now I’m falling the rest of the way faster than I want to.
Especially when he’s not ready. If he’ll ever be ready. It’s hard not to worry when he’s clearly affected by his brother marrying his ex. She must have been something to wreck him the way she did.
I frown as I notice a box of cereal on the stainless steel work surface behind the barrier. The cardboard box is red. There’s a blue pirate on it. I step up on the foot rail and grab the box. “Is this yours?”
Lake turns around.
“Is this yours?” I repeat, practically screaming the words. I shake the carton for emphasis.
He lifts a shoulder and drops it as he smiles at me. “Help yourself.”
I rip into the top of the box. Yank the two sides of the plastic apart. And shove a handful of the cereal into my mouth. I chew like my life depends on it. Oh my God, the captain is here. He’s a bartender. Of course he is. This is my life. My squirrels are running circles around me again.
“Hungry?” Lake asks as he places the jug on a tray in front of me.
“Cap’N?” I shake the box at him. “You. You’re the Cap’N.”
“What?”
“You. Are. The. Captain.” I talk like one of those dickheads