up," Kody called out, hurrying to catch up with me and slinging his arm around my shoulders. "Everyone is riding the high of Arch's win, but please don't get complacent. Stick with one of us all night, okay?"
I glanced up at him as we walked, my heart warming that he was so constantly thinking of my safety, even while this was his celebration as much as Archer’s. "Hey," I said, stopping and grabbing his face in my hands. "Congrats on your win, Kodiak Jones. You're a kick-ass trainer, you know that?"
A smile spread across his face, and he dipped his lips to mine, kissing me in a way that warmed me right through, despite my lack of clothing. "Thanks, MK," he said when our kiss ended. "Maybe you'll let me start training you for real? Girls that fight are hot." I cocked a brow at him, and his eyes widened. "Uh, I mean... that..."
"Walk it off, dickhead," Steele told him with a snicker, whacking Kody around the head and tugging me out of his embrace. "Hey, isn't that the punk-ass QB for the Ghost’s?" He pointed across the parking lot to where two guys seemed to be locked in a heated argument.
"Uh," I wrinkled my nose, squinting. "Yeah, it is. And his dad, Professor Barker. I didn't know they were UFC fans." Then again, why would I know that? Bark hadn't spoken to me since our failed date that’d left him with a black eye, and all I knew about Professor Barker was that he was a bit of a sleaze.
I shivered, and Steele gave me a pointed look. "Let's get inside. I told you to bring a coat over that dress."
Smiling, I rolled my eyes. "I keep losing coats when we go out. Besides, it's only cold out here. I bet you fifty bucks it's sweaty as fuck inside."
"Probably," Steele agreed, wrapping his arms around me as we walked to share some body warmth. He'd offered me his hoodie earlier, but I'd declined on the basis of vanity. My short black dress was a killer, and if I really was going to make Archer my bitch tonight, I needed the aesthetic.
Bouncers at the door checked our passes before allowing us inside, and I spotted several uniformed police positioned around the room, watching the partying patrons with sharp eyes.
"Heavy security here," I commented, curious. "Are they expecting trouble?"
Kody laughed. "From a group of hardcore fight fans with alcohol involved?"
"Yeah, fair point." I nodded. Archer must have just come through the door behind me because the crowd started clapping and cheering, raising their glasses in congratulations. I didn't want to take away from Kody's moment of victory too, so I tugged on Steele's hand. "Come on, let's find Bree and Dallas while these two bask in all the glory."
We found my friends sitting at a high table near a little stage where a band was setting up their instruments. They were both holding drinks in disposable cups, and based on their tense body language, they were in the middle of an argument.
"Hey guys," I greeted them awkwardly, "I hope we're not interrupting anything. Lovers’ quarrel?" I couldn't help myself, and a teasing grin pulled at my lips.
Bree just scowled at me, but Dallas shot out of his seat with a panicked look on his face. "Katie, we can explain," he started to say even as I shook my head. "I've been trying to call you, but your number keeps ringing out. Are you avoiding me?"
I frowned in confusion and shot Steele a questioning look. He dodged my gaze, though, looking around the room like he was bored. "What? No, Dallas, I wasn't avoiding you," I assured my old friend. "I don't know what happened; I haven't been getting your calls. But I've been chatting with Bree every other day." I looked to my friend, and she just rolled her eyes. Whatever she and Dallas had been arguing about it had her in a hell of a mood.
"I'm getting another drink," she announced, sliding off her stool. "Hey Dallas, why don't you tell MK who else you invited tonight, seeing as you see nothing wrong with it." She flounced off to the bar with more than a little wobble in her stride. Something told me that hadn't been her first drink of the night, and suddenly I was concerned for my friend.
Folding my arms, I glared at Dallas. "What's going on?"
I kept one eye on Bree across the room while Dallas blew