Page 77 of Ethan's Sky

“Are you hungry?”

“Not really. Vi, are you and Declan...?”

“What? No. Declan is one of them. He’s nice enough, but, well, I’m me. And he’s him. It wouldn’t work. I’m a mother. I come with baggage.” She shrugs as if she’s accepted this bullshit she’s spewing at me as truth. I can see the heat in Declan’s eyes as he’s staring at Violet from across the room. Whatever she’s thinking, he isn’t on the same page. He looks determined enough for the both of them.

“Here are your drinks ladies.”

As I pick up my glass, an obtrusive giggle catches my attention. The blonde who was licking the rim of her glass is now seated in Ethan’s lap, laughing at God only knows what. Cash has the brunette in his lap eating out of his hand, literally. He’s feeding her a chicken wing. How did they get food before us?

I toss my drink back and slam the glass on the table then call for Katie. Before she reaches the table I shout, “Two more.” Katie nods and heads back to the bar.

“You know what? Fuck it.” Violet tosses back her drink, slamming the glass down, throwing her hands up. Her feet are stomping on the floor. “Fucking head rush!” She groans.

“Gotcha didn’t it?” Katie laughs, placing two new drinks on the table. Vi nods. “Yeah, it happens. But the beauty is, they taste so good you don’t care about the small burn in a minute or two, it’ll be forgotten.”

“Hey Katie? Can you keep these coming?” I’m not looking at her when I ask. I’m watching Ethan whispering in the blonde’s ear. His hand is on the inside of her thing a touch below the rim of her dress. Katie looks in their direction, then scoffs. “Sure thing, love.’

We toss back the second glass of the mystery concoction, then Vi shocks the shit out of me when she drags me by the hand and says, “Let’s dance!” A smile spreads my face. I follow her to the main floor, wedging our way through the crowd until we’re in the center, losing ourselves to the rhythm.

Katie brings us two more drinks on the floor. When I look at her puzzled, she leans into my ear and says, “Hawk paid me extra to bring you two more on the floor.” I can’t see him, but I smile, nod and hand Violet her drink.

“One, two, three.” We toss them back, place the empties on the tray and start dancing together.

The DJ comes over the speaker and announces, “Someone requested this next song. Come on now, y’all, let’s shake your south side.”

Violet and I scream. We start moving in step together, shaking to the rhythm, having a good time until two unfamiliar hands grab my hips from behind and begin moving my body with them. I’m about to turn around and tell the person to back off, but then I recognize his laughter.

“Hawk, what the hell are you doing?”

He leans in close. “Turning the tables, babe. Come on. Let’s show them how it’s done.”

We dance together for the next three songs. Violet waves me over, taking my hand, she drags me back to the table. We plop down in our seats and drink the waters that have magically appeared in front of us.

Hawk heads back to his table where a very pissed of Declan sits nursing a beer, glaring at Violet. The bitch from earlier nowhere to be seen. Even Ethan seems to have lost his lap dog. Cash however seems to have his hands full of some brunette’s ass up against the wall near the pool tables.

I head into the bathroom, do my business and as I’m walking back to meet Violet at the table, a hand reaches out, grabbing me and tossing me into the back office.

“Ethan! What the hell?”

He closes the door and starts grilling into me.

“What the hell is right?” He glares at me, his arms crossed over his chest and his legs spread wide. He looks pissed.

“What’s wrong?” I lean my hip against the desk, folding my own arms over my chest. If he came in here looking to argue. It’s been a long ass day and if he wants a fight, I’ll happily give it to him. Watching him withBubbles the bimbohas me feeling a little stabby myself. If it’s a fight he wants?Bring it!

“What’s going on with you? You’re not acting like yourself.”

“What are you talking about?

“How many drinks have you had, Sky?”

“Clearly not enough.”

“This isn’t like you. You’ve never been a big drinker, so I’ll ask again. What the fuck is going on?” His voice does that gravelling thing I like, and damnit it my body doesn’t react to him.

“It’s nothing, Ethan.” He cocks a brow, telling me he doesn’t believe me. “Or maybe it’s everything. I don’t know. Why do you even care?” I throw my arms out.

“Everything is a vague way of saying nothing,” he teases. “I know you, Skyler. Something’s wrong.”

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