Page 45 of Demitri

“You all okay?”

“We will be,” Lacy grins. “That guy that just left? He was dating my friend.”

Said friend is currently looking like a bad mascara ad.

“If it makes you feel any better at all, the quiet one didn’t have the drugs. It was the other one.”

“Thanks,” Lacy answers. “Still sucks. Who keeps allowing this shit to come to campus?”

“This has happened before?”

“Yeah, a few weeks ago, at a frat party. Girl was out of her mind, but she doesn’t drink. Ever. Someone spiked her soda. The cops came and caught the guy trying to do something to her.”

My heart hurts for these girls. Some things never change, but the cops showing up now are actually interested in punishing the bad guy.

“Yeah,” Lacy’s friend adds. “The cop was a hottie, too. Shew, I never knew they made police like that.”

“Remember his name?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Hottie Carmichael. I was hoping he’d bust the seams on his uniform, but it held on. Disappointing, if you ask me.”

I chuckle before looking at each girl, assessing.

“I want you to do me a favor.” I pull business cards from my back pocket. “If you hear anything about drugs at parties, or girls being hurt, or if you’re in trouble, you call me. Think of me as a neutral, safe space, okay?”

“Sure,” Lacy replies. “Can we tell all the guys that come over here to drool over you that we have your number?”

At that, I laugh, shaking my head. “You do whatever you need to. But also tell the guys they can call me, too.”

“You’re like an awesomely cool aunt, you know that?”

I start at her words, but shrug. “I know a thing or two about what happens on campus. I know you probably think I’m ancient, but it hasn’t been too long ago that I was where you are now. And I mean it, if you’re ever in trouble, or if some guy is an asshole, or if he hurts you, you call me. If you hear about girls being roofied at parties, let me know.”

“Yeah, sure.” Lacy stands up, putting cash on the table before helping her friend out of the booth.

“And you keep your head up. You don’t need to waste your time trying to make a fuck face that would eventhinkaboutdrugging you a priority in your life. Better to know now before you’re dependent on him and feel lost, okay?”

“Thanks, Mia.” The girl gives me a sad smile and I watch them leave before going back behind the bar.

Brodie is in heaven with options lining up, and I pull out my phone.

Demitri: Saving girls one at a time. You’re fucking amazing, you know that?

Mia: Just been there.

Demitri: It’s more than that. You give a fuck about them.

Mia: They might not have anyone else that does, you know?

Demitri: Fucking. Amazing.

I put the phone down and make some drinks for Brodie. Next time I look up, I notice one of the ANON guys in the corner nursing a beer. Nate, maybe? When did he get here? He tilts his chin my way and I return the gesture. At least he can have a beer while watching nothing happen.

The rest of the night passes relatively quick, and before I know it, Demitri is helping me in the truck.

On the way home, I ask the question I’ve wanted an answer to all night. “Will you sleep in the bed with me tonight?”

His mouth tilts in a small grin. “Depends. Do I get to hold you?”

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