Page 80 of The Runaway and the Rugged
And unfortunately, Emelia was swept up in the trouble tonight.
Fueled by rage and anger, I stormed inside my truck and sent my mom a quick text letting her know I was leaving, and to check on Grace who was sleepin’ in the house. Then with a firm, swift nudge on the gear shifter, I slammed it into drive and sped off into the night.
In record time, I tore into the parking lot of The Lonely Barrel, not caring about the lines or designated spots. I parked damned near next to the entrance and with a heart pounding with concern, I jumped out the truck and stormed inside the buzzin’ bar.
Immediately, all eyes were fixed on me.
Most were locals who knew me already, while others who didn’t began to size me up.
Pushin’ past the crowd, I went in search of Emelia. The music was too loud, the lights were blinding, but a flash of sunshine had crossed my line of sight and I swiftly fought my way over to her. In a chair next to the bar, both Emelia and Greta sat with a pissed-off Shane hovering nearby.
“Oh, hell…” Greta grumbled, her head falling back, smacking the wall behind her.
“Garth?” Emelia’s eyes blazed with recognition and excitement. “I knew you’d come.”
I squatted down on my haunches in front of her, scanning her quick and hard for any sign of injuries. She was teetering on the edge of falling asleep, so I gently cradled her cheek, forcing her awake and to look at me.
“You feelin’ all right? Does anything hurt?”
Her eyes fluttered but with a slight nudge against her cheek, they shot back open.
“I’m okay, I’m okay,” she mumbled, cuddling herself further into my palm with a tender sigh.
I peered over at Greta who had her head leaned against Shane’s hip now. He always had a soft spot for her, even when she was dating his damn worthless son Hunter, but recently, she’s been pushin’ every one of his buttons, stirrin’ up all kinds of trouble. I should be pissed at her for bein’ so careless, especially when she had Emelia with her, but instead, I tried my best to remain collected.
“Saw her get hauled up onto a table.” Shane nodded his head in the direction of Emelia, careful not to disturb Greta. “She didn’t look too steady on her feet to be up there, and luckily I was able to get to her before she busted her ass.”
The tightening feeling in my chest seemed to loosen from his reassurin’ words, but I knew if he hadn’t noticed her at the right time, she could have been hurt, or worse.
“Where was Greta when all this happened?”
His stare dropped down to the woman fast asleep on his leg.
“Dancin’.”
I sneered.
“How many drinks has she had?” The answer was evident in their battered, sloppy states. Way too fuckin’ many.
“Not sure, but enough.” Shane sighed, clearly just as frustrated as I was with this whole situation.
Tired, annoyed, and half tempted to find the bastard who was recording Emelia, I clenched my fists tight and decided to let the dirtbag off easy. Then gently pulling my hand from her cheek, careful not to let her fall over, I pushed myself up from my knees.
“Sorry for all this,” I said wholeheartedly. “Don’t know what’s gotten into her lately.”
Shane didn’t tear his eyes off my sister. He knew somethin’ was up with her, I think we all did, but findin’ out what the issue was would be a struggle in itself.
I just hoped one day soon she’d push all that stubbornness to the side and tell us.
“Not your fault, I just wish I would’ve been watchin’ her closer.”
“She’s a grown woman, you shouldn’t have to.”
He nodded as irritation and a look of defeat crossed his expression. I understood the feelin’ all too well.
“Think you could help me get her to my truck? I doubt they can walk.” I went to pick of Emelia, like I’d done so many times already before. Was startin’ to think she’s been in my arms more than she has on her feet in front of me.
It was like second nature havin’ her cradled against me. Arms under her knees and face buried into my chest, she cuddled intome as if I were her favorite damn teddy bear. It was the alcohol talkin’, of course, even if she was mostly asleep, but I didn’t mind. I soaked it in as much as I could, savorin’ the moment as if it would be the only time I’d get to feel it.
