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“Are you worried?” I asked.

Shane nodded. “I think I should go check she’s all right.” He jumped up from his seat, and his eyebrows shot up as I went to follow after him. “You’re coming with me?”

“Yeah, if you’re concerned about her, you might need back up.”

Shane gave a swift nod. “Thanks, man,” he said before he started toward the crowded dance floor. I wasn’t sure why I was helping Shane with his sister, but I was fairly certain it wasn’t because he was worried. I think a part of me just didn’t believe Ally was drinking in a place like Dizzy, and I needed to see it for myself.

The dance floor smelled like stale beer, and I had to press my body through hordes of people to try to get across it. The air was hot and sticky, and after a few moments surrounded by the hectic crowd, I quickly understood why Shane had come back sweating. It was a claustrophobic, thumping hell, and I couldn’t imagine why it would be appealing to anyone. The people around me were having the time of their lives though.

I saw plenty of kids from school as I made my way through the crowd. The bouncers at Dizzy were famously lax on IDs, and I’d never been carded in the few times I’d come before. Several of the girls we knew smiled at me or tried to wave me over. I let my gaze skim right past them though. One soft look or nice word from me was enough to give the girls at our school the wrong idea. I’d learned the hard way not to do anything that might lead them on.

Shane stopped in front of me and nudged me with his elbow before pointing across the room. His expression was disproving, and his lips had formed a tight line. “She’s over there.”

I followed the direction of his finger, and my body flushed with heat as I caught sight of Ally. She was dancing with some guy I didn’t recognize, her body moving in seductive ways I had no idea she was capable of. I could barely pull my eyes from her, but then she teetered a little in her high heels, and I remembered how much she’d had to drink. Any sudden attraction I felt quickly dissolved and was replaced by concern.

Several guys were watching Ally dance from nearby. They seemed to be gradually sidling closer, apparently unaware they were just one of many creeps who had their eye on her. I felt a sudden desire to protect her, but I told myself it was just because I wanted to help Shane out.

“Aren’t you going to do something?” I growled to Shane.

“What do you think?” he replied, already starting to force his way farther across the dance floor toward his sister.

I was right on Shane’s tail as I strode after him. People must have sensed we were on a mission because the crowd parted as we made our way over to Ally.

As soon as we were close enough, Shane grabbed the shoulder of the guy Ally was dancing with and jerked him around so they stood face to face.

“What the hell, man?” the guy complained.

“Get your hands off my sister,” Shane replied.

The guy’s eyes widened. He looked like he wanted to tell Shane to go to hell, but as I came to stand at Shane’s side, he reconsidered. He looked me up and down and then glanced back at Shane, knowing he was outnumbered.

“Fine, chill,” he muttered, holding up his hands as he quickly backed away from us and disappeared into the crowd without a second look at Ally.

Ally thumped her brother in the chest. “Why did you do that?” she shouted at him.

“I was protecting you,” he replied. “What were you thinking coming here?”

Ally scowled at her brother. “I was thinking I might come and have a little fun with my friends. Is that such a crime?”

“It is when you’re getting drunk, and I don’t see your friends anywhere.”

Ally shrugged. “They went to the bathroom.”

“That doesn’t change the fact you’re drunk or the fact that Dad will kill youandme for letting this happen if he finds out.”

Ally rolled her eyes. “I’m not drunk.” She might not have been as wasted as Jordan, but it was clear she was tipsy. Her eyes were a little unfocused, and she was swaying slightly in her heels.

Shane took hold of her wrist. “Ally, let me take you home.”

She quickly shook him off, refusing to move an inch. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Come on, Ally,” Shane pleaded. “It’s late, and you shouldn’t be here. Let’s just go home.”

“I have until midnight.”

“Which isn’t that far away.”

“I said no, Shane!” Her body was vibrating with anger, and she had that determined look in her eyes I’d seen far too many times before. There was no way Ally was changing her mind.