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As they approached the table, two women were standing by Charlie’s chair obviously flirting and he didn’t seem to mind.

“Hey, look who I found getting ready to leave,” Matt said as the other men at the table got up to give Lori their chairs.

Charlie, Dante, and Trevor looked surprised as they instantly ignored the two women and gave Lori the once-over.

Lori said hello to everyone then took a seat next to Jasper.

The two women said their good-byes then wiggled away.

“You’ve got the touch, Charlie!” yelled Jimmy as he took another sip of his beer. He worked at the hardware store in town and was feeling pretty good from the six beers he’d already consumed. The bottles were lined up in front of him.

Charlie ignored the comment and immediately Matt drew attention away from Jimmy.

“You said your wrist is a little sore? What did my brother say about that?” Matt asked Lori.

“I haven’t told him. I’m sure it’s normal, and since I haven’t used it in a while, the muscles need to get used to things again.”

The waitress Linda came over with another round of beers and Matt handed Lori his. “We need another one, Linda, and keep them coming,” Matt told her as he put the mug of beer in front of Lori.

She said thank you and took a sip. The conversation continued with the guys telling some childhood stories and the crazy things they did. Lori sat and listened, rather amused at the crazy outcomes.

“So do you guys normally hang out here?” Lori asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

Trevor moved his chair closer to hers.

“No, we don’t usually come here. There’s a nice place we like to go to about thirty minutes from here. Some friends of ours own it.”

“Really? Is it like Carl’s?” she asked Trevor, absorbing the scent of his cologne and the way his hazel eyes seemed to darken to chocolate as he spoke to her.

Suddenly someone bumped into her chair and was hugging her from behind.

“Hey, baby, I thought you went home,” Tanner slurred as he nearly knocked the chair over. Charlie, Trevor, and Dante rose from their chairs as Lori pried Tanner’s hands off of her.

“Hey, fella, it looks like you’ve had a few too many. Where are your friends?” Lori asked, trying to stay calm and keep the guys out of this and at a safe distance. Once again Charlie, Dante, and Trevor took on similar angry expressions she was sure would not bring a good outcome as she stood up. She looked around and saw one of the guys who acted kind of like a bouncer and waved him over.

“Don’t walk away from me, sweetheart. You’re mine tonight, baby,” Tanner repeated as he grabbed Lori’s hand.

Gus the bouncer was on his way over but Trevor and Dante already intervened.

The three of them helped Tanner back to his friends and Gus asked for them to leave. Charlie stared at her and the uniform she wore. It was as if he was blaming her for what just occurred. How dare he judge me? Like I enjoy wearing this? It’s not my fault that Tanner is drunk.

As soon as Trevor and Dante returned, Lori decided it was time to leave.

“I really should get going. It’s late, thanks for the beer and conversation. I’ll see you around.”

The guys acted disappointed and she walked away.

“Hey where are you guys going?” Matt asked his brothers.

“We’re going to make sure Lori gets off okay. That guy was pretty drunk,” Dante said as he followed Trevor and Charlie.

“Yeah that’s really nice of you!” Jimmy blurted out and the others made their comments.

* * * *

Charlie came around the corner with Trevor and Dante and saw Lori leaving with Gus. They headed toward them just as Carl came outside looking for Gus.

“Gus, I need you in the back. Where are you going?” Carl asked.