Page 52 of Badd Baby

Rune just laughed, wrapping her friend in a side hug. "Never change, Linz. I really do love you, even though you're a crazy woman."

"SHOTS IN THE HOTEL BAR!" someone yelled, and the wedding crowd herded into the hotel bar, swarmed the bartender, and then it was off to the races.

To say mayhem ensued is to vastly understate the case.

Rune's friend group could seriously drink, and this is coming from someone who grew up in bars, with a family that took partying to a whole other level.

Even though no one knew who the fuck I was, they included me without question, especially after I beat their reigning chugging contest champion. I tried to behave myself at first, but by the time the fourth round of tequila shots had been passed around, there was no holding back.

My shirt came off, as usual.

I watched Rune throughout the evening—she was obviously avoiding me, choosing to spend most of her time flitting from person to person, group to group. She was one of the most popular people in the group, too, along with Lindsey and Raquel. Those three, at some point in the evening, took up spots together at a round high top near the center of the bar and held court there.

In some ways, it was fascinating seeing Rune in the context of her friends—she was loose, wild, effusive, loud, funny, and charismatic. And by loose, I mean free and uninhibited, not loose as in free with her sexual mores. I couldn’t look away from her.

Specifically, I found myself staring at her mouth. Her plump red lips, moving as she spoke, wide as she laughed. I couldn't stop thinking about how soft they were, how they felt slicking against mine. How they looked wrapped around my cock….

Fuck.

"You're pinin’, lad," A Scottish-accented voice said to me.

Startled, I turned and saw Hamish beside me, a fresh pint of beer in his hand, looking as tipsy as I felt. "I'm not pining."

Hamish laughed into his beer as he took a long swig, lowering the glass to show foam sticking to his bushy red mustache. "You are so." He gestured at the trio of girls. "You haven't taken your eyes off our Rune the whole night."

I rubbed my upper lip. “You've got foam on your stache."

He took another swig, letting even more foam coat his upper lip. "Aye, and dinna try an' change the subject on me."

"I'm not pining. She's avoiding me and it's annoying."

"She hasn't seen her friends in two months. Don't read too much into it."

“Yeah, but it's not just that. She's definitely avoiding me."

Hamish snorted. "She is no."

"Watch." I took my pint glass and wandered casually across the floor, dodging people.

I reached the table where Rune, Lindsey, and Raquel were camped out, pretending to not realize who was at the table until I made a show of noticing.

“Oh, hey," I said. "Lindsey, Raquel, Rune. Having a fun night, ladies?"

Raquel, who at some point had acquired a bride-to-be sash and a plastic-and-glitter crown, lifted a rocks glass toward the ceiling. "Best night ever!"

Lindsey lifted her glass in support. "So far!"

Rune, however, chewed on her black cocktail straw, eyeing me warily, as if I were a wild beast she wasn't sure it was safe to approach. "I need the ladies' room," she said. "Linz, you coming?"

Lindsey allowed Rune to haul her away, leaving me alone at the table with Raquel. I tried to think of something to say to Raquel, but I was saved when a cluster of four drunk blondes accosted her. I left the table and wandered back to Hamish.

"See?" I said. "Avoiding me."

Hamish pulled a face, nodding. "You may have a point, anyway." He had wiped clean his mustache at some point and was already on a fresh beer. His gaze narrowed, anger clouding his features. "That hackit wee jessie's got our girl cornered."

I stared at him. "The fuck does that mean?"

He gestured with his glass at the hallway where the bathrooms were—Hayes had one hand braced against the wall, blocking Rune from exiting the hallway. Whatever he was saying, it was only pissing her off.