Page 30 of Killer Honeymoon
Evan met his gaze with a disbelieving sneer. “Get real. He’s smiling all over the place and making her laugh.”
“He’s a funny guy.”
Sawyer and Evan looked back toward the bar and discovered Chrissy had once again placed her arm on Royce, this time on his bicep.
“He’s using a flirty grin on her,” Evan said. “Probably arranging a time to hook-up later.”
Sawyer shook his head. “He’s just politely trying to let her down.”
No sooner had the words left Sawyer’s lips than Royce took another step back. Chrissy must’ve realized she didn’t stand a chance because she inhaled deeply and dropped her hand to her side. The bartender delivered two mugs of beer to Royce, then moved on to Chrissy. Royce lifted the beers off the bar and turned to scan the crowd. A huge grin spread across his face when he locked gazes with Sawyer, and a kernel of warmth bloomed in his core.
“That’s the smile of a man in love, and he saves it exclusively for me,” Sawyer said. “Beat it, Evan. Someone more likely to take Chrissy up on her flirting has just bellied up to the bar.”
“What?” Evan asked. “Oh, I don’t fucking think so.”
Sawyer shook his head as the younger man stomped off toward the bar.
“What was that all about?” Royce asked when he sat on the empty stool.
“Poor Evan was afraid you were going to steal his girl.”
Royce snorted and handed Sawyer his beer. “Then he’s not paying a bit of attention.”
“He is now,” Sawyer said, gesturing toward the bar where Evan was taking a drunken swing at a man twice his size.”
The bartender moved quickly, skirting out from behind the bar and getting between the men before either could land a punch. The bartender got in Evan’s face and pointed toward the exit, a classic sign that the frat boy was getting ejected from the pub. Evan gestured for Chrissy to come too, but she crossed her arms over her chest and didn’t budge. Clint and Jen looked torn between staying with Chrissy and leaving with Evan. Jen made a shooing motion to Clint and crossed the room to speak to Chrissy. When it became apparent Chrissy wasn’t budging, Jen chose to stay behind while the guys left.
“I’m worried about the women’s safety,” Royce said.
Sawyer nodded. “Same. Should we hang around and make sure they get home?”
Jen accepted a bottle of water from the bartender when he returned to making drinks, and she steered Chrissy away from the bar and the disappointed hulk of a man who’d been flirting with her. But as soon as Chrissy walked away, another eager young lady slid onto the vacant stool, and the bruiser looked pleased as punch.
“At least Jen is acting responsibly,” Royce said, “but I’d feel better if we escorted them home once they’re done partying for the night. It’s dark out there.”
“Agreed,” Sawyer said and waved them over.
The ladies looked surprised, and Chrissy looked a little embarrassed. Sawyer broke the ice by introducing himself and Royce. The tension melted, and they carried on a pleasant conversation.
“Look, I know I might be overstepping,” Sawyer said a while later, “especially since we just met, but Royce and I are concerned for your well-being. There seems to be a lot of drinking and fighting going on across the street, and we just want you to know we’re here if you need a safe place.”
Jen sighed and looked relieved, but Chrissy stiffened in her chair.
“You don’t know them,” she said. “Evan and Clint would never hurt us.”
“Don’t be so defensive,” Jen said to her friend. “They’re just being nice.”
“Let’s head back,” Chrissy said. “I don’t want to hang out anymore.”
Sawyer and Royce had finished their beers a while ago, so they quietly filed out of the pub behind the ladies. The girls kept a quicker pace but remained in their sight. Evan was sitting on the front porch with a liquor bottle when they approached their homes.
“It’s about damn time,” he yelled.
“Just great,” Sawyer heard Jen say. “He’s even drunker.”
“Shhh,” Chrissy said. “You don’t have to sleep with him, so don’t worry about it.”
“And neither do you,” Jen quipped.