Drew’s nose scrunches up. Slipping her hand into her boot, she rises, grabs his hand, and jams her little hunting knife through it, right in the center, pinning him to the bar. I bought her that knife for her fourteenth birthday some months back.
The girls’ screech, running in all directions, horrified looks on their faces.
Kai hollers a thousand curse words in under a minute. A couple of brothers jump up and race over, moving Drew away. “What the fuck?” Crazy Joe mumbles. He’s missing a few teeth and sounds like a homeless drunk you’d see holding up one of those “End of the World” signs.
“He grabbed my butt,” she defends, and I smirk from where I still stand. I learned a long time ago Drew doesn’t need me running to her rescue. I’ve given a few black eyes to assholes on her behalf, but she doesn’t know about it.
“What the fuck, Kai? She’s a kid!” Jackie scorns, sauntering from the kitchen.
It doesn’t take long for Riley’s dad to come careening through the place. “Oh shit. What happened?”
“Kai got handsy,” Uncle Joe drawls.
“Is someone going to pull this fucking thing outta me?” Kai bellows.
I push my way through them and pluck the handle. “It’s four inches, asshole. I bet you’ve taken more up the ass.” I yank the blade out, relishing the squelching sound it produces. His eyes flare with pain and anger, but he knows who I am. His mouth opens, then closes. Gripping his wrist, I hold his bleeding hand away from his body. He smiles tightly at me. “I didn’t know her age,” he mutters.
“She ain’t even got any titties, you fucking pervert,” Joe tuts, taking Kai’s beer off the bar and tipping it back as he walks away.
“You better get that looked at. Best you’re not around when Mitch hears about this shit. Prez will kick everyone’s ass if we ruin his kid’s birthday. He’s becoming a man.” A few cheers ring out, and Riley’s dad grabs my shoulders, squeezing.
“Fine,” Kai grunts. “Thanks for this.” He flicks his wrist at Drew, painting her shirt in crimson splashes. “Now I’m gonna have an ugly scar just like you.”
Jolting forward, I launch toward him, but Riley’s dad keeps a firm grip on me, only releasing me once he’s escorted out. I gesture with a jerk of my head for Drew to follow me, we get outside before she asks, “You going to give that back? It was a gift.”
Grinning, I grab the hem of my band tee. I clean the blade and hand it back to her.
“You love that shirt. Blood stains, Alec.”
“And now I’ll love it more. That was awesome.” I nudge her with a shoulder. She smiles, and we both break into a full out laugh.
“Come on. I scored some weed.”
I dig in my pocket, holding it up like a prize. Her mouth pops open, and she reaches for it, giving chase when I dart off running.
“Why is the fence cutting off the lake? It’s a waste of a view,” Drew asks, sitting on the bench in front of a small lake. It’s on my old man’s property line, but he doesn’t own it.
“Could you imagine how many drunk fucks would end up floating facedown if it wasn’t preventing the dumb assholes from wandering off for a piss or a swim.” I snort, taking the blunt from her. The toxic shit fills my lungs, loosening my limbs.
“Oh, man, you’re right.” She dips her head, her curls bouncing.
“The prick was wrong, you know,” I tell her, looking out across the lake. It’s so secluded, it feels like our own little world away from the madness of the club.
“Wrong about what?” She blinks rapidly, like she does when she’s uncomfortable or nervous.
“Your scar.” I tip my head to the jagged skin down her forehead. It’s faded so much, though it’s still noticeable. It isn’t ugly, though. There’s nothing ugly about Drew. She’s actually kinda beautiful. Her features are big and so animated. Huge oval eyes, thick lashes, a dusting of freckles she hates sprinkle her petite nose. I’ve always kinda liked them. It’s Drew.
“Like I give a shit what a pervert thinks.” She shrugs, getting to her feet. Picking up a stone, she skims it across the water. I taught her how to do that.
“You have his blood on you.” I gesture to her white tee.
“Yeah, sorry. I’ll get you a new shirt.” I knew that was mine.
“I don’t want a new one. You’ll just steal it anyway.” I catch the smirk on her lips. Brat.
“Well, I don’t want this one now.” She pulls one arm out, then the other, jerking the shirt this way and that, then over her head. Balling it up, she tosses it into the water.
I follow the shirt and laugh. “Someone will find that and think a body is at the bottom of the lake.”