So why did I feel so wretched?
Chapter Five
Callaway
“More.”
Donnie leaned backward behind the bar, staring at me like I was a dog on a fucking skateboard. I didn’t care. I felt lower than a dog. Hell, at least dogs were loyal. People petted them. Molly would never have told a cute little dog to fuck off.
“What?”
He just shook his head and poured me another shot of tequila. I held out my hand and he grudgingly put the bottle in it. It was the good stuff, not the swill he served everyone else.
I ignored the shot glass and tipped the bottle back, letting it slosh into my mouth. It burned my throat on the way down. Good. I wanted to feel pain. Anything to blot out this crazy feeling inside me.
Because of her.
It was hard to believe, but I’d been rejected. Not just rejected. Cast aside. And by a little girl. A little girl who wanted me.
A little girl who had melted in my arms.
“Molly . . .”
“What did he say? Did he take Molly?”
Lucky leaned down and stared at me, checking my pupils. He’d come up with Whiskey and me, but he’d been out of the country on a tour of duty for the past two years.
“Welcome back, fucker.”
He grinned at me, his clean-shaven head gleaming in the neon lights. Donnie clasped his forearm and hugged him over the bar. Jack and Whiskey came in with Dev a few minutes later.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”
Dev was eyeing Lucky, wondering if he was still the crazy young guy who could give even me a run for my money. Lucky saluted Whiskey, which made us all laugh.
“At ease, soldier.”
Lucky plucked the bottle out of my hands and took a swig. Then he looked at it, shaking his head.
“How much of this have you had?”
I moaned and reached for the bottle.
“Not enough.”
“Hey, man, if you’re rolling on Molly, you need to hydrate.” He looked around at the rest of the guys, who were staring at him openmouthed. “What? It’s true. Ravers die all the time when a fucking bottle of Gatorade could have saved their lives.”
“I’m not rolling. But I will take any drugs you have on you.”
“Sorry, man. I don’t partake anymore.”
I sneered at him and did the shot that had been sitting there all this time. I reached blindly for another drink and found a cold bottle of beer pressed into my palm. Around me, my brothers caught up with our old friend. Baby pictures were passed around. Wedding rings were counted. Donnie’s cousin Mac took over serving while the rest of them shot the shit.
“We’re the only ones left, eh, Callaway?”
I moaned again.
“He said Molly! I fucking heard him!”
Donnie grabbed the bottle of tequila out of Lucky’s hand.
“I think he’s talking about a girl.”
“Only one?”
Jack’s voice was so deep, only dogs could hear it. And the guys, apparently. Everyone laughed. I glared at them all.
Some brothers they were. I was heartbroken and they laughed.
“You guys suck. Everybody sucks. Except her.”
“She wouldn’t suck?” Lucky laughed, slapping my back. “You must be losing your touch, man.”
“Wouldn’t do anything. Never been with anyone before. She said . . .”
Whiskey leaned in, staring at my face.
“She said what?”
“She said I was a nice guy but she didn’t have time.”
“You are shitting me.”
I shook my head and laid it on the bar, moaning pathetically.
“A woman . . . turned you down?”
“She said you were nice?”
Lucky made an ‘ooh’ sound which made me want to punch him. So I did. But I didn’t put my heart into it.
“Ow, fucker.” Lucky started grinning like an ape. “Or actually . . . not a fucker.”
He found this hilarious. Thankfully, the rest of the guys did not.
Dev cleared his throat.
“Did you say she’s a virgin?”
I nodded miserably.
“She put the brakes on. I was right there, man.”
“Maybe it’s for the best, man. It’s kind of a big deal for a girl. You can have five girls a night.”
“I don’t want five girls!” I said, swinging my arms dramatically. My beer spilled and Jack stepped back to avoid getting splashed. “I just want her!”
“Holy shit.” Donnie’s voice was awestruck.
Whiskey was grinning.
“I thought this day would never come.”
I stared around at the guys and shook my head.
“You guys don’t get it. She’s perfect. She’s so good and I . . .”
“We get it, Cal. We do.”
“Get what?”
Everyone turned to look at Lucky. He was the only one with a dumbfounded look on his face. Mac walked over and had the same stupid expression.
“Love, you idiot.” Whisky smacked the back of his head for good measure, making Lucky rub his head and glare at us.
“Why does everybody keep hitting me?”
“Because you’re an idiot.” Jack winked at him to take the sting out. “How long have you known this girl, anyway?”
I cleared my throat.