“You all right, old man?” Ryder teases.
I chuckle lightly. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night.”
“Ry?” A feminine voice sounds from behind us. All eyes turn to see Olivia standing behind us.
“You okay?” Ryder is immediately on alert.
“Yeah.” She sways on her feet. “Take me home?”
Without a word, Ryder stands, gives us a nod, and slips his arm around her waist, leading her out the door.
“Looks like they’re all losing steam.” Grady chuckles.
“We better get them home.” Tucker stands and stretches before draining his bottle of water.
“What about the other two?” Malcolm asks. He obviously knows that Tucker has Justine, and Grady has Charlotte.
Tucker gives me a pointed look. I glance at Malcolm, and before I know what I’m doing, the words “I’ve got them” come spewing out. He gives me a curt nod, tells us he’ll see us later, and walks away.
“You sure, man?” Grady asks.
“Yeah, I’ll take them. They have no business walking back to Laken’s at this hour.”
“This is Mason Creek,” he reminds me.
I give him a look, and he nods. I don’t need to tell him that in no way am I having any more tragedies. Not on my watch. Not if I can help it.
I can see them safely home. There is nothing wrong with that. I’m just being neighborly. Hell, I’m a firefighter. It’s practically in my job description to help damsels in distress. Granted, they’re not in distress, but they are highly intoxicated.
“Laken, Leni,” I say, approaching their table. “I was hoping you ladies would let me drive you home.”
“Oh!” Justine says. “Laken,” she says, getting her friend's attention and wagging her eyebrows. I have to fight back a grin at how ridiculous she looks. Not only that, but with the MC Scoop, everyone in town is talking about my new “love” interest. Her friend isn’t hiding her approval of the matter.
“W-We can walk,” Laken says, turning her attention back to me.
“I know, but I need to stop by the fire station.” Lies. “It’s on the way.” I give her what I hope is a charming smile. It’s been a while since I’ve tried to muster up anything remotely charming.
“Thank you, Grayson.” Lenora tries to smile, but it’s more of a smirk.
Damn. How much have these ladies had to drink? “You’re welcome. You ready?” I ask them.
“I need a hug!” Justine announces.
I watch as Charlotte stumbles out of her chair and, with Grady’s help, gives Justine a hug goodbye. Lenora is next, and she’s a little steadier on her feet. Finally, it’s Laken’s turn. She pushes back in her chair and stands. Immediately, she loses her footing, but I swoop in and catch her in my arms. My hands slide to her waist to steady her.
“I-I’m sorry,” she says, staring up at me. Her hazel eyes are glassy but still gorgeous.
“Can you stand?” I ask her.
“Yeah.”
Reluctantly, I release my hold on her, and she again stumbles. Quickly, I slide my arm around her waist and help her to where Justine is standing with Tucker’s help. The girls manage to hug, and then Laken is stumbling again. I pull her closer, and she rests her head on my chest, snuggling close. I ignore what it feels like to have her in my arms. I ignore the way my heart stutters in my chest, and my cock swells in my jeans. I can ignore all of that and pretend like it’s no big deal when it’s anything but. This is the first woman, besides my late wife, to ever garner this reaction from my body. Since I’m in the habit of ignoring things, I push that out of my mind as well.
“Smell good,” she mumbles.
Luckily, the bar’s loud, and I’m the only one who heard her. At least, I hope so. That’s all either of us needs are more rumors flying about the two of us. This is Mason Creek, after all, and the gossip mill is strong. My eyes scan the room, looking for Tate.
Lenora smiles at us, and this time it’s a real smile. She walks to where I stand with her sister in my arms and links her arm through mine. I don’t know what’s happening right now. I kind of feel like I’m in an alternate universe having both of the Abbott sisters in my arms, well close enough. I have one on each arm, so to speak.
“You good?” Grady asks.
“Yeah.” I nod, and, with a mind of its own, my hand holds Laken just a little tighter.
“Call if you need help,” Tucker tells me.
“I’ll be fine. Ready, ladies?” I ask them.
Laken mumbles, as does Lenora, so I take that as yes. Carefully, one foot in front of the other, we make our way out of the bar and to my truck.
“Where are we headed, ladies?” I ask once I have them both in my truck and buckled in, a feat I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to accomplish with all their wiggling around. I thought the twins were bad.