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Instead of doing that, August giggles. And my blood surges with jealousy and rage. Is she actually buying what this dumbass is selling?
“You want to dance?” he asks, nodding his head toward the floor.
Her blush intensifies. “Uh, I’m not sure. I’m not that great on my feet.”
“Let me take the lead and you’ll do just fine.” He holds out a hand, and there is an urge to rip it from his body.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
That urge appears again when she takes his meaty paw, and I want to tell her not to go with him, but my mouth won’t open. They walk out onto the dance floor together, and she smiles at something he says as they fall into a rhythm.
I have to peel my eyes away from August as she’s led in a tight circle by that idiot.
“You’re blowing it, Ev,” Cass whispers as she passes.
What the hell? “Huh?”
She wiggles her eyebrows at me and then, not-so-discreetly as she might think, points to August on the dance floor.
Great, so apparently, all the women in my family have been gossiping about this. I wonder if August said something about it. The thought of that has hope I shouldn’t feel filling my chest.
As the song ends, I hear them return to our general vicinity, and the guy stays close to her, talking for some time. I try to block them out because it’s none of my business who August sees or what she does with her time. We have the rules set up for our shared residence right now, and that’s all that matters. Or at least I tell myself that.
An hour later, everyone is good and fucking hammered. My siblings call cabs to their homes, and I look over to where August is now sitting alone. I wonder where that idiot she danced with went.
“Ev, you getting a cab? Make sure Auggy goes with you.” Warren sways as he points at me.
I almost laugh because a drunk Warren is so rare that it’s comical. “You got it.”
Of course, I’ll make sure she gets home safe. And not with that moron beefcake.
“August, you ready to go?” I gently touch her shoulder, and she dazedly looks up at me.
“Go where?” She grins, and if I’m not mistaken, there is a fleck of mischief in her eyes.
“I’m going to drive us home. I’m sober.” I produce my keys as if that will prove my point.
“Oh, is everyone going already? I’m having fun.” Fuck, is she adorable.
“I know, but it’s pretty late. I’ll make sure you get to bed safely.”
“Oh, will you?” She winks at me, and chivalry be damned; I can’t help but picture her sauntering over to my mattress.
She’s dangerous in this state. Usually, I feel like August is holding back every single thing she feels. She keeps her emotions and opinions locked up in a vault where she can’t offend anyone or be accused of being too bold or whatever.
But I want to know her, truly and deeply. I want to know what’s on her mind, and I want her to feel free to express every little thing because what she thinks and wants is important. Tonight, though? It seems like the alcohol has loosened her tongue when it comes to me, and that’s fucking dangerous.
Because I won’t touch her, not when she isn’t of the right mind. But Christ, it’s going to be damn hard to keep myself in check if she’s going to wink at me … or more.
Once we make it to the parking lot, she wobbles a bit, and I slide my arm around her waist to prop her up while walking. August fits way too perfectly in this spot, and I have to turn my nerves into steel when she seems to nuzzle in.
The drive home is quiet, with nothing but the song on the radio buzzing between us. I want to ask her so many things, but this isn’t the right time, and I’m still picking apart the way I felt when she was in that other man’s arms.
My tongue seems to hold itself until we park, and I assume the same position, supporting her weight as we walk to the door.
“Did you, uh, get that guy’s number or anything?” I’m a prick for prying when she’s in this state, but I need to know.
She shakes her head. “Nah. I never even knew him in high school, nor am I interested now.” Her head flops onto my shoulder as I walk us up the driveway.
