Page 84 of Lucky Puck

Brooks looks up at me like I’m her hero. It’s getting to be a thing, and I have mixed feelings about it—which I shouldn’t. I should be flattered, and that’s all. I shouldn’t feel it deep in my chest like a heart attack warning—or worse.

“Thank you, Brody. I wouldn’t put it past her. That is one shameless woman.”

“It’s probably liquid courage.”

“You think she’ll be ashamed in the morning?”

I nuzzle her ear. “No. But do we really care?”

She giggles when I lick her ear. “No. Keep that up, and I won’t care about anything.” Her whisper is like a caress, the kind that, like a snowflake, snowballs into a whole mountain of irresistible desires. The kind I can’t ignore.

When was the last time I reacted like this to a woman?

When the answer pops into my head unbidden, I pull away from Brooks reflexively.

The last time was with Nora.

“What’s the matter? Why are you frowning?”

“Shit. Sorry.” I brush a tendril of hair from her temple, trying not to let my confusion show. Brooks is nothing like Nora, and this is nothing like when I was a freshman in high school. I’m no fool. Not anymore. I’m just here enjoying the ride while it’s running.

Oh, man. My gut tightens because she’s looking at me that way again.

“Maybe we should leave,” she says, her smile soft and vulnerable.

I nod.

“Let me visit the lady’s room first.”

I watch her go while the place buzzes around me, and Ax challenges Jason to a chugging contest and invites everyone to put money on it.

Pulling a twenty from my pocket, I slap it on the table. “I’m with Ax.”

Ax slaps me on the back, and Jason flips me his middle finger. As the twenties on both sides pile up, I don’t notice that Nora moved around the table until she’s standing next to me, up close and personal, in Brooks’ spot.

“I admire your moxy, kid,” she says. I can see the alcohol haze in her eyes and back away a step. She follows me, and I hold out an arm to keep her from falling against me.

“I don’t admire your moxy, Nora. Where’s your keeper?” I look around for Kara and don’t see her. Shit.

She laughs. “Same old kid looking for your big sister.”

“You need your eyes checked, and maybe your head too, if you think I’m the same in any way as I was back then.”

“Hmm. Maybe you’re right.” She pushes forward, skirting my raised elbow, trying to stop her like she’s a defenseman on my flank.

“Maybe we ought to give it another go now that you’re all grown up. What do you say, Brody baby?”

“You need to go home.” Tension and anger grip me, and I control the urge to let loose and humiliate her as she leans into me.

When the betting flurry ends and the chugging starts, with the guys yelling chug, chug, chug and banging their fists, somehow the sound of Brooks clearing her throat penetrates. I turn to see her standing with her arms on her hips, staring down Nora. I can’t help grinning at her.

“Back off, Nora. You’re embarrassing yourself,” she says in her stern imitation-librarian voice.

Nora turns, and her mouth forms a snarling smile. I fist my hands, ready to drag her out of this place physically if she makes the wrong move—any move or word against Brooks.

Stepping closer to Brooks, Nora says in a loud drunk voice, “You’re not going to slap me again, are you?”

Her words get the attention of everyone at our table, diverting them from the chugging contest, creating a sudden hush. Others in the small bar turn our way, sensing the tension. I move between Brooks and Nora when I see the look of outrage and potential violence on Brooks’ face.