December 29 2014
"We just made our debut on Raw," I smirk.
"Yeah, just taking it in," Ryan sighs.
"The excitement is just oozing out of you."
"Sorry man."
"Kristin?"
"Yeah."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Haven't you heard me talk about her enough?"
"Hell yeah," I smirk settling on the bench across from the man. "Doesn't mean I won't continue to listen though."
"Thanks man."
"So?"
"So let's not get into it at work. We'll go out, I'll get drunk and bitch and you'll stare at all the girl's asses and pretend like you'll listening."
"I will be listening. The asses will just be scenery," I chuckle. "I'm heading to catering for water, want anything?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"Eric," someone squeals behind me as I exit the locker room. "I can't believe you're here."
"Is that a comment on my wrestling skills," I smile turning. "Melina," I sigh, my smile dropping slightly. "How have you been?"
"Are we back to being cold to each other?"
"Never knew we stopped."
"We're co-workers now."
"We were co-workers, however briefly, and it didn't work out when we were friendly before."
"We were more than friendly and you know it," she grins running a hand up my chest.
"I know we tried a couple times to make us work and you walked away from me to screw someone else both times," I sigh removing her hand from me. "Not that I minded."
"I might have stayed if you didn't insist on calling out other bitches' names while you're screwing me. She's not here by the way."
"Who?"
"Don't play dumb. Everyone who knows you knows why you are truly excited to be here. She took off after her match at the beginning of the night. Must be nice to work whenever the hell she feels like it."
"Jealousy never was a good color on you. I believe Fandango there," I nod behind her, "needs you to shake your ass."
"You'll see just how much of her greatness is just a cover. I hope I'm around when your image of her shatters."
"Whatever," I mumble.
I watch her twirl a blonde curl between two fingers. My eyes rarely leaving the woman since she entered the club.
"All the gorgeous women in this club and you're still hung up on that girl."
"Yep," I smirk. My obsession with the woman starting the first time I laid eyes on her from across the room in FCW.
"What is it about that girl?"
"Beauty. Attitude. Strength. Take your pick." I can only guess seeing as the only time I tried to talk to her she punched me. She immediately apologized mumbling something about thinking it was someone else before disappearing.
I watch her shoulders straighten as Melina throws her head back laughing. Nattie and Alicia Fox subtly sliding slightly closer to the woman between them smiling at her. Melina slides off in a huff. Nattie's gaze sweeps around the room behind her landing on us, a smirk sliding across her face as she nudges the woman beside her. The entire group of women turn towards us but my eyes stay on the blonde in the center. Her eyes sweep over the bottles on the table and the man beside me before landing on me as she mutters something to the girls around her that sends laughter through the group. The smirk that slides across her face as our eyes meet sends my heartrate into overdrive.
"The feeling seems to be mutual," Ryan chuckles.
"You need to slow down," I motion to the bottles in front of us. "You know I'll leave your ass here if you get drunk."
"I remember all the bars I've had to stumble out of because you just left."
"I always tell you to stop drinking because I'm not carrying your ass."
"Eric?"
I turn to find Melina. "This again." "Yes?"
"I truly am glad to have you here. I hope we can be civil with one another," she states placing a beer bottle in front of me. "It's your favorite."
"Thank you. I'm sure we can be professional."
"That's always a good place to start," she smiles squeezing my arm as I wrap a hand around the bottle. "I'll see you around, Baby."
"I always hated when she called me that," I grumble turning my attention back across the bar.
"Why don't you take your ass over there and talk to her."
"No."
"Pussy," he snorts.
"She's out with her friends. I'm not interrupting that."
"That the excuse you're using tonight?"
"Thought we were here to talk about your life not mine."
"I find this much more therapeutic. Seems like someone beat you to your girl."
I glance back to find the other women scattering as Johnny, better known as Fandango, settles at the end of their table, his eyes on the waitress' ass beside him. When his eyes finally swinging back to the woman across from him, her shoulder rising in a shrug. The man's smile slowly slides from his face as they talk. Drucilla leans forward, resting her chin on her hand as she talks. The man's smile returns with the waitress who begins distributing shot glasses. He slides into the booth in behind the drinks and the woman immediately slides away.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yeah," I answer absent mindedly as I watch the woman throw back two shots.
"Liar," the man beside me sighs. "Two more darling."
Johnny slides around the booth to settle beside Drucilla who tenses but makes no indication to move again. Her eyes stay across the room as she throws more shots back, her hand always covering the glass closest to the man.
"Smart girl."
The man turns resting his hand on her knee.
I'm on my feet before I realize it.
"Eric?"
"What?"
"You look like you'll about to murder someone."
"Thinking about it," I growl as his hand slides up to her thigh. A flash of fear crosses her face before she smirks at the man.
"You can't be mad because someone had the balls to hit on your girl and you didn't."
"I'm about to separate him from his balls. He is fucking manhandling her."
"And she is smiling at him."
"She is smirking to cover her fear."
"How do you…"
I watch the woman's eyes narrow at the man.
"Eric sit your ass down and pick another girl to obsess over. Drusilla is currently taken."
"She doesn't look like she really wants to be taken," I growl as the woman storms away from the booth, Johnny close on her heels.
"Fine, but you really need to calm down."
"No," I snarl as the man grabs her.
"Eric," Ryan calls after me as I make my way through the crowded bar. "Eric, stop. Look she took care of him herself."
"I don't give a fuck. I'm still going to kick his…" I take off at a run as Johnny charges after the woman.
"Eric. Fuck," Ryan growls as Johnny tackles the blonde.
"Last warning," Drusilla states as I round the doorway.
"What are you gonna d…" Johnny starts before she drives an elbow into his jaw.
"That."
"I like a girl that can play rough," he smirks and she repeats her action.
"Walk away before I dislocate your jaw," she growls.
"Here I am thinking she needed me to rescue her."
"You could try," he smiles, reaching out to her. "The result is going to be the same. You underneath me."
"Keep dreaming," she snaps deflecting his hand.
"Oh, believe me that is what is on everyone's mind in the locker room. Getting you beneath them. There is even some veterans who are putting up some cold hard cash for whoever is the first one to taste you, Sweetness."
My stomach turns at the man's words.
"You're lying," she whispers, a sick look on her face.
"Please," he smirks. "Getting you in bed means two things. The first is they get the pleasure of making you a fully realized woman. The second is it gets them that much closer to whispering in Paul Levesque's ear. That is the real prize. You're just a fucking bonus. I mean that literally," he chuckles backing her into a corner.
My hands tighten into fists, my vision turning red.
"Fuck," she sighs as she realizes she's trapped.
"Eric?"
"Keep her safe. I'll take care of douchebag."
"Eric," someone is yelling above me. "Come on man. He's had enough. Eric, stop!"
Arms yank me back into a wall, a hand coming up to my chest to pin me there. "You back with me?"
I look up from the prone Johnny to meet Ryan's eyes.
"Eric?"
"I'm fine." "I don't know where the hell I am or how the hell I got here but I'm fine."
"All this because of Paul's little whore," Johnny gasps. "You just had to wait your turn dude."
"Shut up," Ryan snaps. "The only reason I'm pulling him off your ass is because I don't want him fired. Eric, get back upstairs."
"I'm…"
"Walk away," Ryan interrupts, "before you do something that affects the both of us. I told her to wait for you upstairs," he whispers.
"This isn't over."
"We'll see who gets to her first," the downed man wheezes.
"Stay away from her."
"Or what?"
"Or this little trip down the stairs won't be your last or your worst," Ryan growls shoving me up the stairs. "Let's go."
We trudge up the stairs in silence.
"I know you carry a thing for the girl and I'm not saying she didn't eventually need help but you were ready to kill him when they were still in the booth," Ryan states as we reach the top of the stairwell. "So why the hell do you care so much about one Diva?"
"Maybe we're secretly dating," I grumble.
"Yeah, like you could keep getting the girl of your dreams to yourself," he chuckles.
"You have a," Drucilla slumps out of a side door ahead, her head down for a split second before pulling herself upright, "a big mouth and it's none of your damn business."
"Then let's go check on your girl, Loverboy."
I watch as Layla pulls Drucilla's already form fitting dress even tighter as she tries to tie the torn material back together. Alicia studies the blonde in front of her.
"How exactly did you 'elude' Johnny," Layla asks.
"A couple elbows to the jaw," she smiles.
"Nice," the third woman smirks.
"I mainly just wanted to shut him up. And the Ascension may have come to my rescue too," Drucilla smiles. That smile calms my frayed nerves and I release a deep breath.
"The Ascension," the two women share a look over their friend's shoulder.
"Yep. Both came running."
"Really," the look returns.
"Really," I call causing all three to turn. Drucilla's eyes landing on me. "Despite popular opinion, we're not animals. Nor do we appreciate some of our co-workers thinking it was ok to manhandle a woman."
"Notice you didn't say helpless," the blonde smirks, her jade eyes locking on to me.
"I would never insult you by implying you were helpless," I reply a smile pulling on my lips. Her eyes drop downwards.
"You would be the first," she grins. "Your knuckles are bleeding,"
"So is your back," I counter.
"I don't make a living because of my back," she shrugs. "Your hands on the other hand…"
"It's not the first time I've busted them. Not gonna be the last."
"How many flights did you kick dumbass down?"
"Three. Busted his nose and his lip. From the way he was breathing I probably busted a rib or two."
"Or six," Ryan grins.
"He'll live. He deserved worse."
"I agree. I'll make sure Stephanie hears my side of the story and there isn't any consequences for you guys."
"Throwing your weight around?"
"I try to avoid it. I actually go out of my way to do so but I'm not about to allow the perv to run off playing the victim," her eyes harden. "Plus I'm not going to let you be punished for doing the right thing."
"Thank you for that," Ryan smiles.
"Let's just hope I won't have to do it again. Well, I should really go get out of this torn dress. I'm going to find a way to thank you guys for what you did for me."
"Not necessary."
"Still going to happen though."
"This out bravado flirting thing is fun to watch and all," Layla smirks, "but would you two like a moment alone?"
Drucilla finally tears her gaze from me to look at her friends.
"I agree," Ryan whispers. "I'm getting a drink.
"I'll call you in the morning," Alicia smiles. "Don't behave yourself."
"The phrase is behave yourselves, Tori," Drucilla chuckles.
"I know," she calls.
Her attention returns to me, the smile still in place but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you again. If there is anything I can do for you don't hesitate to ask. You really saved my ass tonight."
"Just invite her to sit with you. Get to know her. Stop acting like a stalker and grow some balls." Instead I nod before turning to find Ryan, chancing one last glance over my shoulder at the woman. Her shoulders drop slightly as she makes her way to one of the bars.
"She okay," Ryan asks as join him at our table.
"She tries to act like she is but she's hurt."
"Why are you over here then? Shouldn't you be with your secret girlfriend," he smiles.
I search the crowd to find Drucilla slouched on a barstool as she stares at her hands folded in front of her, two glasses already in front of her. She waves off the bartender and he clears the glasses. "You're right. I should be with her. Later Ry."
I approach the blonde slowly as she sits wiping at her eyes. "She looks so vulnerable. Like one wrong word will send her falling apart." "You okay?"
Her eyes jump up to me pulling her shell back around herself before allowing her gaze to fall back to her hands on the bar. "Yeah. Just trying to find the motivation to head back to my room."
"It looks like you feel like you have the weight of the world on you."
"Yes and no," she shrugs, grimacing slightly at the movement.
"Must be something big if it can defeat you more than being assaulted in a stairwell." Lowering myself on the stool beside her I study her face. Her make-up is smudged, with dark rings circling her eyes.
She shrugs again blinking the tears in her eyes away. "Just thinking about what was said to me more than what was done to me."
"That was…"
"It was something I needed to hear," she interrupts glancing up again. "Doesn't mean I have to like it. I just can't stop hearing it on a loop."
"Can I at least buy you a drink while you contemplate your motivations?"
"As long as there's not a bet involved," she chuckles sadly.
"Yeah," I wince. "Of course she would take an innocent gesture the wrong way after what just happened to her. It is only natural." The anger I felt in the stairwell awaking again. "I heard dumbass talking about that. Pretty fucked up even for the people in this company. I would just like to remind you that we just arrived. Any locker room talk doesn't involve Ryan or me."
"Well that doesn't get me any closer to getting the names of those who are involved. I had a nice, swift kick in the balls planned for them," a slight grin quirking her lips and the anger ebbs away again.
"I'll just have to get those names for you then. But only if I can watch."
"Deal," she smirks, finally turning to meet my eyes. I feel my breath hitch as those beautiful jade orbs pin me in place.
"Drink?"
"I don't know," she sighs. "According to Ryan and…a friend and you, my back is horrible. Something I could feel for myself a drink ago. My dress is held on by double sided tape and hope. Plus, I'm sure I look like a raccoon from fucking crying over some bullshit."
"A very adorable raccoon," I smile and a blush overcomes her face. Leaning back I study her back, the scraped areas across the smooth skin there is oozing slightly but nothing looks like it would require medical attention. "Your back does look bad but I'm sure it's just superficial damage. You keep using your torn dress as a reason you need to leave but you keep hanging around. I don't think you really want to leave but you feel you need to put up a front."
"If I get myself alone for too long, I think I may fall completely apart. I don't really feel like doing that right now."
"So stay. Hang out with us."
"You guys don't hang out with the rest of the company."
"We would make an exception for you."
"Why? Because my uncle is Paul Levesque and you two need an in?"
"Not at all," locking eyes with her I try to project all my sincerity in those words. "If we wanted to whisper in your uncle's ear, we would just whisper directly into Paul's ear. We've done it before and we don't use others to do our dirty work for us."
"Is that right?"
"Absolutely," my eyes never leaving those jade ones staring back at me.
She studies me and I hold my breath. Slowly she relaxes, "Alright then. Let me go wash my face. Can't represent the company looking like a raccoon. No matter how adorable you find it."
"Asshole is loitering against the wall over there," I nod over her shoulder at Johnny leaning against the wall across the room. "He's been watching you since the girls left."
"Is that why you came over here? To save me again."
"No, I genuinely wanted to check on you. You looked like someone kicked your puppy. You want me to walk with you?"
"I want to say no but after earlier… I don't feel like repeating that right now," she grumbles, standing. "Besides I blame you that he's over there."
"Me," I gape.
"Yeah, you didn't bust him up enough," she smiles.
"I could always correct that," I return grin, standing myself.
"Tempting but let's wait until he makes the first move," she smiles softly as she cranes her neck to look up at me. "Removes the whole 'he's a victim' angle. Now are you walking me or not?"
XXX
"Everything okay," Ryan asks as we join him at a bar.
"Great," Drucilla smiles up at the big man. "Had another little scuffle with Johnny but this one kept me safe."
"I'm more concerned that he did something stupid."
"He wanted to but I'm a good whoa-man, as in 'whoa man no'," she smiles sweetly.
"Where were you at all his life," Ryan chuckles.
"Hiding."
"What are you dinking, Spunky?"
"Whiskey."
"I like your style. Brand?"
"I'm flexible."
"Now I know why he is obsessed with you."
"Top shelf, big man. High proof."
"You sure?"
"Honey, I could out drink your big ass. Just get me the liquor."
"You want to prove it?"
"Already won one bet. I think I can handle another."
He turns to wave down a bartender working the bar.
"Don't get him drunk," I state. "I don't want to worry about him passed out here all night."
"Then don't. Do you know how many Divas I've had to carry home?"
"Are any of the Divas three hundred pounds?"
"Do you wear heels while doing it," she smirks popping her feet into my lap, the slits in her skirt exposing her legs to her hips. My eyes slide up those tanned legs causing her to immediately change position.
"I'm leering at the woman not even a full hour after she's been attacked. Good plan, Dumbass." "I'm…"
"Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Look at me like I'm the only girl in the room."
"Because you're the only girl in the universe to me," I think studying her face. "Because to me, at this very moment, you are the only girl in the world."
Her head dips to hide behind her hair. "Just this very moment?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I've already told you that you're gorgeous but you're also a mystery to me. I'm just trying to figure you out."
"And when you do?"
"I have a feeling this curiosity and lust for you will turn into love."
"Doubtful. You would just find out how…"
"Hey, you two are looking why too serious. We've had enough of that tonight. Now, we have fun."
"Yes sir," Drucilla smiles raising her head. "Did you get me the good stuff?"
"The best this place has," he smiles placing six high ball glasses between them.
"You are not drinking any of that," I point at the big man.
"When did you become my father. I drink too much you'll just run off with your girl and leave me to be the bar's problem. You've done it before and you've already threaten to do it tonight."
"No he won't," Drucilla smiles, shoving two glasses towards the other man.
"And why is that," Ryan returns the smile.
"Because if he tries I will just stay here with you," she grins turning back towards me. "Alone. With only a drunk to watch my back."
"You wouldn't."
"I'll curl up in his lap if I have to."
"Really?"
"You don't leave your friends behind."
"He does."
"That should change."
"I like her," Ryan smile sipping his drink.
"He doesn't know me very well," she smiles draining one of the glasses in front of her.
"Then what's my excuse," I lean in to whisper in her ear.
"Same," she winks.
"Well, let's change that to test your theory," I grin taking the new glass from her hand and throwing it back. "God, I hate whiskey."
"I guess that means I have the advantage then."
"I'll choke it down to win."
"What exactly are you winning?"
"An evening with you."
Her face flushes as a smile settles on her lips. "I'll drink to that."
"You keep up pretty well for a good girl," I chuckle as Drucilla drains yet another glass of whiskey looking no worse for wear while Ryan struggles to keep his head upright. A bartender removes the empty glasses and replacing them with fresh ones.
"Who said I'm a completely good girl," she smirks sliding a glass towards me. "We all have our vices. I just hide mine well. Plus, this place waters down its liquor."
"And why are you hiding," I ask leaning in, my arm going around her shoulders.
"I have to. Can't be the face of the company and flawed. Paul looks down that ginormous schnoz of his otherwise."
Ryan chokes on the other side of the woman.
"Oh, he's a giggly drunk," she chuckles watching the big man recover. "I like those. They're fun. What kind are you?"
"Calm and quiet," I feel a smile pulling at my lips before leaning in closer to whisper into her ear, "and horny."
"Mmmmm…interesting," she grins.
"What about you?"
"Laid back. You're the only thing making me horny," she smiles leaning forward to capture my lips. My arm tightens around the woman instinctively; she fists the front of my t-shirt pulling me closer and I pull her to me to straddle my lap.
"Oh, good God," she murmurs against me, her thighs tightening around my thighs. My mind flashing images of those thighs tightening around my waist as I slam into the woman.
"Want to get out of here," I ask running my mouth down her throat savoring the taste of her skin.
"I can't," she groans pulling back slightly. "You are hell on my self-control but I can't."
"Why is that?"
"Long conversation."
"I got all night." My hand slides across the bare skin of her back causing her to arch into me slightly.
"Excuse me guys," a soft voice states beside us.
We both turn towards the voice, Drucilla sliding from my lap and back onto her stool. "She just keeps popping up tonight."
"An apology for earlier," Melina smiles reaching between us to place a drink on the bar beside the blonde. "I was completely out of line."
"It's fine," Drucilla smiles although I can see the falseness in it.
"The apology still stands."
"Accepted," she smiles taking a large gulp of the drink.
Melina sends another smile towards the other woman, her eyes sliding down me as the grin turns predatory before disappearing into the crowd again.
"Holy hell that is the sweetest thing I have ever put in my mouth," Drucilla giggles.
"Really," I smirk. "Let me see," pulling her to me I probe her mouth. The whiskey taste is muted only slightly by the sweet drink. "Tastes perfect to me."
"Then you drink it," she smirks.
"There's no way I'm drinking that fruity shit."
"Thought it tasted perfect?"
"Maybe it was just you," I grin as she makes a face at the drink.
"Nobody is perfect."
"From where I'm sitting you are pretty damn close."
"Beer goggles or I guess it would be whiskey goggles."
"That boy has thought you were the best thing on earth the second you kicked his ass in FCW," Ryan slurs behind her.
"Glad someone does."
"Don't you have a long conversation to get to?"
"I don't have to have it."
"True. But I would like to know why you can't," I smirk pulling her back onto my lap.
Leaning into me, she nuzzles against my throat, her breath sending a slight shiver down my back. "Because I will disappoint you."
"Doubtful."
"They all say that," she chuckles sadly leaning back. "Then they find out…"
"Find out what?"
"Maybe she's a man," Ryan slurs.
"Unlike some of the women here this is all real," she states arching back to look at the other man grabbing her chest. I concentrate on not burying my face into that chest as my jeans tighten.
"Find out what," I ask again pulling her back to face me.
"If I tell you, whatever this is will stop and I don't want that."
"You don't know that until you do it."
"Past experiences," she drops her head.
Tilting her head back I meet her eyes squarely. "I'm not everyone else. Try me."
"Can't we just enjoy the rest of the night?"
"How about this: I don't like what you have to say, I'll walk you to your room, tell you good night, and then tomorrow morning we can meet up at the café across the street to discuss it over breakfast. If I do, I'll finish that fruity sugary drink, buy you a real drink, and we finish our evening. And breakfast is on you."
She swallows hard, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. "I don't have sex," she whispers. "I mean I've never gone…I've never had…I'm a virgin."
I try to hide any external signs of shock as she struggles to look me in the eye. "She's ashamed. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Unusual? Yes, but not shameful." "Wasn't expecting that. Is that a personal choice? Religious? Just not interested?"
"I'm very interested," she chuckles and I quietly wait for the answer. "Personal choice."
I nod formulating a tactful way to begin the next line of questioning.
"I guess this is good night then," she sighs pulling away.
I tighten my arms around her holding her to me. "Do you want it to be good night," I ask.
"I've already said I don't want whatever this is to end."
Getting the bartender's attention, I order two more drinks before pulling the fruity drink to me. Throwing the drink back I try not to gag on the sugar. "Good."
"You're still willing to sit here like this knowing that I don't know how to take care of you?"
"Take care of me? I'm not a child. I can take care of myself."
"You know what I mean. I've had to guard myself for so long that I can't satisfy you."
"I don't need sex to be satisfied with you. Nor would I push you for sex."
"Why?"
"That's not the kind of man I am. I wouldn't disrespect you by trying and I also think that it's a better experience when both parties go in without hesitation."
"Oh, I would not hesitate with you," she smiles before her eyes widen. "Okay, I need to slow down. My internal voice has become my external voice."
"I like that voice," I grin. "I think you're winning by the way."
She glances at the other man briefly. "I think it's because Tori keeps feeding me water," she states. "What do I win by the way?"
"What do you want?"
"I kinda want to kiss you again."
"What's stopping you?"
"Nothing," she sighs pressing her lips to mine. I pull her against my body again groaning as she molds against me.
"She is better than my mind could ever imagine her to be. Her lips are so soft. She fits so perfectly against me." A sigh escapes as she pulls away to open a bottle of water that appears in her hand.
"What," she whispers, her head ducking.
"I could kiss you all night." "Now whose internal voice is external?"
Her head lifts. "Really?"
"If you will let me."
"And if I don't," she smiles.
I shrug reaching for my own drink. "I'd finish this. Escort you back to your room so no more harm comes to you and then request a good night kiss. I will say that if you deny me that kiss I will leave a sad and broken man."
"I can't have my savior a broken man," she smiles leaning in.
"Get a room," Ryan slurs.
"Have one," I state. "Too bad I also have a roommate."
"He's not leaving you alone in the bar tonight," Drucilla comments over her shoulder. "Deal with it."
"It really is simpler to let the bar deal with him."
"You are a shitty friend," she states downing my glass before turning for hers.
"I concur," Ryan slurs patting the woman's back.
I study the woman in front of me trying to decide if the look of fear that crossed her face really happened or was just a figment of my imagination. My head suddenly feeling light, the woman on my lap blurring slightly. "What the fuck was in that drink?" "Something wro…" My arms tighten around her waist as the woman wobbles.
"I'm fine," she mutters wrapping her arms around my neck. Shaking her head, she leans forward, "I just had a dizzy spell."
"You're drunk," I smile against her lips.
"It's not the liquor," she grins before latching to the side of my throat.
"Hey, one of us has to wrestle topless," I tease nipping at her earlobe. "No hickeys."
"You're no fun," she smiles slowly returning to my lips.
"I'm tons of fun," I argue between kisses.
"Can I find out?"
"I would really like that if you do," I whisper.
Nodding she molds against me again, her hips rocking just enough to create friction between us. A thud behind her has us breaking apart. Glancing at my friend, I find Ryan face down on the bar.
"After you take your friend back to your room," she states firmly.
"He's…" I start, trying to catch the woman as slides from my lap. Watching as she slides next to the big man wrapping an arm around his. Her head nestles against the back of his shoulder as she stares at me. "Fine," I finish.
"Are you taking him back to your room or am I going to have to stay with him here all night," she questions, tightening her grip on Ryan.
The irrational jealousy from earlier returns. "Really, he does this all the time."
"Fine. Be a shitty friend. I will stay here with my new friend," she grumbles.
"Dru…" Forcing my wobbly legs to support me, I slide from the barstool.
"Yes," she smirks.
"Stop calling me a shitty friend," I sigh approaching the two. "Big Man, time to go."
"What," Ryan slurs lifting his head.
"Time to head back to the room."
"What happened to…" his head swings to stare at the woman at his shoulder. "Hello. This is a change in events."
"Had to do something to keep him from leaving you behind. Can you stand?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"Maybe because you're having trouble sitting," I smile. "Get up."