No, this man was a total stranger.
“Sorry, Chloe. You’re a lovely kid, but I’m too old to look at you like that.”
“Sure,” I mumbled, because what else was I meant to say? “I get that. You are probably a little old to be hitting on a girl like me.”
It was like the whole pub fell silent even though I knew it hadn’t, and then Sy threw back her head and laughed. “That getsyou a drink on the house.” Still giggling, she turned towards the optics.
Even Duke grinned. Shaking his head, he elbowed Pocket and motioned to the table where the other biker was still sitting.
“You were quick on that one. Well done to you for putting him in his place, Chloe.” Sy pushed another shot towards me. I stared down at it. Did I want another one? The first one was disgusting.
Before I could stop myself, I glanced at Pocket. He was looking straight at us. No, not us, I reminded myself. He was looking at Sy.
Closing my hand around the glass, I swallowed the burning liquid down.
“Can I have another?” I pushed it towards her as the room around my span.
“Chloe.” Her eyes turned sad. “Don’t change who you are because of some biker dick.”
Biker dick? I giggled, covering my mouth with my hand. If only she knew the truth.
“I’m not, but I am going to start living and trying new things.” I forced myself to smile even though inside I felt kind of empty. I was changing, but not because I wanted to, but because I had to. In the countryside, I could be me. But in the city, I had to be harder. I had to be, otherwise the city and its inhabitants would chew me up and spit me out.
“Chloe, please be careful.”
Ignoring her, I slid from the stool and swayed for a second. Two drinks and I was already feeling it. Gathering my wits about me, I staggered over to the pool table. Taking a deep breath, I tapped the nearest man on the shoulder.
Chapter Eight
“What the hell was that about?” Duke slid into his seat and I took the one facing him. With my back against the wall, I had a clear view of the bar. A clear view of Chloe, who had staggered over to the two men in tracksuits playing pool. She was talking to them, swaying slightly where she stood, and I hated it.
They weren’t even touching her, and I still wanted to rip their heads off their shoulders.
“Don’t know what you mean,” I mumbled, but not once did I take my eyes off her. Jealousy was a new feeling for me.
“You totally blew her off. I thought you wanted to come here to see her.” Duke lowered his voice so no one else could hear our conversation. “You said you fucked up and needed to apologise.”
“It doesn’t matter.” On the worn table, my hands closed into fists. What the hell was she doing with those dickheads? “What the hell is she playing at?”
Duke swivelled in his seat, following my gaze. He turned back to me with a frown. “She’s learning to play pool, I think.”
“I can see that,” I hissed. I could see her clearly bent over the table with one of those tracksuit wearing knobs leaning over her back with his hands on her body.
“You need to calm the fuck down. She’s just having a few drinks and having some fun. It’s not like she’s with you, Pocket. You said it yourself. She is too young for you.”
I didn’t care if I had said that. I didn’t even care if it was true. Watching her with someone else was rage inducing. The only man she should be letting touch her was me, and she shouldn’t even do that. She wasn’t mine. If she was anyone’s, she was probably Ghost’s. The thought was enough to make me sick.
“Ok, that’s enough.” Pushing myself up from my seat, I made a loud sound in the back of my throat, clearing it.
Chloe’s eyes widened as I approached and she straightened so suddenly that she slammed her head back against the guy pawing at her. He reeled back in pain. I grinned, hoping she had broken his nose. It would serve him right for having his lips so close to her damn ear.
“Pocket!” she squeaked.
“That’s enough, Chloe.” I growled, forcing myself to stare into her eyes and not let my eyes travel down her body. “You’ve proven your point. So come away now and stop making a fool of yourself.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Just go and sit down and stop the shots. You don’t drink.”