Chapter 139 - I Would

Gabe

The palm of my hand supported my chin as I gazed out at the setting sun. My best friend and her big bad alpha had left five minutes ago. I wiggled my eyebrows and winked at Ady as he announced their departure. She blushed and slapped my shoulder before he dragged her away. I knew they were headed back to their room for a night of fun and I did a little happy dance inside for her.

I hadn’t moved from my seat. Alpha was by her side so we didn’t have to and my first official day as her guard was over. I had the rest of the night to myself and watched Leo as he made his rounds. I knew Odis sat three seats down but I ignored looking at him all night. Instead, I focused on my drinks and enjoyed throwing them back. I felt his gaze but ignored his gaze and let my eyes scan the crowd.

Left.

Right.

Middle.

Left.

Right.

Sigh.

I was bored and I didn’t want to think about the reason I hovered here. I picked up my drink and lifted it to my lips. I downed the rest of it and looked around for the closest waitress. I made eye contact with one of them and she ran toward me with a platter in hand. She had short brown hair and nice curves. Her cheeks flushed at my gaze and she returned it with lust in her eyes. I ignored it. I wasn’t dumb, I knew I was hot and I knew the effect I had on women. I grabbed a couple of drinks from her and dismissed her.

The party was still in full swing and I watched Darci disappear with one of the guests. I didn’t know her that well but I knew from Ady she could handle herself. The old Gabe would have asked to join or have taken the blushed waitress into one of the meeting rooms. A laugh rumbles in my chest and bursts past my lips. I shake my head.

“But I’m not the old Gabe,” I said. My voice came out slurred and I was surprised. Maybe I shouldn’t have these drinks. The thought crossed my mind and my shoulders shook with a silent laugh. I was tipsy, a little bit, no, I think maybe a lot. I was very tipsy, possibly drunk. Okay, I was. I still had a few sensible thoughts left in my head. I reached up and scratched my head and sipped from one of the glasses.

“I think that might be enough,” a voice said from above me. Oh great, the heavens were speaking to me now. I shook my head, this wasn’t a good sign and I would not look up. The Goddess had a sad ending for me, I don’t need any more of her attention. I would not look up, I would not, I would.

I would.

I look up and my breath catches in my throat. Dirty blonde hair hung an inch from my face, tanned skin glowed above me, and eyes that held a challenge stared down at me. I don’t know if I’m happy or upset that it isn’t the Goddess.

Odis.

Odis stares down at me. This man has my breathing picking up, my heart tripping over itself, and tingles shooting up the back of my neck. I should look down, or away, or something. I stare at him for a second longer, my chin lifted, my eyes turned up to him. He’s bent at the waist as he looks down at me. I look down and remember what he said. A smile spreads across my lips as I tip the drink to my lips and take another sip.

Challenge accepted.

One gulp.

Two gulps.

I pull the drink down and giggle. This is the lightest I’ve felt in a while and I feel the darkness getting farther and farther with each chug. Suddenly, I feel his shoulders press down on mine and his hand wrap around mine.

Thump.

Th-thump.

Th-th-thump.

Th-thump.

“Shh,” I whisper angrily.

Stupid heart.

“He might hear you,” I explain.

Odis pulls the drink from my hand and I scrunch up my lip. I glare but focus on the last drink in my hand. He moves towards it and I tighten my hand around it. “Nope,” I say. His hand wraps around mine and we play a game of tug-of-war.

“I’m not giving up this one,” I tell him. I turn my head to the left and he’s a lot closer now. I can feel his breath on my cheek and I turn away. “You took the other one, you should be thoughtful and let me have this one.” It makes perfect sense. Old me would have been drinking the stronger stuff, old me would be sleeping my way through the waitresses. This me is doing a really good job.

He chuckles and releases my hand before he straightens his back and stands. I lift the drink to my lips and drink happily knowing I’ve won. One second I’m drinking happily, and the next I’m pulled to my feet. The drink sloshes and some spills on me.

“Hey!” I exclaim as I look down at my suit from Ady. I lift my chin to ask him what he wants but I’m silenced. Silenced by the look in his eyes. There’s a warning there but tipsy me doesn’t care about his warning. Tipsy me takes a step closer and I lift my head a little to hold his gaze. I lift my free hand and press my finger into his chest.

“What do you want, Beta,” I slurred.

He stared at me for a second before grabbing my hand. He didn’t say a word as he turned and pulled me along behind him. The world was spinning and I stumbled to keep up with him.

Stay upright.

The road was rushing below my feet and I struggled to keep up.

Stay upright.