Sea Breeze 02 - Because of Low

crawling up under his shirt and licking his chest when our drinks were placed in front of us. Marcus slapped some money down and took our drinks. He nodded his head back toward our table and I instantly missed his touch. Withholding my pathetic sigh I led the way back to our friends.
    Preston had moved the brunette to his lap leaving me an empty seat beside the two of them. Awesome.
    “I thought you were leaving,” Marcus said to Preston as I sat down in the vacated seat.
    Preston took a swig of his beer and glanced up at the girl in his lap. Her red fingernails were playing with his silky blond locks.
    “You going with me?” He asked her.
    She giggled and nodded sending her curls bobbing all around her shoulders. He looked around her at me, “Is it okay if I leave you with Marcus? He said he’d give you a ride home.”
    YES! I managed to mask my pleasure at the change of plans and nodded, “Of course.”
    Preston grinned and stood up with his arm wrapped snuggly around the girl’s waist. “See y’all later.”
    I gave a small wave while I took a long drink of my Coke.

    Rock was still on the dance floor with Trisha and I had no idea where Dewayne had gone. It was just Marcus and me. Staring down at my glass of Coke and running my finger through the condensation trickling down the sides of it became fascinating, or so it would seem. I didn’t know what to say and I suddenly felt awkward.
    “Thanks for giving Manda and me some privacy today but you don’t ever have to feel like you can’t stay at the apartment. No matter what’s going on with me you’re always welcome.”
    I lifted my gaze from my glass and smiled at him. “Thanks. But I have family issues often and I know privacy is always best.”
    He frowned and took a long sip of his drink that I was pretty sure was mixed with whisky. “Well I’ll be having a lot of family issues over the next few months so don’t worry about me. If Manda shows up crying or is tucked away in my room don’t ever feel like you have to leave. Stay. I’d rather you stay than run off somewhere.”
    Had he come looking for me? Surely not.
    “Thanks,” I wasn’t going to argue with him. Although if that happened again I would not stick around and make them uncomfortable. But there was no point in arguing.
    “Hey bro! I didn’t know you were here. Day-um it feels good to have you showing up on a weekday. I miss your ugly mug when it’s off at college.” Dewayne slapped Marcus on the back and took the chair beside me grinning. Dewayne, Rock, Marcus and Preston had grown up together. According to Cage they were all really tight. A strange combination if you ask me. Marcus was the rich man’s son although he sure didn’t live like it and Rock owned his own parasailing company, Preston had no purpose in life but surfing, baseball and girls, then Dewayne was well.... I wasn’t sure what he was. He looked dark and dangerous with tats and dreds, but his personality reminded me of a big teddy bear. He was always so nice and easy to talk to .
    “I needed to get out and my roomies had both left me for the night so I followed the pretty one here.”
    Did Marcus just call me pretty?
    Dewayne chuckled, “Don’t let Cage hear you call her pretty. He goes ape shit when guys mention Miss Willow’s attractiveness,” Dewayne winked at me and lit up a cigarette leaning back in his chair.
    “Cage is full of hot air,” I assured them both but mostly Marcus who I did not want to scare off if there was any chance at all he might be interested in me.
    Dewayne let out a laugh as smoke wafted out his noise and mouth. “Naw, baby, he’s dead serious. I’ve seen him in action when someone said something about you. It ain’t pretty.”
    Shut up Dewayne. I glanced over at Marcus and he was frowning again. Dangit, I needed to stop Dewayne and his mouth.
    “Marcus! Hey you! I had no idea you were back in town. Why haven’t you called me? I’m hurt.” She was gorgeous. Figures, tall blond and all willowy. Just like the girls Cage is so fond of.
    “Jess,” Marcus stood up and hugged the girl. My insides cringed.
    “Come dance with me,” she pleaded not letting go of her hold on him. She looked around him and smiled brightly at Dewayne. “Hey D! How ya doin’ baby?”
    He nodded, “Good Jess. You broke up with that wanker again?”
    She scowled, “Yes for over a month. He got someone pregnant this time. I can’t forgive that.”
    Dewayne let out a low whistle,