Sea Breeze 02 - Because of Low

through the showroom I found the girl responsible for all this. She was watching me with a shocked almost fearful expression. I wanted to hurt her. Slam her against a wall and scream at her. But I couldn’t. So I settled for words.
    “Suck him dry while you can because you won’t be young forever. He’ll leave you one day too. For someone younger. A zebra doesn’t change his stripes and I can assure you there is nothing about you that’s special. You’re just a young piece of ass.”
    Her jaw dropped open at my words and I heard gasp from others who’d heard me. Good. My father would think twice before he called and requested I meet with him again.
    Storming out of the dealership I turned my truck toward Live Bay. It was early but I needed a beer. No, I needed a damn shot of whiskey. Several shots of whiskey.

    Willow

    “Hey Low,” Preston’s voice startled me and I spun around to find him standing behind me with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, frowning.
    “Preston, hello.”
    He glanced around the almost empty restaurant. It was time for me to get off and I’d called Marcus but he hadn’t answered. I was getting ready to start walking. Calling Cage was out of the question. Maybe Marcus sent Preston. I sure hoped so. I was exhausted and walking was the last thing I wanted to do.
    “You about done here?” he asked bringing his attention back to me.
    “Yep, I was just about to leave. Did Marcus send you to get me?”
    Preston’s frown deepened, “Well, not exactly. He’s next door at the bar.”
    He was? Why hadn’t he answered my calls? “Okay,” I replied waiting for more of an explanation.
    Preston sighed, “He’s trashed. Like drunk off his ass, doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing, trashed.”
    Alarmed, I untied my apron and threw it in the dirty basket and started for the door. Preston followed me.
    “Before you see him like this you should know he met with his dad today and it was brutal. He went directly to the bar and he’s been there ever since. He’s got a lot of family issues right now and all the pressure is on him to keep his mom and sister from falling apart. Don’t be mad at him. Just, understand okay.”
    The pleading tone in Preston’s voice scared me. I mentally prepared myself for the worst as I opened the door to the bar and stepped inside, scanning the crowd for my drunk boyfriend.
    “Rock has him. I called Rock first. Ginger, the bartender tonight called me and I called Rock. He came with me.”
    I found Rock first and he was sitting at a booth off to the side away from the dance floor and he was alone. I made a beeline for Rock. His eyes met mine and I could see the apologetic expression before he even spoke. My heart was racing in my chest. Where was he? Surely Rock wouldn’t let him leave? Drive drunk?
    “Where?” I asked the minute I got to his booth.
    Rock pointed his mug toward the dance floor. Spinning around I immediately found him.
    He was dancing with Jess and she was humping his leg while he held onto her hips and grinned like he was having the time of his life. Furious, I stalked out to the dance floor. That bitch had pushed me too far. I didn’t care whose cousin she was. I’d had it. Marcus was mine. Bloodshot green eyes met mine as I stopped behind Jess. Grabbing her shoulder I jerked her back with all the strength I could muster. Stumbling back I heard her shocked squeal.
    “Baby,” Marcus slurred reaching for me. “My Low’s here,” his garbled words were muffled as he pulled me against him burying his head in my neck.
    Fingernails bit into my arm and I cried out in pain startling Marcus whose head jerked up looking confused and unstable.
    “Back off bitch,” Jess shrilled behind me. Pushing Marcus back just enough so he didn’t end up getting in the way of any blows that were about to happen, I turned around and glared up at her.
    “I suggest you back off. Touching my boyfriend like that is not cool with me. He’s drunk. He won’t remember this tomorrow. So back the Hell off before I break that perfect little nose job of yours.” I hissed taking another step toward her.
    She cackled, “I’m not scared of you.”
    I raised one eyebrow and smirked, “Really? Well, princess, you ever got into a fight with a girl from my side of town? We don’t fight fair. I won’t pull your hair and scratch your face. We fight to live. You’ll wake up flat on your back on this dance floor. Want to see if I’m bluffing?