Chapter 12

Mellon’s bar was bustling and loud. I was in my too tight backless black dress that stopped four inches above my knees. I felt self conscious. People were staring at me, mostly guys. Nathan had his arms wrapped around me in a protective way that I was thankful for. I pressed myself closer to him hoping to ward off other men. I did not come here to be ogled at. Though my attire could make a whole other argument.

It was the closest thing I had to party clothes. Or drinking clothes I guess you could say.

“You look lovely,” Nathan whispered in my ear.

I blushed. “Thank you.”

For some reason I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was going to happen tonight. Maybe it’s because the last time I drank with Nathan he bedded me and we ended up married the next morning. It was an unwelcoming thought to be having at the moment.

To prevent history from repeating itself, I’d need more willpower and a lot less to drink. I’d made the mental decision to have no more than two drinks tonight. Anymore than that and I wouldn’t be able to stop.

Nathan led us to the bar and took the stool next to mine. Two males and a girl were working it and Nathan quickly waved one of them down to take our orders.

“What will you have?” Mr. Tall and buff asked. He definitely looked like he worked out a lot. He was good looking, but not my type.

“I’m having a gin and tonic and she’ll have a martini dry, two olives.”

My mouth dropped open in surprise as the bartender left to make our drinks. How the hell did he remember that? It’s been years since we drank together.

“Um…thank you.”

He looked at me and smiled. “Surprised I remembered you preferred drink?”

“Yeah, a little.”

“I have a good memory, that’s all,” he smirked and picked up the glass the guy sat on the bar. I picked mine up as soon as he placed it down and took a long sip.

Aah… perfection.

“You made it,” an all too familiar and highly irritating voice cheered.  

Sitting my glass down I look at the person behind Nathan and try not to groan. Bridget sent me a smile as soon as I laid eyes on her. I couldn’t quite tell if it was real or fake yet.

“Hello, Peyton,” she said.

“Hi.” I rolled my eyes at her when I turned to face my drink. She didn’t notice my rudeness as she was too busy checking out my husband…I mean Nathan. Wow that was weird. I normally don’t think of him as that even if that is what he is.

Nathan sent me knowing smile when I glance back at him. Yes, he knew exactly what I was feeling. I flushed with embarrassment.

“The rest of us are either playing pool or dancing. Care to join?” she asked him.

“I don’t dance, but pool sounds good. When’s the next game?”

“Soon. Conner is about to go down,” she laughed placing her hand on his arm.

Is it wrong that irks me every time she does that? Show some respect.

I quickly stood up from my chair taking my drink with me and walked over to the digital jukebox and began searching through the songs list. I did not want to see Bridget hitting on my husband all night. At some point I will be bound to take her down and it won’t be pretty.

After punching in my song of choice I took a seat at one of the few available tables and pulled out my phone. I was surprised to see that Allison had texted me. I had scarcely heard from her since I’d moved here with Nathan and it cheered me up to see her name on my screen.

How are things? Miss you lots. Call me soon. –Ally

I grinned when I texted her back a reply.

Miss you too. Wish I was back at home. You have to come visit me soon! P.S: calling works both ways :) –Peyton

I took another sip of my drink only to find it was empty and frowned. How did I finish that off so fast? Just as I sat my glass down on the table a waitress showed up and sat another one down on my table. Had Nathan redder them to follow me around all night and bring me drinks? Something about that irritated me.

I glance over at him and to my dismay he was still talking to blondie. I know I shouldn’t be surprised.

“This is form the gentleman at the bar,” the waitress with a nametag that read Keisha told me.

When I followed her finger, I was surprised to find that it wasn’t Nathan at all that sent the drink. How odd.

Well at least this guy was good looking. And someone I might take an interest in if I wasn’t married already.

I smiled and lifted the glass as a thank you and took a drink from it.

My phone buzzed again drawing my attention to it. Another message from Allison.

Visit you and Mr. Millionaire? Sure sounds fun! When? And does he have any friends? –Ally

I giggled at that before texting her back.

Sorry, from what I’ve seen they’re all tall leggy blondes. Don’t think they’re your type. A little too much estrogen for you.  :P  –Peyton.

Uh oh. Trouble in paradise? Whose butt should I kick first? –Ally

Every girl in town!  –Peyton.

The chair being pulled out across from me distracted me from my text and I looked to see who it was. Guy at the bar. Of course. People never do anything for nothing.

“Hello,” I said awkwardly.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing sitting in a bar all alone?”

I thought for a minute to tell him I came with my husband with the more vindictive part of me wanted to provoke something in Nathan so I decided to keep my mouth shut and play along.

“All my girlfriends were busy tonight so it’s just me, myself and I,” I replied downing the rest of my drink.

I glanced at Nathan and saw he was talking to a few of his other employees now and Bridgett was not the only one with him. That offered me some sort of comfort. Even if most of them were still girls and the only guy there was gay.

“Well allow me to entertain you. Care to dance?”

I smirked. “Of course.”

I could only hope that Nathan would glance over here and see us. Handsome waved down the waiter and ordered us another round of drinks and in my attempt to drive my husband crazy the limit I set before coming into the bar vanished from my mind.

“I’m Evan by the way. And you are?” he asked as he helped me from my seat.

“Peyton.”

“Nice. Not a name you hear every day. Well unless you count watching sports,” he replied.

“Ah. A Manning fan, are you?” I asked as we swayed to the music.

“I liked him better when he was with the Colts,” Evan admitted.

“So did my dad,” I laughed. “He’s a Colts fan.”

We continued to rock to the music until the song changed to a much slower beat. Evan placed his hands on my sides and pulled me into him. Even as we joked and had a good time, I felt uncomfortable in his arms and tempted to call off the Provoking Nathan act until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I quickly spun around to face the person who was touching me and internally smiled. It was him and he was mad.

“I’m cutting in,” he said yanking me from Evans hold, but I didn’t protest.

“Who are you?” he asked taken aback.

“I’m the husband. And you are?” he asked with the raise of his brow.

If possible Evan looked even more surprised. “Oh. I didn’t know she had a husband.”

“Well she does, so I take it your leaving?”

Nathan didn’t even give him a chance to answer before he spun us away from him to the other side of the room.

I felt bad for Evan, I did, but seeing Nathan so jealous was liberating for me. He deserved a taste of his own medicine and I was more than willing to give it. However, I do feel I own Evan an apology.

“Did that make you feel better?” I teased.

“It seems you have knack for making friends. It like that in high school too.”

I smiled. “Is that why you want to keep me locked away inside your big house.”

“Our house, Peyton,” he corrected

I rolled my eyes at him then smiled again when I realized he didn’t answer my previous question. Yes, he was most definitely jealous.

When the song was over I removed myself from his arms and picked up my waiting drink. I downed it a little quicker than I was used to and tried to steady myself as the room spun around me.

After slowed I made my way over to the bar to order another. Once I placed the order for it Nathan sat down next to me and frowned.

“Are you sure you should be ordering another?”

“Are you sure you should be ordering another?” I countered. I smiled proudly to myself.

“Firstly, I’m not the lightweight here remember? And secondly, I’ve only had two. How many does this make for you?” he questioned seriously.

I groaned. “Come on Nathan. Lighten up a little. We’re at a bar. We’re here to have fun.”

“Yes, but I’m the boss. It wouldn’t look so good for the boss to get shit faced in front of his employees.”

“Fine,” I shrugged. “It’s not like you’d know what fun was even if it hit you in the face.”

He shook his head. “Not here Peyton. I sense your challenge.”

“Okay. How about at home then?” I said. “Let lose, have some fun. I swear you’re becoming more and more like your dad.”

The moment the words left my mouth I regretted them.

Shit! Why didn’t I think?

Nathan and his dad never had the best relationship and one of his biggest fears was that he would become like him someday. I never should have opened my big mouth.

Stupid, stupid, stupid Peyton. My mouth has no filter when I’m drunk.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Yeah, you did,” he said impassively.

“But I shouldn’t have said it. Haven’t you ever heard that you should never listen to a drunken person?”

At this moment I wished that whole would open up and swallow me up.

“Yes and no more for you by the way. You’re cut off,” he said strictly.

My mouth fell open in surprise. He’s limiting me? I don’t think so. I’ve got this.

I smiled and leaned into him pressing our bodies together. “Aw don’t do that. I’ve already ordered another.”

His impassive look didn’t change. “That won’t work. I’m not as drunk as you remember?”

“What do you mean?” I asked innocently.

“It means that your flirting won’t work on me.”

I flinched back in realization. He couldn’t have hurt me worse if he’d have slapped me in the face. I immediately distanced myself from him.

“So you’re saying you could only be interested in me if you were drunk? That any other time I have no effect on you?”

That stung me more than I’d like to admit.

“You know that’s not what I meant. The only reason you’re doing this is because you’ve been drinking and you want something.”

Suddenly I felt determined. And the next thing I did, I wasn’t sure if it was because I genuinely wanted to know if he as telling the truth or if they alcohol had affected me more than I realized. But I did it.

“Okay. Then prove it. Kiss me.”

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A/N

Cliff hanger, but surprise, I updated!

Now let’s see if I can get forty comments on this chapter and if you don’t vote, please vote. It’s encouraging.  Thanks for reading! :) –Brittany

P.S- Chapter is unedited.