Free Something for the Pain (Pain #2) by Victoria Ashley Page B

tables over start yelling her name annoyingly, trying to get her attention. “You’re so damn lucky, slick.” She pinches my nipple, hard, and then walks away, leaving me with a near hard-on.
    She’s lucky, because if she did that when we were alone, then I’d have a really hard time not bending her over and fucking her. Best friend or not.
    I’m trying to keep my thoughts in check, but I can’t when she does things like that to me.
    I’m sitting alone for about five minutes, just enjoying my beer, when a petite blonde scoots into the booth across from me. She’s cute, but I’m not interested in more than a short conversation. My head is somewhere else.
    She holds out her hand and smiles. “Mandy.”
    Flashing her my dimples, I reach for her hand and shake it in mine. “Alex.” I nod down at her drink when I notice that it’s close to empty. “Let me buy you another drink.”
    Tripp walks past just as I’m about to get up and go to the bar, so I grab her wrist to stop her. She looks down at me about to say something, but stops when she notices the blonde sitting across from me. She stiffens for a second, before clearing her throat and smiling. “Hey.”
    “Mandy . . . this is my good friend, Tripp. She’s also the sexiest waitress I’ve ever seen.” I wink at Tripp with a smile, hoping to ease the tension.
    Mandy flashes a small smile before reaching for her hand and shaking it. “Nice to meet you, Tripp. My name is Mandy.”
    “Mandy.” She nods her head. “Let me get you two some new drinks. What will it be?”
    I grip Tripp’s waist and squeeze it. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll just go up to the bar.”
    Tripp looks down at me and pinches my arm. “Why are you so stubborn? This is my job, Alex. I can manage to get you some drinks.”
    Before I can say anything, Mandy holds up her glass, interrupting us. “A Vodka and lemonade will be good.”
    Tripp smiles at me and starts backing away. “One Vodka Lemonade and Miller Lite coming right up.” She spins on her heels and walks away, and I can’t help but to feel my stomach sink.
    The idea of her waiting on me and some chick makes me feel oddly sick to my stomach. I barely like her waiting on me. It just doesn’t feel right. I like to be the one waiting on her . . . always.
    I make light talk with Mandy, trying not to lead her on too much, while waiting for Tripp to return with our drinks. I look over to see her and Harley discussing something at the bar as Harley glances our way, but I can’t really get a read on Harley’s expression. She usually looks irritated, so it’s hard to tell.
    Harley slides two drinks across the bar and then Tripp quickly grabs them and starts making her way back to us.
    I have the urge to go to her and snatch the drinks before she can serve us, but she gives me that look. The one that will surly make me lose control and rip her clothes off in a corner somewhere if I fight her on it for too long.
    “It’s on the house, along with your first beer too, Alex, and don’t even think about trying to fight it.” She sets the drinks down. “I’m going to close out my tabs and I’ll be ready soon.”
    She begins to walk away, but I stop her. There’s no way I’m leaving this bar without paying. She knows how much I hate that. “I’m paying for the drinks and I’ll fight it all I fucking want. That’s what I do.” I pull out a twenty and two tens, and then hand them to her. “I don’t want any change either. You two split it.”
    She tries protesting, but I send her on her way with a slap to the ass. She glowers at me, before walking away and yanking her apron off.
    Mandy stands up and gives me an uncomfortable look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that you had a girlfriend. I knew you were too gorgeous to be single.” She holds up her drink. “Thanks for the drink. I can pay you back if you’d like.”
    I smile up at her and reach for my beer. “She’s my best friend.” I take a swig. “And