You hang out here? Cath asked when they were past the table.
Its only douchey like this when theres a band playing.
She and Levi moved farther from the stage, closer to the bar. A movement near the wall caught Caths eyethe way someone flipped back her hair. Wren, Cath said, surging forward. Levi held her arm and pushed in front of her, trying to clear the way.
Wren! Cath shouted over the crowd, before she was even close enough for Wren to hear. Caths heart was pounding. She was trying to make out the situation around Wrena big guy was standing in front of her, his arms caging Wren against the carpeted wall.
Wren! Cath knocked one of the guys arms away, and he pulled back, nonplussed. Are you okay?
Cath? Wren was holding a bottle of dark beer halfway up to her mouth like her arm was stuck there. What are you doing here?
You told me to come.
Wren huffed. Her face was flushed, and she had drunk, droopy eyelids. I didnt tell you anything.
You sent me a text, Cath said, glowering up at the big guy until he took another step back. Come to Muggsys. Nine-one-one.
Shit. Wren pulled her phone out of her jeans and looked down at it. She had to stare at it for a second before she could focus. That was for Courtney. Wrong C.
Wrong C ? Cath froze, then threw her hands into the air. Are you kidding me?
Hey, somebody said.
They both turned. A fratty-looking guy was standing a foot away, nodding his head at them. He curled his lip and grinned. Twins.
Fuck off, Wren said, turning back to her sister. Look, Im sorry
Are you in trouble? Cath asked.
No, Wren said. No, no, no
Pretty hot, the guy said.
Then why the nine-one-one? Cath demanded.
Because I wanted Courtney to come quick. Wren waved her beer bottle toward the stage. The guy she likes is here.
Dude, check it out. Hot twins.
Nine-one-one is for emergencies! Cath shouted. It was so loud in here, you had to shout; it made it way too easy to lose your temper.
Do you really think thats appropriate? Cath heard
Levi say in his smiling-for-strangers voice.
Fucking twins, man. Thats the fantasy, right?
Take a pill, Cath, Wren said, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Its not like I actually called nine-one-one.
You realize that theyre sisters, right? Levi said, his voice getting tighter. Youre talking about incest.
The guy laughed. No, Im talking about buying them drinks until they start making out.
Is that what happens with you and your sister? Levi stepped away from Cath, toward the guy and his friend. Who fucking raised you?
Levi, dont. Cath pulled on his jacket. This happens all the time.
This happens all the time? His eyebrows jerked up in the middle, and he turned on the guy.
These two girls have parents. They have a father. And he should never have to worry that theyre going to end up in a bar, debasing themselves for some pervert who still jerks off to Girls Gone Wild videos. Thats not something a father should ever have to think about.
The pervy guy wasnt paying attention. He leered drunkenly over Levis shoulder at Cath and Wren. Wren flipped him off, and he arched his lip again.
Levi stepped closer to the guys table. You dont get to look at them that way, just because they look alike. You fucking pervert.
Another fratty guy stepped up, carrying three beers, and glanced over. He grinned when he saw Cath and Wren. Twins.
Fucking fantasy, the first guy said.
Then, before anyone saw him coming, the guy standing next to Wrenthe big one who had been caging her instepped past Levi and plowed the drunk pervert right in the chin.
Levi looked up at the big guy and grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. Wren grabbed his armJandro!
The pervy guys friends were already helping him off the floor.
Levi took Caths sleeve and started pushing Jandro into the crowd. Jandro dragged Wren behind him. Come on, Levi said, out, out, out.
Cath could hear the perv shouting curses behind them.
Oh, fuck you, Flowers in the Attic ! Levi shouted back.
They practically fell through the front door. The bouncer stood up. Everything cool, Levi?
Drunks, Levi said, shaking his head. Yackle headed back into the bar.
Wren was already out on the sidewalk, shouting at the big guy. At Jandro. Was he her date, Cath wondered, or was he just somebody who threw a punch for her?
I cant believe you did that, Wren said. You could get arrested. She hit his arm, and he let her.
Levi hit Jandros other arm in a kind of salute. They were about the same height, but Jandro was broader, a dark-haired guyprobably Mexican, Cath thoughtwearing a red Western shirt.
Whos going to get arrested? someone asked. Cath spun around. Courtney. Clomping toward them in five-inch pink heels. Why are you guys standing outside in this shit?
Were not, Cath said, were leaving.
But I just got here, Courtney whined. She looked at Wren, Is Noah in there?
Were leaving, Cath said to Wren. Youre drunk.
Yes Wren held up her beer bottle. finally.
Whoa, there, Levi said, snagging the bottle and dropping it into a trash can behind her. Open container.